First-year head coach reflects on Pintos' 2015-16 highlights

Moulder: 17-8 season was "incredible year'

The 2015-16 season for the California boys basketball team started out with some question marks.

First, the Pintos had several fresh faces set to take the floor after having a senior-heavy group last season.

Second, Matt Moulder replaced Blair Scanlon as head coach.

Well, the first year under Moulder was a successful one, ending with a 17-8 record and a district semifinal appearance.

"I'm so proud of my kids," Moulder said. "We had an incredible year. We graduated eight seniors from last year's team and only had one returner with significant varsity experience. And the kids really bought in; the kids really worked hard and got so much better."

The Pintos' season ended with a 75-34 loss to No. 1-ranked Father Tolton in the Class 3 District 8 Tournament semifinals.

"It is what it is," Moulder said. "You've just got to tip your cap to Tolton. They're an outstanding ball club and should make a deep run."

Even in a 41-point loss, one of the top moments of the season happened when senior Landon Mouse made a three-quarter court shot at the end of the first half.

"He's a super kid," Moulder said. "You like to have good moments for great kids like that once in a while."

Another standout moment was an 80-64 home win over rival Blair Oaks. The Pintos lost last season's regular-season matchup against the Falcons.

"We had a really great game with Blair Oaks at home, where we packed the house and had a great ball game and beat our big rival," Moulder said. "I think that was a big highlight for us."

Moulder also pointed out California's 59-44 win against Boonville on Jan. 26 as another highlight of the season, because the Pintos lost to the Pirates by 11 a couple week earlier in the California Tournament.

"Without question, without question," Moulder said when asked if it was a successful season. "We started off the year with me getting to know the kids, the kids getting to know me and the kids getting to know each other. ... It took some time to mesh, but gradually as the season went on we got better and better and better. At the end of the season we were really playing nice basketball. That's what you want."

The Pintos finished the regular season strong with home wins against Blair Oaks and Tipton. They were rare appearances for California at home.

The Pintos only played five home games compared to eight road games, one neutral site game and 11 tournament contests.

"It was a tough year schedule-wise," Moulder said. "The kids are road warriors."

Looking ahead to next season, the Pintos will replace four seniors but will return several players with some varsity experience.

"We did overcome some adversity, we did overachieve on many, many levels," Moulder said. "We'll keep building from that."