LJ b BB: Gamboa

By Ed Piper

Christian Gamboa has had to give up his normal position and adapt to a new role on La Jolla's basketball team.

So far, so good.

The 6'2" sophomore has yielded the point guard position to senior returner Behzad Hashemi, who helped guide the Vikings in 2017-18, as well as newcomer Jett Wilson, another senior, whom Coach Paul Baranowski has bring up the ball when Hashemi is taking a breather on the bench.

"I told him he has to adapt," said older brother Ricky of his brother, Christian, a single-sport athlete who has only played basketball, and who is new to the varsity this year. "He's used to having the ball, and looking to pass it."

So, being positioned on the wing, and receiving the ball from Hashemi or Wilson feels a lot different, according to big brother.

Christian's consistent contributions through the first eight games of the season have helped shape the Vikings' offense, and given them an increased toughness overall, as well.

In the last five games, three of which La Jolla won--including two in the Hilltop Invitational to reach the tournament semifinals Wed., Dec. 5--there hasn't been the feeling of inevitability of losing in the end, the way there sometimes has been that dread hanging over the program in leaner years.

"He's getting better," said Ricky, sitting near the top of the stands in the Hilltop gym with their younger sister, Milan, "like the city." Mom arrived later, after the semifinal game started, coming from work in the rain and traffic.

Ricky, astute in his analysis of Christian's basketball skills, doesn't dish out praise unnecessarily.

"Standing out on the perimeter, he prefers to shoot from there instead of driving to the basket," the brother said. "He has to get better at penetrating to the basket."

But one of the skills he has shown, from the beginning of offseason play last May, is advanced development in moving off the dribble and making his way inside, even while being covered closely by a defender.

Ricky must be speaking relatively, of his own high expectations for his younger brother.

Christian has shown he can create his own shot better than many other sophomores and 16-year-olds.

Another nuance he has demonstrated is a deft use of his left hand, as a natural right-hander, in laying the ball off the glass.

He did just this with the game against Westview on the line and the score 56-51, 3:45 ticking down on the scoreboard clock.

Gamboa drove down the left side of the lane in transition, and placed the ball nicely near the square painted on the glass to bank it in. The Vikings now only trailed by three.

It was a key basket. La Jolla couldn't close the deal, eventually losing by seven, but it wasn't due to any lack on the sophomore's part.

Under brother's watchful eye, he has quickly become a crucial part of Baranowski's rotation.