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Lunch Pail
Kids: Boys Basketball 2009/2010 (03/04/10)
by MARTY CESARIO
Before another hoops season passes through my memory banks, I'd like to
once again give love to a group of uniquely driven athletes who fit
the characterization I call, Lunch Pail Kids. You may or may not
recall my criteria to make this special list. I'm talkin' 'bout the
work horses, the spark plugs, and the hustle players. Blue-chippers they
are not. Highlights and headlines they do not get. These are the
blue-collar types who do the dirty deeds and execute the little
things needed for their coach and their teammates. Their
reward? Not much more than a greasy, stinky, beat-up, limited-edition
CET Lunch Pail from me. But I hope each of these guys is honored
that I noticed.
Mike Hoppal
-- junior -- Rocky
Mountain What did I call this
kid? The most pesky, pain-in-the-butt, defender I've seen all
season. 5'11. Pale. Red-head.
Will irritate both guards and forwards right out of
their game.
A.J. Battle
-- junior -- Denver
South Comes off bench and compels
notice for his defense. Goes nuts for steals in the open
court.
Will guard forwards in the post... because coach asked.
Period.
Eric Udvari
-- senior -- Eaglecrest I
watched this unsung starter lock down an all-state candidate. In that
same game, Eric got his beak popped and bloodied
by
an elbow.
It looked to me like he dressed his nose himself with paper towels
and masking tape then got right back out on the
floor.
Austin Spatz -- senior
-- Golden Could call him "turbo." Or
maybe just drop the "t" from his last name. Quick feet. Insane intensity.
A nightmare for a point guards.
Kyle Evans -- junior
-- Chatfield I have seen no
player look more Lunch Pail than this kid. Shaved noggin.
Headband. Black mouthguard. Elbows everywhere.
Plays like a field dog... in a mess every two minutes...
probably retrieved 12 loose balls per game.
Justin Nam --
sophomore -- Thornton 6'1"
hustler with a high IQ and deadpan look. Rebounds. Chases
dribblers. Will pack the shot of fancy boys on the fast
break.
Edgar Crockett --
junior -- Mountain
Range Search for this guy's
picture on our Facebook page. "Awwww. What a nice kid." Then watch
him beat people to the ball,
score points that weren't supposed to be his, and play post defense
like his spot on the roster depended on it.
Steven Conway --
junior -- Denver Christian A rabbit
whose tank never dries up. Just start the break and he will run to the
right position. I kept having to check the
roster for this reserve who kept getting
lay-ups.
Josh Heikkila --
senior -- ThunderRidge Saw him hit
some timely outside shots, but generally sacrifices offensive
numbers in order to spend all energy guarding the
star perimeter player. And is not afraid to cup 'em and take a
charge.
Devon Gee -- junior -- Denver
East You can tell this kid
just loves to play. Lives for rebounding against bigger and prettier
guys. The harder he has to work, the more
he flashes that huge smile of his.
Feedback via e-mail to: contactus@ispn.tv or martycesario@hotmail.com.
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