As a schoolboy in Merino, he developed a habit of taping Lakers games … off the radio and onto audio cassette, as it was years before VCRs.
Consider it one of the earlier signs of Ken Shaw’s love for basketball, a lifelong affair that rose to another level Friday night when his Smoky Hill boys earned a tight Centennial League victory at home over defending Colorado Class 5A champion Mullen, 57-51, the 500th in his career as a coach, all in state.
As usual, Shaw deflected credit. He was genuine about it. It’s his way. Shaw knows a man should never thump his chest in front of teenagers.
“He doesn’t take it for himself,” Buffaloes senior Sam Huebner said. “He just said it in the locker room (Friday), that it’s coaching players like (us), not an individual award. I think the 500 wins says it all about him.”
Said Shaw: “It’s a team achievement. I didn’t win any games. Those are games the players and coaches did. My name was just associated with it, I was just a part of it.”
Sure, and Mayor Hickenlooper and his city officials are indifferent about landing the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
For the record, Shaw is 501-193 – his team also won Saturday – over 32 years. He has taken five schools to three classification finals, including two undefeated title seasons. Consider legend as fact: Shaw-coached teams almost always handle and shoot it well.
“He knows the game and we never doubt his judgment or ways,” Huebner said.
Go ahead, judge his ways – the 54-year-old has parlayed intelligence, innovation, finesse and effort (previously a foregone conclusion) into one of the premier coaching runs since sanctioning in 1921. Plus, an astute Huebner said of his coach, one who actually nailed the Pat Riley-look and stayed with it, “he’s the same guy all the time.”
If it ain’t braggin’ if you can do it, Shaw ain’t, and hasn’t had to since before his playing days.
The next player who tries to give him attitude at practice or a game should quickly reassess. Shaw hooped when the Beatles were studio-recording and rocked local worlds. At Merino, he was a four-year starting point guard (1966-70) who could play any position; averaged 31 points as a senior; played on consecutive undefeated title winners; and remains in the state’s top 10 in career (1,976 points, seventh) and freshman-through-senior-season scoring.
Don’t be fooled by his overall polite manner. Shaw’s tough. As an 8-man quarterback, his 76 career touchdown passes are 11th all time. He answers every question, win or lose. Plus, his competitive fire is enough to ward off, say, Arctic air, such as today’s.
“He’s a great team coach who has helped me with individual parts of my game,” Huebner said. “He’ll make you as good as you want to be.”
Shaw demands effort and admits “hard times … maybe the most amazing thing is that I’ve been able to last this long.”
Late in his run at Rocky Mountain and early in the move to Smoky Hill – he began assisting at Merino before heading at Yuma and Sterling – maintaining control, handling parents, defusing situations and keeping the programs among classification elite proved trying.
“I just enjoy the game, just hang in there and do the things you have to do to survive,” Shaw said. “Sometimes maybe it’s not so much fun as it is a challenge.”
In joining East’s Rudy Carey, Denver Christian’s Dick Katte, Doherty’s Dan McKiernan and Steamboat Springs’ Kelly Meek as active in-staters who surpassed 500 victories, Shaw quietly received a plaque in the locker room and visits from close friends, notably Joel Tribelhorn, a slick guard who led Shaw’s 1984-85 title team at Sterling.
“He’s the best,” Tribelhorn said.
Shaw said he’ll go on indefinitely. The Buffs, 10-2, were a final-four team a year ago. Retirement is inevitable, but not now.
“High school basketball means more to me than it should,” he said. “Sometimes you just try to hang in there and I make it more than it is.
“But I feel honored.”
