A Coach’S Dream Cv’S Patrick Libey Earns Nothing But Praise From Those Who Coach Him

Talk to anyone who has coached Central Valley athlete Patrick Libey and the superlatives flow.

“He’s a motivational kid,” said football coach Rick Giampietri of his second-year linebacker and tight end. “He was as much a leader last year as our seniors.”

And basketball assistant Mike Laws called him “truly a coach’s player.”

The accolades are aimed at Libey the person as much as Libey the All-Greater Spokane League athlete.

Grid assistant Steve Kent went as far as saying he’s the finest youngster he’s ever been around as a coach.

Libey has a way, they say, of lightening the mood when things get tense.

“He’s so personable it’s unbelieveable,” said Giampietri. “If practices get low, he has something to say that sparks things up. He uses wit to get things moving again.”

His parents are outgoing and humorous, said Libey, and he was raised around adults.

“I just try to have fun out there and let other people have fun,” he said.

Libey’s performance last Friday was no laughing matter to Mt. Spokane. He had six tackles, including a sack, and a couple of assists and broke up five passes during CV’s 34-7 spanking of the previously unbeaten Wildcats. He also caught three passes for 60 yards to help break the monotony of teammate Tyree Clowe’s record-setting 42-carry, 353-yard rushing effort.

“It was not too tough,” said Libey. “All you’ve got to do is fake to Tyree one way and the whole defense shifts. I’m out there in the open.”

If Libey has a preference, it’s on the defensive side of the football.

One memorable sequence came with the Bears ahead 7-0 midway through the second quarter. Libey chased down a ball carrier at one sideline. He ran down another to the other side. Then he broke up a pass.

CV got the ball back and he had a 21-yard reception that set up a TD just before halftime.

“He has really soft hands,” said Giampietri, “and a nose for the football.”

Libey had moved here in second grade from Colfax and contemplated living there with his father to play for the Bulldogs. Playing at Evergreen Junior High changed his mind.

Colfax, like CV, was a state finalist last year.

“I’m friends with the players,” he said. “I told coach good luck before their game and a lot of them came afterwards to watch us.”

CV is a different team than last year, even though foes are gunning for the defending state champions. Libey is one of only three returning starters from last year’s championship team. Clowe and Kris White are the others.

“We all knew each other and were all friends,” said Libey of last year’s team. “We said from the get-go we wanted to win state.”

This year has taken time to build new friendships and team unity.

The Bears have won three games in a row since an opening loss to Ferris, with Libey providing athleticism and establishing open lines of communication.

“The key to success is to have good relationships with coaches and players,” Libey said. “Now I think we’ve done that and we know what we’re capable of doing.”

Another state playoff appearance, he said, would be nice.