by Matt Schwab

The season didn't end the way they wanted, but the Las Positas men's basketball team gave its fans quite a ride in the 2024-25 campaign.

A highly successful run ended with a tough loss to Citrus on Thursday in the 3C2A Championship Tournament, but the trip south came with huge honor for Las Positas head coach James Giacomazzi. He was named CCCMBCA North Coach of the Year for the first time, marking the first such honor in LPC history.

The Hawks' rousing 26-win season reflected the many strengths of Giacomazzi's program. He does things the right way, his players and assistants do too.

"Coach James winning Coach of the Year is a testament to his dedication, leadership and the culture he has built within our program," LPC assistant coach Anthony Haskett said. "The passion that he coaches with is contagious, in addition to his ability to inspire and develop our players on and off the court, is truly special."

The charismatic head coach has guided the Hawks to the playoffs every season since being hired in 2015. This season his team enjoyed 20 straight wins before suffering its first defeat. It notched regional playoff victories over Columbia and Modesto Junior College. LPC was the only team to beat state champion CCSF, tying for second in the Coast-North. 

Sophomore guard Elijah Mobley joined the program's 1,000-point club, and sophomore Jorren Edmonds made First Team All-State.

Giacomazzi described his coaching award as "unexpected" and dished off the credit.

"There's a lot of factors that go into it, right?" he said modestly. "No. 1, you've got to have really good players, and No. 2, you've got to have a really good staff. Luckily, I had both of those. Anthony and Ravi (Bhambhra) did a great job helping me this year."

Giacomazzi, the LPC Athletic Director, has had numerous accomplishments over a 27-year college coaching career, after a sterling playing career at Washington High-Fremont, San Jose City, where he also served as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Percy Carr, and UC Riverside. He has amassed a 189-78 record at Las Positas with 391 career wins, also including a successful 11-year run at Cosumnes River-Sacramento. His LPC teams have made five Sweet 16s and two Elite 8s, and Giacomazzi has a strong reputation for sending players to four-year institutions.

Coaching aside, he is a busy man on campus.

"There's a lot (going on). I'm wearing a lot of hats and have a lot of responsibilities," he said, also noting his role on the Management Council for the state Athletic Directors Association.

Haskett marvels at Giacomazzi's consistent work ethic, among other strengths.

"He goes above and beyond every single day, pushing all of us – coaches and athletes alike – to be our best, and this recognition is very well deserved. He is an amazing coach, but also a fantastic human being, role model, mentor, and friend. I am extremely grateful and proud to work alongside him and be part of his journey."

The 112-73 loss to Citrus at Mt. SAC came after the Hawks upended host Modesto Junior College 78-69 in the Regional Finals, handing the Pirates their first home defeat this season. But Citrus, the highest scoring team in the state, proved too much for the Hawks, who play a similar pressing style.

On an off shooting day, Las Positas shot just 4 of 26 from 3-point range.

"Credit to Citrus. They were incredible that day," Giacomazzi said.

Citrus boasted a legitimate superstar in point guard KJ Perry, who scored a game-high 29 points (13-19 FG). "He's a Big 12, Big Ten recruit. He's a legitimate Division I player and he was dominant in that game," Giacomazzi said.

Elijah Mobley led the Hawks with 19 points.

HUSKIES CONNECTION: Edmonds' All-State award brought home the Washington High connection in the Las Positas program. Both Giacomazzi and Edmonds, who played on the Las Positas 2021-22 Elite 8 team that won a program-record 27 games, played at Washington.

"What a great accomplishment for him, he's certainly deserving and worthy," Giacomazzi said of Edmonds making All State. "It's interesting, when you look at his scoring numbers you go, 'Oh, wow, he scores 12-13 points a game, did he really impact it that much?' But when you watch the game, you realize how important he is. He did everything. It wasn't just his points per game but his timely shots; he shot over 50 percent from 2, I think he almost shot 50 percent from 3. He rebounded on both sides of the floor. He had a 5-to-1 assists to turnover ratio. He was Defensive Player of the Year. He did everything well."

Plus, there's the Washington tie.