Lanphere focused on one sport this summer

By comparison, this is a kicked-back summer for Jye Lanphere.

The multitalented Lanphere, who will begin his senior year at East Valley in the fall, has cut his summer schedule by a third while reducing the number of high school sports’ rarest breed by one.

Through his junior year, Lanphere was a three-sport athlete and a three-sport standout. Last year he guided the Knights into the State 3A football playoffs as the team’s quarterback, played guard on the basketball team and shortstop for the baseball team.

Being a three-sport athlete means a packed summer: football and basketball camps woven around summer baseball games. It can be exhausting just keeping track of a schedule like that.

“I decided that I wanted to concentrate a little more on baseball,” Lanphere said. “That’s what I want to play in college, and I think that’s where my future lies.”

Basketball became the odd-game out, he explained, because of a deep love for football.

“I do love football,” he said. “I love being the quarterback and love getting my hands on the ball for every play.”

Lanphere said there will likely be an additional benefit from cutting back the schedule.

“I think it will help my grades a little, too,” he said. “They should go up a little.”

The year-round work required to be an athlete, especially a three-sport athlete, is something Lanphere got used to.

“I really enjoyed all three sports,” he said. “Sure, it was a lot of work and there’s not a lot of time off, but I thought it was worth it.”

High school sports have slowly been moving away from versatility to an age of specialization. Some coaches discourage their athletes from playing other sports in favor of playing year-round. And there are outside coaches who discourage athletes from turning out for school sports all together for the same reason.

It helps that East Valley football coach Adam Fisher is a staunch supporter of his charges playing multiple sports.

“I really think it’s important for kids to have a well-rounded experience,” Fisher explained. “It’s something we talk about as coaches and something we talk about.

“I think it helps that some of the other head coaches are also football coaches. We’re all understanding of what it takes to be a multisport athlete these days.”

Fisher said the summer schedule has been worked out over time. And when things cross over, a little patience goes a long way.

“The first week after school is out is always football camp,” he explained. “Basketball camp is the second week. We have the gym open for weightlifting and I know that if one of our players isn’t busy with something else, they’ll be there lifting.

“At the same time, I know what it’s like for a kid to be so busy.”

Lanphere said the attitude around the weight room has been different coming off last year’s football playoff success.

“Last year we wanted to make the playoffs,” he said. “We did that last year. This year anything short of winning a state championship is going to be a disappointment.

“I think everyone is even more dedicated and is working harder. Once you’ve made the playoffs, you know what it’s going to take to get back.”

With baseball, Lanphere has eased back into his natural position – playing center field for former Central Valley standout and major league second baseman Bump Wills.

“At East Valley, I always end up playing shortstop, but my best position is center field,” he said. “I think that’s where I’ll play at the next level. Coach (John) Phelan always starts out with me playing center field, but ends up moving me to short out of necessity.”

Playing for a former major leaguer has been a plus, Lanphere said.

“Bump has been teaching me to be more professional in my approach to the game,” he said. “I’m learning how to keep my emotions in check. You can’t throw a tantrum after you strike out or anything. You have to go back out and do your job.”

Lanphere said he’s spotted college coaches and professional scouts at his games and is looking forward to the end of July, when he can start talking to coaches about playing college baseball.

“I’d really like to figure out where I’m going as soon as possible so I can concentrate on school,” he said.