John Bobic, now in his 26th season coaching the San Pedro High basketball team, knows a few coaching tricks. All you had to do was listen and watch as he brought 6-foot-5 junior Aidan Applegate into the game in the third quarter. Applegate huddled at the scorer's desk, waiting to be admitted.
“This is your chance,” Bobic told him.
Applegate blocked the shot, which didn't stop him. He was comfortable and confident by the fourth quarter, scoring eight points in the quarter and finishing with eight rebounds to help San Pedro pull away from Granada Hills 64-51 in the Marquez tournament game between two potential City Division Open playoff teams.
Applegate said that after hearing Bobic's words of motivation, he thought, “This is my opportunity to show what I can do.”
Bobic has known Applegate since he was 8 years old. In fact, Bobich knows most of his San Pedro players from coaching or watching them play in local recreational leagues. His son is on the team. San Pedro is 12-4 and has a chance to win the Marine League. Ricky Alonso led the team in scoring with 19 points, while Elias Redlow, AJ Bobic and Chris Morgan each added 10 points.
Granada Hills got 20 points from Kristapor Kedikian. Applegate celebrated his 17th birthday when the team serenaded him.
Girls basketball
Birmingham 54, Kennedy 46: The Patriots (14-3) got 21 points from Kayla Tanijiri.
