Santa Clara – They came in droves and what a caravan it must have been.
With former San Benito star Kyle Sharp in town with his University of Montana Grizzlies on Thursday night, the Hollister sports community descended on Santa Clara University for a basketball extravaganza that won’t soon be forgotten.
Spurred by the return of one of its favorite sons, Hollister brought a 200-strong contingent from its National Junior Basketball league, members of the Haybalers boys varsity team and scores of others in a celebration that had Sharp and his mom, Kathy, shaking their heads.
“People are coming out of the woodwork,” said a breathless Kathy Sharp at halftime of the Broncos-Grizzlies game. “Everybody’s been so excited. It’s like a big family reunion.”
Kyle, himself, spoke of the thrill of stepping onto the court at the Leavey Center for pre-game warm-ups.
“It was really exciting as I was shooting,” said Sharp, “just seeing all my friends, everyone I knew.”
Roused by Sharp’s five-minute stint in the first half, the Hollister Dawgz, the 5th grade All-Net team of the NJB, took the court at halftime for an intrasquad scrimmage.
“The kids were excited to come whether or not they got to play,” said Dawgz head coach Adam Breen. “It’s good for them to see a Hollister product go on to success. [Kyle] is a good role model–someone we want our boys to see.”
Mitch Burley, Hollister’s NJB chapter director, wasn’t surprised at all by the turnout.
“We’re a huge sports town, said Burley, a former Santa Clara player who arranged the halftime festivities. “Everybody’s here to watch Kyle. It shows one of our own has made it.”
San Benito football and baseball standout Karson Klauer was one of many South Valley athletes eager to catch a glimpse of an area product now competing in Division I athletics.
“It’s good to see [one of us] move on and play at a high level,” said Klauer.
Though Sharp never re-entered the game, his old high school coach called the night an unqualified success.
“It’s great to see he’s got a lot of support,” said former Haybalers head coach David Kaplansky. “It’s neat to see that he’s getting rewarded for all of his hard work.”
So coach, how would you assess your former pupil’s performance?
“It was great to see him battle with Niesen,” said Kaplansky, referring to Santa Clara’s star forward, who scored a game-high 18 points, but only two on Sharp’s watch. “Niesen is a tough player. [Kyle] played great ‘D’ on him.”
Emerging from the visitors’ locker room with a big smile on his face following the Grizzlies’ 67-56 win, Sharp spoke of the satisfaction of returning home a winner.
“That’s what I wanted,” said Sharp after Montana ran its record to 10-1. “I wanted to show everyone what kind of team I’m on.”
Just before heading over to the throng of supporters eager to have a few words with its hero, Sharp said he had something to say to them in return.
“I just want to thank them for all their support,” said Sharp.
