Learning from the best helped Tokay’s Okamoto
In the mid-1990s, Travis Okamoto was cut from the Elk Grove High varsity boys basketball team. Today, he’s in his third season as the Tokay High varsity boys basketball coach.
Okamoto, 36, who is also in his third year as an English teacher at Lodi Middle School, has experienced the ups and downs of high school basketball, going 15-14 and 5-5 in the Tri-City Athletic League in his first season, then 7-20 (1-9 TCAL) last season.
On Thursday, after his Tigers beat Bethel 74-48 to improve to 7-9 for the season, Okamoto talked to the News-Sentinel about his days of playing basketball as a youth. That developed into coaching at the high school and college levels to this year’s Tokay squad that continues to show improvement. That’s key for the Tigers, who open TCAL action toward the end of next week.
Q:
How old were you when you started playing basketball?
A:
In seventh grade. Playing with my neighbor (in Elk Grove). He taught me that for somebody who is vertically challenged (Okamoto is 5foot-7) can still help the game, to contribute. I was a pretty good passer and ball handler.
Q:
You played on Elk Grove High’s freshman and junior varsity boys basketball teams. But can you talk about your tryout for the Thundering Herd’s varsity boys hoops team your junior year?
A:
I played a little bit of high school basketball, but by the time I got to varsity, I wasn’t good enough, got cut. But was asked to stay
around and be the team manager. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to take it. But my best friend played. It was one of those deals where I just liked being around the game. I thought ‘well, I like hanging out with my friends.’ Learn a little bit more about the game.
Q:
After you graduated from Elk Grove High in 1998, what did you do to stay involved in the game of basketball?
A:
Another local coach recognized me (the Florin High varsity boys basketball coach). I could be his freshman coach. I just fell into the coaching part of it.
Q:
While you were coaching basketball, which college did you attend to earn your degree?
A:
Sacramento State. I graduated with an intercultural communications (degree).
Q:
What led you into teaching in the classroom, along with teaching and coaching the game of basketball?
A:
At that point (after graduating from Sacramento State), I hadn’t really chosen a career ... then I decided to take it seriously when I heard a job (at Florin High) was going to open up (for varsity boys basketball coach). So I decided to enroll into classes to become a teacher, and help my chances of getting hired. But when I did not get the job ... I decided I wanted to be around coaches that can really have affect (on players’ lives) and career. I decided I wanted to be around coaches that win, and know what they are talking about.
Q:
After you didn’t get the coaching job at Florin, what was your next step toward landing a teaching/coaching position?
A:
My high school coach (from Elk Grove) knew (former Delta College men’s basketball coach Brian Katz, who is now the Sacramento State men’s basketball coach). I always wanted to learn from Katz. I called my high school and said ‘Can you get me on over there? I’ll volunteer, do whatever it takes, I’ll sweep floors.’ (Okamoto was on Katz’s Delta coaching staff for two seasons).
I got my (teaching) credentials, we (Katz) found out we’re going to Sac State. Coach Katz picked me to be at Sac State (as one of his assistant coaches, were Okamoto was for five seasons before being hired at Tokay High).
Q:
How did you land the Tokay boys coaching job?
A: (Former Tokay High athletic director and football coach) Louis Franklin had called me once. And I turned him down. But he called me again. I went through the interview, a lunch, and he liked me in the interview. The (teaching) job at Lodi Middle opened up at the same time. It all worked out.
Q:
Can you talk about your first season as the Tokay boys basketball coach — the 2014-15 season in which your squad posted a 5-5 mark in the TCAL, 15-14 overall and a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth that included a first-round playoff win?
A:
A lot of new players. We had guys coming in who had to sit out the first 30 days (transfers from other high schools in the section). It was like coaching a brand new team. A lot of good players. Picked up Chris Boss (one of Okamoto’s assistant coaches who has been his friend since they were at Elk Grove High). A lot of players who had not necessarily played with each other, on a high school team. A lot of talent and a lot of fun. I thought we really peaked at the end (of the season). Made the playoffs, won a playoff game (at The Jungle against Enochs). That was pretty exciting.
Q:
Can you share some thoughts on this year’s team?
A:
The strengths of this year’s team is we have good balance of shooters and athletes. Off the court, the guys have really gotten to know each other.
I think communication, rebounding, defense, plenty of ball movement ... I think if you have teams that do those things, I think you have a chance to beat anybody.