LJ g BB: Optimism

When change occurs, sometimes it's wise to wait before immediately putting the stamp of approval on the new thing.

But other times, signs of positivity are present, and it's a good thing to say so.

I say so with the changeover in the girls basketball program at La Jolla. As Ben Lowe, the former trainer at La Jolla High, said last spring before he left: The selection of the new coach is a major coup for the athletic director.

At the Vikings' second game of the young season Sat., Dec. 5, the girls were smiling, enthusiastic, obviously enjoying playing against Patrick Henry, and fighting to win. They ultimately lost by three points, 47-44, but they were enjoying a game. That's what it is--a game.

Then, in the next game Tues., Dec. 8, everybody got to play a lot in a blowout of a poor Monarch team that only have five players to play the five positions all game. The La Jolla kids were showing new skills, like Ava Verbrugghen, who never played basketball before, dribbling the ball half the length of the floor and scoring layups. Sara Tyrus popping in shots from outside.

The girls are being asked only to play for the team, not submit to and pay for private coaching on the side.

The best coaches keep it simple for the kids, so that the young people can shine, not the elders.

I congratulated Coach Darice Carnaje after her first win as a Viking Tuesday night. Always a coach, she replied, "I didn't do it. The girls did."

When Carnaje was hired, she brought with her a former player of hers and her assistant, Ariel Meek, who is now the La Jolla JV coach. It looks like a good, level-headed team. Darice looks like she knows her x's-and-o's, as well as people.

And who was cheering as much as any of the girls on her bench in the fourth quarter of Saturday's cliff-hanger? Carnaje, pacing, and gesturing, yelling encouragement. I first interviewed her via email last spring after she came aboard. I first met her in person this fall at La Jolla's girls tennis match against OLP, where she still coaches fall and spring sports. This is who she is, is what I'm seeing. It isn't a put-on or a façade.

I'm going to take a leap and project into the future that the new coach will wear well over time with the girls. And with the other members of the Viking family.


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper