The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
After years on the bottom of the Moore League standings box, Cabrillo took a big step forward under first-year coach Chris Spencer last year. Spencer, a Jordan alum and former St. Anthony assistant, is a popular young coach in his first head job. A lot of people are behind Spencer, including the administration on the Westside, and the chances look good that he’ll help his team improve on last year’s 13-15 finish, which saw Cabrillo go 2-10 to take sixth in league.
“We’re trying to fit in at a better spot,” said Spencer. “The league is wide open this year, we can finish higher and qualify for the playoffs. We’re in Division 4 so we can’t count on at-large bids. I gotta get these dudes ready to compete in league and finish in the top four. We’re selling out on a playoff spot–we aren’t trying to just win 20 games but it’s against lower competition. We put together a tough schedule to try and get prepared because we’ve got to sell out for this year.”
The Jaguars return five players from last year’s team, including captain and returning second-team All-Moore League guard Jeremy Siquig.
“He does everything right,” said Spencer. “He’s had another year of getting better and being comfortable in the system.”
Siquig said that the Jaguars admire their coach and believe in his ability to help them get to the next level.
“We’ve been progressing with our coaches,” said Siquig. “He changed the whole narrative from like, an unserious program to a program that wants to win. He’s turning the Cabrillo name into something good instead of the bad narrative that was there.”
Joining Siquig in the backcourt is another second team All-Moore League player from last year–Lincoln Dean, who was an all-league guard at Wilson before transferring to the Jags for his junior year.
“Getting a two-year starter in the league helps a lot,” said Spencer.
Junior Mason Johnson is perhaps the team’s biggest impact transfer, a 6’6” forward from Fairfax who brings some much-needed size to the Jaguars, and who earned All-Tournament honors in Cabrillo’s first tournament of the season. Chad Washington is another returner from last year, and another second-team All-Moore League selection last season.
Other transfers include Kaleb Curry and Irvin Choice, and the Jags will also look to junior Donovan Young and senior Ethan Briz for depth.
“We’ve got more skill and size this year and we worked really hard in the offseason,” said Spencer. “We’re excited for the opportunity to get better this year.”
