Zach Duffy (right) applies full-court
pressure with teammate Tony Coan
against Santana in scrimmage
Nov. 28. (Photo by Ed Piper)
Holding Reed Farley's green Gatorade-labeled water bottle as a microphone, Zach Duffy set about interviewing him in a post-scrimmage mock sports interview show, aided and abetted by yours truly as I filmed the spoof outside the Grossmont High gym. Another teammate, Mark Rawdin, played a supporting role.
"So, Reed, tell us about the dunk that you missed against Santana...," said Duffy, not one to miss the mirth and humor of his senior year. He enjoyed ribbing his teammate, and Farley seemed game.
"We're going to do (the pseudo sports wrap-up) after every win," says Zach, reflecting back on a Thanksgiving weekend of scrimmages and, finally, real basketball with the season opener Nov. 29. In the latter, the 6-foot guard came off the bench to play 16 minutes and contribute seven points, a steal, and a rebound in the 65-54 Viking win in Calexico against Vincent Memorial Catholic High School.
"We locked them (the Scots) up on defense pretty well. We didn't let many fastbreak points," said the 17-year-old, looking forward to his senior season unfolding.
In Coach Paul Baranowski's system, Zach's role is "coming off the bench, providing that spark that we need to get back in the game," the student athlete says, "continuing to play with intensity.
"That's what I kind of did yesterday (vs. Vincent). We were going down in the first quarter. Owen (Porter) and I came in" and helped La Jolla get on track.
Duffy, a shooting guard, has a nice shot. But he says it has been off lately. "I've been better at flashing (breaking toward the basket from the wing to take a pass), like floaters, layups, mid-range shots is my game now. "I'll leave the three's to Tony (Coan) and Ladd (Castellano)."
Away from the basketball court, Duffy is interested in science--"enviro", as in environmental science. Also, kinesiology holds an interest. He could see being a personal trainer, kind of in the mold of LJHS trainer Ben Howe, or a physical therapist.
His younger brother, Jacob, turns 14 on Dec. 6 and promises to be a "really good" basketball player, in his big brother's estimation. Jacob is presently an 8th-grader at Muirlands Middle School. Zach's other brother is Cole, 10 years old.
"My dad makes this poppyseed chicken. It's very good," allows Duffy on the culinary side. Spaghetti is a personal favorite. In fact, Italian food in general satisfies the taste buds. Dad, mom, and grandma come to many or most of Zach's games.
Ear candy consists of ska music, including Sublime and Slightly Stupid, and mellow beach music, like Jack Johnson, as well as rap by Kendrick Lamar.
What is the draw of basketball and sports? "I'm very competitive. It's that competition that keeps me going. I like running and getting out there and being part of something bigger than myself. A team win gets me going," says Duffy.
In seeing others get injured and their futures put in jeopardy, Zach is bearing in mind the following saying: "Play every game like it's your last."
"I kind of like to live by that one" due to a friend on the football team being injured recently, says the senior.
He was impressed with teammate Eddie Parker's 10 points and rebounding in the season opener.
Copyright 2014 Ed Piper
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