DISTRICT BASKETBALL Coach is back, and so is Campbell's desire

Brian Danilov hopes to improve on the Red Devils' 7-13 record of last season.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CAMPBELL -- Walk into the refurbished Nicholas A. D'Amato gym at Memorial High and you will immediately be struck by the professional atmosphere as the boys basketball team practices.
They might be called the Red Devils, but it's their blue-collar work ethic that will identify them; they can be out-shot in any game and likely out-rebounded but no team will outwork Campbell Memorial. Sitting along the sideline is recycled coach Brian Danilov, back for his second stint, and his father Eli, who coached in this gym one generation ago.
Sequel
Brian Danilov was hired in June to guide the rebirth of the Campbell program after six years of service a decade back.
He won the state title in 1993 while at Campbell and then led Ursuline to three district championship appearances in four seasons with the Irish.
"We put in a lot of time," said Danilov, when asked about his relentless striving for perfection.
"I have a lot of good people around me; we had a good summer," he said with a chuckle.
He's not a Marine drill instructor who might equate exercise with punishment, but Danilov is a seasoned triathlete who knows basketball games are more often won with rigorous preparation than with a lucky jumper.
Junior Louie Samonas will handle the point guard duties for the Devils, who were a disappointing 7-13 last winter.
"It's really great; I love playing for him," Samonas said of Danilov. "He brings a great feeling to the players; he makes you want to play more."
Samonas is 5-foot-1 and never stops running in practice. He might be closer to the cartoon Tasmanian devil than a Red Devil.
Another returning player is 6-1 junior guard Teyon Harris, who scored about 14 points a game as a sophomore.
Campbell will have "better defense," said Harris because the players "worked real hard, especially in the weight room."
Danilov has the players believing in themselves.
"We can be one of the best teams in the state if we want to be," said Harris with no hesitation.
Senior Ricky Quinn is a pitcher on the baseball team and quarterbacked the Campbell football team, with which he dislocated his shoulder and injured a knee.
While recovering from those injuries, he's turned an ankle playing basketball.
Danilov hopes Quinn is ready for the opener Friday at Youngstown Christian.
In-house
Any summer day, Danilov could be found in the Red Devil weight room spotting for prospective athletes or offering conditioning advice.
His players will know the inside of the weight room as well as their own bedrooms.
They should also enjoy games at the 1,000-seat D'Amato gym with its impressive new lights.
Harris said he's looking forward to the challenge of filling the gym, especially for rival Struthers. Winning has its own way of filling seats.
sullivan@vindy.com