February 22, 2015
Sendell rising to challenge
Brad Sendell is making the climb. More accurate, the sophomore guard for Pacific Grove High (PGH) put in the time and effort between his freshman and sophomore seasons to advance his standing as a college basketball prospect and the results are evident on the court.
Unlike some who engage in social media about their ‘time in the lab’ and ‘getting back to the grind,’ the 5-foot-11 Sendell knows what he needs to do and simply does it without fanfare.
Longtime Pacific Grove Coach Dan Powers is frank about his team leader: “he had the body of a freshman as a freshman but he has gotten a lot stronger.” Sendell concurs. “I wasn't that strong but I worked out in the weight room at Central Coast Athletics.” He currently weighs 150 pounds but has definitely added strength.
The results? 16.1 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds a game in 2014-15 versus 8.8 points an outing last season.
Granted, Mission Trail Athletic League Co-Most Valuable Player Luke Lowell moved on to Pomona Pitzer, so opportunity presented itself. But when many just assume they will ascend to greater importance on their team, Sendell made sure to earn his loftier status.
“He's a year-around gym rat and did a lot of work in the off season,” Powers said.
PGH currently sports a 16-5 record, 11-1 the Mission Trail-Peninsula League standings. “I haven't been surprised,” Sendell said. “We've been playing great so far.”
“He started as a freshman,” Powers explained. “He is extremely mature, has a high IQ and can handle pressure. I feel the best thing he does is score.”
“I think my best skill is making plays for the team,” Sendell explained.
Sendell also possesses a 3.8 grade point average so his next level academic status is a no-brainer. He also has an interest in entering the coaching field sometime in the future.
Offering his best basketball moment as “our Carmel game,” it came after a 45-36 loss to the Padres in mid-January. The Breakers bounced back to grab a 51-43 homecourt win on February 6 with Sendell scoring 31 points in the rematch, 17 in the fourth quarter. He also recently tallied 26 points versus Stevenson, another geographical rival.
Come spring and summer basketball, Sendell is looking for greater challenges. “I haven't decided on the team but I want to play against Bay Area players.”
Just call that more of doing the work.