The End Of An Era

Based on the title above, you kind of already suspect how this is going to end. However, for the sake of the blog, let’s just dive right in to it. In 2017, Team Industry was expected to return a majority of its cast from the 2016 team. However, a decision was made to allow our unsigned seniors elect to play a lighter schedule and focus on other ventures while shift our 17u Elite to our junior class and lower. Ever since the inaugural 17u run, while still taking the time to develop our young core, we’ve also had a select few of unsigned seniors finish their high school careers with us. This decision allowed Coach Jonathan Reyes to start the 17u Select team and play the lighter schedule for the unsigned seniors. As for me, it was time to elevate long term Industry members Cameron Caterio and Daniel Felix to take over the captain positions while still managing to develop other long term members like Miguel Saucedo, Jason Pico, Justin Chu and Niko Yamamoto. The 17u team also introduced new members like Dylan Grajeda, Sean Liu and Angel Becerra.

After the first practice it seemed this team was going to pick up where the 2016 team left off. The energy and vibes were at an all time high after our first scrimmage against the 17u Select team. However, as the scrimmages continued, things started to turn. The Select Team started to outplay us in every shape and fashion. In fact, during a practice the score was so bad I decided to stop practice 30 minutes early. Following our final practice before our season opener I was extremely nervous with our team chemistry, team performance, and IQ. However, after our first game, those nerves went away. We opened the season going 2-0 after a 15 point victory over Rolling stone and a 1 point against Downey Elite victory thanks to a game winning three pointer from Cameron Caterio. Although we weren’t to the level where I can feel all the way comfortable, it seemed were back on our old ways of success.

When we got to Palm Springs, those ways continued going 2-0 in pool play and then followed up with a 4 point victory in the semi finals against Team Artist. We were off on a hot streak and this was our first 5-0 start since the 2014 season. Everything seemed click and go in our favor. The victory over Team Artist put us back in the Championship picture at the Duel In The Desert Tournament as we were gunning for our second Duel In The Desert Championship.

However, our undefeated streak came to an end following a disappointing 20 point loss to Rancho Mirage. Even though they proved to be the better team, I still believed that we had a golden opportunity fall between our finger tips as we ended the Duel In The Desert 5-1.

Our next outing came at the Easter Shootout in which we finished 1-1. Our first game featured a 44-38 victory over the Breakers while our next game against Fontana Elite proved to be a frustrating performance losing 67-48. I knew that performance wasn’t going to fly with the Double Pump Hoop Fest coming up. I told our guys if we played how we did against Fontana Elite, we’re going to get destroyed on the much bigger stage. Well, that speech didn’t go over well because our first two games of the Hoop Fest were stinkers.

We laid an egg against Fastbreak Sports and laid an even bigger egg against the Compton Magic. Thankfully, we were able to get a victory over Long Beach Gold in the final round of the tournament, but it still wasn’t satisfying to go 1-2 in the tournament.

The Cali Elite Cinco De Mayo Extravaganza wasn’t any better as once again our offensive struggles continued to follow us as we only scored a combined 35 points in two games. Once again game number three proved to be the positive outing as we defeated Fontana 61-29. Still I felt we didn’t play to our potential with our overall record now 8-6.

In early June, Team Industry opted out of our typical San Diego trip and elected to go to Santa Barbara to compete in the 2017 Swoosh Summerslam. I was very positive that things were going to turn around for the better and was positive that Industry was going to win its first championship of the season. The hope didn’t last long as we once again dropped our first two games of the tournament losing to Da Cru 45-25 and the SB Dead Presidents 37-28. Game three once again saw us play to the level we should’ve played in the early rounds as we defeated CBKA 50-19 bringing our record to 9-8.

As the Santa Barbara tournament ended, personal problems began to escalate for me. Relationship problems, work problems, and basketball all became contributing factors. It became really difficult for me to balance four jobs while still trying to maintain a relationship. I began to question my work ethic in preparing my team for the next tournament as it no longer became fun for me anymore but rather a chore to finish the season. Practices used to be fun. Games were used as my escape from reality. Although developing the program was stressful while coming up, I still felt like I was free when I was with my team. I felt like no matter what happens to me in reality, I felt I was having the time of my life coaching the game of basketball. However, when reality catches up with you, it can take its toll. I kept looking for a spark, but it wasn’t there. I felt like I was running through the proverbial brick wall and it played a toll on my mental and physical health. I needed a break. I then made the conscious decision that our last tournament of the season in Vegas was going to be my last. Even a Championship later that month at the Swoosh Father’s Day Spectacular wasn’t going to change my mind that Vegas was it for me.

However, if I was going to go out, I was going to go out swinging. I felt that while our team was talented, we were still missing our vocal leaders. So as the month of July was approaching I made a phone call to one of our vocal leaders, and 17u Select member Andres Flores. As we went out to lunch, I told him my intentions for having him and Jason back on the team with us for one last time. Shocked by my decision to hang it up at the end of the season, he agreed to rejoin the team for the final two tournaments of the season. We then made a phone call to Jason and asked him if he wanted to join us in Vegas. He also agreed to join us and suddenly we were in the fast lane on the highway to the Bigfoot Hoops Las Vegas Classic. However, the first stop was the 2017 Swoosh Ultimate Showcase. With the presence of Andres, it forced our team to step their games up. With the leadership he brought defensively and emotionally, he helped guide us to a three game winning streak and our third championship appearance of the season bringing our record to 14-9. In a losing effort to Sole Brothers in the Championship Game, we still felt like we had a lot of momentum going into the Las Vegas Classic.

Suddenly, as the following practice arrived, we were then graced by the presence of Jason Reyes. With both Andres and Jason back into the fold, I felt our players will listen to their every word as they not only brought leadership, but their style of play forced a lot of players to adapt to their style. A lot of players felt this was a welcoming change needed with Vegas just a couple of weeks away. Not only were the players excited, but I felt rejuvenated with a chance to end this season right. I was excited with Vegas on the horizon, but I was still nervous wondering what our performances would look like. However, I let the nerves go and after one final practice with the team, I told them to let the emotions go and just play to the best of our ability.

July 27th, 2017. We arrive in the blazing hot desert preparing for check-in for the umpteenth time. All players receive their badges, Gatorades, and instructions from the tournament host regarding NCAA rules and regulations. It felt like the same old same old.

As we checked in to our hotel, I had a team meeting with our players telling them to get their minds right and stay focused on game number one. It also gave me the chance to unwind myself and prepare myself mentally. That night we opened the tournament playing West Valley Select. In the beginning it was a back and forth contest with the game being tied at half time. Although we played a little nervous, we still competed enough in the first half. Once the second half came about, it seemed like the Industry of old arrived on the scene and came out swinging. We would go on a 11-0 run early in the second half allowing us to break free giving us our first victory of the tournament.

The second game of the tournament, that run continued as we came roaring out on a 15-0 run in the first three minutes of the game against the Colorado Cardinals. Even though the Cardinals tried to make a run for it, we still proved to be too much for them giving us a 2-0 pool play start.

The final game of pool play was a tight one. It seemed our streak was going to come to an end, but thanks to a pair of threes late in the second half by Niko Yamamoto and Jason Reyes, we ended the game going 3-0 in pool play. Something was happening here. It seemed like destiny was on our side and the basketball Gods became Industry fans for one weekend. This was the first time in Vegas we would go undefeated in pool play. As a result of going undefeated in pool play, Industry received a first round bye advancing to the round of 16. This is the third year in a row Industry would advance to the round of 16. However, unsatisfied with going 3-0, Jason and Andres called a team meeting following the third game. One by one, they sat down with members of the team discussing what they can do to impact us for the rest of the tournament. That was impressive. What was impressive about it was I never called for the meeting, but they elected to call the meeting instead. Having them in Vegas made my job easier which allowed me to focus on our next opponent while they took care of the rest of the team. Unfortunately, as the night progressed, I told them their roles were about to increase going into pool play as we were sitting a few members of the team during the first half due to violating team rules.

As bracket play approached, I played only seven players in the first half. I had to send a message that violating team rules was unacceptable on a business trip. However, I had enough faith in the seven players that started the game would take us to the promise land.

Although we didn’t get off on a hot start, we sure did come out firing after our first time out of the game. After telling our guys to slow down and play to our pace, we finally got it together and put away the Sac Lightning early. This also featured a breakout performance by Justin Chu as we were waiting for the big man to arrive on the big stage and he played a huge role coming off the bench. Other key players like Dylan Grajeda, Cameron Caterio, Jason Pico and Angel Becerra all had huge performances in this win or go home circumstance.

With the Sac Lightning in the rear view it was now time to focus on the quarterfinals where we would take on Long Beach Gold in a return match from the Double Pump Hoopfest. In the previous encounter as mentioned earlier, Industry defeated Long Beach Gold.

After constantly running into Long Beach Gold before our pool play games, the coach and I jokingly said we’re eventually going to bump into each other. Once we got to the round of 8, that joke became a reality. The night before the game our captains called another team meeting and mentioned that tomorrow is the final day. And on that final day we want to do something that has never been done before. Win in Vegas. As the captains galvanized the troops, I was working on scouting reports for the Long Beach Gold game.

As I woke up that Sunday morning with the sun beaming down on my face I realized that the end was near. I realized this was the day I was long waiting for…an opportunity to receive a proper ending to my five year journey with the 17u team. I was nervous coming out of that hotel room in route to Desert Pines High School. The car ride there was the usual album listening pre-game ritual with the typical stone face silence getting my mind right. Every car ride on the way to games I trained my body and mind to stay focused. All I can think about is how I can help lead this team to another victory. Nothing else mattered in those moments except the game. On that given Sunday, it was no different.

As I arrived to Desert Pines, I got the troops together to stretch. After our normal pre-game stretch, I brought the players to the corner of the gym to talk to them. I said, “at the start of bracket play there were 32 teams. 32 turned into 16 and 16 turned into 8. One of these 8 teams is leaving this gym with the ultimate prize. Stay focused, stay hungry, but most importantly stay committed to each other.” After that, the rest was history. We were ready to play.

The first several minutes of the game was a seesaw effect. There was back and forth action between the two teams. Both teams were getting what they wanted within their offense. However, after a couple mistakes by us, we were down by six with 2 minutes to go in the first half. After making a few adjustments electing to go to a four out offense instead of our Pick and Roll offense, we started to climb back in. At the end of the first half we trailed Long Beach Gold 21-17. Going into the second half the seesaw affair continued as Long Beach Gold jumped out to an 23-17 lead. We went back to our Pick and Roll offense and immediately went on a 4-0 run. Long Beach kept their lead alive a pair of three point baskets following the run. Their lead went up to six as Long Beach Gold took a 29-23 lead. As the second half progressed Long Beach Gold continued to stretch their lead out. However, a three pointer from Daniel Felix brought their lead to 5 up 42-37. I immediately called a timeout. The press was coming and they suspected that. We had to up the tempo to try and prevent them from running the clock out. They countered our press with a quick three pointer now up 8. Eventually, Long Beach would keep their lead countering every move in our desperate attempts to keep ourselves in the game. In the end as the final buzzer rang, our the Vegas Classic for us came to an end with a 52-43 loss.

With the Vegas Classic coming to an end, it also came time for me to say goodbye to my players in my farewell speech. I didn’t know how to say goodbye in the moment in time. I didn’t know what my emotions would be. I tried not to get emotional because I knew how much these kids and this program has meant to me throughout the years. When it was time, I took a deep breath and did it. The players accepted it and we embraced one final time before we left the desert.

What more can you say about a 7 year run. When I joined Team Industry in 2010 I didn’t think in my wildest dreams it would ever get to this. As I took over the program in 2011, my job was to elevate and take Industry to new heights. In addition, I wanted to create an identity and turn this program into a well respected first class program in which we compete on the court and develop young men off of it. I’m happy to say that through it all, I was able to accomplish just that. From 2011-2017 there were 13 championships and six winning seasons. Five of them were consecutive. We’ve had former players give back to the program and assist us with coaching our additional teams. We’ve also have seen many players go on to continue their careers in college both athletically and academically. That’s a pretty good run in my view. Creating our culture wasn’t easy, but I had plenty of help along the way. The bonds that I’ve had with the coaches, players and parents that have shaped this program to what it is today will last an eternity. Without them, I am nothing.

I have said countless times, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today had it not been for Industry. Industry gave me my big break do to what I have a undeniable passion for. However, as mentioned earlier on it was time for me to take a much needed break. I needed to recharge my batteries and re-focus my attention on what was crumbling around me in my personal life. Even though I couldn’t save everything, it still gave me the time needed to focus on myself. People have asked me what my favorite tournament was during our run. As special as winning the 2014 Duel In The Desert in Palm Springs was, nothing will ever beat the time I had in my final run with this 17u team at the Vegas Classic. In a time where I felt I needed a resurgence, I was given that chance that weekend. Even though we didn’t win it all, it still didn’t change the fact I had the time of my life coaching these men that weekend. It also gave me an excuse to give a proper send off to the guys that have been with me since day one. The Las Vegas Classic had everything….the drama, the humor, the fun and the excitement to once again do a job that holds near dear to my heart. When it was over, it was truly an end of an era. It was then time for me to ride off into the sunset and take my break.