DANVILLE – Regardless that the San Ramon Valley gymnasium was packed to capability for Friday’s 71-60 boys basketball victory towards rival Monte Vista, one spot remained unoccupied all through the sport.
Hans de Lannoy’s seat on the finish of the SRV bench was left vacant in the course of the crew’s first recreation because the legendary coach, most just lately an assistant on the Danville faculty, died on Wednesday following a protracted battle with most cancers.
The gamers and training employees have been exhausted, having gotten little sleep and having shed many tears since studying of de Lannoy’s loss of life.
However there was no query that the Wolves would play on Friday night time.
“This is what we needed,” coach Brian Botteen stated. “It’s medicine and it’s therapy … this is what these boys needed.”
Positioned on the empty seat was de Lannoy’s trademark hat and a small bouquet of yellow flowers. And regardless that de Lannoy was not there, SRV gamers and Botteen drew energy from their recollections of him.
“We felt his presence, and when you occasionally turn and see the hat …,” Botteen stated earlier than his voice trailed off for a second. After a pause, he stated, “You know it’s going to be OK, but we miss our friend,”
DANVILLE – The late Hans de Lannoy’s hat was positioned in a chair on the finish of the San Ramon Valley bench. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys highschool basketball recreation on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley Excessive in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first recreation since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
Earlier than tipoff, a prolonged second of silence was held for the person who impacted the lives of 1000’s on the Danville public faculty and past.
However within the locker room after the ceremony, a well-known voice was heard echoing all through the house.
De Lannoy may very well be heard shouting the acquainted chorus of “Whose house?” in a recording Botteen performed for the crew.
The gamers responded by bellowing, “Our house!”
“After we spoke in there and had our moment of silence, I wanted to make sure his voice would be shared, and there were a lot of emotions that came in there with that,” Botteen stated.
The SRV crew had leaned on one another to get by a painful few days.
“It’s us crying together, praying together, sharing stories together,” Botteen stated. “And just when you think you’re doing OK, then all of a sudden you go through the emotions again.
“That’s OK,” the coach continued. “That guy felt emotion and he shared emotion, so don’t feel bad that there’s tears. It’s all a part of this.”
DANVILLE – San Ramon Valley guard Mason Thomas (10) speaks with coach Brian Botteen. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys highschool basketball recreation on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley Excessive in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first recreation since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
On the court docket Friday, senior level guard Mason Thomas starred within the position of playmaker, commanding tempo and dictating the tempo whereas scoring 13 factors. There was no query he was the chief on the ground.
Thomas’ confidence was, in some ways, a product of de Lannoy’s teaching, the place his pleasant and inspiring demeanor helped Thomas develop from a shy freshman to a vocal upperclassman.
“Coming here as a freshman, he was the first person in my life to make me feel welcome at SRV,” Thomas stated. “He had a big impact on my life at San Ramon Valley.”
Thomas wasn’t the one one.
De Lannoy coached across the Bay Space, however was an icon at SRV, the place he coached the boys crew within the Eighties and the ladies within the 2000s.
In a training profession that spanned greater than six many years, de Lannoy gained 512 video games. He led the SRV ladies to East Bay Athletic League and North Coast Part Division I titles in 2006.
Every San Ramon Valley participant wore a shirt throughout warmups on Friday bearing de Lannoy’s identify and emblazoned with the phrases “Our Champion.”
He coined the time period, “Home of Champions” – a slogan that’s painted contained in the SRV gymnasium partitions.
DANVILLE – San Ramon Valley guard Elliot Conley seems to be on the faculty’s motto “Home of Champions” throughout a break within the motion in the course of the second half. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys highschool basketball recreation on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley Excessive in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first recreation since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
And towards the crew de Lannoy needed to beat greater than every other throughout his time at San Ramon Valley, the Wolves honored the person by taking part in like champions.
San Ramon Valley began out understandably sluggish, however acquired issues going within the second half as gamers high-fived, cheered each other on and expressed the sort of love for the sport that might have made de Lannoy proud.
Excessive-flying Elliot Conley led the Wolves (19-7, 8-1) with 15 factors and threw down an enormous dunk within the second half, and Luke Isaak scored 14 on senior night time. Sophomore guard Ian Desai had 23 factors and made six 3-pointers for Monte Vista (16-10, 4-5).
Lengthy after the ultimate buzzer sounded, San Ramon Valley ahead Brad Laird echoed the sentiment of his teammate and coach whereas describing the beloved de Lannoy.
“He was someone who would walk into a room and literally it would become brighter,” Laird stated. “It sucks, because I know he’s in a better place right now, but we really, really miss him.”
Christian Babcock and Nathan Canilao contributed to this story
DANVILLE – San Ramon Valley’s basketball crew wore shirts honoring the late Hans de Lannoy. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys highschool basketball recreation on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley Excessive in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first recreation since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
