When it comes to boys’ basketball, Nogales High has always received the short end of the stick when playing against Tucson teams. That changes this season with the addition of 6-foot-8 Matt Nash to the Apaches lineup. Last year’s starting lineup averaged 5-11. This year, even the guards top that. The average height for the Apache starting five is 6-2.

Nogales High’s Rodolfo “Fofo” Suarez goes for a layup during basketball practice Wednesday at Nogales High School. Jorge Celaya follows up the action.

Nash played for Salpointe last season and returned to Nogales for his senior year. He missed friends in Nogales, Dr. L. Hunter Nash, Matt’s father said. “He got homesick. He’s a small-town kid, I think.”

Even the point guards are taller. Rodolfo “Fofo” Suarez, at 5-10, tops his brother Juan, who graduated and is playing for Western New Mexico, by an inch.

In addition to Nash, the Apaches roster has two returning centers, Eloy Cortez and Victor Mendoza, both 6-2. Forward Gabe Ramos is 6-foot even.

Advantage

That height, added to the Apaches speed, is a new advantage, head coach Ricardo “Bambi” De La Riva said. “I think it’s going to be a positive thing for us. We won’t get hurt on the boards. This is one of the tallest teams I’ve had in five years.”

The boards are crucial, De La Riva said. “I think they’re going to fare well on the boards, which 90 percent of the time, when you beat people on the boards, rebounding, you’re going to win.”

Speed too

Will that height make a difference? That is to be seen, but speed counts, and the Apaches have always had that. Returning guard Manuel Castro, 5-8, said the speed is an Apaches asset. “We have speed as well as height. Our guards are fast.” Castro said.

“We should have a very decent season this year,” De La Riva added.

The Apaches were known for their speed last season. “That doesn’t go away,” De La Riva said. “We’re going to have speed, and we’re going to have height and we’re going to have very good guards.”

Every team looks for a weakness to exploit in the opposition. If the Apaches have one, it’s attitude, De La Riva said. “The only thing that’s going to hurt is if our guys don’t come out and play. Mental-wise, I think they should get a little tougher.”

If the Apaches have a winning attitude, they should win a lot of games this season, De La Riva said.

The season starts with a home scrimmage against Buena on Friday at 6 p.m.. The boys plan to compete in the Boyd Baker Tournament Nov. 24-29. Their first regular season home game is scheduled against Douglas on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.