Outfielder J.J. Smith takes part in Basic High School’s final practice Tuesday, May 17, 2016, before playing for its first state championship since the 1980s.
Thursday, May 19, 2016 | 2 a.m.
Father and son went to Cashman Field to watch a Las Vegas 51s baseball game. Shortly after, they headed to Denver for a Broncos football game.
Maybe it was the sound of baseballs flying off the bat or the speed of the ball traveling from pitcher to catcher, or maybe the hot dogs and popcorn were better at Cashman, but J.J. Smith knew then he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and play baseball.
He asked his dad, Jerry Smith, to teach him.
“My dad, he could hit the ball. He was a power hitter,” J.J. said. “He was a speed guy, too. He could do it all.”
Jerry Smith played for Basic High School from 1983-84, helping the Wolves build one of the great dynasties of that era. J.J. is trying to follow in Dad’s footsteps once again — Basic opens play today in the four-team state tournament in Northern Nevada against Reno High, and J.J. is one of the key contributors in the outfield of a team built to win multiple titles.
It’s a bittersweet moment for the Smith family. Jerry, who had been battling kidney problems, died last week, three weeks before his son would graduate high school. He was 49.
Two days later, Smith played in the Sunrise Regional playoffs. If he learned anything through his father’s illness it’s that life is too short to not take advantage of meaningful moments.
And playing for Basic is a family deal, something Smith took great pride in because he’s part of the same outfield where his dad thrived. He can see signs documenting the program’s two championships — the other was in 1987 — when he’s at bat, and has long been determined to continue the legacy.
He knew of the school’s history before he joined its summer program in middle school because Jerry often shared stories of the players he competed with, many of whom remained close over the years.
“J.J. is one of those players who gives you his all. He will do whatever it takes to win a game,” Basic coach Scott Baker said.
Jerry Smith was the same. He was adored by many because of his laid-back personality and ability to make others smile. Southern Nevada may have millions of residents, but at Basic in Henderson, there is still a small-town feel. Everyone knows each other, and when it comes to high school sports, everyone is pulling in the same direction.
It was the same way nearly 30 years ago when Basic last won a championship. Baker, who was an outfielder on that team, returned to his alma mater five years ago to coach with visions of turning them into a dynasty. Pitcher Ryne Nelson’s dad, Ryan Nelson, was also on the 1987 team. They beat Reno, the same team the 2016 team opens against, in the championship game.
“This is such a special place,” Baker said. “This support the alumni and (residents) of Henderson give to us, it’s phenomenal. We talk about the history quite a bit.”
Other schools in the valley are also loaded with great history and tradition. But none are like Basic in celebrating it and honoring their legends. Like Baker says, it’s what makes Basic special.
That was obvious last week after beating Green Valley to win the regional championship and earn a spot in the state tournament. Coach Gary Chaires, the architect of the great Basic teams of the 1980s who has been a constant in the bleachers on game day, was on the field taking pictures with players.
Many of the drills prominent in Basic’s practices where borrowed from Chaires, who was hard-nosed and demanded the most from his players. Baker shares that philosophy.
“It’s that Gary Chaires discipline,” Baker said.
Smith, like his dad, is one of Basic’s fastest players. And like his dad, he’s focused on becoming a champion. He is batting .374 with three home runs, 25 RBIs, 19 runs scored and nine stolen bases.
He’ll be the first to say the state tournament is more than about honoring his dad’s legacy. It’s about adding to the program’s greatness and giving the Henderson community a long-overdue championship. That would be the best way to honor his first coach.
“Just thinking about my dad gives me strength,” Smith said. “We’ve put a lot of hard work and time on this field. We’ve been working five years for this.”
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
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