The Cheap Seats: Farmers turn their basketball season around

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 9, 2009 | by Michael Bower

THE DATE WAS Jan. 16.

Hayward High boys basketball player Davion Berry stood in the tunnel beneath the Bishop O'Dowd gym. The senior guard's disgruntled facial expression pretty much said it all. He was mad and embarrassed.

The Farmers, who returned four starters from last season's Northern California playoff squad, had just lost 58-55 to the Dragons.

It was Hayward's sixth loss in its first 15 games of the season.

Seven days before the loss, four Hayward players were ejected against San Lorenzo for a scuffle near the end of the game. Even coach Iman Mattox was ejected because his bench received three technical fouls.

Berry was faced with the obvious question: "What's going on with this team?"

He shook his head, took a deep breath and began to vent his frustration:

"We aren't a family like last year. Last year, we did everything together as a team. This year, everybody is going their separate ways. People are getting suspended from the team. We haven't even played with our full team, and it is showing out on the court. That isn't us."

Berry stopped his rant and firmly stated: "We will be back. Don't count us out. Hayward High will be back."

And he was right.

The Farmers went on to win 11 of their next 13 games, including a 70-59 victory over Northgate in the North Coast Section Division II title game Saturday. It's the program's first section title since 2004.

"It was a struggle at the beginning of the year," Mattox said. "I think last year's success got to us a little bit. The kids forgot how we got there. We got there by working hard and as a team. After the Bishop O'Dowd game, the kids decided to work hard in practice and play as a team. We came back with a whole new attitude."

Perhaps the biggest attitude change came from Demico Jackson. The senior center quit the team at one point but decided to return later in the season.

"He let his emotions get the best of him," Mattox said. "But they are kids, and I'm always willing to give kids a second chance. He wanted to come back and work hard. And he has been working his tail off, and it is showing up now."

It showed up in the section title game. Jackson had his best game of the season with 13 points and eight rebounds.

And now the Farmers are back in the NorCal playoffs and will host a game tonight at 7 against Archbishop Mitty -- the team that knocked the Farmers out of the NorCal playoffs last season.

"A lot of people counted us out early in the season, but it isn't how you start the season," Mattox said. "It's how you finish the season."

For those attending NorCal playoff games today at Cal State East Bay, there will be a $5 parking charge.

All-HAAL Hoops: The Cheap Seats is still waiting for the official release of the All-Hayward Area Athletic League boys and girls basketball teams. But The Seats confirmed Mattox didn't show up to the all-league meeting, which, by rule, means no Hayward players could be named to the All-HAAL team. "I take full responsibility for that," Mattox said. "I thought the meeting was the next week." The Seats is not a fan of the rule, as the kids are the only losers in this situation. Hayward's Davion Berry, Keith Martin and Jabreel Nasir were locks for spots on the all-league team.

MOREAU GOLFER WINS S.F. CITY TITLE: Moreau Catholic freshman Carlos Briones, 14, became the youngest men's champion in the 92- year history of the San Francisco City Golf Championships. He ousted former UCLA quarterback Drew Olsen on Saturday and beat Cal freshman Jamie Core 3 and 2 in Sunday's 36-hole final at Harding Park.

Contact Michael Bower at mbower@bayareanewsgroup.com.