Boys Basketball: Capital Christian Back With New Coach

The boys basketball team is moving on this season with a new coach but is looking to repeat the success of last year's team that made it to the playoffs.

Coach leads the Cougars, who finished 17-11 last season and made it to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, defeating before falling to , in a controversial one-point loss.

So far this season, Capital Christian is 2-1, having played in the Argonaut Tournament. Wins over Galt and Amador of Sutter Creek were sandwiched around a loss to Union Mine, where Battenberg last coached in 2006.

The Cougars are led by senior team captains Matt Donlan, a forward, and guard Tanner Nissen.

"We're very young but we have good young players and senior veterans leading the way," said Battenberg, who . "We're trying to get better every day and be the best we can be."

Players say things are looking good early on in the season.

"We have a lot of potential; we have sparks coming off the bench," Nissen said. "We're disciplined and have a close unity that will help us."

The boys say they know that to do well in league play, they'll have to stand up to defending league champion Lindhurst of Oliverhurst.

"We want to win the league," said Cougars sophomore point guard Marcelas Perry. "I know we can beat Lindhurst."

The teams play each other Jan. 31 and Feb. 17.

"We may be a small Christian school but we can take it to them," Nissen said. "We're not afraid of anyone."

Capital Christian plays in the Del Oro Tournament this weekend, which started Thursday with a loss against Whitney of Rocklin.

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