SAN MATEO — James Giacomazzi yelled at his team from the bench, in the way he typically does. He looked angry, urging his team to execute.
The crowd at the College of San Mateo was loud. Their Bulldogs, No. 25 in the latest state rankings, held a one-point lead with about five minutes remaining in the first half. Giacomazzi wanted his team to do something to break the momentum of the home team.
Kodey Weary caught a pass near the three-point line and somehow no defender was on him. So he took the opportunity. He dribbled to the rim, jumped and dunked with two hands over two San Mateo defenders. The Las Positas bench erupted as Weary hung on the rim for a few seconds, smiling.
The Bulldogs called a timeout and Giacomazzi turned to his bench to yell some more.
“This is what we needed!” the coach yelled. He was right.
After that dunk by Weary, over the next 25 minutes or so, Las Positas outscored San Mateo by 27 points. The Hawks beat down one of California’s best teams, 70-42, on their home court.
And at the center of it was Weary, who led Las Positas with 22 points and 17 rebounds (eight offensive) with three blocks. The emergence of Weary and the growth of sophomore guard Richard Banks have been two of the important developments of the Hawks’ season.
Weary has been a revelation as a freshman. He’s provided consistent scoring and rebounding, giving the Hawks a dependable option as conference play unfolds.
Banks, one of three returners, has grown into a leadership role while controlling the tempo, creating for teammates, and setting the standard on both ends of the floor.
Giacomazzi pointed to the familiarity of the returners as key factors. Banks as one of the keys.
“They understand what my expectation is,” Giacomazzi said, “and they know that I’m not going to waiver from that. … So kudos to them for really applying the game plan and just playing really, really, really hard.”
Banks and Weary give the Hawks a versatile inside-outside tandem that can be effective in any lineup. Their combination of experience and explosiveness has become a reliable force. With so many new players, having a reliable guard and a strong wing helps the team stay consistent, while simultaneously giving younger players a chance to grow.
As a result, the road bumps expected for a young roster haven’t come. They’ve won their first six conference games, winning by an average margin of 25.5, capped by their 28-point win over San Mateo.
That path, that success, leads to their biggest challenge of the season. City College of San Francisco, the current defending state champions, is currently ranked No. 2 in the state.
The Hawks host the Rams on Jan. 28. Las Positas has never beaten San Francisco at The Nest in Livermore. The play of Banks and Weary figures to be pivotal.
“It was a tough game, but we stayed consistent,” Weary said. “I feel good.”
Las Positas enters this final stretch of the season as one of the top teams in the state, ranked No. 7 in the latest California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association poll. They’ve won six straight to open Coast Conference-North action and sit at 19-1 overall.
The Hawks have been reinforcing their identity as a fast-paced, interior-focused team. With postseason positioning beginning to take shape, Las Positas has shifted from early-season hopefuls to sustained contenders. That’s largely because Banks and Weary have continued their production all season.
INSIDE SCORING has been key for Las Positas, which doesn’t score a lot from the three-point line. But that’s where Kodey Weary comes in. His 14.5 points on 49% shooting is a big reason the Hawks rank No. 4 in the state in scoring. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/ The Express)
Weary’s impact was on full display at San Mateo. The 6-foot-7 wing controlled the physical battles throughout the game, finishing possessions with tough rebounds and providing a consistent scoring presence — including the showstopping dunk.
Performances like that have shown why Weary has become a reliable option in the rotation, giving the Hawks stability inside while allowing guards to push the pace and attack downhill.
Weary’s physicality allows Las Positas to be effective on the interior. Las Positas scores well enough to be the fourth-highest scoring team in the state without relying on outside shooting. The Hawks are tied for 80th in California with just 103 made three pointers. But it’s been the Hawks’ physical identity and inside scoring that makes up the difference. Weary is averaging 14.5 points on 49% shooting this season.
“When he’s really locked in, he’s a game changer for us,” Giacomazzi said. “He’s a double-double machine, in our opinion. And I thought he just turned it up another level. And when he does that, we can become really special.”
Last season, Banks came off the bench as a defender and slasher. Bank’s has seen his role evolve this season as he’s trusted to run both the offense and defense, which is why he leads the team with 32.5 minutes per game. He’s the primary ball handler, often remaining on the floor through mistakes, runs and late-game situations.
Banks is averaging 11.5 points, 5.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. He is also the Hawks’ most prolific three-point shooter. His 30 made threes are the most on the team.
He balances his scoring with playmaking while often being tasked with defending the opposing team’s top guard. His impact has been clear in Las Positas’ recent stretch, including his performance against Chabot, when he scored 19 points while playing 37 minutes in an 83-68 win.
The burden on Banks is he receives most of Giacomazzi’s trademark intensity. The coach is frequently vocal with his sophomore point guard during games and after possessions. But it sticks. Banks is challenged more than anyone else on the roster, yet he remains reliable.
Giacomazzi’s constant vocalization shows the standard Banks is held to, while the minutes show the trust that backs it up. His importance is as a decision-maker and leader. That combination of accountability and trust explains why Banks’ growth has been vital to Las Positas maintaining consistency during conference play.
“He’s one of the veteran leaders,” Giacomazzi said. “They play the most minutes on our team. They’ve been around me the longest. They understand what my expectation is, and they know that I’m not going to waiver from that.”
Through it all, Banks and Weary have become the Hawks’ anchors. Weary’s presence inside keeps opponents off balance, while Banks absorbs the coach’s intensity, handles the ball and makes plays when it matters most.
The team’s depth continues to grow around them, but it’s their experience and leadership that keep Las Positas steady. showing that even in a season full of changes and new faces, a reliable guard and a strong wing can make all the difference.
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TOP PHOTO: Sophomore Richard Banks has emerged as the leader for the Hawks. After coming off the bench last season, he is now the floor general and defends the opponent’s best guard. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/ The Express)
Annie Moore is the Sports Editor of The Express. Follow her on X @SanJosAnnie.
