LJ BB: Practice

The Vikings' Jacob Ohara (4) slides on defense

against teammate Quinn Rawdin in a drill

in afternoon practice at JCC.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

A dream matchup for La Jolla High basketball fans to watch: the Vikings' Daniel McColl working against Charlie Gal.

Where else could you see that but in practice at the Jewish Community Center?

Monday afternoon, June 27, assistant coach T.J. Parry led a bevy of varsity and junior varsity players through their paces in an offseason workout that lasted an hour and a half. Though a clock with a coach's whistle as buzzer was kept running on the sidelines in 10-minute-or-so increments to lend urgency to the exercise, the timer wasn't closely followed.

Still, Parry's experienced hand--reinforced by head coach and mentor Paul Baranowski--led Gal, McColl, Nick Hammel, Quinn Rawdin, and others through a carefully choreographed series of skill drills that built toward scrimmaging at the close. All was tightly organized. Not a moment was wasted. Coach Parry carried a flow from drill to drill without a pause or break. It was impressive.

The intensive practice, carried on on a warm afternoon under the cooling sweep of a giant industrial fan installed on the ceiling above the participants, reminded one that performance at games is merely the result of all the time and dedication devoted during many unseen workouts, offseason or in-season.

The dedication by student athletes and coaches alike helps individual players build their skills while Baranowski's basketball program at La Jolla High, now entering its fourth year, builds units of players that know each other, are cohesive, and in a way, overachieve for the amount of individual skill that walks onto the LJHS campus.

LJ b BB: What we know

By Ed Piper

Here's what we know about La Jolla High's basketball team, after observing four games at the Point Loma Nazarene University Team Camp:

The Vikings are an excellent Division 2 team, which they showed last season by making it to the CIF title game. This season they return solid players and add new ones, already brought up in the LJHS system. The 2015-16 unit will be comfortable and do well among the Patrick Henry's and Serra's of the new Eastern League next winter.

Playing for a club team makes a noticeable difference in a player's effectiveness. Eddie Parker played for a club team. Reed Farley does, too. Charlie Gal is the latest example. In the Vikings' games Sat., June 25, he felt the liberty and confidence to shoot from 10 to 15 feet away from the basket on the side, something he never did last season.

His dad says not only has he been playing for a club team, but also has been to some of the camps back East. "He really wants to play," was his dad's comment.

Last season, his first on varsity as a sophomore, Charlie was largely a one-dimensional player. He could take the ball on the right or left block, go to a dribble and bull his way to the basket. He started La Jolla's opening game or games last December, then fell back to a reserve role during much of the season. He was lacking in other aspects of his game.

But his true redemption came in La Jolla's horrible loss at Catholic Cathedral during league play. Not intimidated by the taller, more talented Dons, Gal caused CCHS 7-footer Brandon McCoy some misery in the second half. McCoy, able to cow other opponents, got frustrated at not being to have his way.

Now, Gal's confidence is evident for all to see, he's mobile, he's active. He's playing like someone who has the added assurance someone gets when they've played tougher opponents--i.e., in club play and at college events.

What else do we know?

Nick Hammel is steady as usual, shooting from the outside and capable in bringing the ball up and setting up the offense.

Lefty Quinn Rawdin can shoot the eyes out of the basket when he's hot, as he was Sat., June 25. His ball-handling is good, as he shared duties with the other guards in Farley's absence after the first game Friday. In the initial game Saturday afternoon, Quinn was absolutely deadly. He stayed within the flow of the offense, unlike at times last season when he put up shots that were forced or didn't fit Paul Baranowski's offensive pattern.

As always, with a stellar player like Reed Farley, the team is vulnerable if he gets injured, as he did his sophomore year two years ago at the end of the non-league win at Bishop's, leading to six straight losses and basically wiping out any chances in the Western League. That's why people held their collective breath when he was fouled on a flying dunk attempt Saturday, a play on which he potentially could have crashed into the stands at PLNU.

The team has some new talent at guard, with Behzad Hashemi bringing outside shooting to add to Rawdin's and Farley's, and Jacob Ohara, who needs further development, to share backcourt duties.

LJ BB: PLNU camp

By Ed Piper

"Cisco Kid was a friend of mine." War

Francisco "Cisco" Ramos is the Little Train That Can. He is playing for La Jolla High's varsity basketball squad this summer in various camps and tournaments.

He's tiny, and he couldn't get a shot to drop Sat., June 25. But you know what? He is a good ball handler, as one of the other players' mothers said during a game, and he plays hard.

That's what high school sports is all about.

Not all the other stuff: A player losing his temper near the end of a loss to Walnut and getting a technical. I can live with it. You could argue that it's part of the game--not desired, but it happens and it doesn't totally damage the sport or any program.

But behavior by people in the stands. That isn't what high school sports is supposed to be about.

Anyway, hats off to the Cisco Kid. And here's to hoping that La Jolla loses with a little more grace next time. Granted, the referees may be lousy. But that's not an excuse for negative behavior. Get frustrated, but work harder at your own game.

Someone should have been subbed for before getting a technical near the end of the game.

But this all is a minor footnote to a beautiful weekend, Friday and Saturday, of basketball in the Point Loma Nazarene University "camp". At least, that's what they used to call these things. I didn't look closely enough at the pairings to see if this event is called a camp or a tournament.

In any case, players played hard, and the Vikings won their first three in a four-game set. The team had to experience what it is to play without their top player by far, Reed Farley. Let's just say it for what it is. Reed handles his ability admirably, and so do his teammates. They love the guy. They love when he dunks the ball.

They're a different team without him. They won game two Friday and the first game Saturday. As noted in my previous entry, Nick Hammel, Quinn Rawdin, and the other guards--including Cisco--share ball-handling duties in Farley's absence. They all did a good job. Behzad Hashemi is quite capable. Jacob Ohara is coming along.

But finally an opponent applied enough pressure to force La Jolla into a lot of turnovers. Walnut, bringing 16 players down to San Diego overnight from the Mt. San Antonio College area, wasn't to be denied. Their coach has his players emotionally at a high pitch the way former football coach Jason Carter did at La Jolla.

And they pulled away, fair and square. Take that, La Jolla. You're going to have to show a little more class next time you lose.

LJ BB: Hot

Reed was feeling it against

Browne High. (Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

In my nearly 13 years following and covering La Jolla High basketball, I have never seen a more dominant stretch by one player than Reed Farley during the 69-52 dismantling of Browne High (Phoenix) in the Vikings' first game of two in the Point Loma Nazarene University summer camp Friday night, June 24.

Granted, it came in a summer league, not an official game during the season.

But the 6'4" dervish, brimming with confidence coming into summer play--we saw that Tuesday in the Hoover summer league--and preparing for a trip this weekend to Princeton University, where the head coach is courting Reed, was spectacular.

He was burning hot from the three-point area, which means trouble, because the rest of the rising senior's game is so--elevated, shall we say? He hardly missed a shot. He still maintained his role of involving his teammates, which he is always conscious of under Coach Paul Baranowski's direction.

But you could see, and I was up close, firing my own shots, though photographically from down on the floor, that as Reed poured in one, then two, then three jumpers, that he was "feeling" it. So he became even more liberal in taking shots, though good ones within the movement of the offense.

The piece de resistance was a flying slam dunk that nearly brought the point guard upon landing into the cement and metal stands that sit right behind the baskets on the sideways courts at Point Loma.

Farley is fouled on slam attempt

in second half.



Later, another person mentioned his heart stopping at the possible injury the indispensable Farley could have sustained on the play. But he came out unscathed, and having been fouled, went to the free throw line.

I was thinking: Why doesn't La Jolla have another player like Reed Farley? as the fireworks continued.

Then I thought: What a gift that La Jolla has Reed Farley to play his high school basketball for them.

No statistics were kept, but you didn't have to look at numbers to know the display was impressive. When Baranowski removed him at one point later in the game, seemingly just to let some of the others join in the fun, Farley slapped hands with every teammate on the bench. It was like, Wow, that was something. Like a playoff game.

Then Reed and Dad (I think) got on a plane and headed for Princeton after the first game. What a weekend it should be. Good luck with all your hopes and dreams, Reed.

LJ BB: Hot

Reed was feeling it against

Browne. (Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

In my nearly 13 years following and covering La Jolla High basketball, I have never seen a more dominant stretch by one player than Reed Farley during the 69-52 dismantling of Browne High (Phoenix) in the Vikings' first game of two in the Point Loma Nazarene University summer camp Friday night, June 24.

Granted, it came in a summer league, not an official game during the season.

But the 6'4" dervish, brimming with confidence coming into summer play--we saw that Tuesday in the Hoover summer league--and preparing for a trip this weekend to Princeton University, where the head coach is courting Reed, was spectacular.

He was burning hot from the three-point area, which means trouble, because the rest of the rising senior's game is so--elevated, shall we say? He hardly missed a shot. He still maintained his role of involving his teammates, which he is always conscious of under Coach Paul Baranowski's direction.

But you could see, and I was up close, firing my own shots, though photographically from down on the floor, that as Reed poured in one, then two, then three jumpers, that he was "feeling" it. So he became even more liberal in taking shots, though good ones within the movement of the offense.

The piece de resistance was a flying slam dunk that nearly brought the point guard upon landing into the cement and metal stands that sit right behind the baskets on the sideways courts at Point Loma.

Later, another person mentioned his heart stopping at the possible injury the indispensable Farley could have sustained on the play. But he came out unscathed, and having been fouled, went to the free throw line.

I was thinking: Why doesn't La Jolla have another player like Reed Farley? as the fireworks continued.

Then I thought: What a gift that La Jolla has Reed Farley to play his high school basketball for them.

No statistics were kept, but you didn't have to look at numbers to know the display was impressive. When Baranowski removed him at one point later in the game, seemingly just to let some of the others join in the fun, Farley slapped hands with every teammate on the bench. It was like, Wow, that was something. Like a playoff game.

Then Reed and Dad (I think) got on a plane and headed for Princeton after the first game. What a weekend it should be. Good luck with all your hopes and dreams, Reed.

LJ b BB: Newbies

Nathaniel Gates battles a

Bruin underneath in the

opener.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Behzad. Jacob. Nathaniel.

These are the names of the new faces on the La Jolla High basketball team.

Behzad Hashemi. Jacob Ohara. Nathaniel Gates. It's enough to get somebody excited.

At least, they were the new guys out on the basketball court as the varsity tangled with Browne High of Phoenix in the first of two games Fri., June 24, in the annual Point Loma Nazarene University summer tournament.

Hashemi, who starred for the junior varsity last season, moved the ball and didn't hesitate to shoot from outside.

Ohara, as he did Tuesday in the opening game of the Hoover summer league, continued to drive to the basket and finish well.

Unlike the other two, Gates, all 6'5" of him--at least, if not already taller--played for the stellar freshman team under Coach Huseyin Demiral. He gets some of his genes from his dad, Michael, who played basketball in college.

Gates is still a diamond in the rough, but against the shorter Bruins, he asserted himself under the basket, firmly held onto the ball, and even showed the occasional pivot and step into the lane from the left box for a layup or short shot.

Behzad Hashemi shows off

his nice jump shot, this

one from the side, most from

straightaway.

 



Coach Paul Baranowski has to be excited about all the possibilities of these newcomers for the future, along with the solid returners who were out there laboring faithfully and efficiently alongside them--Reed Farley, Nick Hammel, Charlie Gal, Quinn Rawdin, and Daniel McColl.

Hashemi went on a run in the nightcap second game against Anaheim, throwing up floaters and shooting his accurate jump shot multiple times as the blowout closed down, finally ending at a late--yawn--10:01 p.m. and the rest of the gym empty.  Final score: 69-52, though La Jolla led by much more earlier.

Facially, Behzad keeps a serious demeanor. Because he is serious. He is focusing on bringing the ball up the court against pressure, and that's a treacherous job--made even more so with the departure of Farley after the first game for an event at Princeton University this weekend.

With the dominant and spectacular Farley out of the way, roles changed and things opened up for newbies Hashemi and Ohara in the backcourt, as well as for Hammel and Rawdin, all guards and all sharing ball-handling responsibilities.

Ohara, who looked great Tuesday in a blowout of fellow-Eastern-Leaguer Madison, had a little crisis of confidence in the middle of his stints Friday night in the PLNU gym. The pressure from Anaheim increased, with the confident Farley away. But Jacob, a likeable guy--not big physically, but agile and quick--recovered and showed his effectiveness. He really shines in driving to the basket against opposition, scoring a high percentage of the time. We need some of that next season.

Gates is just a Jack-and-the-Beanstalk waiting to sprout, with his equally serious workman attitude and length and long arms. I'm thinking on the sidelines, as I take photos: What's not to like about him being on the varsity next year, supplying additional height to Gal's and McColl's, no matter at what point of his development he is? Having him practice on JV is not going to give him the daily reps against the varsity big boys.

He needs to work on his short-range shooting and free throws, which he knows. He'll get more fluid as he matures in his game.

I'm thinking: These young guys are like Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac for the Lakers, their new draft picks who are creating some buzz. I like buzz.

Jacob Ohara (black uniform) plays

the tough 'D'.

LJ b BB Madison

By Ed Piper

Reed Farley missed his first dunk, then thundered home a running two-handed slam to make the score 11-0 on La Jolla's way to a 28-0 start over Madison in the Hoover summer basketball league Tues., June 21.

Members of the team had moved up to the next class, technically, some six hours earlier--Farley now a senior for his fourth year starting on Paul Baranowski's varsity. And the small contingent, only eight players, talked basketball, summer, and increasing height before their first game in the annual offseason league.

La Jolla rarely is going to go on a 28-point run over the Warhawks, and they know that. But the significance of the matchup was that the two teams will now play each other in the reconfigured Eastern League beginning next winter, with Hoover, Serra, Scripps Ranch, and Patrick Henry.

Madison was the gang that couldn't shoot straight, as they played haplessly in a first half on a running clock that the Vikings started fast on and didn't stop until building a ridiculous 39-8 halftime lead.

Farley showed he was human by missing a few shots, but, in addition to his powerful dunk after a steal near mid-court, he rapidly fired multiple accurate three-point shots and was a key player in moving the ball around on offense to share the joy with teammates.

Nick Hammel, fresh off spring football practice under new Viking head coach Matt Morrison, looked game in shooting from the outside as he didn't hesitate to put up shots from there and made a good percentage (though official stats weren't kept).

Charlie Gal, who, at this time last year was working his way toward a surprising sophomore year on varsity, was relaxed, looked mobile, and hit some nice 8- to 10-foot shots in the lane and from the block on the right side.

Jacob Ohara, a rising junior up from the junior varsity, was effective in moving to the basket for several buckets in a subbing role. He finished at the basket well.

His eldest brother Matt is the boy friend of Quinn Rawdin's sister. Rawdin's father, arriving late from work, said his daughter and Matt are going on a trip to Europe later this year.

Quinn Rawdin, like some of the others, looked bigger, older, and more confident even in the scant three and a half months since last season ended. He had several looks from outside Tuesday, but his touch was off a little.

His father said that in the West Hills event just ended last weekend, the lefty had a hot shooting hand on Sunday. La Jolla won five straight games beginning Friday, then lost to the host team in the championship on the final day.

Daniel McColl, like Hammel just out of spring football practice, still has his jumping legs. He plays hard and isn't afraid to tussle under the basket. That's his biggest asset. He has a good shooting touch.

Before the game, Farley acknowledged this is his first year playing without Morgan Albers, who began on the varsity as a sophomore in 2013. Alex Pitrofsky is another senior who graduated Tuesday. Eddie Parker, Farley's main partner in the backcourt, also received his sheepskin.

Asked if he is taller, the 6'5" Gal said, "I hope I'm still growing." He looks big and fit. Having one year on varsity already under his belt shows in his personal confidence, which wasn't lacking before. He should contribute even more next winter as a part of the "Bash Brothers" underneath the basket with the equally burly McColl.

Farley, on his 6'4" height, said, "I hope so" (that he's still growing). "I'm going to wear my hair higher," he joked, as a method to be even taller.

Ohara comes in a good line of athletes at La Jolla. His brother was a starting guard three years ago. His brother Matt, according to Rawdin's father, played at Skidmore on a lacrosse scholarship. Jacob talked about the sibling rivalry that can come between brothers playing the same sport. His immediate older brother Zac, though, played basketball at LJHS three years ago, so Jacob said those years provide a kind of buffer in people comparing the two.

What was fielded as the starting lineup could very well be the Vikings' starting lineup next season: Farley was at point guard, with Hammel and Rawdin as guards/swingmen/wings, and Gal and McColl underneath.

LJ FB: Stadium lights

By Ed Piper

A La Jolla High parent recently told me that, had the school wanted new and improved lights for Edwards Stadium, it would have had to apply to the California Coastal Commission for permission. This would have involved an additional agency and likely would have complicated and, no doubt, slowed down the approval for the stadium redo, which is nearly complete.

There is a document on the Internet regarding Malibu High School's application in 2009 for lights, among other campus improvements. The wording in the document includes the effect on a "coastal resource". In other words, since the Coastal Commission was created to protect the state's coastline in the early 1970's, certain things come under that body's purview--including new stanchions and higher-powered lights on the football field that affect neighbors and the like.

Ask any photographer (including myself) who has ever taken photos of a sports contest in La Jolla High's stadium, and they may make reference to the "usual crummy high school lights" that illuminate the field.

It isn't the worst stadium for lighting in the area--nightmare situations come to mind like trying to take action photos near the end zones at Valley Center High while Jim Harbaugh, still coach at USD, was visiting on the sidelines during a Viking football away game. But there is always plenty of room for improvement.

At various times, good-naturedly, I have mentioned to administrators at LJHS, "You know, you could really give me and other photographers a gift by upgrading the lights."

It's not completely out of the realm of possibility for schools to improve their lights. The so-called "Big Gym" on campus, a couple of years ago, was suffering through literal bulb burnout and no rush was being made to replace them.

It made covering basketball games a real downer, because as lighting goes down, "noise" or the speckled look in photos directly increases. (In film photos, we used to call that "grain". Now, in digital, it's properly called "noise", since there is no grain in a digital image.)

An LJHS family contributed money that paid for the rental of the machine that lifts a worker up to the ceiling, and the requisite replacement bulbs.

But, alas, the beautiful upgrade of the outdoor stadium is continuing apace, said by some to be planned for resumed use in mid-August this summer. The plan for upgrade was already delayed at least once, when a new press box was added to original plans and the entire package had to be resubmitted for approval.

The press box looks bigger, and is going to have that new sparkle on it. A permanent concessions stand is going to take its position in the west corner below the home stands. That's going to be a boon for events like Blast-off (opening home game) and Homecoming, when, previously, temporary awnings were put up and the whole affair was pretty ad hoc, catch-as-catch-can in comparison to what will be there now.

The new, permanent visiting stands are already erected. They seemingly reach to the moon, they are so high. The capacity is really good. The stands are fitted between the multiple buildings on the visitors side--coaches offices, sports team room, and so forth. I forget what was in the building plans I eyed one day in the campus library, but a new restroom will also sit on that sideline. Remember the old ancient one, with half-doors in miniscule toilet stalls on the boys side? Unbelievable. Straight out of 1922, the school's founding date, I suppose.

LJ g lax: Lee

Helen Lee makes a sharp cut en route to the goal

as she almost single-handedly brings La Jolla back

from a deficit late in the game at Coronado.

In the end, the Vikes lost by a narrow margin.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Helen Lee's selection to the Second Team All-CIF squad in girls lacrosse is as much a legacy award as it is recognition for her fine play as a senior at La Jolla High.

Lee, the amiable multi-sport student athlete who graduates in seven days with her classmates, ventured into basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as lacrosse during her four years on Fay Avenue. I may be missing a sport in that lengthy and varied list.

She tore her ACL in her first year, then faced a long rehabilitation that cut her out of an entire sports season. She came back healthy, and played goalie for Kristin Jones' soccer team soon after she came back.

Her willingness to be flexible and play any position, and her friendliness, kindness of spirit, and cheerful outlook all made her an asset that any coach on campus and her teammates all have cherished.

She never actually got to play on the girls basketball team, because the injury precluded that. It was heartening to see her mobility the last two years on the lacrosse team. I commented on it to her last season. Her reply: "Thank you for that." So typical of her positive and gracious manner.

Obvously, I'm pretty biased. Congratulations, as I've expressed to them before, to her parents for their success in raising such a good young person.

All-CIF

La Jolla High boys volleyball and boys golf were big recipients in the recently announced All-CIF selections for San Diego Section.

Senior Curran Robertson was named Libero of the Year in volleyball, while teammate Dane Pieper was named to the First Team and Jake Northrup to the Second Team.

In golf, Jarid Morrison garnered Second Team honors while his coach, Aaron Quesnell, was selected Coach of the Year. "It was quite an honor," the deserving Quesnell, a likeable person, said via text.

Soccer: Copa America

By Ed Piper

I've been watching some of the Copa America soccer tournament on television. Once again, as I was during the World Cup, I am struck by the constant, over-dramatic faux displays of being injured by the participants from all teams.

It is such a contrast from the demeanor in baseball. In baseball, if a major leaguer gets hit by a pitch, he makes a point of not bringing attention to the area that got hit as he jogs to first base.

For La Jolla High's baseball team, the players will make a point of reinforcing this for their afflicted teammate, calling out--somewhat humorously--"Don't rub it" or something like that as the batter hit by the pitch moves toward first base.

On the other hand, in professional soccer everything is about drawing the referee's attention to the fact contact was just made, and "I deserve to have a foul called on my defender."

It's so ridiculous, that when you watch the replay, sometimes it is clear there was no contact at all. That happened in a game over the weekend, when a player who lost the ball acted as if he had been hit--when the replay showed without a doubt that he had never been touched by the opposing player.

The problem in soccer, with this behavior encouraged, is that you have nuts like Luis Suarez, the ear-biting superstar from Uruguay, making the sport look even worse with his tantrums. The latest was his slamming the Plexiglas wall next to the team bench and throwing his shoe out onto the field during his country's match.

He either hadn't been told, or he didn't listen carefully, that he couldn't be inserted into the match under any circumstances. The coaching staff had already marked his name "O"--for ineligible to play--before the game ever started.

Which brings us back to baseball. Some observers don't like Bryce Harper, the Washington Nationals' young superstar, because he is demonstrative, dramatic, showy. He breaks baseball's code of don't-say-a-word. One of his teammates, Jonathan Papelbon, got so ticked off that he grabbed Harper by the throat during an altercation they had in the dugout. Papelbon subsequently got suspended, and now is no longer with the franchise.

Back in the day, when my brother and I played high school and American Legion baseball--granted, it was over four decades ago--there wasn't a stringent baseball code of being demure. We were relaxed, we had fun. If a pitched ball hit us in the side, we rubbed it. It wasn't a big deal back then. You weren't considered a sissy.

Fast-forward 40-plus years later. Baseball has hardened. There is a code of behavior. The coaches at La Jolla will say to their players, "Act like you've been there before." In other words, if we win this playoff game, don't go overboard in your celebration. Don't show up the other team. Act mature.

Yes, if a team wins the championship game, they'll run out and do a dog pile in celebration. But that's about the only time. Otherwise, it's considered "showing up the other team".

Final words on soccer: I must have watched as many or more hours of the Copa America as any other 62-year-old Anglo-American who never played soccer (three games before quitting as an adult--a guy kicked me in the foot, I said, "I'm out of here") nor had a son or daughter who played it (I don't have any sons or daughters, with soccer or without!).

To show how old I am, soccer only came into my high school at the end of my senior year in high school. And then, it was only in P.E. (But I was still on the baseball team, so I didn't play.) It didn't come in as a team sport until years later.

Our poor foreign exchange student, Frederico, who is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He would come home from school that spring moaning how the other kids had kicked him and bashed into him, because they just didn't know how to play the sport.

Frederico, who I still keep in contact with, was so dedicated to the sport that he endured four knee surgeries and was still playing in adult soccer leagues until the last few years.

Isn't there a way the goal could be made wider so that there's at least a little more scoring? Games are l-o-o-o-n-g. And that's my final word.

Ed Piper Sr.-type guys

Nick Hammel battles Otay Ranch in 10-4 win

on St. Patrick's Day in the Bully's East Tournament.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

 

Dane Hansen holds a Madison runner on base

in Viking home game May 16.

By Ed Piper

Nick Hammel and Dane Hansen, just finishing their junior years at La Jolla High, are two level-headed guys.

Like Ed Piper Sr.

What am I talking about? Hammel and Hansen, fellow Class of '17 student athletes, don't change in demeanor on the field, or, in Hammel's case, on the court, regardless of circumstances.

They're not robots, but they have impressed me with their consistent character and behavior.

My father, Ed Piper Sr., a big guy like I am, was known by his friends for maintaining the same calm demeanor all the time.

I visited my cousin, Bruce, who is the editor of the newspaper in a tiny town in Nebraska. Just like his "Uncle Ned", as his family called my father. Same likeable, easy-going, whatever-comes kind of outlook.

It's very easy to be around--most of the time. And you always know what to expect. You get the same person every time.

Of course, as the namesake youngest child of three who was big and loud and physically resembled his father, we butted heads a few times in my adolescence.

But for me to think of Nick and Dane as Ed Piper Sr.-type guys, I've giving them one of the ultimate compliments.

I've observed both, Hammel on the basketball court for the Viking hoop team this past season, the field for the baseball team, and now during two weeks of spring football practice so far. And his teammate, the equally level Hansen, during baseball for the Vikes and now spring football.

In my head, I had planned to write this column way back during baseball, early in the season, when I was struck by this non-meteoric steadiness. But I never quite got to the keyboard.

I remember earlier in the baseball season, before Hammel sustained an arm injury, in a game at Valhalla. It was a long drive in a Buick to get to that game, as Dick Howser would say. Valhalla is way off the Interstate 8 to heck-and-gone.

There was a hit, or there was a strikeout with the right-hander starting for Gary Frank's varsity. But you couldn't really tell which. Nick just doesn't show outwardly that he's super excited or super distraught. It's reassuring for his teammates, and I'm sure confidence-building for his coaches.

In the same way, Hansen, a consistent presence at first base, doesn't show lots of emotion. He just shows up everyday, plays solid baseball, and goes about his routine as a guy you can count on.

I'm sure they've both had their moments. But neither one snaps bats over their knee after a strikeout, or throws equipment. It's just not in their makeup.

I'm not denying in any way that they harbor intense competitiveness. Hansen didn't make it as a starter on the line for the Viking football team last fall by whistling Dixie. He's a hard worker. He'll get it done. Same with Hammel as a starting linebacker last year.

About the biggest thing you'll hear from Hansen is about his wearing glasses versus contact lenses. He recently told me that contacts don't work for him in baseball, because he can't pick up the "detail" he needs, like the pitched ball while he's at the plate. That's about all the attention he'll bring to himself.

That's the way my dad was. He passed away years ago, in 1979, when I was a mere lad of 25. We had had our battles during the Vietnam War years of the early 70's, when my brother Steve and I would come home for breaks from our respective colleges, long-haired and steeped on the activism on our campuses, and tell our dad he was partially responsible for the deaths going on across the sea in that disastrous war by his working for Northrop, an aerospace company.

Boy, that went over well.

Mom would referee our bouts at the Piper dinner table. Finally, our dad laid down a command: "I don't want to hear any more of it."

So, to lose him at age 25, my namesake and my twin in stature and appearance--though our cousin Bruce physically resembles him more than my brother Steve or me--I had to lick my wounds from those battles and learn to appreciate Dad's solidness, his integrity--his steadiness.

Whereas I took after my mom, with her Hoose peaks and valleys, and boosts of energy, my dad modeled riding on a pretty even keel. That's why my mom and dad worked so well together--to balance each other out.

And that's where the steady junior pair, Hammel and Hansen, come in. Steady. Calm. Not showy. Just showing up everyday.

New head football coach Matt Morrison, I'm sure, is going to grow to appreciate their presence more and more.

Not the Eveready battery bunny. The Little Engines That Could. Not bringing attention to themselves. Consistent. And moving ahead.

LJ FB: The gift

Matt Morrison (wearing cap), in his second day ever

coaching the Viking football program, instructs

his charges between reps Wed., June 1, on

the Muirlands field. (Photo by Ed Piper)

 

By Ed Piper

I didn't even realize he was giving it to me, but Matt Morrison, the new head football coach at La Jolla High, gave me quite a gift the past two weeks.

He being a teacher--and my being a recently-retired teacher, who returned to the classroom to substitute-teach--I came to figure out what I was getting.

His 4:30 p.m. daily starting time for spring practice necessitated by the fact he teaches in his elementary classroom in Ocean Beach all day, I have been able to attend eight of the nine weekday practice sessions these two weeks.

I have been welcomed by Coach Morrison and some of his assistants, as well as greeted by some of the players who recognize me. I have been able to roam about practice, under coaches hiking balls to the four quarterbacks during passing drills, next to players practicing blocking schemes, sitting by early arrivals putting on their shoes before drills. All with one of my trusty cameras strapped around my neck and clicking photos.

Now, without the camera, someone might ask: Ed, what are you doing out here in the middle of drills? But with the camera, I have the perfect--at least, I think it is--foil for wending my way into the midst of the "offensive indies" (independent drills), or "defensive indies", or whatever else might be going on at a particular point in Morrison's scheduled hour-and-a-half daily workouts.

And to think that on the first day or so, I was grumbling to myself that drills started so late.

Boy, was I wrong.

It has been a slice of heaven. I told one of the assistants on the second day of workouts that it was the first spring football I had ever attended. And he caught my glee, saying, "How are you liking it?" I said, "I am really enjoying it." In fact, I told him, "This is the first spring practice I have ever attended in my 62 years of life." I think he got a bang out of that.

On the following day, during the first week of spring drills, I commented to the same coach, a new assistant handling defensive backs, "You bring a lot of energy. The kids soak it up." He replied modestly, "I get a lot more out of it than they do." Just a positive thing to say, indicative of the enjoyment he brings to the field--while we both know he's expending a lot of effort out there. He's not just going through the motions.

Having never been allowed to play football by a mother who was concerned that my older brother and I would wind up with injuries like her brother did in ice hockey when they were kids, I have been enjoying observing passing routes being introduced; offensive line blocking techniques demonstrated and carried out; and just the plain camaraderie that is present among a bunch of enthusiastic sophomores and juniors--soon to pass on to being juniors and seniors after the last day of school 10 days from now--who are doing something physical, receiving instruction from coaches who are already serving as role models, and getting something out of it.

Another bonus is going from hot San Diego, the rest of the area, to the Muirlands field, where skies have been overcast every day but one of the eight I have made the trek to the coast in the late afternoon.

Along with all the positive energy of the Viking football players as a whole, I have really admired the dedication of Tino Mendez, a lineman, who just stepped into team drills for the first time Fri., June 10, after working with the team trainer all the previous days of spring practice in rehabbing his knee. He's coming back from ACL surgery.

Tino hasn't missed a day I've attended. He was early one day last week, having come all the way back to school from southern San Diego, and when I asked him his name, he didn't indicate in any way that he wasn't going to be out there with the rest of the squad in team drills. He didn't whine about his knee or feel sorry for himself. Just a friendly, positive attitude.

That is one of the fringe benefits from the gift Coach Morrison has given me--a late afternoon start to spring drills, enabling me to attend, click shots, and take notes on days I have available.

I wish Coach, his entire staff, and the boys all the best as they build the new program from square one. It's going to be a growing year.

LJ FB: SDSU 7-on-7 passing tourney

By Ed Piper

La Jolla High's football team underwent its first competitive play against other schools under new head coach Matt Morrison Sat., June 11, at SDSU. It was the annual 7-on-7 passing tournament there, which draws lots of teams with their family members.

Touchdowns were scored by rising seniors Tanner Watson, Nick Hammel, and Andrew Mitchell.

The Vikings dropped all three of their matchups on the first day of the tourney, which continues Sunday, but Mitchell saw a strategy in the coaches' substitutions.

Via Facebook, he said, "It went alright, we lost all our games, but we did well."

 

The returning senior observed, "The way I look at how the coaches were subbing was not to win at all costs but try to win by getting everyone to play and to see how we played."

Asked how he felt on the first day of play and how he did after having so many new passing plays introduced in the last two weeks--the first two weeks of spring practice under Coach Morrison--Mitchell said, "It felt good, it worked well. I was certainly more physical with press, and I thought I did pretty well. Same with all the other experienced players like 'Doc' (Alex Dockery), (Daniel) McColl, etc."

Did he notice growth in his play from last season, which ended seven months ago? "100% difference. I am in way better shape, with twice the energy."

Fellow rising senior Dane Hansen, who just finished baseball season last month, said he'll be out there for day two at SDSU Sunday. He had to take the ACT college test Saturday, so he was absent from the gridiron.

Mitchell is coming off track season, when he put the shot and threw the discuss for the Viking track team.

Hansen, talking about the first day of play, though he had to miss it, said via Facebook, "Yeah, exactly, win or lose you can still improve, but I heard we played well and held our own against tough teams. My goal tomorrow is to keep receivers in front of me and keep them to short yard gains."

Asked to assess his strengths at this point, Hansen commented, "As a guard (on offense), I feel like I'm good at keeping the D-line in front of me and staying low. And at linebacker, I feel like I just know the defense well enough that I don't have to learn as much as just improve on what I already know, like tackling and reading the offense."

Mitchell, simultaneously being interviewed via Facebook, said on day two at SDSU he will concentrate on "get-offs". Asked to explain what that means, he said, "Getting off the ball at snap."

He added: "I had a little trouble trying to shake the DB's (defensive backs) off of me, as well."

The first game Sunday at SDSU is scheduled at 7:30 a.m.

LJ FB: Spring Practice Week 2, Day 3

Returning center Christophe Gish goes through

blocking drills with fellow down linemen

on day 3 of week 2 in spring practice.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

On day three of week two of spring football practice, head coach Matt Morrison was busy installing plays for the offense in anticipation of Saturday's 7-on-7.

The 35 or so players participating in drills Wed., June 8, were split between a large group of offensive and defensive players in the center of the Muirlands field, and a small group of offensive linemen working out on the side near the storage bins.

The former Parker quarterback and assistant coach had most of his voice, even after three days of teaching in his classroom at Blessed Sacrament elementary school in Ocean Beach and two afternoons of practice.

NOTES: Graduating seniors Casey Brown and Trenton Fudge worked out on the side, as Brown, last season's starting quarterback, threw to Fudge, a productive wide receiver. Brown called them "Fudge Brownie", and said he is preparing to try out as a walk-on at San Diego State this summer. He has to enroll in summer school to be eligible.

Fudge, who with his former teammate goes through graduation ceremonies Tues., June 21, said he is going to enroll at Auburn University in Alabama and possibly try out to walk on in baseball...

Morrison lost most of his voice last Friday, after the first week of spring practice coupled with his classroom teaching. He was back in full voice three days later, after a weekend to rest his vocal cords.

Rising junior Trevor Scully waits for the ball as

he throws alongside fellow quarterback Carsten

Fehlan (partially hidden) in offensive

drills Wednesday.

A reporter told him last week at practice, "Take care of yourself." His answer: "Did my wife tell you to say that?" I said, "No, I'm a teacher. I just retired. I know what's it like to use your voice a lot." Morrison: "I'll rest after it's all over."...

Players in spring drills includes juniors and sophomores, next year's seniors and juniors, with a few freshmen thrown in...

The four quarterbacks taking snaps include Cole Dimich, Trevor Scully, Kenny Hayden, and Carsten Fehlan. The unofficial depth chart would seem to place Dimich as number one, Scully two, with Hayden in reserve and also working out at defensive back. Fehlan would seem to be destined to be the junior varsity starter...

Christophe Gish is center. Dane Hansen, Alex Scrivener, and JoJo Russell are among the down linemen. Tino Mendez is doing rehab on the sidelines.

Ross Martin (leg) and William Matthie (shoulder), I'm told, are absent from spring practice due to injuries.

Receivers, defensive backs, and defensive ends include rising seniors Daniel McColl, Tanner Watson, Johann Ponsaty, Alex Dockery, Patricio Castillejos (who has to work on Friday afternoons, so he will be missing those practice days this spring), Andrew Mitchell, Tyler Hope, Mitchell Scott, Austin Rust, and Jesse Pacleb.

Rising juniors include Sola Hope, D'yhar Sturgis, Johnathan O'Neal (Carlton's younger brother), Daniel Souza, Buster Hoy, and Dre McGrath.

This is not, by any means, a complete list of Vikings participating in drills.