LJ b BB: Eastern League hopes

By Ed Piper, Jr.


After last week's opening rough-and-tumble win by La Jolla over Hoover in the newly-configured Eastern League, I was ready to declare that, unreservedly, I thought the league was going to be a lot of fun.


Hoover, visiting La Jolla for the first time in a while, if ever, played their hearts out despite the loss and brought home the fact that conference play can carry an intensity that just doesn't exist in games that don't count in the standings like tournament games.


Reed Farley, talking after the win over the Cardinals while the Big Gym on campus emptied, said, "We know league play is different. It's more intense."


But after a second Eastern League win Jan. 12, this one by a wide margin over another new league opponent, Madison, I'm still willing to say it's going to be a fun ride--if you're a Viking fan, why not enjoy the wins?


But this more recent triumph was characterized by a near-20-point spread before the first half was complete. And the belligerent words--hey, my sensitivities weren't offended. After all, I taught Juvenile Court students for 20 years and heard every possible term aimed at me and others by young people who were upset, desperate, or who just didn't display appropriate people skills.


But the bubble of good feeling kind of burst. It just wasn't the feel-good atmosphere by the end of the game that existed in my head following the Hoover triumph.


The Eastern League still means good things for Coach Paul Baranowski's team: This is an environment in which the Vikings can excel. No more Cathedral Catholic's with recruited 7-footers. Ditto St. Augustine (both of which Farley could have chosen to attend if he had wanted to four years ago).


And Serra, now 17-0, should be a treat to play. The Q's have a new coach, and they burned up the pre-league part of the season and are doing so in early Eastern League play.


It's going to be a good year. Patrick Henry has Jason Bryant coaching, he of Lincoln glory fame. Maybe La Jolla can show that it does pay to stay home to play for your local school.