HAWKS’ WILLIAMS TO COACH ALL-STAR GAME
Liberty Ranch High boys basketball coach Josh Williams firmly believes that defense leads to wins.
In the last six seasons, no one can argue Williams’ theory. The Hawks have won many Sierra Valley Conference titles, and have had deep runs in the SacJoaquin Section and NorCal Regional playoffs.
Now Williams wants to prove his train of thought in an all-star game.
Today at Sacramento High at noon, Williams and his assistant coaches Gary Lewis and John Williams will guide one of their own players and two Elliot Christian players at the 41st annual Optimist High School Basketball All-Star Games. Josh Williams and company are part of the Boys South Small Schools team, taking on the Boys
North Small Schools squad. All players on both teams are seniors.
Representing Liberty Ranch is center Chris Fielding. This past season, Fielding averaged 7.9 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game. That helped Liberty Ranch, Galt’s second high school, to a 266 record that included an SVC title and reaching the quarterfinals of the section’s Division IV playoffs. The Hawks earned a NorCal regional playoff berth, winning their first two games over Albany and Placer of Auburn before losing to Stuart Hall of San Francisco in the semifinals.
Two Elliot players will join Fielding on the South squad. Guard Nate Bond and forward/center Cody Doell were selected. Bond, a 6-foot guard, averaged 20.3 points per game this past season. The duo helped the Eagles to a 22-7 record and a second place finish in the Central California Athletic Association and a trip to the quarterfinals of the section’s D-V playoffs. During the 2016-17 season, the Eagles’ duo was part of the team that won CCAA and section’s D-V titles, and advanced to the CIF NorCal title game.
The South squad conducted its fourth and final practice on Thursday inside Liberty Ranch’s gym. Williams and his assistant coaches have been stressing offense, which can produce many points if the South’s defense does the job against the North.
“I would say the biggest thing is keeping it simple, and not overload on them,” Williams said. “We need to keep things simple, play tough defense and run fast on offense.”
Williams said they have installed a simple offense that gives all players on the court the freedom to shoot the ball, or pass when needed if another player is open.
“We are allowing them to play free and to use their high IQ to execute,” Williams said. “(Plus) a half-court set play that has different looks ... we’re going to run. Quick transition offense, and try to do the best we can try to emulate the style of Liberty Ranch.”
On defense, the Hawks were known for their full-court pressure defense that forced opponents into turnovers in recent years. In an all-star game where most people want to see lots of offense and little defense, Williams is sticking to his defensive philosophy. Translation: The North will have to work hard for its points.
“We’re going to press and trap,” Williams said.
Having someone like Fielding on the floor to help manage the offense and defense is a plus, Williams pointed out.
“It’s been nice having familiarity with the two of us,” said Williams of Fielding.
Williams said that he’s enjoyed coaching Bond and Doell in practices.
“They are great kids, great people and basketball players,” said Williams of Bond and Doell. “Nate is a very smart player. He’s asked good questions in practices. It’s cool for them, and to see all of them, in a different perspective. This has been a good experience with all the kids.”
Admission for the game is $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors, $5 for students and $3 for children under 12.