By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
SANTA ROSA — Many of the Valley’s heavy-hitters on the court come from the bigger programs.
However, one player who can throw his name in when discussing the top players in the Valley comes from 3A basketball powerhouse Santa Rosa.
Junior guard Leo Lara leads the Valley in points per game (23.3), steals (147), is fourth in assists (five per game) and has been the cornerstone of a Warriors squad on its way to a 12th consecutive district title.
While the junior has a right to pump his chest, instead, he reflects on what it has taken to get to this point
“It means a lot (to be mentioned with the Valley’s best),” Lara said. “All that hard work I put in the gym pays off out on the court.”
Lara can drive to the rim at will, shoot the lights out of a gym and play defense, but head coach Johnny Cipriano says that his humbleness is the junior’s best trait.
“The fact that he’s level-headed is a big part of it,” Cipriano said. “He’s coachable and he’ll listen to whatever we try and teach him — what coach isn’t going to love a kid like that. I attribute the fact that he’s so grounded to his family and the people around him.
“The fact that he’s good is really just a bonus.”
The Warriors, don’t depend on Lara to be a one-man show. They boast a team of strong shooters comfortable in an up-tempo style and playing press defense.
Lara’s presence, however, only makes the system more effective.
“(Lara) is surrounded by good players, but his presence draws defenders toward him and it leaves our other guys more open than they’d usually be,” Cipriano explained. “He makes the team better, but the team makes him better because if our shooters start hitting, you can’t concentrate on him. Then, Leo can go do his thing.”
Lara’s teammates echo the sentiment.
However, as much as they love the game getting easier, they enjoy the type of teammate he is the most.
“It’s great. Sometimes we just use him as a decoy,” said teammate Matt Garcia. “He’s just a good player, friend and all around person and athlete. He can play all the sports.”
Lara also plays baseball, is a former state qualifier in the long jump and was the Warriors’ starting quarterback this season, leaving Cipriano to wonder how good Lara can become if he dedicated his time to one sport.
“He plays everything, so as far as his ceiling and how good he can be, that’s up to him,” Cipriano said.
With a year left, Lara himself feels he has a lot to learn.
“I’m trying to improve every day on little stuff,” Lara said. “Coaches help me all the time with shooting, passing the ball and rebounding. I want to get better all around.”
For now, Lara’s individual accomplishments and talents will take a back seat to the team’s goals.
His first priority is to help prove the Warriors are true contenders and can make a run at the regional tourney.
“I have to stay humble and I have to stay motivated because we haven’t reached our goal yet,” Lara said. “I have to go out there, be a leader and show everyone that we need to work hard all the time and to play team ball when we’re on the court.”