Without Coach Tim O’Brien, Northwood boys basketball team opens with 54-34 loss to St. Francis in tourney

Interim Northwood coach Yousof Etemadi talks to his team during Saturday’s tournament game.

Northwood’s long-time boys basketball coach Tim O’Brien, who continues his recovery from cancer, missed the Timberwolves season opener  in the Edison Saturday After Thanksgiving Showcase at Edison.

Northwood, led by interim coach Yousof Etemadi, lost to St. Francis 54-34.

O’Brien, in an email Saturday, said he has been watching videotapes of the Northwood practices and communicating with players and Northwood athletic officials. He emphasized his support and confidence in Etemadi, who he chose to replace him while he recovers.

The highly-respected coach, who has been at Northwood for 14 years over two stints, announced his diagnosis on Aug. 31.

“There is no timetable on when I will be back coaching on the sidelines as I deal with recovery for cancer,” O’Brien said in an email.

Etemadi has been an assistant coach at Foothill for the past three years. He played college basketball at Cal Poly Pomona and high school basketball at Aliso Niguel.

“I’ve always known Tim and he’s always been kind of a mentor to me,” Etemadi said. “When he fell sick, he asked me to come over and help him out, so it’s obviously an honor to learn from a guy like that and help lead his program.

“He’s doing a lot better.  He shows up to practice. It just takes time, he has to get through his process but he will be back.”

Etemadi and his assistants have been running the same offensive and defensive schemes.

“The kids were familiar with it; I came in in September and his stuff works, he’s done well, it’s just a matter of getting these guys tougher and playing harder,” he said.

Etemadi is coaching a young team with most of its starters graduated. Timberwolves, led by standout guard Jacob Huynh, won the Pacific Coast League title last season.

In Saturday’s game, the Timberwolves had a decent first half in which they moved out to a 23-20 lead at the break. But St. Francis took charge in the third quarter, outscoring Northwood 12-5 and dominated the final stanza.

“I thought we played well for three quarters,” Etemadi said. “Obviously we have a young, inexperienced group that hasn’t seen pressure so it will come. It takes time. We’re playing with a bunch of young guys.”

Seth Locke scored 10 points to lead Northwood.

St. Francis was led by Dennis Flowers III, who had 25 points.

NORTHWOOD DEFEATS SAN CLEMENTE 50-46 IN GRIZZLY INVITATIONAL

CYPRESS BATTLES BACK FROM 16-POINT DEFICIT TO NOTCH TOURNEY VICTORY

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com