 |
| Saints coaches and players talk after varsity practice on campus this week. (Photos by Ed Piper) |
It was interesting to hear Coach Mike Haupt tell his St. Augustine basketball players yesterday (Nov. 8) at practice that "we only have three practices for five games."
The peak-in opportunity, which I relished as a sportswriter, afforded by a desire to connect with the veteran coach to do a preseason team preview, allowed me to watch the last 20 minutes or so of a weekday practice in the Saints' expansive new sports complex.
Haupt, known for his integrity as a person and a coach, took the occasion at the end of Thursday practice to explain to his players why he was installing so much "stuff" in such a short time.
"I know it's a lot, but we have five games coming up: one more day of practice (Fri., Nov. 9, 1:00-3:30), then a game (actually, a scrimmage at Bosco Tech Saturday in Rosemead, not far from Pasadena), then game (another scrimmage, this one at Torrey Pines Mon., Nov. 12, Veteran's Day Holiday), practice, practice, then game, game, game (in the Aztec Tipoff Classic at Montgomery High in the South Bay).
"That's not a lot of time to practice. We want to cover everything that might come up. Anything else, we'll just do what we can. We won't be in January form."
The congenial though authoritative coach reassured his attentive players. "I'm being hard on you, but it's for these reasons."
This look-in to part of the highly-organized practice was fascinating and intriguing for a basketball junkie who only coached for a short time in concentrating, instead, on sports reporting, later sports photography, but who hasn't taken part in formal, organized practices, really, since sophomore year in community college. That's a whale of a long time ago.
The Saints, divided into purples and whites by reversible practice jerseys, went through a new time-killing drill for the end of quarters or even the end of a game to chew up clock time. Pairs stand at the top of the key on each side. A dribbler out front moves to one side, then looks to pass back out front to one of the players from the elbow, who has popped out.
The drill is kind of like a weave, except for the alignment of players at the top of the box, the elbow on each side.
The problem last year, the coach explained to the team, is that too many times the Saints took a shot with 10 seconds left, allowing their opponents enough time to get the ball down court for a last shot attempt. No good.
The problem last year, the coach explained to the team, is that too many times the Saints took a shot with 10 seconds left, allowing their opponents enough time to get the ball down court for a last shot attempt. No good.
 |
| "Unity, Truth, Love" banner near the entrance to the private Catholic school. |
Luke Haupt, who is pretty much as tall as his father, who is 6'6", looked good on tossing up shots at the simulated buzzer, making three or so with his favored left hand. He's like a second coach on the floor, going up to his father at one point to inquire about something. Not overly involved that way, but appropriate for his role as a team member.
Another junior returning starter, Chibuzo Agbo, also looked pretty sharp. Chibuzo stands 6'6", and will continue to create match-up problems as he did last year with the combination of his height and athleticism. His touch, visible in a short cameo look, may have improved from last year's sophomore campaign.
Another junior returning starter, Chibuzo Agbo, also looked pretty sharp. Chibuzo stands 6'6", and will continue to create match-up problems as he did last year with the combination of his height and athleticism. His touch, visible in a short cameo look, may have improved from last year's sophomore campaign.
He and Haupt junior assumed a lot of responsibility with the transfer of expected returners back in fall 2017.
Just a delight to interact with, Coach Haupt, not once but twice, asked a reporter he recognized, "How are you?" It was sincere, and fit in with the tone of the banners posted outside near the entrance to the faith-based school: "Caritas (charity, or love in Latin), unitas (unity)..."
Interestingly, while the Saints participate in local holiday tournaments, including the Aztec Tipoff Classic next week that La Jolla plays in as well, and the North County Classic the first week of December, St. Augustine doesn't compete in the Torrey Pines Classic at Torrey Pines High after Christmas each year.
In fact, the Saints take that time off before embarking on the Western League season Thurs., Jan. 3, at Christian High. Maybe some holiday repose and rest for the coach and his players?
Interestingly, while the Saints participate in local holiday tournaments, including the Aztec Tipoff Classic next week that La Jolla plays in as well, and the North County Classic the first week of December, St. Augustine doesn't compete in the Torrey Pines Classic at Torrey Pines High after Christmas each year.
In fact, the Saints take that time off before embarking on the Western League season Thurs., Jan. 3, at Christian High. Maybe some holiday repose and rest for the coach and his players?
No comments:
Post a Comment