Despite 120 students gazing down on the varsity basketball team from the bleachers of the FC gym, captain Kedric Anderson seems unaffected by chanting and finishes his breakaway with a lay up.

As he becomes a third-generation player, basketball seems to run in Anderson?s blood.

?My dad and grandpa both played basketball in high school and college,? Anderson said. ?They got me interested in basketball when I was really young so I began playing in Little Hoopsters at Clovis West and liked it.?

Though every year affords Anderson new opportunities, he learned that the difference between losing and winning lies in the amount of effort put into every second against the clock in his sophomore year.

?I remember when I was a sophomore on varsity and we were playing Firebaugh which was the best team in the league at the time,? Anderson said. ?They got two T?s (technicals) and we ended up winning on a buzzer shot in the last minute of the game.?

Varsity head coach and athletic director Chris Schultz appreciates the versatility Anderson brings to the team.

?We ask Kedric to do a lot of different things for us; he has to guard the post, play on the perimeter and sometimes even brings the ball up,? Schultz said. ?He has responded well and been able to adapt his game to what we need as a team.?

Though basketball might seem to be Anderson’s main focus, he participates in a variety of activities in the offseason.

?I really enjoy playing paintball and guitar,? Anderson said. ?I?ve won a lot of gear and trophies through paintball tournaments and play guitar in my youth group worship band on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.?

Although Anderson joined the baseball team last season, he prefers the physical contact involved with basketball.

?I just love the game and how it?s played,? Anderson said. ?I like it because it?s a team sport that requires five players on the court per team.?

Fellow senior Ronnie Giannetta laughs at the coincidence of being paired with Anderson for their fourth year running.

?It?s kind of weird how we?ve been on the same team for four years now,? Giannetta said. ?I wonder if we?ll have the same luck in college since every year; it seems to be the same thing.?

Though Anderson?s technique remains a learned trait through hours of shooting three-pointers outside of practice, his true colors come from his father who turned assistant coach to the team in 2005.

?It?s been fun to work with Kedric?s father, Chuck Anderson,? Schultz said. ?I think that it has been rewarding for coach Anderson to be around his son for his final season and watch him develop and excel.?

In spite of the continual need to practice, whether on a Wednesday after-school schedule or a Saturday lull, Anderson finds it all worthwhile.

?Basketball does take a lot of time and commitment so I sometimes have to sacrifice other things, but it?s worth it,? Anderson said. ?Also, hanging out with the guys on the team every day builds friendships I probably wouldn?t have otherwise.?

With the mental game to win and the lengthy arms to match, Schultz feels Anderson?s competitive edge give him a step-up among his rivals.

?Kedric is a smart player who uses his understanding of the game to make himself better,? Schultz said. ?He has improved his offensive skills and has given us a boost with some solid offensive games. His long arms and ability to shoot over people helps him.?

With virtually his entire life ahead of him, Anderson plans to utilize his pending college years studying Law at Fresno Pacific University.

?I don?t really want to leave Fresno yet so I plan on going to Fresno Pacific,? Anderson said. ?I want to study criminology and law.?

For more information on the boy’s team, check out the sports section and/or read Boys’ basketball sport shorts, 07-08.