LJ b BB: Postmortem

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Things I've learned while observing, photographing, and reporting on high school sports teams and coaches from close up for the past 13 years (plus in a previous incarnation as sports editor 37 years before, and in college internships as a journalism major):


--Every coach is different. Some are great teachers and builders of the whole person. Others are sports coaching technicians. (Some walk-ons who are not schoolteachers can be like that).


--Team members, understandably, usually parrot whatever their coach told the team in practice during the week or just now, right after the game. Coaches are good at what they so, so what they tell their team will make sense. But, for the sake of an independent opinion, catch players before their coaches give the postgame talk, to limit this parroting.


Paul Baranowski, La Jolla's boys basketball coach, was having a fit with calls during his team's 52-51 win over Eastlake in the Hilltop Invitational Tues., Dec. 6. In total contrast to his demeanor along the sidelines during the Vikings' first two tournament games, when he was pretty placid and controlled, the native Arizonian showed a pique of temper a time or two as the game progressed.


But Paul, who was honored by La Jolla High earlier in the fall by his inclusion on the coaches' Wall of Honor in Edwards Stadium--before he even completes the required minimum five years as a head coach--is a professional, developing his coaching expertise over more than 30 years in Tucson and here.


After the game, obviously frustrated with the game, asked by a reporter, "Can I quote you?", Baranowski spoke completely under control. He isn't one to go spout off in front of a reporter. I saw that last year, as well, when the highs and lows of any high school sports season would drive anyone to distraction. Paul remains mindful of where he is and what he is doing, though he is no wallflower as far as feeling strongly about what is best for his players.


He said, "Of course, you can always quote me. They (Eastlake) played well. They gave us all we could handle. We need consistency in our effort on defense." Translated: The first rule of speaking with the media after a game is to credit the play of the other team. Otherwise, it sounds like sour grapes, as well as a criticism of the opponent.


Baranowski was honest and accurate, giving the reporter something he could use in his story. Some other coaches will speak in almost pure sports cliché, and you walk away with nothing you can use.


As far as the team, Charlie Gal looked frustrated after Baranowski's talk with the team. He walked by and to the gym. Gal's standards for play are much higher than a year ago, when he was a lowly sophomore fighting his way to make the varsity (which he did). Now, he is a veteran of club team play, as well as a year under Baranowski's coaching on varsity. He is a junior who is a major cog in the team.


Quinn Rawdin, at the door of the Hilltop locker room, had one of those "What, me?" quizzical looks. He kind of half-smiled.


Reed Farley had already made his escape, though Reed, of all people, will always talk with a reporter, before or after a game.

Which team will show up for Wednesday's tough game against Helix? Stay tuned.