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Spencer Langowski knew what he wanted to accomplish when he transferred from Livermore High to Granada High before his junior year.
He enjoyed playing for Livermore High, the school where his older brother Tyler played and starred. But there was something more he needed, something he needed to round out his skill set.
Livermore went out and played hard every night but struggled when it came to wins and losses.
“I wanted to learn how to win,” said Langowski. “I felt like going to Granada was going to help me get there.”
It did, but not without some anxious moments.
In making the change, he jumped into the middle of a competitive fire. Last season the Matadors were coming off a year where they advanced to the CIF Northern California playoffs.
With most of the team returning, Granada was set for another deep run. It also set up a potentially awkward situation for Langowski.
“The biggest thing I was worried about is I didn’t want any of the (Granada) players to think I was transferring to take away someone’s job,” he said. That never happened as the Matadors embraced Langowski from the moment he arrived on campus.
“Everyone was great right from the start,” said Langowski. “I had to sit out a month because of the transfer and that gave me the time to gel with the team.”
And the Matadors won, and then won more.
In fact Granada went all the way to the CIF Div. I State Championship game where they fell 67-58 to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. The end of the season meant the loss of several key seniors, including 7-footer Andrew McKeever who is now at St. Mary’s College.
While the Mats took a hit from graduation, there were plenty of players returning, but losing a player like McKeever can make people undervalue the returning players.
“Last season really motivated us,” said Langowski. “We came out as underdogs, and I think teams underestimated us.”
Not anymore.
The Mats lost their second game, 62-61 to Sacred Heart but have not lost since, and now stand 13-1 entering the East Bay Athletic League season that starts tonight.
The last two wins – 75-69 over Serra, and 57-72 over Sheldon were statement games for all of Northern California. According to MaxPreps they are ranked No. 29 in D-I in California, but only the fourth best for an EBAL team.
De La Salle (17), San Ramon Valley (20), and Monte Vista (26) are all ranked above the Mats.
I currently have Granada ranked No. 1 in the Tri-Valley Prep Playbook’s EBAL Power Rankings. They have the best record and have beaten some strong teams from throughout Northern California.
“That loss to Sacred Heart woke us up,” said Langowski. “It motivated us to get better.”
It’s a different style team at Granada this year.
“Last year was all around Drew (McKeever),” said Langowski. “And why not – he was an automatic two-points every time we came down. This year we play way faster. We are really deep this year.”
As for Langowski, he certainly learned how to win last year, and so far, this year. How has the season shaped up thus far? The up-tempo style of play certainly seems to fit Langowski’s style.
“I can create and find the open gaps,” said Langowski when asked what the strong points of his game are. “But I can always be a better defender. I am always working on that.”
With five teams ranked in the top 40 in California, the EBAL figures to be one heck of an exciting season. With players like Langowski and his Matador teammates, it is going to be fun to watch.
