After a 20-11 record and a second place finish in the South Coast conference last season, the men’s basketball team is putting its focus on shutting down the opposition.

So far in this early season, the men are 1-1 with a win against L.A. Trade Tech and a loss to West L.A. Assistant coach Ronnie Green said the team remains optimistic and is looking forward to build from last year.

Green said he thinks that this year’s team is a more physical, athletic group of individuals who work hard and are willing to do anything to win.

“This year’s team is definitely a more physical, athletic group,” Green said. “They work extremely hard and are willing to do anything it takes to win ball games and that is what it’s all about.”

With eight new freshmen and only three returning sophomores, Green said the team is putting more emphasis on defense since the new players are still trying to get accustomed to the system.

At the moment, the team is playing a run ‘n’ gun type system where they look to get easy baskets so that it will be easier for the players to score.

“Defense has always been a top priority in (former coach Paul) Landreaux’s system,” Green said. “If you can shut teams down, then you have a chance to win ballgames. Your offense comes and goes, so you definitely have to stop people from scoring. Our team this year will look to run after a rebound and get easy buckets along with exploiting mismatches since we are so athletic.”

A problem so far for the team hasn’t been about X’s and O’s, but Green said the problem is some of the players have been nervous when the game starts.

He said the team comes out flat, and instead of just relaxing and playing the game, some of the players are thinking too much.

“Once the lights come on, they freeze for some reason,” Green said. “In practice, they play well the whole time, and in the games, they freeze in the beginning. Once the second half comes along, they get in their groove, but sometimes it might be too late.”

Small forward and captain Kris Lowry said the focus this year is all about trying to add another championship banner.

Lowry, who is averaging 15 points and six rebounds through the first two games, said the team made crucial mistakes during last year’s games when they mattered.

“We can’t make the same mistakes we made last year,” Lowry said. “In order for us to add another championship banner, we have to play shutdown defense and play together as a unit.”

Lowry, one of three captains on the team, is trying his best to help the new freshmen adjust to the college level of play. He also thinks that this year’s team is a closer group hopefully it will carry over to the basketball court.

“The college game is totally different,” Lowry said. “I’m trying to help them adapt because players on this level are a lot stronger, faster and athletic.”

One of the Warriors’ new players, point guard Lavon Myers, is a L.A. junior college transfer. Though being a point guard on a new team and having to learn a new system might be a challenge for others.

“Basketball is basketball, you just go out and play,” Myers, who is averaging 13 points and six rebounds, said. “I just try to push the tempo and play hard-nosed defense.”

Myers’ goal, along with the rest of the team, is to win first place in the South Coast conference, then go deep in the playoffs and hopefully getting a shot at the championships.

“It’s all about winning,” Myers said. “It doesn’t matter who scores, or who gets the glory, as long as we win.”