After attending the EBO "Sweet 16" tournament in Fresno this past weekend, I would like to make a few observations about AAU coaching. I will begin by saying that "Mats" Matsubara did a wonderful job of hosting yet another successful tournament and most AAU coaches do an admiral job of directing and representing their teams. They not only teach basketball and give their players the necessary exposure to play college basketball but they also teach lessons in life; leadership, the importance of good academics, good sportsmanship, etc. AAU basketball, for the most part, is a very positive experience for kids and those who coach perform a valuable service; with one notable exception. 

Dinos Trigonis was the worst example of a coach I have seen in some time. During the EBO "Sweet 16", he yelled and paced nonstop throughout the entire tournament. He accused the referees of showing favoritism, often getting in referees' faces yelling and pointing his finger. His example is evidently affecting his players as several of them similarly displayed bad attitudes and poor sportsmanship. On one occassion, one of his players refused to give the ball to the referee prior to attempting a free throw. Dino's players routinely argued with him or simply tuned him out.  

Trigonis was ejected in the semi-final game against the Soldiers after drawing two technical fouls. He was simply out of control and had to be admonished by his own players to calm down numerous times in several different games. He is obviously a bad influence on these kids. 

The Belmont Shores coach is an example of why AAU basketball has come under fire in recent years. The NCAA is considering a proposal to reduce the summer evaluation period by 10 days and limit the amount of influence AAU coaches have on kids. There has even been a call to eliminate the summer period altogether. After watching the display of unsportsmanship by Dino and his players, I began to understand the latter sentiment although not agreeing with it. 

It is unfair to label AAU coaching in general because of a few bad examples. Unfortunately, it is these bad examples that seem to stick out. Summer AAU basketball has a meaningful place in the college recruiting process even if it should be shared with the scholastic environment. 

AAU basketball would be best served if parents would not allow their kids to play for those coaches who give the sport a bad name and tournament directors would not allow their teams to compete. Then and only then will the reputation of the summer circuit be restored.

AAU coaches must remember that they serve as role models for these kids. It is a coach's duty to teach kids through their example how to conduct themselves and handle adversity. Kids must learn the importance of good sportsmanship, respect, and hard work. These lessons will endure long after these kids finish playing basketball.

After returning from the EBO tourney after a less than thrilling experience, I was determined not to dwell on some of the unfairness and bias my team experienced during the weekend and look to better future episodes. 

However, with less than 24 hours elapsing since our return, "fly by night" recruiting experts, and sources like West Coast Hoops' Lorenzo Harris had begun a discrediting campaign against me and my kids that is as one-sided and biased as the officials we endured that weekend. Focusing solely on facts that support his "commentary" that I should be the scapegoat for the ills of AAU basketball (by the way I am not a member of the AAU), he selectively omits other facts and information that the "neutral" readers of West Coast Hoops might be interested in so that they can arrive at their own conclusions. 

First of all, I don't believe that I have ever had the privilege of meeting Mr. Harris. For him to form an opinion after just a game or two about a coach or a team that he has never met or seen seems to be a bit too judgmental. 

Second, there are several key facts that are worth mentioning in order to get a fair perspective on what really occurred. 

a.During the course of Belmont Shore's two games on Saturday (victories over Berkeley 115 and a very good Clovis West team), we had encounters with three referees that showed substantial evidence of bias or prejudice toward myself and my team. Two quick examples are (1) A.J. Diggs (Long Beach Poly) being assessed a technical after not turning himself around "quick enough" in order that the official could see his jersey number (in light of the fact that I attempted to announce A.J.'s number to the official at that same time) and (2) after being confused about whether this tournament was a strictly "man-to-man" defense affair or if zone was allowed, I attempted (very politely by the way) to seek clarification from the lead official (I believe his name is Darren) who proceeded to ignore my repeated attempts to clarify the issue and who finally responded: "You know the f***ing rule, don't ask me stupid questions." Additionally, it seemed at times that the referees were more concerned whether or not I was in my seat rather than officiating the action on the court! 

b.These encounters set the table for what happened on Sunday - all of which I tried to avoid by requesting (on Sunday morning) that tourney directors Dennis Magro and Darren Matsubara not assign those officials (if possible) to our Sunday games. Although later on, Dennis admitted the mistake of not heeding this request, all three officials that showed clear signs of bias were assigned to the three-man crew for that semi-final game - which was
ironic of itself but more amusing in that one was so injured that he could not even run the floor and was often out-of-position to make calls. 

c.Additionally, as the semi-final game was about to begin, there was no scorekeeper or scoreboard operator present. All of a sudden two volunteered for duty - they were coaches associated with the Oakland Soldiers whom we were about to play. Wow!!! What an irrelevant fact to Harris' story.!! Due to the fact that I did not want the game delayed any longer, I gave these Oakland Soldier coaches the benefit of any fairness doubt. I also (as I entered my team into the scoreboard prior to the game) identified two individuals as my assistants: Myron Piggie Jr. and Tito Maddox. 

d.Early into the game, the scoreboard operator was having difficulty in having the scoreboard reflect the actual score. At that time (not placing any blame on the scoreboard operator who was working the board for the first time), I attempted to alert the officials that the score was incorrect and that they should stop the game in order for both teams to know the correct score at a time when it was fresh in everyone's mind. Was that such an unfair request? Was I (like every other coach at the tournament) not entitled to have the correct score reflected on the scoreboard and known to both teams? After repeated attempts, I had to use a time-out to resolve what should have been a routine inquiry minutes earlier. 

e.With the score 20-18 Oakand, Travon Bryant was whistled for his 5th foul in just 8 minutes although (even Harris agreed) the foul was clearly committed by Wesley Stokes. This call epitomized what had been happening to Bryant all weekend: he was not allowed to play basketball although several coaches had flown thousands of miles across the country to watch him (currently ranked #20 in the nation by the Prep Stars Recruiters Handbook) and a few others there like Belmont Shore teammate Wesley Stokes and EBO's DeShawn Stevenson. But the referees had decided otherwise. They were hell bent on showing everyone there (including the college coaches who had come to watch the kids play - not the referees) that they were in control and that they were running the show. At that time, Travon (like most kids his age - remember he is still just 16 years old) became very frustrated and continued to protest the undisputed (by most neutral persons observing) bad call which basically had just decided the nature and outcome of the game. At that time, I was furious at what was taking place and decided to clarify with the biased lead official that this event was designed to showcase players like Travon - not biased officials like himself. (This verbal exchange was misquoted by Mr. Harris). After being assessed a technical for making this point clear, I decided my team had been subjected to enough Fresno "hospitality" and decided to pull my team from the game, and then the officials proclaimed that the game was over. 

f.When this happened, there was a period of confusion that resulted in two interesting things occurring: (1) the officials refusing to acknowledge that Belmont Shore had two assistant coaches (which was clearly reflected in the official scorebook) and (2) the coaches of the Oakland Soldiers quickly pushing their kids out of the gym in order to prevent the tournament organizers from resuming the semi-final game. What message does that send to the Oakland kids - that its o.k. to win by "any means necessary"? 

I do not dispute the point that our behavior and conduct should have been better. I take full responsibility for that. But most coaches (AAU, high school or college) would not have tolerated the conditions that we faced that weekend. And I dispute the contention that my players were striking opposing players or my coaching staff was using vulgar language toward the officials during the game. That is an outright falsehood and I challenge anyone to identify the Belmont Shore players (if any) who struck an opponent during the course of any game. 

As far as Harris' commentary on AAU basketball is concerned, it is important to remember that as Americans we have a 1st Amermment right to freedom of association. Who parents decide to involve their kids with is their decision - not any HS coach's, not the NCAA's, and not any reporter's. The real problem presently in "AAU" hoops is not the youth coaches (most of whom volunteer their time, efforts and resources) but the "Johnny-come-lately" recruiting experts (some of whom who are not old enough to drive a car or vote in an election) who believe they are qualified to know who the top players in the nation and in their region are but are devoid of any ethics the traditional journalist possesses. 

Finally, Lorenzo Harris is also wrong to prejudge people by not seeking the full story and focusing on just the facts that support his argument. Some of the most "unruly" teams and fans that I have ever witneseed have been at NorCal events, but I have not felt it compelling to attempt to tarnish or defame those same teams and persons in print or over the internet. It would serve no rational purpose nor have any positive benefit! It is also wrong to determine someone's personality or image based on just a game or two. Mr. Harris does not know me well enough to have the right to attempt to tarnish my reputation or make me a scapegoat for the ills of all-star/club basketball. It might do some good to talk to those men of integrity that do know me and the type of things I do (of no pecuniary or personal benefit) to help kids both on the court and academically. But don't believe me, ask Lorenzo Romar, Steve Lavin, Michael A. Miller, Jerry Gale and other numerous coaches, media and parents who have seen it with their own eyes. Then you would not be so quick to assume the worst. Maybe then you would truly become what you purport to be - a reporter that is trying to articulate the truth...... the whole truth!