Hard Work Pays Off Sanchez Overcomes His Limitations With Outstanding Effort For Nic’s Title Contenders

Like every basketball coach, North Idaho College’s Rolly Williams wants players with spring-loaded legs, deft 3-point shooting touches and the strength to play in the paint.

“I suppose I’m as bad as anyone in this profession,” Williams said. “You look at guys and say, ‘He’s not quick enough. He doesn’t jump well enough.’ Well, I just described Larry Bird.

“You know, you get to a bottom line: ‘Can he play?”’

As Williams will attest, not only can Eric Sanchez play, he will play. The NIC sophomore plays every minute on the court as if his scholarship is dependent on the amount of perspiration he sheds.

Sanchez is neither tall nor fast nor statistically impressive, but he may be the hardest-working man in the hoop business.

“I know if I outwork somebody, they’re not only going to get beat on the scoreboard, but they’re going to walk off the floor knowing I beat them in every aspect of the game by working harder than they did,” Sanchez said.

He’ll punch in the time card again tonight when rival College of Southern Idaho visits Christianson Gym at 7:30.

“We beat them (CSI) at their place, so they’re going to come in here fired up,” Sanchez said. “It should be fun.”

Forgive Williams if he gazes at Sanchez on the court tonight and sees a little of Dick Schultz, Johnny Pixler or John Randa. Those NIC players from yesteryear earned Williams’ respect with their intensity and desire more than their scoring averages.

“Eric’s a throwback,” Williams said. “Every drill is a battle. When there’s a loose ball, look out.”

Utah Valley coach Jeff Reinert’s team is in first place in the Scenic West Athletic Conference, but he still regrets that his recruiting pitch to Sanchez finished second to NIC’s two years ago.

“I wish he was here with me,” Reinert said. “No matter where he goes, his points, rebounds and assists may not reflect it, but they always win.”

The 6-foot-4 Sanchez, who is drawing interest from Big Sky and NAIA schools, said his work ethic mirrors that of family members.

Decades ago, his grandparents started a business in their basement. It’s presently a multimillion-dollar company. His 22-year-old brother, Ryan, was modestly talented but developed into a capable player because “he wanted to,” Eric said.

Sanchez’s mother required 3.0 grade-point averages from her two boys. And if they didn’t? “No basketball,” said Eric, who carries a 3.3 GPA at NIC. “I got a 3.0, or above, every semester.” So did his brother.

Sanchez’s academics have been solid, but his first season at NIC was shaky. He started at “two” guard, but Williams admits that was a disservice.

“I made a mistake in the sense that I asked him to retreat defensively (instead of going to the offensive boards),” Williams said. “That’s what Eric does well.”

Sanchez lost his starting job. He endured long stints on the bench before he, and his shooting touch, resurfaced late in the season. In three regional tournament games, he averaged 15 points and shot 59 percent.

This year, he starts at the “three,” or wing. He’s shooting 49 percent from the field and averages 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

“I was struggling (last year), but I also came back and showed I can do some things,” Sanchez said. “That’s carried on to this year.”

It’s a year he’s working to make even better in the near future. NIC is 21-3 and pursuing its first SWAC title.

“I’m not the greatest shooter, not the quickest on the dribble, not the pull-up jump shooter, but I like to think I can go in and get physical around the basket,” Sanchez said. “The little things are the things that win basketball games - and championships.”

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