Blending new with the old -- life at the community college level

Basketball is all about embracing and adjusting to change. Each time down the court, each time on the court, even each practice, variance rules. In the element of coaching, adjustment is  the middle name in the community college realm.

That's because roster turnover is a unique given at the junior college level. Players annually move on or out, newcomers enter the fray and redshirts plus grayshirts get to officially step on the court -- all in generally larger numbers than any other hoops situation.

What was a strategic strength last season may or may not be replicable due to personnel turnover. Big may have been replaced by not so much. Quickness by ordinariness. Skill strengths and experience by lesser levels.

So having certain offensive proclivities or defensive approaches may require yearly modifications.

Let's look at Coach James Giacomazzi and his current Cosumnes River College squad. To zero in, his post Jaycob Velasco-AJ Bridges-TJ Williams era Hawks. That's minus a bevy of points, rebounds and knowing what to do in this-or-that critical situation.

Now it's:

* Trenton Anthony G 5-10 165 Fr.

* Semir Cahtarevic F 6-8 200 So.

* Elijah Calloway G 6-2 170 Fr.

* Kenneth Daye G 6-1 175 Fr.

* Demoriaye Hart-Spikes G 5-11 210 Fr.

* Joshua Johnson G 5-10 160 Fr.

* Daiveon Leverett F 6-9 195 RFr.

* Mitchell Love G 6-2 190 So.

* Donald Mims F 6-11 180 GFr.

* Phil Morgan G 6-4 190 Fr.

* Tyquan Neal F 6-6 215 Fr.

* Daylon Potts G 6-5 190 Fr.

* Phil Randles G 5-11 185 So.

* David Straughter F 6-5 210 So.

* Will White G 6-2 175 Fr.

Out of 15 players, four are sophomores.

"Ideally, you want seven freshman and seven sophomores and the younger guys then become the sophomores," Giacomazzi said. "Every year you would only have to replace the seven departing players and you don't have to teach the entire team. "

He added, "it's the most ever freshman coming into summer training camp."

That's one of the reasons fans won't be seeing CRC in any events this summer.

"Semir is back in Bosnia and we have so many freshman. There are so many concepts for the guys to learn and transitions to make. Our emphasis is on getting better."

One such element is versatility. Greater understanding too.

"Each player is responsible for learning the offense for all five positions," Gizcomazzi explained. "Teaching them the offense from all the positions helps in knowing what teammates are going to do. It also allows us to be flexible."

What will also be fascinating for CRC is who will emerge as a leader or leaders among the players.

"Let's see who has the 'I'll take care of it' responsibility, steps up and take ownership. Plus, some [players] are better communicators than others."

Referring to past players, Giacomazzi offered, "AJ [Bridges] made it easy and that's ideal. Tony Gill was a leader on and off the floor."

Regarding the bigs, it's also a way different group now.

"We've had JJ Mina, Ryan Salmonson, Tony Gill and Jaycob Velasco."

Now it's Daiveon Leverett and Donald Mims who check in at 6-foot-9, 195 and 6-foot-11, 180 respectively.

So the pick-and-pop aspect of CRC's offense and the pass in with one or two dribbles for a shot won't be witnessed nearly so much.

"We'll roll-and-replace and [also] try and catch and shoot near the basket."

But what will stay the same is "we're one of the few who play two forwards, consistent with the DI level."

Giacomazzi's current athletic bigs will allow some different wrinkles defensively.

"We'll have some shotblocking and maybe gamble more on the perimeter but we want to make sure we don't get lazy there because 'I got so-and-so back  there.'"

As for adding some weight to his defensive kingpins, Giacomazzi said "it's a challenge. A lot of it is biology. Donald Mims eats more than anyone on the team."

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes" is something David Bowie once sang about. He didn't have CRC in mind or any other community college basketball programs but the sentiment certainly applies.