Teams, while fighting each other to add points, also battle against a clock that subtracts. An essential element in the game of basketball - timing - can be crucial to one's success.
For Tony Cordani it was timing that played a key role in applying for the Hopedale head coaching position that once seemed frozen for three decades, back to 1969. Teaching physical education at Tri-County while coaching the boys team in Hopkinton to the EMAss Division 4 Final a year ago, Cordani was the young guy out as Tri-County trimmed a position.
"They cut a position at Tri-County and I was low-man on the totem-pole," said Cordani. "It was tough to leave Hopkinton, but it really wasn't a tough decision to leave. I had to find a teaching job first."
Don Klocek, one of the most respected coaches in the area whose old-fashioned, no-nonsense approach brought success to a school that often graduated under 100 students, decided to step down after the 1999 season.
As much a fixture as the nostalgic black rotary phone that sat in his office, the self-effacing Klocek attempted to retire as quietly as he could. However, those familiar with the proud program understood a loud, gaping hole would exist in his absence.
"Hopedale happened to be a place that needed a physical education teacher and a basketball coach, since Don was both," Cordani said. "Coming in from the outside was tough, coming in after him.
"As it turns out, it's nice to be in the same system, teaching and coaching. I'd like to think that when one window closes, another one opens."
Today at noon, Cordani will be directing another team to a district final when his second-seeded Hopedale team battles dual-Valley Conference nemesis and top-seed Sutton at WPI for the CMass Division 3 title.
"The success that we've had is a shared success," insisted Cordani. "There have been so many people who have had an impact on these kids over the year. Don Klocek certainly had an impact. Guys that had the opportunity to play under him have been well coached. I didn't have to completely come in and rebuild things. These guys already had a great foundation between coach Klocek and the JV coach Tom D'Urso.
Cordani, a 1984 King Philip graduate who "played some basketball" his junior year, became a student-teacher at Medway while at Bridgewater State College. Applying for an opening at Tri-County, Cordani left a construction job and became a permanent substitute teacher at the Franklin technical school while also coaching or helping with freshman football, track, basketball and baseball.
"I found that I enjoyed coaching basketball the best, probably because of the fast pace."
Following three years as a JV coach, Cordani put in for the vacant varsity job in 1991.
"I had reservations when the position opened up. I didn't know if I was prepared for it, but by taking the varsity position I forced myself to find out. At that point I definitely had a lot to learn - and I've been learning ever since.
At Tri-County Cordani faced the difficulties associated with a regional school. Most of his players were from different towns and unfamiliar with each other's style of play.
"At the beginning of the year you don't know what you have because there is no feeder system. That part was limiting a little bit. But on the other side, we seemed to get good kids who really were into basketball and gave it everything that they had."
His six-year varsity stint - including coaching the school's only 1,000-point scorer in Tim Grinham - ended when Cordani accepted the position in Hopkinton last season.
"When I look at Hopkinton from the basketball standpoint, it was a great place to be because you had a lot of support and enthusiasm from the community. Teams in the TVL (Tri-Valley League) were competitive night-in and night-out and there were no teams that you could overlook."
Just as he was in Hopkinton, Cordani was an outsider to the Hopedale program.
"When I came in, I didn't feel any pressure but people told me about the Clark Tournament being great for the kids," he said. "I didn't realize until we won the Clark Tournament and the response that we got. When we pulled into town, there was a fire truck and police car with their sirens on, and there were about 40 people to greet us back the school. I think I have a better understanding of it now."
Successful in altering his coaching style to the strength of his teams, Cordani directed Hopedale to its first Clark title since 1991.
"At the beginning of the season, I was just saying that I hope that we make the tournament and Clark Tournament," Cordani said. "After we beat Sutton in our second meeting, that seemed to give us more to shoot for. After defeating them at the Clark, that gave the guys the confidence to understand that we can play with teams."
Cordani is hoping to capture the Blue Raiders first district title - also since '91 - with a third victory in four tries against Sutton today.
"This Hopedale team, more than any other team that I've coached, works better as a team," he said. "We don't rely on one guy - any of the guys are capable of stepping up.
"I know that the guys are confident that they can do it. They know what it's going to take, and it's not going to be easy. But it's nice to know that we can do it."
