Tornadoes learn on fly in summer-league loss to Ramona Convent
SOUTH PASADENA — By design, Hoover High girls’ basketball Coach Stan Watson delegated authority during the summer.
Watson sat in the bleachers during each of Hoover’s 10 games in the South Pasadena High Summer League, while assistant Lauraine Barakat coached the team on the floor.
While Hoover managed just one win, Watson said his move might pay dividends heading into next season.
“We did it because it’s a continued process for developing,” Watson, a former assistant coach with the Glendale Community College women’s basketball team, said after Hoover suffered a 26-19 defeat against Ramona Convent. “I liked the way we developed throughout the summer.
“Lauraine asked what she could add to coaching and I said nothing because she was already doing a good job of being the head coach during the games. I want the players to respect her authority while she’s on the court coaching.”
Barakat, a 2011 Hoover graduate and a starting point guard for two seasons on the school’s girls’ team, said she developed a better understanding of what it’s like to coach.
“I learned that it’s a lot about being patient because we do have a pretty young team,” Barakat said. “A lot of it right now is about the basics, but I want to coach the plays. We are trying to get used to each other. I let them know I’m learning and we understand each other.”
Hoover received a team-high six points from Audria Amirian and three apiece from Preny Sarkissian and Melissa Manouki.
Sarkissian said the Tornadoes, who did not qualify for the CIF Southern Section playoffs last season, showed some signs of improvement.
“We learned a lot about each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” said Sarkissian, who made a three-pointer to give Hoover a 10-8 lead with 5:15 left in the first half. “It took a while to get used to each other.”
Ramona Convent led, 14-12, at halftime.
Amirian made a three-pointer to bring the Tornadoes to within 22-19 with 4:50 remaining. That would be the closest the Tornadoes would get.
