SOUND BODY, SOUND MIND—Newbury Park High basketball player Fred Grady stretches with teammates at the Newbury Park Athletic Club on Tuesday. The Panthers played later that evening. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers The Panthers are one of this season’s biggest surprises.

They want to keep it that way.

The Newbury Park High boys’ basketball team has put together a pair of four-game winning streaks under first-year head coach Jeff Perrault.

That’s making people notice.

“A lot of people tell me that they’ve been really overachieving,” Perrault said.

“The No. 1 compliment I hear from coaches and fans is, ‘Your boys play hard.’”

That’s music to Perrault’s ears.

Playing a hard-nosed, unrelenting brand of hoops, the Panthers (9-5 overall, 2-0 in the Marmonte League as of Tuesday) share the first-place perch in the Marmonte with Thousand Oaks and Calabasas.

It’s early, but that counts for something.

The coach called his players “quiet professionals.”

On the court, the Panthers are unselfish on offense. They pass to find an open shot. Perrault is also pleased with his team’s man-toman defense.

“We put in the work in the offseason. Personally, I expected us to do this well,” said senior captain Patrick McBride.

“I think we’ll get some good upsets this year.”

McBride credited Perrault’s enthusiasm and preparation as a big reason for the team’s success. The senior said Perrault has “revitalized” the program.

“He’s brought a lot of discipline,” McBride said. “One thing I admire him for is he knows how to fire us up and get ready for the game. He scouts other teams. He knows what plays they’re going to run, their tendencies. He brings a lot to the table.”

The Panthers can expect a dogfight for the rest of the league schedule, but their goals are still ambitious.

Playoffs and a Marmonte championship are on their minds.

“We need to stay prepared,” said senior captain Jordan Brower. “Hopefully, we can win league. I’m looking forward to having fun, playing as a team and winning games.”

McBride and Brower are shooting guards. McBride, who wants to play college basketball, prefers driving to the basket. Brower, a Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo baseball commit, is a strong outside shooter.

“Pat is a fierce competitor,” Perrault said. “He’s just a warrior.

“Jordan’s our outside threat. He’s one of the better athletes on the team. He’s calm, cool and poised.”

Steven Santos provides a strong interior presence. The 6-foot-4 senior center is also Newbury Park’s tallest player.

“He’s one of our workhorses,” the coach said of Santos. “He’s a rebounder and a scorer. He’s good around the bucket. He’s a real good post player.”

Zach Garrett, a first-year varsity player and junior guard, has also played well. The junior said he primarily plays point guard, but he has the versatility to play any position.

“He’s a gladiator,” Perrault said of Garrett. “He’s been a real big surprise.”

Point guard Mana Keohohou and forward Devin Fountain are composed on the court. Off the court, they keep the team loose with their easygoing manners and humorous interjections.

Josh Gits, Tyler Ditmore, Fred Grady, Yuri Goetze, Brett Russell, Matt Lanson and Ryan Martineau also contribute for the Panthers. Grady was a defensive end for the NPHS football team.

“We don’t give up—that’s why we’re winning,” Garrett said. “Everyone’s giving the same effort.

“We’re a tight-knit group, and we hold each other accountable. That’s what’s led to our success so far.”

The Panthers resume league action Wednesday at Westlake.

Perrault said Newbury Park must continue working hard to keep up with some of the stronger Marmonte teams, including Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Simi Valley and Westlake.

“It’s going to get tougher,” the coach said. “People are starting to know who we are. As much as I worry about them, I pay more attention to what we need to do right.

“I tell the kids to treat every game as a championship game. That way, we’ll always be prepared for a big game. . . . The kids need to play hard, play smart, play together and play to have fun. It’s still just a game.”