He hasn’t coached at the senior boys level since guiding the last Richmond team to win a provincial championship, but that hardly means basketball is no longer a huge part of Paul Eberhardt’s life.
The longtime Richmond teacher and current athletic director at RC Palmer was named PAC West Coach of the Year for his work guiding the Langara Falcons men’s team. It marks the third time he has won the award since taking on the duties five years ago, shortly after RC Palmer was crowned B.C. champs in 2011.
He guided a young Falcons team to a 14-4 record this past season — a marked improvement on a 13-8 campaign a year earlier. The Falcons’ run for provincial honours ended with a 68-63 semi-final loss to Capilano.
Eberhardt is also president of B.C. High School Boys Basketball Association and chairs the selection committee for Basketball B.C.’s provincial team program.
It’s no coincidence RC Palmer is hosting the annual B.C. High School Boys All-Star Game on Sat., April 8. This year’s expanded format will see the top 1A and 2A players tip-off against each other at 5 p.m., followed by a 3A versus 4A showcase game at 7:30 p.m. There will also be slam dunk and three-point shooting contests.
Eberhardt has also paid close attention to the Richmond league when it comes to recruiting for his Langara program. This year’s roster featured former McNair star Royce Sargeant who was named to the Pac West All-Rookie Team.
Other local talent included: Anthony Demch (McMath), Antonio Jhuty (Palmer), Timmie Choi (Palmer) and Randjoh Hare who started for Eberhardt’s championship team at Palmer. Another longtime Richmond teacher and basketball coach — Jon Acob — was a Langara assistant.
