Boys’ basketball: Farewell to a graceful warrior

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It could have been a Hollywood ending for Eagle Rock Coach Ron Kato, if the Eagles could have pulled off a victory in the City Invitational Division championship game against University. It could have been a kinder school year than the one Kato has endured at Eagle Rock, with coaches battling the administration and a level of tension that engulfing the campus.

But the Eagles couldn’t overcome the Wildcats, losing 48-41 Saturday at the Sports Arena. And Kato won’t change his mind about leaving the school in June.

‘We have too many issues at Eagle Rock,’ Kato said. ‘If the administration won’t back us, it’s time for me to step down. The only chance there would have been for me to come back was if they reinstated (football coach) Jerry Chou. Because he had my back, and I have to be loyal to him.’

Even though the Eagles did not win, Kato called it his best team.

‘Not the most talented, but the best,’ he said. ‘They were the hardest working guys ... we started off slow because of inexperience, but they came on at the end and started to believe in themselves. To see their growth from the fall to now is like night and day.’

-- Mike Terry