Boys Basketball Preview: Expect Strong Outside Shooting and Tough Defense from English

Head coach Barry Robinson knows his team, and because of that, the boys basketball team will focus on its strengths this season: leadership skills, perimeter shooting, and tough, aggressive defense.

"We have a pretty good team this year," said Robinson. "We are going to compete."

Providing the leadership skills for the Bulldogs this year will be Errol Johnson and Alex Villanueva. Robinson used words such as "mature," "strong communicators," "very trustworthy," and "low-maintenance" to describe his senior captains.

Johnson, who Robinson said "sees the floor and handles the ball well," is expected to run the show at point guard.

Villanueva, meanwhile, is coming back from an ACL injury that forced him to miss the entire season last year, but Robinson anticipates a healthy return for his guard.

The Bulldogs, who finished 14-8 last year and lost against Milton in the second round of the Div. 2 South Sectional tournament, have only one returning starter: junior forward Bryanne Toney. But despite the lack of experienced players, Robinson likes what he sees from his team in practice.

"They are looking great," said Robinson. "They are exactly where I need them to be. They are setting a great example for the younger kids."

English begins its season Wednesday on the road against Brighton at 4:30 p.m.

"They're a good team, a tough team," said Robinson. "We are going right into the fire off the bat."