What do you get when cross an MVP coach with an MVP player? You
get an MVP league champion bound for the playoffs.
The mix has been the perfect combination for the Haybaler
basketball team this year, which has won nine of its ten league
games.
What do you get when cross an MVP coach with an MVP player? You get an MVP league champion bound for the playoffs.
The mix has been the perfect combination for the Haybaler basketball team this year, which has won nine of its ten league games.
The fifth seeded Balers take on fourth seeded Menlo-Athlerton in the Central Coast Section Division 1 quarterfinals on Saturday.
Twenty-seven-year-old David Kaplansky is in his third year coaching the Balers and is one of the youngest coaches in the area to be honored with coach of the year.
“This year has been a pretty challenging year because we were pretty flat midway through the season,” Kaplansky said. “When I felt we needed to improve and get better, we weren’t.”
But Kaplansky, who has always been known for his high emotions on the court, knew his team still had the potential to be a league and section champion.
“It’s been a roller coaster of a year,” Kaplansky said. “But the bottom line is the team came to play when it counted in conference. Motivating the guys and increasing the level of intensity in practice has really helped as far as the effort goes especially in the last ten games.”
Kaplansky was the only one of 50 players to make the San Diego State basketball team in 1997 as a walk-on after transferring from the junior college ranks. He has always been a believer that a hard work ethic is the backbone of any program.
“The challenge after being dealt a good hand is knowing the right buttons to push and being able to motivate every day to achieve a championship,” Kaplansky said. “As intense as I may look, I feel I have done a better job communicating. I am concentrating more on the individuals and not worrying as much about getting a call on the court. I am focused on winning. All the other stuff is just icing.”
Kyle Sharp, the league’s MVP, said he likes the way his coach keeps the practices fun and challenging at the same time.
“He has always been supportive,” Sharp said. “The practices have been really good. He is the hardest working guy on the team and he doesn’t even play.”
Sharp and his teammate Anthony Butler were two of the finalists for MVP.
“It is hard for them to guard both of us,” Sharp said. “If they guard Anthony, I will score, and if they guard me, he will contribute.”
Sharp is the last one to gloat over his accomplishment.
“I never expected to get it,” Sharp said. “I just kept working hard. The team has pushed me to get better. Everyone gets along. We have a good time practicing for the games.”
Sharp, a junior, has developed into a more well-round player this year. He has matured a lot since last year and said he feels more comfortable in his role as leader.
“Each year I try to focus on something to improve on,” Sharp said. “I was working hard in the summer to concentrate on my physical ability, being stronger than the other player, shooting the ball better and being quicker on defense.”
“The MVP could have gone either way,” Kaplansky said. “Kyle’s scoring and his ability to keep plays alive really opened the coaches eyes. He has gotten stronger and has done better on the glass.”
Butler, the other First Team pick, has established a Shaq-like post presence that no one can match.
“He’s playing at his best right now,” Kaplansky said. “He has been real dominant down beneath which has forced teams to focus on him, helping us to get some more shots and open up the scoring. He can really take over a game.”
Junior Eric Davis and seniors Kevin Zanella and Mike Moisa represent the Balers on the second team.
“Eric does a good job handling the pressure, especially down the stretch in close games,” Kaplansky said. “Defensively, he is one of the better guards. He has really responded in the last four or five games.”
Moisa (5-foot-7) is another guard who can handle the pressure well and hit key shots when needed.
“He shoots the ball well from the perimeter and can spark runs with his passing and ability to see the floor,” Kaplansky said.
Kevin Zanella, a three-year varsity player, provides the Balers with a solid defense and rebounds well.
“He usually takes away the scoring threat,” Kaplansky said. “Sometimes we have even asked him to match-up with guards. He brings a lot of diversity defensively.”
Sophomore guard Daryl Baladad has been strong for the Balers as the sixth man and received Honorable Mention.
“He came on strong the last six or seven games,” Kaplansky said. “He did a great job getting in passing lanes. He has knocked down two big shots before the half, which really has given us momentum.”
Jason Sims received the sportsmanship award. It is never easy playing behind players like Butler, but Sims has accepted his role and done a good job with his limited time, Kaplansky said.
“He would probably be starting in five out of the six teams (in league) at the center position,” Kaplansky said. “He always works hard with Anthony in practice. Jason really pushes him to be his best.”
