Glenn Baral doesn’t have the nickname "Double" as yet -- we’ll wait for Chris Berman to weigh in on that one down the road -- but he is proficient in two sports, basketball and baseball. However, being adept will soon be an understatement as the 6-foot-2 St. Mary’s freshman has a tremendous athletic future regardless of it taking place on the court or the diamond.
Here’s Ryant Diew, who along with Shawn Hadnot, coaches the Bay Area Hoosiers 15U squad, on his young protégé, "He hasn’t shown half of what he can do and because of his work ethic being second to none, he’ll be able to write his own ticket eventually."
St. Mary’s High Coach Manny Nodar adds, "He’s very polished skills-wise for his age."
For those of you wondering why Baral isn’t topping the Bay Shore Athletic League scoring charts or bursting out on-line with jaw-dropping videos, here’s Nodar again: "Glenn is respectful and quiet and has blended in very well."
Diew concurs: "He’s just trying to fit in right now."
It is Baral’s initial season at the varsity level and he plays alongside seniors Chris Brew and Aalim Moor as well as juniors Dominique and Demetrius Lee.
Diew foresees great things for Baral. "He can be as good as he wants to be and already he can shoot and post," Diew offered. "He can take his defender out to the perimeter and can flat out shoot the ball to 25 feet or go inside against smaller foes -- Glenn has a different kind of game. He’s going to be a two -- a Paul Pierce type."
The young Baral certainly has noticed the differences between middle school and high school. He said, "Now, everyone is faster and more physical and plays a lot harder. You could lose to anybody if you don’t come with your best game."
What has aided in Baral’s transition was "my playing with the St. Mary’s varsity this summer" and some of the upperclassmen taking Baral under their wing. Away from the gym, "some of the St. Mary’s guys introduced me to their friends."
St. Mary’s senior point Moor understands. "I remember my freshman year and the seniors [then] helped me out. Glenn came into the season open-minded and eager to learn. Myself and the Lees saw that so we have been passing on as much as we can to him."
Asked what is his best skill at the moment, Baral succinctly answered with "Probably shooting." Reversing the question, he responded with "My dribbling, it’s getting better."
Baral’s promise hasn’t gone unnoticed nationally. The NCAA First Team Program, which identifies those student-athletes going into ninth grade likely to be highly recruited, approached Baral last summer as well as fellow Hoosiers David Andoh (Archbishop Mitty) and Jamaree Strickland (McClymonds) during the Rumble In The Bay Tournament. Each subsequently attended a seminar in Arizona designed to familiarize them with the do’s and don’s of the recruiting process from the angle of a top prospect as well as that of a suitor. The trio will be traveling to Puerto Rico this coming summer for another NCAA First Team program symposium.
Earlier, Baral played for the Berkeley Y squad. He was the biggest player on the team and therefore positioned inside. However, he was also the fastest player and this still allowed him to nab steals and zoom down the court ahead of everyone. It made sense for Baral to navigate from the Y team to the Oakland Rebels so that he could begin the transition to playing away from the basket.
But there is also Baral’s national pastime habit - baseball. He has worked out for some time with Shooty Babbitt, the former Oakland A’s second baseman who is now a scout for the New York Mets and has already demonstrated right-handed power beyond his years. "My baseball coach helps me with baseball skills but also in personal areas."
Baral actually prefers basketball over baseball -- "I don’t t like standing around as much as being a part of it all" -- but isn’t ready at this point to shut down one for the other.
Also worthy of notice is Baral’s academic prowess as he owns a 3.37 grade point average, making yet another smooth transition from the middle school level.
Baral’s mother Chris and father Jerry are enthusiastic spectators of their son’s athletic feats and proud of his academic effort. "Glenn is the blessing of our life," Jerry Baral said. "Watching practices is the best part of my week."
The elder Baral also has supportive words for Nodar. "I observed Coach Nodar at a game, one in which his team was way ahead. What struck me was he was still using each moment as an opportunity to teach." The Barals live a short distance from St. Mary’s so it was natural for Glenn to go to high school there.
It won’t be difficult to keep tabs on this youngster in the next few years as more and more discover him. But he understands and appreciates, even at his age, that success is not a solitary endeavor and also continually earned.
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