Sunnyside Christian boys basketball coach Dean Wagenaar congratulates his team after they won the 2008 Class 1B state basketball title.   GORDON KING/ Yakima Herald-Republic file

 KNIGHT&DAY

By DAVE THOMAS
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

They seem, on the surface, to be vastly different men.

Dean Wagenaar speaks in measured tones and sometimes in great detail, displaying his cerebral approach to coaching, while Al Smeenk talks in a energetic, rapid-style manner that captures his passion and love for the game.

Sunnyside Christian girls coach Al Smeenk looks on during his team¹s third-place game against Touchet in the 2008 state tournament.   GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic file

The two longtime Sunnyside Christian basketball coaches may approach their craft in somewhat different ways, but one thing is undeniable -- they are both tremendous coaches who care more about the players than the numerous victories they've piled up.

"It's not about wins and losses, it's about developing kids and developing relationships," said Wagenaar, who came to the school 20 years ago and is now in his 15th season as head coach.

"The exciting thing right now is that I'm coaching some daughters of my first players," said Smeenk, who has been at the school since 1982 and is its only girls basketball coach. "I've had great kids and great parents to work with. It's really been a blessing."

And the school's been blessed to have these two helming their respective programs with as much success on the court as off it.

Wagenaar's teams will be making a 12th state trip with this week's appearance in the Class 1B tournament that begins Wednesday in the SunDome. In the first 11 trips, the Knights have claimed nine trophies that feature four championships, including the last two 1B titles. Smeenk is taking a team to state for the 15th time this week, having already accumulated 10 trophies, including two runner-up finishes.

A remarkable run of success that even has them somewhat amazed.

"I didn't envision that kind of consistency," Wagenaar said.

Wagenaar's run of success is perhaps more surprising because, he says matter-of-factly, he didn't think he'd coach this long.

"There's not a lot of free time during basketball season," said Wagenaar, who is also the high school's principal, teaches a couple Bible classes, and also has four children, including son Trevor, a freshman on the current team.

Thoughts about quitting have regularly crossed his mind, but then another batch of players willing to work hard and learn come along, rekindling the coach's energy.

"I've been tempted to hang it up," he said. "As long as there are enough kids who want to play and play well, then it makes the job rewarding. If you feel you have to be the sole motivator, then it gets difficult."

Yet once that final game is played each season, a sense of relief engulfs Wagenaar.

"I love the game of basketball, and I enjoy being around basketball," said Wagenaar, who played in high school and for a season at Dordt College in his home state of Iowa, "but once the season is over, I need to spend more time with my family."

That need to get totally away from the game doesn't pull at Smeenk, whom Wagenaar calls a "basketball junkie."

Smeenk jokingly refutes that claim, saying, "I do like a lot of other things in life," but admits the sport has him hooked.

"I still love every practice. I still love every game. I still have the same enthusiasm. Retiring has never crossed my mind," said Smeenk, who welcomes almost any opportunity to go watch a game or talk to coaches.

It's not that Smeenk's not a family man. He and wife Betty raised three daughters, all of whom played for dad, and he's now a proud grandfather. But it seems that Smeenk will always answer when basketball comes tugging at his sleeve, in part because he knows there are still things he can do to become a better coach.

"There are always things to learn, even at my age," he said. "I take notes and talk to coaches all the time. That's my responsibility -- not to become stagnant. If there's a better way to teach something than the way I'm doing it, it's my responsibility to pass that on to my players."

That includes watching his fellow Sunnyside Christian coach, whom he has great respect for -- and vice versa.

"Al is passionate," Wagenaar said. "He loves girls basketball. He's organized and enthusiastic."

Smeenk said he's continually impressed with Wagenaar's knowledge of the game and ability to use it to his advantage during games.

"He's very good at making changes during a game that's to his advantage," Smeenk said. "Just the way he can tear another team apart is amazing."

Along with their coaching duties, the two also share bus driving duties on road trips, with Smeenk usually driving out and Wagenaar driving home. That allows them, and their assistant coaches, plenty of time for conversation, although rarely does it hit on basketball.

"When it comes to X's and O's, we very seldom converse," Wagenaar said. "We talk about life, families. It's a pretty well-rounded adventure."

The ability to have that broader perspective -- and pass the importance of that on to their players -- is ultimately what they consider their biggest coaching reward.

"I love working with the kids," Smeenk said. "That's why I'm a teacher. That's why I'm a coach."

That's why both are extremely successful coaches -- both on and off the court.