Talented transfers and a slew of playmakers give Oldsmar Christian an edge in Class A.
By JOHN C. COTEY, Times Staff Writer
Published November 16, 2005
[Times photo: Douglas R. Clifford]
Junior David Minaya, who averaged 18 points per game last season, powers the Oldsmar Christian Eagles.
If having a leaner, quicker and better David Minaya back wasn't enough to make Oldsmar Christian a Class A contender, then consider the addition of two former teammates at Brandon - Watkins Williams and Virgil Johnson - and two of his cousins, including 6-foot-4 point guard Leo Liriano.
Those additions may not make most of the other coaches in this and other counties happy, but the ones at Oldsmar Christian are tickled.
While they scream "recruiting!", coach Larry Bache said all the credit goes to Minaya's success since he transferred from Brandon after his freshman year.
As a sophomore last year, Minaya averaged 18 points a game and began showing up on a number of recruiting Web sites.
"I think these kids saw David come over and have success, get offered some scholarships and become one of the top scorers in Pinellas County," Bache said. "And the kids from Brandon, when they were there with David, considered themselves above David. Now they see the success he had, and while they hadn't been offered over there, they've come here and have already been offered."
Johnson, who won't be eligible until January, and Williams will start alongside Minaya to give the Eagles a strong frontcourt. Liriano was a reserve for nationally ranked St. Benedict's out of New Jersey and will start at point guard.
"We're a little deeper this year," said Minaya, a junior who has offers from James Madison and Tennessee Tech. "Last year, we were three deep, and this year it's more like 5-6. We're more athletic, quicker and a more complete team."
The biggest chore for Oldsmar Christian may be keeping all five starters happy. Bache said he expects that problem will be solved by the Eagles' high-scoring attack.
"That's going to be interesting," he said, laughing.
Because it is in a small district and will play only three league games, and few if any county teams will schedule them, the Eagles have looked elsewhere and put together a lofty schedule that includes state prep powers Montverde, Miami Calusa Prep and IMG Academy, as well as nationally regarded South Gwinnet (Ga.) and two holiday tournaments.
One prep hoops Web site lists the schedule as the fifth toughest in the state, Bache said.
The hope is it prepares the Eagles for the postseason success that has eluded the program. Last year, the Eagles were 21-4 and expected to reach the region final at the very least before collapsing in the opening round against Bradenton Christian.
In the process, Oldmar Christian discovered a team built around one or two players was prone to the occasional but ill-timed off night.
"That was a devastating loss," Bache said. "The whole team was built around Trevor, and if Trevor was off or in foul trouble, we didn't have the other scorer to turn to. If you shut Trevor and Alex Arias down, we were in trouble.
"This year, it looks more well-rounded. We had to play a lot of people on your bench in that (playoff loss), and there was a drop off. This year, you won't see that."
