Basketball team readying for long season
Kyle Sharp vividly remembers the images of his favorite
basketball player streaking wildly up and down the hardwood,
wreaking havoc on defense, his motor never stopping.
Basketball team readying for long season
Kyle Sharp vividly remembers the images of his favorite basketball player streaking wildly up and down the hardwood, wreaking havoc on defense, his motor never stopping.
Over the summer Sharp spurted two inches, put on some muscle, added more post-up moves to his repertoire and worked on his silky jump shot. The San Benito Haybalers’ 6-6 forward’s game has rounded out nicely. The Tri County Athletic League teams will find the sophomore a tough cover when the schedule begins.
Sharp, however, knows another element is missing and the only man who can bring it out of him is the idol he watched play as a child. He happens to be his coach.
“I watched Coach Kaplansky a lot when I was growing up. He wasn’t a mediocre player, ” said Sharp. “He was really good. He would run out there and no matter what he never stopped. He’s helping me become that way.”
Sharp is a gentle and courteous young man by nature. He always greets people with an amiable smile and a kind handshake. Sharp’s placid demeanor blends perfectly with his teammates, which is fine with David Kaplansky.
“They are some really good kids on the team,” said Kaplansky.
Once Sharp pulls that Haybalers’ red-and-white jersey over his head, however, the coach wants Sharp to gun his motor and never let up on the gas.
“Aggressiveness,” said Kaplansky. “Kyle can shoot really well from the perimeter and has the talent but he needs to be pushed. I want him to be more aggressive in the post.”
That’s where Haybalers guard Thomas Fernandez comes in. Fernandez is an ornery, battle-tested athlete who has delivered under pressure in the Central Coast Section playoffs as a triple jumper.
“He’s like a post-up guard, quick, can jump out of the building and is very intense,” said Sharp. “I’m glad he’s on the team.”
During practice the two work in the post with the smaller Fernandez on the blocks with his back to the basket and Sharp fronting him. When Sharp is fed the ball, Fernandez uses his thick lower body to cement his feet into the ground while Sharp tries to back him down.
Although Fernandez gives up six inches to Sharp, the drill usually goes in favor of Fernandez because of his muscular legs.
That’s just one of the many drills Kaplansky has Sharp and Fernandez work on during the team’s two-hour practices.
Sharp has to improve quickly because the TCAL teams have gotten stronger and taller.
The Live Oak Acorns counter with talented 6-9 forward Drew Pearson and a 6-11 center who transferred from Poland. The Gilroy Mustangs, co-league champions last year, return their starting lineup and the SalinasCowboys have guard Drew Pearson, ranked among the top 10 guards in Northern California.
The North Salinas Vikings have the ultra-talented Ronnie Drummer and its bulky center Carl Nicks in its fold.
“We’re going to need presence on the inside,” said Kaplansky.
Who better to provide that presence than the Haybalers most gifted player on offense and the young man recently voted the best athlete by Pinnacle readers?
