Windsor – Monty Python had its flying circus. Monty Hall was always looking for a creative challenge. Monty Alcaraz? He dabbles in a little of both.
First and foremost, Alcaraz is in his sixth season as boys coach of the Class 4A Windsor Wizards, perennial contenders whom he led to the 2003 state final and an 8-1 start this season.
Under Alcaraz, the Wizards have honed a deserved reputation for long-range shooting, up-tempo pace and strong fundamentals no matter the depth, talent or physical size of their players.
If basketball success is an equation, it’s simple math at Windsor. Hard work in practice equals playing time.
And that is the only kind of motivation Alcaraz knows. It’s what got him on the court in his playing days.
“You teach your kids to be disciplined,” Alcaraz said of his philosophy. “They obviously have to shoot the ball extremely well because that makes up for a lot of shortcomings.”
In his high school days at Sterling, Alcaraz was a gym rat. According to his coach, Alcaraz was not the most physically talented or skillful athlete, but he became a strong player through his desire to do anything to make his team better.
That coach was Colorado legend Ken Shaw, now at Smoky Hill, a hot-shooting prep star in his playing days and nearing his 500th career victory.
A student of the game and basketball junkie, Alcaraz grew up seeing the game differently. When asked what player he wanted to emulate, Alcaraz said he always liked the quiet, hard-working shooters rather than the high-flying dunkers.
“I liked kids that could shoot the ball but weren’t necessarily athletic,” Alcaraz said. “It’s a lot like at our high school: What could they do to make themselves better?”
Alcaraz became Shaw’s protégé in 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Rocky Mountain, where Shaw led the Lobos to the 5A state final in 2000.
Behind gritty, do-everything players such as Collins Ferris, the Lobos validated Shaw’s philosophy that a lot could be done with a savvy squad.
“There are several things you try to take in from him and the experience,” Alcaraz said of working with Shaw, “mainly, just hard work and putting your mind in something and trying to achieve your goals.”
All of this has become Windsor hoops.
Two seasons removed from the graduation of standout Parker Emerson (now at the University of Portland), the Wizards are arguably more talented this season, thanks to stronger team play.
The Wizards have stout guard play behind all-state senior Matt Elliott (averaging 19.1 points a game) and David Peterson (16.5), and a strong inside presence with 6-foot-5 senior Matt Tasset (15.0) and sturdy 6-3 sophomore Craig Von Allman (10.5).
Before Tuesday’s 51-36 loss at Greeley Central, the Wizards averaged nearly 72 points a game this season.
Against preseason No. 8 Fossil Ridge on Dec. 19, the running Wizards shot 68 percent from the field en route to an 81-52 blowout.
Peterson sank seven 3-pointers to key the assault, including a few from NBA distance.
Long shots like that would make most coaches cringe.
At Windsor, Alcaraz lets his proven shooters shoot – as long as they box out, take care of the ball and learn how to play the game right.
“Our philosophy is attitude and hard work,” Peterson said. “If you’re 5-5 or 6-6, if you work hard, he’s going to play you.”
Hard work should be the key to the 4A crown this season. Although the notion of a “wide-open field” is often just cliché, it appears to be the current truth.
Without a dominant, game- changing player such as Thomas Jefferson’s two-time player of the year Pierre Allen, any refined team appears to have a legitimate shot at the title.
At Windsor, that would be the first boys basketball title since 1924.
And that would suit an overachiever like Monty Alcaraz just fine.
