Between Father and Son

A Family Affair at Miramonte High

By: Jason Damaschino

Expectations. Justin Blackwood, a senior point guard from Miramonte High School, knows about expectations all too well. He expects to be a leader, he expects to set an example, he expects fans to underestimate him, and most noticeably, he expects his father to coach every one of his varsity games. In the East bay town of Orinda, there is a warming story unfolding this upcoming men’s 2000-2001 high school basketball season. It is a story about loyalty, love, and dedication. It is a story that embodies all that is positive about high school athletics today.

Since 1965, Justin’s father Tom Blackwood has been the men’s head basketball coach at Miramonte guiding the Matadors to an impressive 581-334 record. His son Justin, who is beginning his third year as a varsity starter, is adjusting to a new role on the team this upcoming season. During both his sophomore and junior campaigns, the selfless Blackwood was asked by his father to distribute the ball to other scorers while guiding his team to back-to-back North Coast appearances. This season, however, Justin will be asked to use his varsity experience as the undisputed team leader. “In the past, I was mainly a passer”, explains Justin, who is just 150 assists away from breaking the school’s all-time leading mark. “This season, I need to get more involved with the scoring and rebounding aspects of the game.” (Justin averaged 15.2 points a game, 7.8 assists, and 5 rebounds during his junior season). His father agrees. “There is no doubt that if we are going to be successful this season, Justin needs to step up his game to another level.”

Being the “coach’s son” during his last two seasons has motivated Justin to go out and prove to opposing players and fans that he is not just out on the floor because of his father. “Looking back, having dad as my coach has really been a positive experience”, explains Justin. “Proving to others that I am worthy of my position is definitely a part of what drives me to succeed.” Another motivational factor for Justin this upcoming season is helping his father win his 600th game. “When my dad won his 500th game, I came down from the stands and told him that I will be apart of his 600th”, he recalls. “We need just 19 more victories…..I am hoping for many more than that, however.” Playing basketball in college is another goal for Justin. “Playing at the next level is something that I always wanted to do”, he acknowledges. Not surprisingly, Justin may just meet this goal as he is being recruited by such colleges as N.Y.U., Chico St, and may even attempt to walk-on at U.C. Santa Barbara, or Brigham Young University.

What is most impressive about Justin and his father is the unspoken love and respect for one another. “It is natural (as a parent) to get nervous and stressed over the performance of your child, especially when he plays for you”, confess the older Blackwood. “Now, I don’t worry about him as much. Justin is a veteran and he sets such a good example for our younger players by working harder than anyone on the court. Coaching him these past two seasons has been such an experience. I don’t think most people can appreciate the amount of mental toughness it takes to be the coach’s son,” declares Blackwood. “He is extremely mature. I knew that he could endure it.”

Justin, who first entered the Miramonte gym when he was two-months old, sees his father as the symbol of Matador basketball. “My dad has come to work everyday for the last 35 years with the same love and intensity for high school basketball. I have even heard that there are parents (of 8th graders) telling my dad that he has to stay (at Miramonte) long enough to coach their children. He is Miramonte basketball.”

One might think that after this season, Blackwood would retire from coaching after sending his son on to college. Think again. “To tell you the truth, I love coaching and as long as I have that love, I will stick with it. Besides, I have another son (Chris) who I coach at the C.Y.O. (8th grade) level. He has the opportunity to be a very special player for Miramonte someday,” concedes Blackwood.

Ironically, this year’s squad may be one of the youngest and least experienced teams that Blackwood has ever coached at Miramonte during his lengthily career. As a result, he is depending on his son’s leadership and past experiences. “Honestly, it will be interesting to see how we (as a team) react to the many emotional situations that a season can provide. There is no doubt that I will be leaning hard on Justin to lead our team.”

Finally, when asked about how he envisions his son to perform during his senior season, Blackwood simply replies, “It’s Justin’s turn. He’s been patient over the last two seasons. He has earned everything that he has achieved and I couldn’t be more proud of my son.”

Jason is Managing Editor at Eastbaysports.com

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