SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Roller Hockey

Lentz is hockey's 'Man of the Year'

By Phillip Brents

CHULA VISTA, Dec. 27, 2002 -- As usually is the case, the supreme compliment came carefully out of earshot.

Greg Friedman, head coach of the Scripps Ranch High School roller hockey
team, was recently assessing his team¹s fortunes for this season¹s Metro
Conference championship title.

"We don¹t have to worry about Bonita Vista as much since they no longer have
Doug Lentz," Friedman told assistant coach Don Cerone, who quickly agreed
with the statement.

The assessment is not so much a knock at the Barons but a bold tribute to
Lentz, who put his heart and soul into last season's championship game
against the Falcons that ended in a Bonita Vista overtime victory in what
easily stands as the greatest high school roller hockey game ever played in
a South County rink.

In terms of sheer sports value, the Barons' win ranks up there with
anything that any other sport can parade out onto the playing field.
Lentz was the centerpiece of Bonita Vista¹s magical playoff run. Without him
between the pipes, the Barons would have had no chance at what they did
accomplish -- which was to defeat the conference's greatest high school
roller hockey team ever assembled.

Sacrifice and heroism are only two of the admirable qualities that define
Lentz, who has played every position in the sport as well as having
officiated and served as a clinician.

There is much, much more to this thin well-groomed young man, however. As
much as he can become possessed and driven on the court, he is twice the
gentleman off the court.

"I've been playing so much and so long, it's hard to put down all the
details. I can honestly say that without hockey, my life would be
incomplete," he said simply.

Lentz, who joins Hilltop High graduate Paul Newell in the Metro Conference's
mythical Roller Hockey Hall of Fame, began playing roller hockey at age 10
after being introduced to the game by his older brother Steve, who would
precede him as a member of the pioneering Bonita Vista High team. The
younger Lentz started out playing against neighbors and joined a league in
Mission Valley at age 11. It was at the RHI Skate Center that Lentz first
met the Comrie brothers -- his later nemeses on the court in high school and
his ultimate conquest in last year's CIF-Metro championship game.

Lentz' love for the game -- as well as his natural talent -- surfaced
immediately. He finished as the second leading scorer on his 12-and-under
team his first season. He would win five championships at the rink before it
closed operations. His first instruction came from John Gravelle, a
professional player with the San Diego Barracudas.

After the Mission Valley rink shut down, Lentz started playing in leagues in
La Mesa and at Chula Vista RollerSkateLand where he won numerous
championships and, in his words, "began my improvements and love for the
game."

Lentz played in three different leagues during the week. It was at this time
that he began learning the nuances of every position. He traveled to Las
Vegas and Sacramento for tournaments.

He still competes and has aspirations of one day competing in a national
championship tournament.

Given his extraordinary desire and will-power, opponents had better be wary
whenever he steps onto the floor.