The Dos Pueblos girls basketball coaching debut of Manny Murillo couldn’t gone any better.
The new coach and Charger alum watched juniors Justine Katz and Gianna Nichols record double-doubles and freshman Carly Letendre bury five three-pointers to lead a seven-player squad to a 62-26 non-league victory over Newbury Park on Tuesday night at Sovine Gym.
“First, I just want to thank God for the opportunity,” he said. “I’m grateful. Without Him, none of this is possible. Thanks to the school, thanks to our directors, thanks to our faculty for working with our kids. It’s all about the kids, and I’m very happy they came away with a win in their first game.”
The season-opening win was also special for Murillo in another way. It came against a Newbury Park team that had an assistant coach who was an influential person in his life, former UCSB basketball star Carrick DeHart.
“He was one of my first mentors and one of my AAU coaches growing up, and he really took me under his wing as a youth,” said Murillo. “It’s great to be able to coach against him and to share the court with him in a different way years later. He was very instrumental in my upbringing in Santa Barbara, so to be able to share basketball as our connection is something special.”
As for the game, Katz demonstrated that she is going to be the take-charge player on the floor. The 5-11 guard/forward, scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out five assists. She scored seven straight points at the end of the first quarter to give the Chargers a 15-4 lead.
One of her most impressive plays of the night was on a drive to the hoop, where she split two defenders and scored on a scoop shot.
“This off-season, or club season for her, she excelled, worked out a lot, played a lot of basketball and prepared for this opportunity,” said Murillo.
He noted that the graduation of top scorers like Lily Mires, Leila Chisholm and Ariana Tapia, meant Katz needed to pick up her scoring.
“I’ve been on her about being aggressive to score the ball, and I thought she did that tonight and led our team,” said Murillo.
Nichols, who like Katz, saw lots of action on last year’s team that won the Channel League title, enjoyed a solid start to the new season. She scored 15 points, made a trio of three-pointers, including two in a row to end the second quarter, and hauled in 13 rebounds.
Freshman Carly Letendre had an impressive start to her high school career as she knocked down five threes for 15 points.
She shot with confidence and good form, and showed no fear in playing in a varsity game.
“She always played against older players,” said Murillo, who coached Letendre in club basketball. “She’s played at least one to two years up and sometimes she’s played girls three years older than her. I think that helped prepare her to play at this level.
“One thing we’ve been on her about is, ‘Don’t take a back seat just because you’re a freshman. You know you’re skilled, and in these games, when big moments come up, it’s time for you to shine.’”
Savannah Riley fed Letendre for a three to end the third quarter and give DP a commanding 36-20 lead.
Kimiko Carmer led Newbury Park (0-2) with nine points.
Murillo said after stressing defense first, he likes his team to play “Point-Five” basketball, “where you’re making a decision in about point-five seconds, whether it’s shoot it, pass it or drive it.”
It all worked in the opener.
Dos Pueblos returns to the court on Dec. 6 for its Channel League opener at Rio Mesa.