Pursuing dream at CdM

CHRIS YEMMA

It has always been a dream of Lou Silverman’s to coach high school

basketball.

Growing up in Maine, everyone was into hockey. Hockey was the

big-time sport and everybody played it. Everybody, that is, except

Silverman and a few others.

Silverman played basketball in high school and, since then, has

always had a dream to coach it in high school.

Now at 46, his dream it taking shape.

He is at the helm of the Corona del Mar High frosh/soph girls

basketball team this season, and is teaching basic principals and

fundamentals while also learning the basic principals and

fundamentals of coaching.

There’s no better start for a first-time coach than to be with

first-time high school players. They all learn together.

Silverman, a local businessman, caught wind about the position

opening up -- get this -- by reading it in the Daily Pilot last year.

So he contacted CdM varsity coach Scott Kahawai and the two chatted.

Months later, in his dream job, or some form of it, Silverman’s

team began with a 7-4 record. But it has all come with a learning

experience for everyone.

“We’ve had to work on everything,” Silverman said. “We had to work

on individual skills and fundamentals and blend it all in to function

as a team.

“Even though we practice a couple of hours each day, it seems as

if there’s not enough time.”

Even though most of the girls have had basketball experience

before, none of them, obviously, have played on a high school team.

High school basketball, even on the frosh/soph level, is different

from NJB or other youth teams.

But there’s not the pressure that comes with coaching the varsity.

“It’s a fairly low-key deal,” Silverman said. “The parents are all

very supportive and not particularly intrusive.”

And that’s a good thing.

The team is led by co-captains Emily Tsa and R.C. Avedissian, both

sophomores. The leading scorer is Elle Luce, who gets most of her

points inside.

Freshman Susan Moheimani is the team’s principal ball handler and

a contributing scorer, while Allie Childs is a catalyst off the

bench, providing the energy spark the team feed off of.

Silverman is unofficially assisted during practice and some of the

games by his neighbor, Dave Scott.

So, the Sea Kings’ players and coaches are learning together.