The Transition Game Runs Smoothly for These Sports

Coaches’ territoriality is widely known; some football coaches forbid their players from participating in other sports during the school year. Some coaches believe the risk of injury is too great and others want their athletes to participate in off-season conditioning specific to their sport.

This tug-of-war is seldom a problem between basketball and volleyball coaches. The games are seen as complementary--both require jumping ability, quickness and excellent hand-eye coordination. Following are three Orange County athletes who have excelled at both sports.

Carlos Briceno, Fountain Valley: Briceno has had similar roles in each sport. As an All-Sunset League guard, Briceno specialized in running the team’s offense. As setter on the Barons’ volleyball team, he is required to select plays and set to the hitters, who do most of the scoring.

“It (the transition from basketball to volleyball) doesn’t bother me,” Briceno said. “I’m used to it. As a setter, I try to set up my players as best as possible. I guess you could say they get all the glory, like basketball.

I love both sports. When I’m playing basketball I always want to play volleyball, and during volleyball I can’t wait to play basketball.”

Dave Brown, Fountain Valley basketball coach, characterizes Briceno as a solid, all-around player, although the senior’s progress has surprised him somewhat.

“Carlos has been a late bloomer in basketball,” Brown said. “He sat down on the bench as a freshman and was our most valuable player as a sophomore. He’s a great touch player. He’s an excellent outside shooter and has great jumping ability and quickness.”

Brown has no problem with his players participating in both sports.

“I think the sports go together well,” he said. “Of all the sports, I think the two are the most compatible. We have a lot of guys playing both basketball and volleyball. It’s tough because of the time constraints basketball has, but it’s done.”

Briceno said playing basketball has improved his volleyball.

“I grew up with great basketball players in Fountain Valley,” he said. “When I sat on the bench my freshman year, I really wanted to improve to be as good as the guys I knew. As I improved in basketball, volleyball really shot up, too. I don’t know why. Now, I’m playing volleyball a lot. I play at the beach just about every day in the summer. Late in the basketball season, I pretty much decided that I wanted to go to a Division I school, and volleyball was my way. I think I can get a scholarship.”

Adam Lockwood, Estancia: He is one of those athletes who, though he is a 6-foot guard, plays as if he’s 6-4. Although Lockwood is shorter than most of the competition, he meets opposing players on equal terms in the air. They call Lockwood a leaper.

“He has great physical skills,” said Tom Pestolesi, Estancia’s volleyball coach. “He’s a great jumper and just a real strong kid. His mental attitude is amazing. He just has to win; he’ll do what it takes. Adam is unbelievably competitive. From a coach’s standpoint, it’s great.”

Joe Reid, Estancia basketball coach, agrees. Lockwood averaged 13.5 points a game this season and was named to The Times All-County team. And, despite his small stature, Lockwood was the Eagles’ second-leading rebounder and often played at small forward.

“Recruiters look at Adam’s size and think he’s limited,” Pestolesi said. “They don’t understand the intangibles that make him better than anybody else. One of his main contributions to our team is in practice--he gives 100% on every play.”

Said Reid: “He’s aggressive to the point where he and the officials get into arguments. He is a gifted athlete. To top it off, he works really hard. I have some basketball players who are really good, but they wouldn’t be that good in other sports. He plays both sports so well, and I think he would be a great shortstop in baseball.”

It should come as no surprise to Reid that Lockwood has played baseball since his pre-Little League days. He also has 10 years of basketball experience and only four years of volleyball. Lockwood has little trouble with transitions of any kind.

“They are nearly the same thing,” Lockwood said of the two court sports. “I think basketball is a little tougher because of the physical aspects. In volleyball, I miss the intensity of basketball. It’s coming around. The school is getting behind the volleyball program.

“Basketball has a lot of pressure, but, for me, volleyball does, too. It’s not a relief for me, although it’s a lot of fun. I can become a lot better in volleyball. There’s room for improvement. I’d like to improve my defense and passing.”

Although it’s early in the volleyball season, Lockwood is being recruited by college coaches. He would like to play both sports in college, but volleyball offers the most realistic option.

“Depending on what I choose to do as far as college, I’ll probably spend the summer playing beach ball then play basketball in a summer league,” Lockwood said. “I love basketball, too. I’ll never stop playing.”

Bryan McSweeney, Dana Hills: McSweeney’s decision between the two sports has been made--months ago he signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Stanford. His decision to play his senior year of volleyball may be seen as risky to some, but McSweeney doesn’t agree.

“It’s a risk to walk down the street,” he said. “The (Stanford) coaches encouraged it. Volleyball is more of an outlet for me. It’s relaxing, and I’m able to have fun by being just another member of the team. I’m not any better than anyone else. I’m on the same level, or lower. Also, the two complement each other with the jumping and the hand-eye coordination.”

McSweeney is late in coming to organized volleyball. He started last season, but missed the playoffs because of mononucleosis.

His basketball skills flourished this season. The 6-foot 7-inch McSweeney averaged 20.8 points per game for the Dolphins and was an All-County selection at center.

“Bryan is very, very competitive at whatever he’s playing,” said Steve Thornton, Dana Hills basketball coach. “We encourage our kids to play volleyball. I think it’s good that he can go out and relax. He’s not the main player. Also, there is a lot of carry over. He’ll get the jumping and the hand-eye coordination. As far as the risk of injury, I’m sure the coaches at Stanford would rather have him active.”

Stanford was an easy choice for the academically-minded McSweeney.

“I’ll be getting a good education there, that’s the main thing,” he said. “It will be something I can fall back on after I graduate. Volleyball has been a lot of fun. I’d like to go to Stanford and play, maybe just practice with the team. Once we’re out of school (this summer), I’ll pick it up again.

“I think any person who plays basketball would like to play pro. I’d play in Europe, sure, if the money is there.

“I love both sports. I’m sure I’ll come home and play volleyball and basketball at the beach. But I bet I’ll play volleyball longer; those basketball games at the beach are pretty rough.”