When San Benito High boys’ basketball players R.J. Collins and Tony Diaz were sophomores two years ago, they didn’t receive much playing time.
But that was by design. Instead of having Collins and Diaz star for the junior varsity team, Haybalers coach David Kaplansky wanted the two guards to learn what the varsity level was like, even if they would be receiving much of their education seated on the bench.
“I probably played in four or five games that year, usually in the games for mop-up duty, when the team was ahead big at the end of games,” Collins said. “It was tough seeing all my friends playing on JV, but I knew in the long run (riding the bench as a sophomore) would be better for me in preparing me for the varsity level. That was a tough year for playing time, but I learned that year that you can’t get everything at once.”
Collins’ patience paid off the next season when he found a role as the team’s de facto perimeter defensive stopper, a player who infused the team with hustle and a stream of energy.
“R.J. is truly an inspirational player in terms of giving constant effort,” Kaplansky said. “Whenever there’s a 50-50 ball or a ball on the floor, you know he’ll be on the floor, too. He’s relentless and has an extremely high motor that runs through games and practice. He sacrifices so much with his energy level that his shot seems limited at the end of games because he works so hard from start to finish.”
Collins relishes his role as a defensive stalwart; last year in a game against Palma, Collins forced a couple of turnovers while guarding standout guard-forward Noah Allen, who is now playing at UCLA.
“I knew I was a defensive player from that point on, and that I always had to bring a ton of energy,” Collins said.
Earlier in the season, Collins had to persevere through a potentially season-ending injury when he suffered a grade two strain to his right triceps muscle during the Palma tournament in mid-December.
The doctor initially told Collins the injury could take up to three months to recover from, but Collins proved to be a quick healer, a result of constantly icing and stretching the injured muscle.
He took two weeks off, which coincided with a long break in the Balers’ schedule.
“That was kind of a scary moment, and it showed me you only get one chance to make the best of a situation,” Collins said. “After we came off our break, I was still a little sore, but it eventually went away.”
Diaz has been a steadying influence this season, providing solid, steady play at the point guard position. Although Diaz makes sound decisions, he has shown the ability to knock down outside jumpers as well.
Teams still tend to sag off Diaz, who has a propensity to get hot from beyond the arc at key moments.
“When Tony is scoring and confident from the 3-point line, that’s when we’re at our best,” Kaplansky said. “He provides us a spark when we need it, and you need players like Tony because he’s a basketball junkie. He’s got huge desire and a huge passion for the game, and that’s why he’s progressed and matured the last three years.”
Kaplansky was particularly proud of Diaz’s 13-point performance in the team’s 66-47 win over Palma on Jan. 22, when the senior drained three 3-pointers. San Benito (19-4 overall, 8-4 MBL Gabilan), which has lost back-to-back games for the first time all season, plays its regular-season finale against Monte Vista Christian on Friday.
Even though the Balers will probably finish in second place behind Seaside, Collins feels this year’s team is better equipped for a longer postseason run than last year’s squad that went one-and-done in the CCS Division I playoffs.
“I definitely feel we can handle situations better if things aren’t going well on the court,” Collins said. “Coach always tells us a team effort and defense will win games, and I feel we’ve been through enough tough games where we’re ready for the playoffs.”
