BOYS' BASKETBALL: POLY'S SUPPORTING CAST KEY ROLE PLAYERS HELP GAY THRIVE.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY

Special to the Daily News

Even the most knowledgeable City Section boys' basketball observer is hard-pressed to name a Poly of Sun Valley player other than DJ Gay, and it's somewhat understandable considering how well the senior has played this season.

"DJ is great, but honestly, I can't think of anyone else on that team," said John Gavert, a regular at local games throughout the region for the past 30 years.

It's not uncommon to hear such a response. Many struggle to come up with the Parrots' starting five.

Gay and Poly (23-4) would not be in tonight's Championship semifinal showdown against host Westchester (22-5) at 7 p.m. without the steady contributions from Andy Guerra, Mauricio Gonzalez, Santiago Moreno and Mike Rojas.

"They have one or two good players besides DJ," said Garry Teague, who grew up watching basketball in the Valley. "I think one of them is named Guerra or something, but I really don't know."

Close enough. Better than most who have only heard of Gay, a 6-foot point guard who leads the City in scoring, averaging 29.9 points per game.

Gay, bound for San Diego State, also averages 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals per night.

"I have all the confidence in the world in my teammates," Gay said. "I know who's going to be on the left and who's going to be on the right at all times. I trust all these guys."

Guerra has developed into a reliable option on the perimeter when Gay is faced with double-, and sometimes triple-, teams. He's shooting better than 40percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

"DJ is the Lone Ranger, but this Lone Ranger has four Tontos by his side," Poly coach Brad Katz said. "Really though, it's the Guerras and the Morenos, and the rest of the guys, that truly make this team a team.

"My philosophy is shooters shoot, rebounders rebound and passers pass. These guys understand their roles and have flourished because of it."

Gonzalez is second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.1points per game. Moreno provides a solid presence down low and leads the team in rebounding with 6.5 per game, and Rojas is a close second with 5.4 boards per night.

Robert Espinoza, Justin Cubia, Razi Haq, Joevany Osorio and Ben Hernandez have provided timely contributions off the bench.

"DJ gets a lot of the attention and he deserves it, he's a great player," Gonzalez said. "But it takes five players to win a game. DJ knows that. We know that. There's been teams that took us for granted and we made them pay."

Westchester, however, is a different story. The second-seeded Comets are a deep and talented group, quite possibly the best team third-seeded Poly has faced all season.

"DJ makes us look good on the court but it's our job to make sure he looks good, too," Moreno said. "You can't judge a book by the cover. You can't underestimate our heart."

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Poly's Santiago Moreno, going to the basket against Palisades, and teammates are overshadowed by DJ Gay.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer