On guard: Tournament runs begin in backcourt

February 22, 2015 at 12:07a.m.

Danilov: A healthy team,

momentum also critical

While many area coaches have barricaded themselves in a film room or gymnasium, experimenting with different schemes and drawing up the perfect plays, Cardinal Mooney boys basketball coach Brian Danilov is here to burst all the mad scientists’ bubbles.

There is no perfect formula for winning in the postseason, he says. Although there are necessary ingredients.

“First off, you hope you have a healthy team and you’re playing with some good momentum,” Danilov said. “Then it comes to being able to play your style of ball.”

He would know. Danilov led Campbell to a Division III boys state championship in 1993 — one of three titles brought home by Mahoning Valley schools in 13 months (Ursuline in 1994 and Girard in 1993).

This year, his Cardinals are a three seed in the same district as top-seeded Poland and second-seeded Canfield.

“For us, we’re trying to get healthy,” Danilov said. “That’s A. And B is making sure everybody’s in a good frame of mind.”

As for his secret ingredients? Well, truth is, they’re not exactly secret.

“You gotta have great guard play or else you’re never gonna be able to get the ball up the court,” Danilov said, whose championship team had only two starters six-foot or taller. “And if you can’t do that, your big man won’t touch the ball.

“I think you can win with good post play, but you have to have really great guard play. They’re going to define you offensively and defensively.”

Winning a state title isn’t an exact science. There are variables nearly impossible to account for — one being the officials.

“Basketball is unlike some other sports where officials can have a major impact on the game,” according to Danilov, who says Valley officials do a great job communicating with players and coaches during a game.

Outside the area, not so much.

“They start calling fouls and next thing you know, your star players have two fouls and your whole game plan deviates,” Danilov said.

Point being, unless you’re armed with a roster loaded with talent — or LeBron James — it’s going to take a complete team effort to win a title.

“Everybody’s gotta play their role,” Danilov said. “You always have to have good players, but you also have to have a path and determination to get there. The most talented team doesn’t always win.

“You’re never going to win without high basketball IQ.”