Get to Know … Brian Gadsby

Multi-sports stars at the high school level aren’t anything new. Still, if this past year was any indication, Brian Gadsby’s name probably needs to be in the conversation.

Brian is only finishing up his sophomore year at Crescenta Valley High School, but he played a big role on the field for the Falcon football and baseball teams. He was called up from the junior varsity football squad in November to lead varsity as quarterback. CV won both games he started, as Brian displayed poise in the pocket, as well as a big time arm.

This spring, Brian was one of the top pitchers for the baseball team, as he helped the Falcons win their second straight Pacific League championship. CV lost its playoff game, a 1-0 decision to Yucaipa, where Brian threw all eight innings.

To find out more about Brian’s thoughts on his sophomore year and his goals for the future, read more below …
Did you ever think when you were a sophomore you’d be quarterbacking the football team and being probably the biggest part of the pitching rotation on the baseball team?
Honestly, it never crossed my mind. I thought I was going to be on JV for the whole season on both sports. I just worked hard over summer and everything ended up working out for the best.

What’s the school you personally love to play against and beat?
Definitely have to go with Arcadia. We beat some good teams this year in baseball but beating Arcadia at their place both in football and baseball and winning league, which ended up with us dog piling on their home field was a great feeling.

Compare football coach Paul Schilling and baseball coach Phil Torres, and their styles:
They’re are both great coaches who know how to win and are a lot alike. They both know what they are doing and train us to work hard whether we are up by a lot or down by a lot. In the middle of an inning, Coach Torres would scream at me to keep pushing or keep fighting almost after every pitch and for some reason that actually helped me out and motivated me more.

How many people make jokes about your last name being Gadsby, like the Great Gatsby?
Hear it all the time, about 15 times a day. Teachers say it, coaches, and students. Especially since the movie just came out, everyone is coming up to me saying, “Your movie just came out,” when it has nothing to do with me. I don’t mind it though.

Who were the teammates this year you admired most?
For football it was Porter Hanson. He worked hard no matter what and always gave it his all. He’s someone that all under classmen can look up to. For baseball it was Nolan Rea. He would keep the team bonding together and wouldn’t let anyone talk bad about anyone else.

What do you hope to achieve the next two years in the classroom and on the field?
As a student, I hope to get my grades up. I have good grades but there is always room for improvement. As an athlete, I hope to get at least one CIF title in either sport. I also hope be All Pacific League first team in one year of football and both of the years on baseball. I also hope to get maybe All-League MVP in baseball one year like my buddy Ted Boeke did this year. Congratulations to him.

By Brandon HENSLEY
Action photo by Ed HAMILTON

  Brandon Hensley, Ed HAMILTON