Young point guard leads charge for Palo Verde

By Case Keefer (contact)

Monday, Dec. 6, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Palo Verde likely faces the toughest pre-league schedule in the state.

Palo Verde has already faced Western, falling 43-37 last week, and plays last year’s state runner-up Canyon Springs on Thursday Dec. 9.

“I told these guys it’s good to play the toughest teams we can play,” Palo Verde coach Jermone Riley said. “It can benefit us and we can end up becoming a very different team five or six games into the season.”

Palo Verde is already quite different from the squads Riley coached the last two years. The Panthers had a combined three Division-I players on those teams and often looked for them in key moments.

This year, it’s time for new guys to step up. Namely, it’s sophomore point guard Eris Winder’s time to shine.

“Eris is a special player,” Riley said. “He’s our point guard who got a lot of experience last year on varsity. He brings a great ability to attack the basket.”

Winder also has the ability to dish a lot of assists. He’s got the weapons that can finish, too.

Riley anticipates junior Nahjee Matlock having a huge year for the Panthers.

“He’s a different type of playmaker,” Riley said. “He can finish in the open court. You’ve got to respect that.”

Riley said senior leadership would be one of the team’s strengths this year. Palo Verde’s two captains are senior forward Nathan Grimes and senior guard Bronston Abad.

Abad has played on the varsity team since his freshman year and will split point guard duties with Winder.

“I consider him a player-coach out there,” Riley said. “He knows exactly what is expected and where everyone is supposed to be.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.