When Crescenta Valley boys’ basketball coach Shawn Zargarian first began taking automobile rides with son Vaughn throughout his highschool days, neither was sure it could work out.
“There have been some automobile rides and residential dinner conversations that weren’t very nice,” Shawn stated.
Mentioned Vaughn: “I used to be, ‘Wow, that is actually arduous. He’s all the time yelling at me.’ I began to develop up and perceive what he meant. In the event you belief the method, the advantages are so a lot better.”
It’s the senior yr for the 6-foot-2 Vaughn, and what a season he’s having, averaging 36.1 factors a sport with 50 factors towards Glendale and 45 factors towards Westlake. He had 40 factors Monday towards Muir.
“Every little thing is understanding for me,” he stated. “Bodily, I’ve gotten stronger and taller.”
Crescenta Valley has produced some big-time scorers, akin to Brad Holland, Greg Goorjian, Harvey Mason, Jimmy Goffredo and Adam Jacobsen. Goorjian averaged 43.4 factors in 1978.
Shawn has been concerned with this system for 30 years, 20 years as coach. To have his son be a part of the checklist of high gamers at school historical past means loads.
It’s additionally a exceptional season for gamers of Armenian descent. From Anto Balian at Pilibos to Isaiah Bennett at AGBU and Vaughn Zargarian at Crescenta Valley, Armenian followers have loads to cheer for.
“That’s what we do now,” Shawn stated. “Mother and father develop up followers of soccer and navigate towards basketball.”
The very fact father and son have come to take pleasure in their firm as coach and participant is one thing to rejoice.
“It means loads,” Shawn stated. “His final yr, my final yr doing it collectively.”
Vaughn’s mom, Nadine, died of most cancers when he was 12, so father and son have been counting on one another for years. Vaughn didn’t have mother round to speak to throughout these early highschool years.
“In the event you’re taking part in for dad, mother is house to speak to, and this poor man didn’t have that,” Shawn stated. “We tried to make a deal.”
Residence turned a spot the place Shawn returned to being dad and Vaughn was the son. The bond grew nearer. The gymnasium and residential turned separate locations, one for basketball, one for household.
“The primary two years have been fairly difficult and hard and the final two years have been wonderful,” Shawn stated. “It’s a blessing. It’s most likely the hardest time but additionally a tremendous feeling to educate your child and be at his aspect.”
Crescenta Valley is 14-7 and 4-0 within the Pacific League. Shawn has determined this can be his closing season. He has one other son taking part in junior varsity as a freshman at Holy Martys. He desires to step again and simply be a dad.
“It’s been fairly a journey,” he stated. “I’ve devoted most of my grownup life to this system. The sport has modified. Children are altering. I’m solely 47, and I really feel the sport is so totally different.”
The most important change for Shawn is likely to be studying how you can prepare dinner.
“This boy can eat,” he stated. “He likes steaks.”
At house, no extra arguments about basketball, and each are grateful how issues have labored out, making reminiscences that can final a lifetime.