It can take some time before teams develop an identity.

That’s not the case with the Napa Christian boys basketball team, which consists of freshmen and sophomores.

The Knights have a super attitude when it comes to taking direction from coach Tad Fuller, learning about the game, and putting their work in.

“If they’re getting there by 6:15 in the morning for practice, you’ve got to come with a good attitude,” said Fuller, Napa Christian’s first-year coach, who worked as an assistant two years ago.

The early-morning hour is when the Knights practice, and already Fuller is seeing noticeable improvement.

The Knights lost their season opener, falling 58-9 to Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy on Nov. 17. But no one is ready to call it a year, not by a long shot.

“We’re working on building fundamentals and getting experience for them,” said Fuller. “The one thing I can see already is that they are not about to give up.”

Nick Solorio led the Knights with seven points in the first game.

Napa Christian, which plays in the CIF North Coast Section’s Small School Bridge League, plays its next game on Dec. 1 at home against Summerfield Waldorf-Santa Rosa at 6 p.m. The Knights will also play in a tournament at Pacific Union College in Angwin Dec. 2-5.

Alex Birney, Steven Smith, Kareem Anderson, Kevin Lee, Joseph Chun, Ted Titus and Chris Geilfuss are also on the team.

Last year’s team had a 4-17 record, with a 2-9 mark in the SSBL.

Fuller played high school basketball at Monterey Bay Academy in La Selva Beach, Calif., and went on to play for four years at Pacific Union College.

Fuller majored in P.E., with an emphasis in commercial fitness management.

Fuller is owner and manager of Exertec Health & Fitness Center in Napa.

Girls Basketball

The Knights gave up a lot of points off of fast breaks in the first half of a season-opening 35-20 loss to Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy on Nov. 17.

But the second half was a much different story, as the Knights gave up just one point.

“We came out really kind of timid and gave up 20 points in the first quarter,” said coach Darren Smith. “But we improved. We played so much better in the second half.”

Lourdes Hernandez, a small forward, scored 10 points to lead the Knights. They were 4-16 last year with a 3-7 record in the Small School Bridge League.

Hernandez was named Second Team All-Napa County as a junior guard-forward last year. A First Team All-SSBL selection, Hernandez averaged 9.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. She was the Knights’ top scorer and rebounder.

Hernandez is Napa Christian’s leader and captain.

“This is her fourth year, so she knows what we’re trying to do,” said Smith. “I had her run point (guard) for the first half of that first game, but she’ll eventually play forward, because that’s where she’s most comfortable.”

Smith will have Tsarina Secyugu-Claver, a freshman, at point guard.

“She’s a good athlete. It’s just going to take her time to learn how to play at the high school level,” said Smith.

The Knights also have Elizabeth Carr, a center who was injured last year; Amy Rivas, a power forward; Morgan Frederick, a shooting guard; and Holly Fuchs, a guard/small forward.

Fuchs was Honorable Mention All-County as a junior last year. She scored 12 points in Napa Christian’s 33-30 victory over Cornerstone Christian.

The first half of the season is all about getting experience for the Knights, said Smith. They will go with more of an attacking defense, rather than playing zone.

“Hopefully if we can gel, if we learn what we’re trying to do, and if we can get that experience, come tournament-time, maybe we can make a run,” Smith said.

“The good thing is, with four or five young players, hopefully we can build something this year and keep building the next two or three years.”