San Luis Obispo Tribune | 01/12/2005 | A fresh start... -
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Published on: 1/12/2005
Last Visited: 1/12/2005
At various points this season, Mission Prep girls basketball coach James Powell has leaned over and whispered to assistant coach Joe Silveira while shaking his head in wonder.
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We are so young,' " Powell said with a laugh."We've got five freshman out there playing in a varsity basketball game and we're holding our own."
Yes, if the Royals keep their remarkable streak alive this season, they will have to do it with their kiddie corps, a team consisting of seven freshmen, two sophomores, one junior and two seniors.
Fittingly, the group is led by Powell, a 25-year-old first-year coach.
So far, the results have been encouraging for Mission Prep, despite its 5-8 record.
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Powell believes the team is fully capable of continuing the school's tradition, which began when the late Jay Cowitz began the program 21 years ago.
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Powell, a varsity assistant last year who had previously coached the junior varsity for four seasons.
"Mark wasn't going to leave the program until he was sure it was taken care of," Powell said.