20th Anniversary High School Redux

A few days ago, it occurred to me that it had been 20 years since I graduated from high school.   In celebration of this event, let me share some of my favorite memories from high school:

1. During my freshmen year, my high school did not have an athletics program.  Due to demand, the school eventually started a program in my sophomore year.    I chose to run cross country in the fall and was among the first set of athletes to participate in official practices and events for the school. 
2. Along the lines of athletics, my cross country team's first event was a memorable one.   I had run my race as a sophomore and was watching the rest of our team run in the varsity race.  One of my fellow sophomore friend & classmate was running in the varsity race.  At the sound of the gun, my friend took off SPRINTING.  He had run track in middle school but not distance running and he treated this face like a track meet.  Thus he led the 3.1 mile race for about 30 seconds before he faded and the rest of the pack caught up and passed him.    Even though my friend finished pretty far back, it is still a funny memory to remember.  
3. October 17th, 1989.  That date will be memorable for those of us who lived in the Bay Area.  That was the date of the Loma Prieta Earthquake that struck at 5:04 PM.  The earthquake interrupted Game 3 of the Bay Bridge World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics.  It is also memorable to me and my cross country teammates as our team was participating in a race at Golden Gate Park that day.  I had completed my race and was waiting for the varsity runners to finish as well.  At 5:00 PM, I remember looking at my watch and hoping that my mom remembered to record the World Series game on TV.  A few minutes later, I remember feeling something shaking.  I thought someone was shaking the bench I was standing on until I realized the benches were bolted to the ground.  It was then that I (and the others around) that an earthquake had hit.  The rest of the time was a blur.  Many of my teammates lived close to me across town and it was a long few hours getting home.  We had some bonding time though and that was a positive in light of the effects of the earthquake. 
4. I chose to participate in the sport of fencing in the spring.  Unfortunately, while trying to run through the hallway to get some snacks, I tripped and fractured my wrist and my fencing season ended abruptly.  I still hung around at practice and did some drills though never participated in any matches. 
5. While my first fencing season was a lost one, my second season went a lot better.  To be honest, most of the season was a BLUR.  I remember winning at least one match though don't remember much else.  HOWEVER, whatever I did, I did enough to be named an alternative fencer for the All-City tournament.  When one of the three fencers in the tournament was hurt prior to the All-City, I got a chance to participate in my first and only All-City tournament.  I was eliminated pretty quickly but was named Most Improved Fencer during our Spring Sports Awards night. 
6. It may surprise people, but I was not much of a student during high school.  My freshmen year went decently as I remember getting something along the lines of a 2.80 GPA.  My sophomore and junior years were less successful as I barely stayed about 2.0 GPA to stay eligible to play sports.  Yet, my senior year was a revelation.  I stayed about a 3.2 GPA (hitting 3.4 a few times) during my while senior year.  I did well enough to garner Student of the Month as well.  
7. During my senior year, I had one of my best teachers ever.  That same teacher got me into reading a genre of books that I still read today.  The teacher taught english and she did something interesting.  She had the students fill out a form which inquired about things we liked to watch or read (I think).  After filling out the form, she recommended a book for us to read and write a report on.  The book that I was assigned?  The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton.  Even after 20 years, The Andromeda Strain is still easily the BEST book I have ever read.  That might explain why I still like to read sci-fi / thriller books to this day.  
8. My senior year was a successful one academically but also athletically.  I didn't do great on the field but off the field, I had a good year.  I was named the Coaches Award winner for both cross-country in the fall and fencing in the spring.  During the spring awards dinner, I was also named the Athlete of the Year for the 1991-1992 season.  
9. Not being a star athlete, I don't think I fully grasped what the award meant.  To me, the award meant you were "good" at your chosen sports.  But in reality, that was the "Most Valuable Player" award was for.  It took me a long time to realize that the Athlete of the Year was given as I was doing well academically, always gave a good effort athletically and overall was a good role model to other students. 
10. Lastly, I made quite a few friendships during my time in high school, many of whom I still maintain.  There was a long standing one that has faded due to time / distance but was still a valuable one during the time it lasted.  

It's a Wrap: Looking back at my 20th season of summer basketball

As I mentioned early in June, I was playing in my 20th season for one of my summer basketball leagues.  That particular team had a very GOOD season.  Despite some close calls (including two OT games), the team played well and finished undefeated (7-0) in the regular season.

In our particular division, there are 16 teams divided into two brackets (let's call them Bracket A and Bracket B).  The top two teams from each bracket would make the playoffs.   My team was in Bracket A and so we would play the #2 team from Bracket B in the playoffs.   However, the #2 team from Bracket B was probably better than the majority of the teams we played in the regular season and we lost 56-45.   While the score didn't look that great, it was due to free throws at the end.  We were well within striking distance throughout but missed shots hurt us quite a bit.

My team was obviously disappointed as we had a chance to win the game.  Yet, as I look back, I hope the young guys are proud of how they hung in there throughout the season.   The team won games in all sorts of ways this season.  We played one game without our star, fell behind by 10, but managed to win in overtime.  We played one game with six players (meaning I played A LOT) and won by double digits.  Plus these guys are still improving and with more experience, they will be a lot better next season.

For myself, I look at things in two ways.  As a coach, I think I did alright.  I mainly ran subs and focused on defensive strategy rather than offensive.  I've never been much of an offensive coach so I was content to let the guys just play.  Of course, if there were things I saw that could be improved, I mentioned them. If I wasn't playing, I probably would have been in a better position to coach.

As a player, I didn't do too well.  I admittedly had some personal things I was working through and that affected me a bit during the games.  But the fact is I was an old guy playing in a young player's league.  The teams were quick and fast and I was a little outmatched.  I hit a few shots here and there, got some rebounds and tried to fill in where I could.   But for the most part, I was a bit player letting the young guys do their thing.

For me personally, while it would have a nice present to celebrate my 20th season in the league to make the championship (and even win it), I was quite happy to just have an undefeated regular season.   Yes, we did end up losing our playoff game, but a 7-1 record is still pretty darn good.

To illustrate how good the record was, I have played 20 years in the league.  In those 20 seasons, my teams have made the playoffs 9 times.  Out of those 9 times, I have been in the championship game 4 times (winning two / losing two).   My two championship teams were 10-0 and 8-1 overall.  All the rest of the teams had 3 or more losses.  Essentially, short of winning the championship, my 2011 team finished with the 3rd best record out of the 20 seasons I have been playing.

All in all, I am proud of my team and was happy I got a chance to play with a different set of guys.  I think the young guys have a bright future and my hope is they stick around and grow together.  As for my future, nothing is set in stone.  I'll still be playing somewhere and if need be, I could play again next summer in 2012.

20 Years / Seasons of Basketball

On a nice sunny evening here in the Bay Area,  my summer basketball team open it's league season tonight with a victory.   Tonight's game signaled a changing of the guard.  A good number of my regular friends and teammates for much of the past 6 years / seasons were all absent.  The majority of the guys who chose not to play are over 30 years old with family obligation so this was understandable.

In the place of my friends were a stable of young bucks.  Tonight we had ten players present with nine out of the ten being under 30 years old.   The only person over 30?  ME!   I originally wasn't going to play as most of my older friends were not playing.  However, at the behest of one of my other teammates (whom I've played with since 2007), I decided to assume "player / coach" duties for the team.

I wasn't planning to play too much (if at all) this season and just remain a coach.  Alas, the opportunity to squeeze in a few minutes proved too much of a temptation tonight.  We were able to get a lead and I felt I could squeeze in a few minutes (about 15 or so) without affecting the outcome of the game too much.  Overall, all the young bucks played about 20 to 25 minutes overall which was good.  I hadn't seen them play much so it was good to get a feel of the team.

By playing in my team's game tonight, I have officially participated in this particular basketball league for 20 years / seasons.  I first played in this league during the Summer of 1992.  In total, I have played in 19 seasons with one season where I didn't play at all due to injury.  I did not realize this until I got home tonight from the game.

In thinking about my participation in this league, I've seen this league grow and play in many different gyms through the years.

My first season in the league, there were only two divisions ("A - Competitive" and "B - Non Competitive") .  The "A" league were primarily men while the "B" league had a mix of men, boys, women and girls.   There were around 20 teams total (10 in each league) in 1992.  As the league grew in the next 20 years, more men's divisions were added ("A - Platinum, "BB - Gold", "B - Silver", "C- Bronze") along with divisions for women and youths.    This season, there is almost 70 total teams.

While the league has grown, it has also played in many different facilities over the years, each with their own quirks and charm.

Salvation Army 1992 to 1994 (SF Chinatown) - The gym was not regulation.  The court had decent length but the 3 point line was cut off in the corners.  Despite the size of the gym, "A" league games were still played in there.  There was plenty of space for fans as well and it made for a great atmosphere for games.  I played in my first CCU championship game here in 1994 (we lost).

Francisco Middle School 1992 to 1994 (SF North Beach) - I don't quite know if the court was high school regulation but it was pretty close.  It was definitely longer and wider than Salvation Army so real basketball could be played.   My best memory from this gym was when one of my then teammates hit a buzzer beating three pointer to win a game for us (45-43).

Cameron House 1994 (SF Chinatown) - Cameron House is a historic place in Chinatown.  On the site of Cameron House, there are a couple of basketball courts, one downstairs and another upstairs.  So while there is technically a ceiling to the lower basketball court,  the court is basically outdoors as there is nothing to seal off the elements (wind / rain / etc).   During 1994, the basketball league was forced to move some games to Cameron House.  It was an interesting experience as there is a staircase exposed plus the court was slippery.

Washington High School 1995 (SF) - We only played one season at Washington and I don't recall anything super memorable from any of the games.   The only challenge in playing at Washington was that the league was playing games side by side on two courts.  Whistles from the other court could stop play on the other court.

Star Of The Sea 1995 (SF) - Like Washington, we only played one season here.  Nothing particularly memorable except it was good to play on a court that I coached and officiated so many CYO games over the years.

Ben Franklin Middle School 1996 - 2004 (SF) - With two courts, Ben Franklin ably served the summer basketball league for 8 years.  As a public middle school, the courts weren't particular well maintained.  The courts weren't high school regulation as well but it was better than Salvation Army.   I have too many memories over the years to easily share here.  I was sad when the summer basketball league was forced to move away from Ben Franklin after the summer of 2004.

El Camino High School 2004 - Present (SSF) - El Camino High is like Ben Franklin with two courts.  However, the courts are high school regulation and well maintained.   This is easily the best facility the league has had in the years I have played.   Again, there are too many memories that I can easily share here.

Lincoln High School 2005 / Holy Trinity Church 2010 - Present (SF) - A couple of other courts that were used that I don't have a lot of experience with.  But the courts are regulation and the facilities are very nice.

Overall, the past 20 years / seasons have certainly gone by fast.  I certainly did not remember it was my 20th year when I arrived at the gym tonight  I don't know what the future holds for me in terms of playing in this particular basketball league.   However, I am certainly thankful and grateful to my friends and other teammates that have allowed me to play with them over the years.  Win or lose, it has always been fun.  Here's to 20 more years!!!!