legendary HS BBall coach at St Joseph’s HS passed away unexpectedly last night at the age of 83. I literally just watched him this past weekend as he was guiding his team at the RB Shootout and by all reports he was excited and ready to coach in his 51st season at St. Joes. A sad day, RIP coach.
RIP Gene Pingatore
- Thread starter corbi2961
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I think it was the 78 state tournament that St. Joe's played Westinghouse in the semi finals.
Westinghouse had future Cat Michael Jenkins, along with future Blue Demon's Bernard Randolph, Skip Dillard and Mark Aguirre. Three years later Thomas and Aguirre would go 1-2 in the NBA draft.
St. Joe's was three-deep...Thomas, Ray Clark (NIU) and Ty Brewer (either NIU or ISU).
Pingatore out-coached Lollino (which wasn't difficult).
Westinghouse had future Cat Michael Jenkins, along with future Blue Demon's Bernard Randolph, Skip Dillard and Mark Aguirre. Three years later Thomas and Aguirre would go 1-2 in the NBA draft.
St. Joe's was three-deep...Thomas, Ray Clark (NIU) and Ty Brewer (either NIU or ISU).
Pingatore out-coached Lollino (which wasn't difficult).
A Thomas-focused St. Joe's story....
In the '78-'79 season Doc Rivers was getting a lot of buzz and some suggested he may surpass Thomas, who was a year older. Doc dunked in games whenever he could and was known for his leaping ability. I don't think Thomas ever dunked in a high school game. It was a thing for him to reward the big men with dunks.
But something too few understand is that Thomas could absolutely jump out of the gym. Rarely showed it, but it was there (as Will Perdue might remember) like you cannot believe.
In the Proviso Christmas tournament St. Joes played Proviso East....Thomas versus Doc. Doc had a "tell" on when he was going to pull up and take a jumper. And Thomas knew it. Doc dribbled down the court....and then pulled up and jumped (very high) and Isiah Thomas (jumped higher) blocked his shot. With. His. Fist.
And then a little bit later, Thomas did it again. With His. Fist.
And then Thomas started whispering stuff to Doc.
It so completely messed with Doc's head that he was crap against Thomas well into his pro career.
In the '78-'79 season Doc Rivers was getting a lot of buzz and some suggested he may surpass Thomas, who was a year older. Doc dunked in games whenever he could and was known for his leaping ability. I don't think Thomas ever dunked in a high school game. It was a thing for him to reward the big men with dunks.
But something too few understand is that Thomas could absolutely jump out of the gym. Rarely showed it, but it was there (as Will Perdue might remember) like you cannot believe.
In the Proviso Christmas tournament St. Joes played Proviso East....Thomas versus Doc. Doc had a "tell" on when he was going to pull up and take a jumper. And Thomas knew it. Doc dribbled down the court....and then pulled up and jumped (very high) and Isiah Thomas (jumped higher) blocked his shot. With. His. Fist.
And then a little bit later, Thomas did it again. With His. Fist.
And then Thomas started whispering stuff to Doc.
It so completely messed with Doc's head that he was crap against Thomas well into his pro career.
“Hoop Dreams” is likely the best sports documentary of all-time, which he featured prominently in. Still remember the first time I watched it and was blown away. RIP.
Explains why the Atlanta Hawks could never beat the Bad Boys Pistons when it counted despite having some pretty good teams in the late 80s.
I saw Hoop Dreams in I want to say a Wilmette theater. Also in attendance: Ricky Byrdsong! He got better seats than I did - I seem to recall I was front row far left. That was a long movie.