CCS coaches can relate to each other

Bruce Johnson and Clint Hull are outgoing, sociable basketball coaches eager to pass along their wisdom to players willing to listen.

When it comes to their respective families, however, they know when to keep to themselves.

Johnson is the head coach of the women’s program at Community Colleges of Spokane, where he coaches Hull’s younger sister, Clara. Meanwhile, Hull heads the men’s program at CCS and coaches Johnson’s son, Chaz.

Both coaches acknowledged they were excited to share the experience with family when they take their Sasquatch teams to the NWAACC Championships slated for today through Monday at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

The CCS men (21-5) face defending champion Clackamas (21-5) in the tournament’s first round today at noon. The Sasquatch women (16-9) open with Lane (22-4) with an unenviable tip-off time of 10 p.m.

The time difference will give both coaches a chance to watch the other’s team. The programs play at the same site on game nights throughout the season – the men’s games follow the women’s – so Johnson gets to watch his son from the stands. Hull gets to watch his sister, too, but his time is more limited as he prepares his team to take the floor after the women’s game has concluded.

“It’s been great, because there’s obviously a little age separation, and I didn’t get to watch her much as she was growing up,” Hull said. “The last couple years having her around has been nice. It’s nice to have the opportunity to watch her play a little bit. … It’s tough because by the time the second half rolls around, I’m trying to get my team ready to go. I’m there and locked in for the first half and then I can watch the last couple minutes down the stretch. But it’s better than nothing.”

Hull, 27, is eight years older than Clara, a 5-foot-8 wing in her second year with the Sasquatch. She was in elementary school when he left their Pateros home to play at Eastern Washington and later at Concordia University in California.

He then jumped into the coaching ranks and spent time as an assistant at Irvine Valley College in Southern California before coming to CCS as an assistant coach. Hull took over as head coach before the 2008-09 season, the same year Clara enrolled at CCS.

“When I moved out of the house, I moved to California for a few years and only saw (Clara) a few times a year,” Hull said. “To be back and reconnect with her the last couple years has been really, really nice.”

Hull said he doesn’t pry into Clara’s basketball affairs and leaves her to learn on her own and from her coach. Johnson echoed the same thoughts about his son, Chaz, although Johnson said he has to fight his urges when it comes to talking basketball with his son, a 6-foot freshman guard who, like Clara, plays an important role off the bench.

“He’s a major contributor, and he’s helping them and having a great year,” said Johnson, who is in his 24th year as the Sasquatch women’s coach. “I kind of leave him alone. We don’t talk much basketball. … I stay out of it that way. I’m proud of him for doing the same thing I did. I played in community college in 1974-75 and ’75-76, and I think he made the right choice. He’s playing and continuing to get better.”

Johnson said he watches Chaz play from the stands once he’s taken care of his own coaching duties after each game.

“It works out perfect,” Johnson said. “I try to be as positive a parent as I can and cheer him on. I try to be the nonbiased guy, which is difficult to do sometimes when you’ve coached as long as I have.”

Johnson admitted he can’t help it if he wants to offer a few tips along the way.

“I wish he would talk with me more, but I’m not going to push it,” Johnson said. “I’ve got knowledge and experience I’d like to impart on him, but that’s not my job. I’m not his coach, and Clint’s doing a great job with him.”

Chaz Johnson averages six points, three assists and three rebounds a game as one of Hull’s primary options off the bench. Hull called him a “dynamic passer” with unnatural court vision.

“He’s a guy who we have to get on for not taking his own shot enough,” Hull said. “He’s a very capable scorer. He’s a point guard by nature, and he’d much rather put the ball in someone else’s hands than finish it off. He has the unique ability to do that.”

Clint and Clara’s father, Mike, used to be the boys basketball coach at Pateros High School. Bruce Johnson said Clara is one of the team’s top 3-point shooters and plays with a coach-on-the-court acumen.

“She definitely has that. It’s one of her strengths,” Johnson said. “She knows what’s going on. I don’t have to worry about her when we’re changing sets or defenses. She picks up on that and is one of our most intelligent on-court players. … She’s a pleasant girl, fun to have on the team and fun to have around. She’s just an all-around good kid.”