RallyNorth.net

Yo Adrian, you did it

Monday, March, 17 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

WORCESTER | In the perfect world, sure Adrian Gonzalez tones down the post-dunk strut last Monday on the Boston Garden parquet floor.

For the older set, that slam in the state semifinal final win over BC High was a bit over the edge. More than any other moment in a glorious three-plus seasons with the Raiders, that jam-and-ham act perfectly defines Gonzalez.

Brilliance, amazing athleticism, often with a "Yeah, but…" attached.

A most likely three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star, a potential All-Scholastic, a Division 2 college scholarship winner, 1,095 career points  and now state champion. Gonzalez, 18, has lived life on the edge with the Raiders, who he led to the Division 1 state title over St. John's of Shrewsbury last night with 28 points.

He's done it his way, constantly pushing the envelope.

It's enough to make me wonder if we've all done him wrong.

Adrian, the latest in a long line of talented Central Catholic big men, is not Tim Hart or Leo Parent. Those guys are from another era, and it's time us old-time -- make that just plain old -- Valley hoop guys realize that.

On-court woofing, or in this case strutting, is part of the package. "AG" is no showboat. He's a showman.

. . .

Nothing came easily for Gonzalez at Central, or even before he got here.
Growing up on Tower Hill with his two brothers and his mother, each step was a careful one.

"I wouldn't call it a rough life," Gonzalez said. "Obviously, there's been ups and downs with my two brothers and mom (Annette Rios). My dad wasn't around, and she's the strongest woman I know. She tries her hardest to make us succeed. The way I am is pretty much because of her."

Entering Central, Gonzalez warranted attention.

He was the 6-foot-2 leaper with the explosive basketball resume. He had no idea what he was in for, and Gonzalez paid for it early.

"Coming from a public school, I struggled," said Gonzalez of his first battles with the books. "I didn't know a lot of the techniques for studying.

"I was also very immature. I thought I was going to come in and be the big guy on campus. It wasn't like that at all. Either you do the work, or you're in trouble."

Gonzalez quickly learned that lesson. After flashes up with the varsity, he found himself in basketball limbo, academically ineligible just as things started to get interesting.

"I thought as a freshman I could make an impact in the state tournament," he said.

Instead, he watched … and tried to put the academic pieces back together.

Watching those battles, especially the tourney loss to rival Lawrence High, gnawed at Gonzalez -- right through sophomore year.

"Flunking off the team, I think I've used that as motivation for the rest of my career," said Gonzalez.

"Sophomore year, I was a little angry, flunking off I was so mad. I was still upset. I regretted the fact that I slacked off in school. I kind of used it as motivation and played really well."

As much as the dynamic base line drives and acrobatic finishes, the anger showed through.

Off the court, Gonzalez may have straightened out his book work, but he wasn't making friends or influencing people.

"A lot of people said I had the bad attitude, I'm not sure if they knew who I am," he said. "I'm more mature now, though. I wasn't a bad kid. I really didn't speak to a lot of people because I wasn't comfortable.

"I came from a school that was dominated by Spanish kids, you know, kids from the inner city. Here, it's a lot of people from the suburbs, and it was different, I had to adapt."

One of those people was Chuck Adamopoulos, a teacher and coach.

"If you'd asked me two years ago, really there weren't a lot of good things I'd say about Adrian," said Adamopoulos, whose son Zak is a reserve forward on the team. "Adrian's definitely grown up. I have him in class now, and he's been excellent. I couldn't be happier for him."

. . .

Gonzalez can't point to a turning point, a day or moment where he "got it." Maybe, it was just a part of growing up.

The battle is nowhere over.

He fights daily for success, both for himself and his brother Gabriel.

A year older than Adrian, he, too, showed flashes of athletic greatness, but off-court problems derailed his promising career.

Both Lawrence High basketball coach Paul Neal and football coach Mike Yameen tried to harness his skills.

"He ended up with the wrong people, which can happen anywhere," said Adrian. "He's a pretty scary dude, but deep down inside, he's really a good guy."

Today, both brothers continue to battle.

Gabriel has been at nearly every Central game this year. Adrian continues to prod Gabriel, who is still over a year away from graduation.

"He definitely loves this (state tourney run)," said Adrian. "He's at the games, and we talk about them when I get home. I know deep down he wishes he could have his opportunities back. But he's a strong kid, who doesn't let out his emotions, so I try not to ask him about it.

"His motivation now is to stay in school and succeed. That's very important for me. He's my brother. I love him to death. Watching him get that diploma will be one of the best moments of my life."

. . .

Perhaps, it's maturity. And maybe the pre-season tragedy of teammate Ryan Bourque's death has helped Gonzalez to put his life in order.

He's been different this year, almost as if he's just trying to soak it all in.

"I'm just trying to savor these moments as much as I can," said Gonzalez, now known as much for his beaming grin as that once ever-present scowl.

His game has steadily progressed.

He's taken his game out to the 3-point arc with his jumper and above the rim with his drives.

Defense, rebounding, intensity, intangibles, Gonzalez is now the total package. Critics said he hadn't had many breakout games in the big games, but that's a moot point after last night.

Headed to Bentley College in September, Gonzalez appreciates what the school has given him.

"This place means everything to me. To think of the goals I've accomplished, getting the chance at a college education," he said. "Without the academics here, I wouldn't have been able to do that. So many adults here have helped so much, especially making those mature decisions."

Slowed by a painful preseason stomach injury, he missed the Greater Lawrence Christmas tourney then took some time to get back into shape. For the second half of the season, it was the real Adrian Gonzalez, as dominating as always.

He's willingly sacrificed offense as 6-9 sophomore Carson Desrosiers and junior Billy Marsden, the team's leading scorer, continue to emerge.

"He's just been a great leader for us from the start," said coach Rick Nault. "Really, I couldn't ask for anymore out of Adrian."

Walking off the floor for the last time, Adrian Gonzalez is a champion. He is a survivor. And he deserves your respect, if for no other reason for conquering the grueling, four-year, mine-laden road to Worcester.