LJ BB 58, Lincoln 49

Big man Alex Pitrofsky contests shot in

early going of long-awaited win over

Lincoln Jan. 9. (Photo by Ed Piper)

Sophomore guard Reed Farley hit a key three-pointer to put La Jolla up by five points over Lincoln with four minutes to play, and the Vikings sailed to a rare win on the Hornets'  home court, 58-49, Fri., Jan. 9.

Playing every minute, Farley finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Farley punctuated his mini-dagger of a jumper to send LJHS up 46-41 with 4:26 left with a fist pump and a shout, emblematic of La Jolla's new confidence accompanied by increased skill over the last two years.

Senior Ladd Castellano had 13 points, while Alex Pitrofsky bucketed 12 points with six rebounds.

Facing Lincoln, the state champs in 2010, has always been the mountain to scale on the Vikings' Western League schedule each year. Last year at Lincoln, LJHS had an early lead, but then fell prey to its accustomed nervousness under severe duress and got tripped up in the late going.

There have been so many attempts at "moral victories", and piles of defeats to the customarily cocky Hornets that yet another close call but a loss would have been a heartbreaker for the red and black.

But this time, fellow guard Castellano combined his aggressiveness with the upstart Farley's by attacking the basket in the lane repeatedly. Dual big men Pitrofsky and Mark Rawdin, a rare commodity in La Jolla's basketball history, showed some stick-to-it-iveness underneath. And the Vikings, who led much of the game, were able to bring the victory home.

Coach Paul Baranowski said before the game, "We're going to take the game to them." His contingent went up 14-8 in the early going, before completing the first quarter with a 14-10 lead, enough to give new Lincoln coach Jeff Harper Harris fits on the sidelines as he screamed at his charges and repeatedly pointed at the scoreboard in the huddle.

Defender Ladd Castellano (right) remains watchful

in opening minutes as the Hornets work their offense.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

Farley, as calm collecting his gear at the conclusion as he appeared during the intense contest, said, "We start a new tradition," in reference to breaking the long skein of losses to the renowned basketball school.

Rawdin collected seven rebounds in playing 26 minutes. Guard Zach Duffy led the Vikings with three steals, and contributed four rebounds, two points, and an assist in a versatile statistical line.

La Jolla went into the locker room at halftime leading 26-23. This obviously didn't sit well with the Lincoln partisans, who are accustomed to the play of Norman Powell, part of the state championship team and now a senior on UCLA's squad, and the Robinson brothers, Tyrell and Tyree, other renowned members of that championship squad. Tyree, now a college sophomore, stars on defense for Oregon's football team.

The visitors fought and only gave up the lead to the Hornets at 37-36 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, never trailing after Rawdin made a post move near the lower right block that fell in for 38-37.

Pitrofsky sank one of two free throws to send La Jolla up 57-49, then again for the final margin of 58-49.

Rawdin's post work shows some moves that he didn't possess last year as a junior. He has obviously put in work to learn how to receive the ball down low, dribble to his left, then swing to his right into the lane to put the ball up. 

Farley displays almost a nonchalance in the comfort level he outwardly shows in big games like this. Coolly bringing the ball downcourt and setting up the offense, he helps calm his teammates' nerves. In the early going, however, the 16-year-old was uncharacteristically sloppy, most likely a result of being too amped up in facing the Lincolnites.

Admittedly, the Hornets (now 1-2 in league, 5-8 overall) are on a down cycle this season, having lost their coach of the championship years, Jason Bryant. But La Jolla is much improved over last year, and the formula of the Farley-Castellano guard tandem augmented by the contributions inside from the big men, Rawdin and Pitrofsky, is working well. The Vikings won two tough games this week in the opening act of Western League play, edging rival Scripps Ranch, 53-49, Tues., Jan. 6.

Impressively, La Jolla (2-0, 10-4) outscored Lincoln 22-14 in the final quadrant.

LJHS was helped in the final 16 seconds by an illegal substitution by Harper Harris, when a player did not check in at the scorer's table before entering the game. When the referees called a technical foul, Farley stepped to the free throw line and methodically dropped in two free throws.

The clock, which had been allowed to run down to :14.4, was reset to :16.0. Even so, Lincoln could not make headway on the 56-49 deficit, falling behind further on Pitrofsky's free throws.

The home crowd, formerly vocal, quieted in the closing seconds and filed out with a noticeable absence of sound. Baranowski's players refrained from celebrating outwardly on the court, taking it into the visitors team room.


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper

LJ b soccer 0, Clairemont 0

Center midfielder Jose Bello (25, black shirt) heads the

ball away from the goal as Viking keeper Eric Vela

(yellow shirt) deals with early pressure from

Clairemont  in the 7th minute of play. of a nil-nil

draw. (Photo by Ed Piper) 

La Jolla High's boys varsity soccer team played to a nil-nil standoff at Clairemont Thurs., Jan. 8, in a well-played game with few shots on goal.

The match marked the debut of Ole Cassidy, a student from Norway, who started for Coach Marcos Gonzales' side and who played most of the game.

The Vikings had a chance to score at 7:14 p.m. of the game that started at 6 p.m., in approximately the 64th minute of regulation time. But the goal, coming off a corner kick and ricocheting around among multiple players before rolling into the net, was nullified on a handball call.

La Jolla opens Western League play next Thurs., Jan. 15.

Andrew Estrella (8) handles the ball early

in non-league match at Clairemont.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

James Penner, who had to wait in December to play until after his club team obligations were completed, was "injured and sick" and unable to play against the Chieftains, according to Gonzales.

The Vikings seem well-stocked with talent and enjoying the structure and stability that coaches Gonzales and Victor Zendejas, who came aboard after the start of the season, are providing.


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper

LJ BB 53, Scripps Ranch 49 - Western League opener

Ladd Castellano hit a three-pointer from the top of the key after La Jolla worked through its offense, putting the Vikings up 48-43 with 2:10 left in the game, and LJHS held on to beat visiting Scripps Ranch 53-49 in the Western League opener for both teams Tues., Jan. 6.

"Ladd was clutch at the end with a three," said big man Alex Pitrofsky.

La Jolla led 22-15 at halftime, and never relinquished the lead, despite the Falcons coming back within one at 40-39, and again 42-41 in nervous time.

The 6'6" Pitrofsky, playing only his second game since missing tournament play over the winter vacation, had a block near the basket early in the third quarter. Then, with La Jolla holding a slim three-point lead starting the fourth quarter, Alex tipped in a Reed Farley miss to push the Vikings up 33-28.

Despite a spate of LJHS turnovers in the third quarter, Castellano sparkled by hitting both ends of a one-and-one with 25 seconds, in addition to his key jumper. That gave La Jolla a 51-45 lead.

Copyright 2015 Ed Piper

LJ b BB: Balance

Reed Farley (33) misses on

this alley oop attempt. Coach

Paul Baranowski called for

a foul, to no avail.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

Coach Paul Baranowski made an interesting comment after La Jolla's win at Bonita Vista Jan. 3. He said, "It is good when we are doing well offensively when Reed (Farley) is off the court." This is the first time he has broached this subject.

It's an acknowledgement of the key role that the 6'4" sophomore plays in the team's success. But "Coach B" was also saying that the Vikings are a team made of multiple individuals, and they need all those elements. As part of the same conversation, he referred to the fact that all 13 members of the roster have not yet been all present and all healthy to play at the same time through the first month of the season.

The nice part of it is that the Vikings have done well, to the tune of an 8-4 won-lost record, without the full roster. Imagine what can happen when and if all the minions are producing.

Farley went on an early tear in the Bonita Vista win, sinking two long three's that seemed to startle the Barons, as well as other goodies. The Vikings took a 22-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. Baranowski gave him a rest in the second quarter.

But alongside him, senior guard Ladd Castellano was flowing and looking aggressive, driving to the basket as well as shooting from outside, to the tune of 30 points on the night. Farley had 20.

A new contribution came from Mark Rawdin, down low, who scored 14.

Farley leads the team statistically with 18.6 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He is second to Alex Pitrofsky in rebounding with 5.0 per game. Pitrofsky leads with 5.4. Castellano is the only other player in double figures in scoring average, with 12.9 per game.

Owen Porter has 4.8 rebounds per game, Ladd 4.7, and Morgan Albers 4.3. Porter has the same steals average as Reed, 1.3. Castellano has 2.9 steals per game.


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper

LJ b BB: League opener preview

Guard Zach Duffy (14) has been working hard and it

has paid off in a slot as a starter in this, his senior year.

Here Duffy and Mark Rawdin (24) face Bonita Vista.

(Photo by Ed Piper) 

"It's a pretty good preparation game for us," said La Jolla High basketball coach Paul Baranowski of its non-league win at Bonita Vista Jan. 3, "because Scripps Ranch will zone us," the same way the Barons defended the Vikings.

He went on to say, after the 89-58 win over the weekend, "And if we shoot it the way we did tonight, (we'll be in good shape)."

Scripps Ranch is the Vikings' opponent in their Western League opener at La Jolla Tues., Jan. 6, at 5:15 p.m.

Regarding Friday's opponent, Lincoln, at the Hornets' place, "film" yet to be viewed is going to hold the key. "We aren't sure what they're going to be like," said the coach, in his third year at the helm at La Jolla (20-plus years total coaching).

Friday's game will feature a girls/boys doubleheader, with the Vikings girls at 6 p.m., the boys following at approximately 7:30 p.m. That is the format for several of the league games coming this month and in February.

Baranowski noted that though his squad has gone a solid 8-4 through pre-league games, "We still have not had all 13 players here and healthy." Grant Miller is still inactive, recovering from a concussion in the football team's final CIF playoff game. A couple of players were away during part or all of the two-week winter vacation just completed.

Eddie Parker sat out a game due to a leg injury. Earlier in December, Mark Rawdin was out with a knee issue.

A basketball treat coming up, from this reporter's view, is La Jolla getting to try its skills against St. Augustine, which is ranked eighth in the San Diego CIF Section by MaxPreps. It's always fun to play against the best. Just ask Reed Farley. Last year he relished playing Lincoln at Lincoln, usually a tough task, when he was in his first year of high school.

La Jolla has a more matured, seasoned team this year. So the guard corps including Ladd Castellano and Farley should be able to lead the team to be more effective. Fellow guard Zach Duffy has been working hard. Wing Owen Porter showed his growth especially on one sprint down court against Bonita Vista in which he took the ball from halfcourt and laid the ball up from the left side under heavy duress.

Rawdin showed effectiveness close to the basket in the same game. Hopefully, big man Alex Pitrofsky can quickly transition back to where his game was before Christmas break, after time off with his family.

Greg Jones, whose son Matt played at La Jolla High about six years ago, asked how the team was. I said "not great, but solid." Some alumni from last year asked the same question at the Grossmont Invitational before Christmas. It portends to be a good league season.


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper

LJ b BB 89, Bonita Vista 58

Senior Ladd Castellano scores with emotion for a

72-49 Viking lead against the Barons. His free

throw to complete the three-point play extended the

La Jolla lead to 24. (Photo by Ed Piper)

Guard Gaynor Blackmon, Jr. said it was the two teams' fifth meeting already in this young season. But it was one that host Bonita Vista regretted, as the visiting Vikings sliced and diced the poor Barons, 89-58, operating on all cylinders in the first game of the new year Jan. 3.

La Jolla coach Paul Baranowski graded the performance as his team's best effort this season through 12 pre-league games. "It was a great team effort," said the pleased coach. Asked afterward for three words in a single clause, he replied, "Love these guys."

Ladd Castellano pumped in 30 points, Reed Farley 20, and Mark Rawdin 14. "If he's (Rawdin) going to be the big man we need, (that's awesome)," said Baranowski between handshakes with his players following a quick postgame huddle in front of the bench.

Castellano put some nails in the coffin on a move with his back to the free throw line in the fourth quarter that catapulted the Vikings up by a whopping 29 points, 83-54. Ladd spun to his left and blew by his defender as if the latter were nailed to the floor to lay the ball up cleanly.

Bonita Vista had only trailed by 13 points at halftime, 46-33.

Reed Farley missed on this

alley oop at the start of the

fourth quarter, but Coach

Paul Baranowski wanted a

foul called.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

Earlier in the final stanza, Ladd closed the coffin lid with a three-point jump shot from a favorite spot of his, 20 feet out on the right side of the key extended, making it 68-49.

Farley missed an alley oop slam attempt near the end of the first quarter, a feat that he achieved in the Grossmont Invitational before Christmas. But he atoned for that with a score with his back to the basket on another alley oop feed to put the Vikes up 61-36 with 3:30 left in the third period.

The lob was a little to the right of the basket, and the 6'4" sophomore had to wriggle his body a little to catch the ball and bank it off the backboard behind him. Bonita Vista coach Don Dumas immediately called a timeout.

Reed was having a time of it in the opening stanza. La Jolla jumped out to a 10-0 lead before the hosts were even able to score. Then, after they did, Farley hit two straight three-pointers from long range that had Dumas looking bewildered and frustrated. The Vikings finished the quarter leading 22-13.

The super soph completed an old-school three-point play midway through the second quarter, scoring on a drive from the left side, then converting the free throw after being fouled to give LJHS a 36-25 lead. After the layup fell, he pumped his fist and shouted. He was truly charged up.

Rawdin surprised Bonita Vista inside, scoring the first basket of the game. He took a pass on the right low post from Castellano at the wing to score at 28-15 in the second quarter. He even told a photographer on the sidelines, "You get the action shot when I get the ball." The photographer playfully yelled back, "I don't have any action shots of you."

6'6" Alex Pitrofsky returned after a Christmas cruise vacation. Guard Daniel Hemming was also back with the team following the holidays.

The Vikings host Scripps Ranch in their Western League opener Tues., Jan. 6, 2015, at approximately 5:15 p.m. following the JV game.


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper

LJ BB: "We vibe together"



Guard Gaynor Blackmon (behind) applies

full-court pressure against Santa Fe Christian

Dec. 20 in Grossmont Invitational.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

 

 

"I kind of just realized what I needed to do," Viking guard Gaynor Blackmon says about his new-found comfort on the basketball court, which is apparent in his movement, his effectiveness, and the minutes Coach Paul Baranowski is giving him in recent tournament games over the holidays. "I'm on the court if I'm putting out the energy, if I'm running the offense well."

Very recent good news is the email the senior backcourtman received at 12:20 a.m. Christmas morning, just after Christmas Eve, informing him that he had been accepted to the University of Colorado. He wants to continue studying physiology and possibly pursue research or be a family physician, the latter which would suit his people-orientedness.

His is the smiling countenance you often encounter if you hang around the La Jolla High varsity squad. "I was really shy and sensitive (at a younger age)," Blackmon reveals. "I didn't take any criticism well." He said that that made it tough in his brief foray into football, and he didn't enjoy it.

But basketball suits his skills and his personality. He has been playing the sport since he was eight years old. He likes the team aspect. And the game involves what Gaynor calls "finesse": "When you're 'finessing'," he elaborates, "that's when you're getting by your defender. When they're pressing, you've got to be more elusive than the other player.

"If you can fake one way and go the other, the other way might be wide-open."

The 5'7" guard preaches the team concept convincingly. From observing him all last season and the first month of this season, it's evident that the senior wants to play his role on La Jolla's team and help put his teammates in a position to succeed. There is a camaraderie among him and his teammates. He says he knows his fellow seniors better than some of the juniors--fellow classmen including Zach Duffy, Mark Rawdin, and Daniel Hemming, guys that he hangs with--though, of the whole team, "When we're together, we vibe together. We mesh together well."

"If I do good, I'm going to be happy," he says. "But it's about if we get there together as a team."

The Viking has some life experience already at his tender age of 18 that gives him insight into other people's struggles. He has moved four times, being born in Minnesota--"Are you a Timberwolf," he is asked; "I could be," he grins--then moving to Wisconsin, Colorado for eight years, then Calabasas, north of Los Angeles, and finally, La Jolla before ninth grade.

"Definitely, it's a big part of who I am," Gaynor says of the geographic moves. "(Moving) hasn't always been good. I've met so many people from so many different backgrounds.

"So many people only know one type of living. We lived in suburban areas with families" in the other states. "(As a result) I can relate to different people's struggles."

Where that experience comes out is in his ability to listen to others. "If someone vents to me about a situation, maybe I can give them a different perspective."

He has just taken his younger brother Grayson, a 7th-grader at Muirlands Middle School, out for sushi just before the interview. Blackmon says horchatas (sweet rice drink) from Rigoberto's are another favorite. Grayson is into football. Their sister Gabrielle, 11, does gymnastics.

Coming off the bench to set up the offense, he says he's mindful of the following things: "Who's just scored? Who's feeling it on that day? Also, mismatches."

"If the shooters aren't feeling it (confidence), I want to try to get them a chance to shoot (to gain confidence), when we're not fighting to get back into the game," he explains.

"I feel Owen (Porter) and I have a telepathic connection. He knows when I need him to backdoor."

He appreciates his mother Michelle's unconditional support. But he says his dad, Gaynor Sr., will speak bluntly to Gaynor Jr. about his responsibility in a situation. "If I've ever had a problem, I always go to my dad. He's the one who calms me out. I'm not going to go to my mom, because she'll say, 'It's the other person's fault.' He'll be: 'You're being selfish.' He'll tell me if I'm doing good or bad."

Son and dad speak frequently, via phone. Dad lives in Colorado, where Gaynor Jr. spent Christmas the past week.

The future Buffalo at the University of Colorado in Boulder sets goals and believes in hard work. "Life is what you put into it," he says philosophically. "If you're not proactive about setting goals, you're going to be upset. You're not going to feel fulfilled."

"Complacency is the enemy. I know what I want to work for. If I'm on track for what I want to do, I'll be fine. Stressing out isn't usually going to help things."

His present goals include continuing to work hard in the classroom, including physiology, in preparation for college, and staying focused on the basketball team, helping the team "continuing to win."

Gaynor's increasing self-confidence, overcoming his earlier shyness, still includes awareness of others' feelings. "I always try to make people laugh," he says, "or if I'm not putting anything into the relationship, (I will). I like to make everyone feel welcome."

Where does he get this sense of hospitality? "I think both of my parents are very accepting of people, regardless of their background. When I meet someone new, they have a clean slate (in my mind)."


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper