LJ b BB: What we learned

Daniel McColl (24),

here leaping for a ball

against the Aztecs,

has given us two years

of total desire.

(Photo by Ed Piper, Jr.)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Two things we've learned in the two games La Jolla has played since Reed Farley went out permanently are these:

One, Coach Paul Baranowski is employing little-used (and formerly injured) Francisco Ramos at point guard, because he's the best point guard available. Nick Hammel is better at wing and the other guard position. Quinn Rawdin is a shooting guard. Jacob Ohara, ditto, is better at the other guard position.

So, after over-dribbling a bit in his first appearance since going out back in December, Francisco did more than fair-to-middling Sat., Feb. 4, against Montgomery. Baranowski was shouting, "Move the ball," as the team ran the offense. He wasn't just saying it to Francisco. Everyone on the perimeter plays a role in keeping the ball moving.

Second, we're seeing how much Charlie Gal down low misses having Farley find him inside and hitting him with heat-seeking passes that lead to easy baskets. Charlie isn't going to get those now, so he's going to have to work a little harder and use other options to score.

One of those options is to have some confidence in his outside shot, which he showed in the preseason he can be effective with. He took a couple of shots from the baseline in Saturday night's win. He has good form, good rotation. It's a good shot all the way around. He has good form on his free throws, and a jump shot from the baseline shares a lot of similarities with a free throw.

Gal was more effective at Hoover Friday night than at Montgomery the next night. He knows more than anyone else he also has to overcome that nasty habit of shuffling his feet. He wasn't troubled by it Saturday, but he also had fewer chances in the low post.

He made leaps in gains during the summer before his sophomore year, making the varsity in a surprise. He also grew leaps and bounds between his sophomore and junior years. There's every reason to expect the same sort of progress from him this coming spring and summer.

The young man loves basketball, and he wants to better his skills. It's kind of nice to see a contributor at the level Charlie has performed this season, especially with La Jolla losing Farley's irreplaceable contributions.

The Vikings, with Baranowski's adjustments with his present lineup, are a fun team to watch. Both games with the new configuration have been exciting and entertaining.

With Reed's departure to injury, the burden has been placed on everyone else. There is no Farley coming back in to help us. Ohara shows quickness and decisiveness. Hammel has been taking more initiative. Ramos is a brand-new addition. Daniel McColl, the old warrior, continues to leap for balls and pound up layups. He has always played with a lot of desire.

Next year's lineup is shaping up, with Ohara and Rawdin at guards, Gal returning up front, and Jacob Duffy leading a slew of present sophomores who will move up. Duffy epitomizes the classic La Jolla High player: 5'10" to 6'2", guard, ball-handler, who plays smart with a good basketball IQ, good quickness, playing team offense and defense. That's what La Jolla produces, and that's who's in Baranowski's PB Fundamental group when you watch them work out.

Now, what some of the other sports need to do is emulate the youth program the basketball team has. Field hockey needs it. Girls basketball needs it. Lacrosse already has it. Soccer and water polo already have club teams to draw from.