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Del Mar Basketball
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1224 Del Mar Ave
San Jose, Ca 95128
Phone: 408-626-3403
Fax: 408-295-9476
E-mail Us
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Del Mar opened its doors in 1959 and has generated a long and storied past of excellence ever since. All of us involved in the Del Mar High School of today, are working hard to build upon this rich tradition. The coaching staff, administration, students and parent groups have worked hard to make a number of positive changes at Del Mar, and are committed to building upon those successes this year. Del Mar basketball is a program on the move and we invite you to take the time to learn about the strong athletic program available to our students.
Founded: 1959
Enrollment: 1100
Colors: Black & Gold
Mascot: The Don
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Del Mar High School was established in 1959. At the time, they would be thrust into a league that had perennial powers in Campbell High School and Camden High School. With an influx of students with a strong family background, the Dons of Del Mar High School would quickly become a formidable opponent. One year after opening their doors, the Dons captured their first league title in 1960. The immediate success put high expectations on the young school. It would take the Dons another seven seasons before laying claim to a second league championship.
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During the late 1960's and throughout the 1970's, the Dons were the team to beat in the Campbell School District. From 1967 through 1972, the Dons would capture five league championships in the seven year period. Not always the most talented team in the league, the Dons would make up for short comings by playing strong team defense and display an unmatched willingness to win.
In 1972, a young man by the name of Marc McNamara would enter Del Mar High School as a freshman. McNamara would ensure the legacy of Del Mar basketball would continue to flourish. In only his freshman year, the 6 foot 6 inch McNamara would help lead the Dons to their sixth league championship. The incredibly talented center would continue to draw attention during his four years at Del Mar. It was in his senior season that he put up a season to truly remember, in route to Del Mar's seventh league title. McNamara would set school records that year in field goal percentage, field goals made, and most points scored in a season. McNamara would also leave Del Mar as the career scoring leader, a record he still owns.
Del Mar would follow up that miraculous season with one more league title to their credit in 1977.
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After 1977, Del Mar would have to wait 16 years before capturing their ninth title. Although competitive throughout this time span, the Dons could not reach the top spot in their division. Their closes attempt came in 1985, led by crafty point guard Brian Shimota and a slashing big man, Michael Calvert. The dynamic duo put the Dons on the door step of the league title, but ended the season one game out of first place.
During this span, the community began forgetting about Del Mar's historic past. The dynasty that once was seemed to be fading into the distant memory of past Dons. The fans were growing restless for the elusive title. When was their thirst for a championship going to be quenched?
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In 1993 two things turned around the fortunes for Del Mar High School. The first was a former NBA player by the name of Raymond Townsend, Jr. would take over the helm for the Dons. The second, gunslinger Bobby Ladine would settle for nothing less than a championship in his senior season. Townsend would bring a sense of toughness and tenacity back to the Del Mar defense. Ladine would provide the fireworks as he relentlessly knocked down 3 point field goals at an alarming rate. Surrounded with solid talent in the post, this team would capture the school's ninth league title.
Townsend would lead an even more talented team to the promised land five years later. With a front line that measured 6'5", 6'6", and 6'7", the Dons were a giant load to handle to say the least. In a season that featured many premier match ups, the Dons were able to keep their composure and capture title number ten.
During Townsend's tenure as head coach, the Dons captured two league titles, made 5 Central Coast Section playoff appearances, and finished in second place twice.
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The new millennium brought a new beginning for first time varsity head coach Brad Quinet, former San Jose State University stand-out. Quinet would bring an uncompromising approach to coaching to a young Del Mar team. With only two seniors returning from the 1999 second place team, Quinet had a blank slate to work with. The backbone of this team would be built on defense and toughness. The Dons would start 4 juniors and a sophomore point guard during that 1999-2000 season. With transfers Ryan Lagod and Steven White, both from Mitty, the Dons had all the pieces they needed despite the youth of the team. The Dons surprised many by rolling through their pre-season, beating power house teams like Mitty High School and Milpitas High School. In league, the task was not much easier. The young Dons won league that year, finishing 28-5, 11-1 in league. The later made a CCS title run, while ending up losing to Mitty in the Division III championship game. The Dons then almost shocked Natomas High School of Sacramento, the number two seed, in the State Regional playoff game.
Quinet would only coach the Dons one more season. This time with mostly seniors. The 2001 squad could not repeat the performance, despite starting the season 18-0 and being ranked number 1 by the San Jose Mercury News for nearly the entire season. Instead the Dons would have to settle for second.
The following two years would be rough for the Dons. Combining for only 9 wins over those two seasons, their was a need for change. Del Mar brought in the assistant coach from the 2000 and 2001 team back, this time to as the head coach. Coach Eric Ostrowski had a chore at hand. Only 3 players with varsity experience remained from a team that finished 6-18. The first year was a struggle for the Dons. But Ostrowski was slowly building the confidence of his young players and bringing an identity back to the Dons. In his second year, Ostrowski led the Dons within one game of winning a league title, and their first appearance in CCS in three years. In 2007 everything finally came together. The freshmen group that began with Ostrowski were now seniors. Led by seniors Arron Mollet, league MVP, and Stevone Jones, the team would end up going undefeated in league, finishing 21-5 on the season, 14-0 in league play. The Dons would finish in 4th place the following year, but made their 4th consecutive playoff appearance in the 5 year tenure of Ostrowski.
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The Dons will enter the 2009 season with yet another new face in Ryan Cooper, a freshman at Del Mar during their CCS run in 2000. Coach Cooper was a 3-time all Conference player at Notre Dame de Namur University. He was also elected as the team's MVP two years in a row. While in high school, Coach Cooper was selected as Sophomore and Junior of the Year while attending Piedmont Hills High School. During his senior season he was the league's MVP, as he led his team to a second straight league title.
Coach Cooper is looking to bring a college type program to Del Mar High School. He is looking forward to bringing his enthusiasm and experience of the game to a fine group of young men. The Dons will once again focus on the defensive end of the floor to win games. On offense, they will look to utilize the speed of senior point guard Taylor Nakatani, as well as the interior strength of Jordan Richardson and Chris Aitchison.
Taking over the frosh-soph program will be Chris McSwain, entering his third season coaching at Del Mar. He will be teaming up with Stephen Giles, the frosh-soph coach for the past 4 seasons at Del Mar. Both Coach Giles and Coach McSwain were graduates of Del Mar High School and part of the 2000 championship team.
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