LJ b BB: Playoff approach

"The drop of rain maketh a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling."
                                                                                   Hugh Latimer, English churchman

By Ed Piper

For La Jolla's basketball team to progress through the first round of the CIF playoffs Tues., Feb. 20--something I know nothing about personally, since my high school team finished second to last, with only the league champion advancing to the playoffs back in the day in the CIF Southern Section--they're going to have to be patient and persistent, but also quick.

The proverbial drop is predictable and keeps falling. The Vikings' constants need to be Jacob Ohara's lightning-quick layups in transition, Behzad Hashemi's outside shooting, and big man Charlie Gal's physical play underneath.

For Ohara to sneak behind the defense, he needs feeds from his backcourt mate, Hashemi. Some of that dynamic was discombobulated in the Vikings' 57-41 win over Kearny Feb. 15: Ohara was missing layups, then Behzad, who is super quick but who has to play under control, sat down in the second quarter.

Gal, though primarily called upon to rebound, and work inside and outside on offense, has shown himself to be a good passer lately. Jacob, lately, has largely overcome some of the tactics teams who have scouted the Vikings well used to stymie him. His strong suit is driving right; he isn't great at going left, but he's no longer as surprised when defenders jump to his right to block his path.

Meekness. Definition: Strength under control. The Vikings are going to be on the road before a hostile home crowd. They need to arrive unfrazzled by traffic (it's going to be a bear getting to North County for a 7 p.m. start). They need to start quick, but poised, just as they did against St. Augustine, Cathedral Catholic (both ending in eventual losses), and Mission Bay (they held on for the win) in the second round of Western League play.

If Behzad can hit a few outside shots, it is really going to help ignite the explosion. Charlie will be crashing inside, but his outside jumper adds a valuable weapon, as well.

Then, any three's guard Quinn Rawdin can contribute will be a plus. He has shot well his last couple of games.

Coach Paul Baranowski has been very sparing in his substitutions down the stretch. We will probably see Evan Brown at forward and Diego Solis at guard in the first substitution. Langston Aron, like Brown counted on for rebounding to help Gal, may follow.

The opposing team is probably going to press in the backcourt at some time, so La Jolla needs to work the ball methodically up court. They have the training and skills to do that. They have to minimize their mistakes.

Ohara and Gal, both, need to avoid traveling calls. Both also need to be wise about charging calls. Don't bull your way in. Finesse and find a path to the basket.

Be like the drop of water. Keep attacking. Be persistent. The Vikings can't afford to give up a big lead. But, they don't need to panic at the first sign of a small lead by the other team.