By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor They both blazed their own trail to historical runs. They played in different leagues and different divisions. But good coaching isn’t always about who has the most talent or who plays the toughest schedule. It’s about getting more out of your roster than anyone expected, including the players themselves. No […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
They both blazed their own trail to historical runs.
They played in different leagues and different divisions.
But good coaching isn’t always about who has the most talent or who plays the toughest schedule.
It’s about getting more out of your roster than anyone expected, including the players themselves.
No two coaches in the Pasadena area got its talent to exceed expectations and rebound from adversity like Tony Brooks did at Pasadena and Alon Margalit’s accomplishments at Blair.
Brooks and the Bulldogs were expected to finish third in the Pacific League after graduating much of its talent.
Pasadena shrugged off expectations and won their 13th consecutive Pacific League title by going 14-0.
The Bulldogs earned spots in the CIF-SS Division 1-A and CIF State Division 2 title games.
Margalit is in his third year at Blair, and he inherited a team that was 1-25 the season before he took over.
The Vikings had won a total of three games in the two seasons before Margalit took control of the program.
This season, though, Blair won the most games (25) in school history, including a trip to the CIF-SS Division 4-AA finals and the Vikings beat Palisades in the CIF State Division 4 tournament.
Blair hadn’t even come close to a year like this since 1981.
For their success on the court, their focus on their kid’s grades and well being, both Tony Brooks and Alon Margalit have been named the Pasadena Sports Now Boys Basketball Coaches of the Year.
Brooks is a leader who demands excellence out of his players on the court, but more importantly, in the classroom.
Ask the Pasadena coach what he’s most proud of and it’s the success his players have on their tests than he does any victory on the court.
But his program’s excellence on the court is incredible as well.
The Bulldogs went 27-7, including a CIF State Southern Regional title game appearance, which the school in all its history had never accomplished.
There were disappointments.
The CIF Division 1-AA title-game loss to Harvard-Westlake, where they fell behind 22 was one of them.
But 10 days later, Pasadena showed its heart by defeating that same Wolverines’ team in their own gym in Studio City, and ended Harvard-Westlake’s season in the semifinals.
Brooks used the core of junior stars Bryce Hamilton and Darius Brown II, and sophomore Darius Mason.
The triple threat combined to average 55 points per game.
“Now that the season is over, I am able to look back and truly appreciate the kid’s hard work and how they jelled so well as a team, Brooks said. “It’s a tribute to how well they get along off the court and how much they enjoy being around each other. Also, I credit how coachable this team is in their ability to compete at a high level and execute complex game plans. The more they succeeded, their confidence in each other grew more and more. The idea that most of them are underclassmen only makes this season more amazing and the future that much brighter.
I’m also very proud of this team’s prowess in the classroom. I often brag about their abilities in the classroom and it’s a tribute to the kids’ focus and the emphasis and support from their families. It proves that athletes that value education can also be a top team with great players and achieve great success on (27 wins) and off (team grade-point average 3.4) the court. I can’t wait until next year.”
If one really wanted proof, Brooks cares far more about his players than just on the court, you only had to be at Marshall High School the night before the CIF finals.
Right after completing a 90-minute workout, the players went into a classroom and did their Bible Study.
Brooks is a role model for what a coach should be in a student-athlete’s life and his players love him.
Quotable:
Darius Brown II on Brooks: Coach Brooks is the reason we made it so far, not because of specifically play calling, but his commitment and dedication not just to the game but to us. Brooks is more than a coach to a lot of us. He is a mentor. He’s there for all of us off the court if not more than on. He cares about us growing as a person, not just a basketball player. No Brooks, no success.”
Bryce Hamilton on Brooks: “Coach Brooks is a great coach. He’s there for us, wants the best for us. He show us to use our skills and play team ball. He wants us to be good students and good people even more than he wants us to succeed on the court.”
Darius Mason on Brooks: “Brooks is not only an great coach, but he’s one of the most amazing people I know. He cares for each and every one of us on and off the court . With him, it’s more than just basketball. I can’t wait until next season ”
Margalit, as mentioned earlier, in just his third year at Blair, led the Vikings to a success the school hadn’t seen since Ronald Reagan’s first year in office.
The 34-year old had three short and skinny senior guards, all of whom played enormous roles in Blair winning more games than any team before them in school history.
Seniors Caleb Smith, Jordan Hall and Jack Dakan all did their share and more in leading the Vikings to the CIF-Division 4-AA title game against West Torrance.
But it was Dez Washington that carried much of the weight in scoring with 21 points per game, and earning the CIF-Division 4-AA Player of the Year honors by CIF.
Much like Brooks, Margalit’s focus is on his player’s grades, including their daily study time, and helping with tutors that has and will impact the Blair players for years to come.
Margalit put a blueprint in place and it took just three years to reach their sport’s biggest game.
And while they fell just short in the CIF Division 4-AA finals, they bounced back a week or so later with a victory over Palisades in the State tournament.
The win was much more than just an outcome that extended the prep careers of Dakan, Hall and Smith.
Blair came back from a 9-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat a team that played in the Open Division, and they used a put-back from Washington at the buzzer to clinch the victory.
If you were a basketball junkie and were able to sit down and watch the x’s and o’s of a Blair game, it was evident how well coached the Vikings were.
“There were more highs than lows this past season,” Margalit said. “The very first game against Alhambra, we were down by 7 with two minutes left before finishing on a 13-2 run to win the game. That set the tone of a never-say-die attitude this team had which carried us all season. Every league win is a high point. The overtime win in the semifinals against Woodcrest. The state win at the buzzer against Palisades.”
But when asked his favorite moment of the season, he reflected back on a classy, gritty and quality senior named Caleb Smith.
Said Margalit: “Caleb Smith hitting the two free throws to wrap up the win at Woodcrest in the CIF-SS semifinals. He has been here since the 1-25 season the year before I took over. He has been one of my favorite players to coach because of how great of a kid he is. To see him overcome a knee injury, come back strong to lead us in the playoffs and wrap up one of the biggest wins in school history with two clutch free throws was fitting. It was a moment I’ll never forget.”
Quotable:
Caleb Smith on Margalit: “He’s the most dedicated coach I’ve ever known or even heard of. He set a goal for us, and he took us there. He always knows there’s things to be done though, room to get better. The sky’s the limit for any team under his authority.”
Jack Dakan on Margalit: Coach was one of the most dedicated and determined coaches I have had. He made basketball and this program his life. His goal was to improve and get Blair back on the map. He would do anything or provide for this team to get better on and off the court. He got us several trainers and equipment to help us improve on every aspect on the court, as well providing us with tutors to enhance our studies and grade-point averages.”
Dez Washington on Margalit: “He put the team first always and made sure we were on track and let us play our game.”
