Bassett in paradise ...
What's the world coming to when high school football teams from the SGV are opening the season in Hawaii?
I asked "The Boss" to send me to Hawaii to cover this game ... I'm still sitting here at my desk.
Should I ask to see the photos or find out about the actual game first? Here's the story by Steve Ramirez, who finally found his way back into the mix.
By Steve Ramirez Staff Writer
LA PUENTE - Over the years, Bassett High School students have not always had a lot of reasons to be proud of the school's football team.
There was the Marshawn Thompson era, when the Olympians ruled the Montview League during the late 1980s, and a few other memorable seasons. For the most part, however, Bassett fans have had relatively few opportunities to shout.
Now fast forward to today, where the apathy on campus has been replaced by an aura of excitement.
The football team is traveling to Hawaii to play in the Kona Kickoff Classic on Friday, getting a jump on other area schools. In addition, the school's football stadium is undergoing a $2.2 million renovation that will include new bleachers, a new scoreboard, a state-of-the-art all-weather track and a SprintTurf field.
Adding to the increased visibility of the school's football program, Bassett recently hosted an NFL Developmental Camp for the third consecutive year.
Yes, these are exciting times at Bassett.
"We're trying to get away from the negative image that we've endured in the past," second-year coach John Paredez Jr. said. "Bassett is not a dirty place; Bassett is not ugly, Bassett is not evil.
"I'm going to do whatever I can do to show the rest of the planet that we are a beautiful school. There's a new attitude going on, and everyone is catching it."
That sense of excitement has been accelerated by the trip to Kailua Kona, Hawaii to face Kealakehe High in the Kona Kickoff Classic. It's an invitation that fell into the Olympians' lap as a result of Paredez's past associations.
The event's organizer watched a game in Texas that involved a coaching friend of Paredez. One thing led to another and the Bassett coach received an offer to participate in the game.
"Obviously, this is something that's never happened at our school," Paredez said. "I used to recruit Hawaii when I coached (at the collegiate level), and I used to go to some of those games. I never thought I would be a part of one, and I'm sure the people at our school never thought they would be part of one, either. There's a sense of energy ... it's beautiful."
The traveling squad will include 35 players, seven coaches and three administrators.
"I'm pretty excited about it," senior wide receiver/ defensive back Jesus Moreno said. "It's going to be a great experience. I feel like a college player going on a road trip."
The school funded the trip almost entirely on its own, with car washes, bake sales and swap meets. Paredez
also said they are getting support from boosters and private donations.
"The game plan was to prove to my district, my administration, that these guys can be depended on, can be young men and be responsible to raise money and try to make things happen for themselves," Paredez said. "They do the work, and they worked their tails off."
The district also kicked in roughly $2,000 for the trip. Paredez was also able to strike a deal with a travel agent that will allow parents and family members to make the trip for about $700.
"The school we are playing is three times bigger than us," said Robert Watanabe, Bassett School District Superintendent. "Our kids are pretty excited. I told them (last week) that nobody in the state, nobody in the country, is getting new uniforms, a new field and gets to go to Hawaii."
The other excitement going on at the campus is the renovation of the football stadium.
The field and bleachers are expected to be in place when the team returns for its home opener on Sept. 15 against Irvine Beckman.
"It's going to be state-of-the-art," Watanabe said. "It's something for (Bassett) to be proud of. We just want to provide good things for our kids."
The track is expected to be completed by January. Watanabe said the plan is to be able to eventually host a Bassett Relays event during the track and field season and a soccer tournament during the winter. He also hopes to be able to host CIF-Southern Section track and field preliminaries.
For many, these improvements were a long time coming.
"For our community, this is our USC, our UCLA," said Paredez, whose is hoping his team can improve on last season's 1-9 record. "In our community, everything surrounds the high school.
"It's my program, it's their program, but the excitement surrounding everything is that we have this attitude now where everything is going to feed off a successful football team."
steve.ramirez@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2684
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Very good post.
Brilliant, cheers, I will visit again now.
There have always been good things happening at Bassett, including the football program. But, sadly, it takes a lot of money to get positive press coverage. I am happy to hear that money is being spent on the facilities. The dividends are priceless (positive press coverage, hosting track and field events, CIF soccer, etc.). Congratulations to the teachers, coaches, administrators, and the players and their families.
things are starting to turn around at Bassett once again. I was at Bassett during the Lionel Manual days '79-'82 And he ending up with a Superbowl ring playing for the Giants. Let's sit back this season and see what other talented prospects emerged from this once glorfied team, time will tell,and I see nothing but good on the raod ahead. Go lucks Oly's GOOD LUCK !!
something happened with the score posted on the maxpreps web site now it says the score was 42-6 with BASSETT WINNING? somethings going on in bassett.
dont think its true like i do then check it out your selves at maxpreps.com
Well, should I say it. I think I have to......I TOLD YOU SO! So I was off by two points in my initial prediction but who's counting. Thanks Bassett. I am sure the HI teams will look to the SGV again when they want another one sided affair. Hopefully, you represented us very well off the field. Good luck with the remainder of the season and remember, it's about the kids.
according to maxpreps.com bassett lost to Kealakehe 57-7, thats to bad their trip ended on a loss.
I guess that everyone has forgotten that high school football is big business now. Gone are the days of "its about the kids". (see aram's story on coaches leaving to spend more time with their kids). Bassett going to HI is a good story for valley football right up until the time the final gun sounds and the score is 50-0. I hope that they perform well and represent the valley well so that other schools will get the invite next year.
Ed, I do not know when you played at AMAT but I played there as well (class of 88) and I never even thought about playing Bassett nor do I remember them being ranked. However, I guess a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But lets break down the story a little further. How many of those kids would have ever gone to Hawaii as part of their vacations during their childhoods? Not many is your answer. Good for them, good for the travel agency that hooked them up and good for the parents who also went and got to get some memories that will last a lifetime. Football isn't always about the wins and losses. It's also about the bus rides, the practices, the team meals and many other things. I hope the entrie Olympian family had fun!
Also, I can tell you that the Bassett games/teams/players I've covered have all been great great great kids. Gabby Rodriguez, Marisa Raya and the league champ boys hoops team two years ago - all great kids who care about sports just like anyone at any other school.
WOW! I know this site is made up of opinions, but I never expected this group to put down a program that is doing something for the kids. I agree with Clayton kudos for the effort of having the kids experience something more than the football game itself. BigMLover, you might want to do some research on SGV football. I played for Amat in the late 80's early 90's and Bassett was strong. The Marshaun Thompson and Richard Parham era was real. I remember we wanted then to come over to AMAT, they were no joke. If I remember correctly Bassett was ranked just behind us in the valley. It is not a secret that Bassett does not have the financial backing like AMAT, SH or LA but it is pretty cool to see them do something for the players.
BigMlover and on blue, you 2 are morons. i agree that bassett is,well, umm, Bassett, not very good.
But the big picture is not about football here. It's about the experience that these kids are going to experience as football players and as young adults.Yeah, they might got blown out, but to be there with friends, family, and coaches in Hawaii,to play a football game, that has to be a great experience. And as far as the long flight home, do u really think that the game will be a topic of conversation?????? i give nothing but props to the the bassett community, coaches, and administraton for letting these kids experience that. Good luck to you guys in Hawaii and during your season..
hearing about basset is kinda like watching the wnba
What an uplifting story!
Everyone involved in this deserves kudos for an outstanding effort to make sports so positive and memorable. Whether the team wins or loses, the kids will appreciate and remember the efforts of everyone involved in making this happen as well as the event itself plus the surrounding activities for the rest of their lives! I hope the the game is close, hard fought, no one is injured and good times are had by all!
Aloha!
I second that BigMLover....Let me put this into perspective. The Hawaii teams are tired of getting beat up by teams from CA. Not to say anything bad about Bassett but they certainly have not been a powerhouse since...well....NEVER. Good luck on rebuilding the program and do not get beat up to bad because it is a long flight home and that trip could make for a real long season. Final score prediction..HI 55 CA 7
I have nothing but respect for those kids who are so exited about their program that the raised all that money to go play in Hawaii. That Bassett coach has my support in trying so hard to build a program. Good Luck !
wow.... lipstick on a pig