The Sacramento Bee, February 11, 1999
SON'S DEATH SPURS ENCINA'S REGGIE VAUGHN TO KEEP COACHING
By Jeff Weidel, Neighbors correspondent
   Less than one month into the basketball season, wins and loses were
pushed to the background for the Encina High basketball team. What
happened on the court lost its significance as the team and its
youthful coach suffered together.
   On a routine Sunday in mid-December, Encina coach Reggie Vaughn's young
son died in an accident. The tragedy not only devastated Vaughn and his
family, the Bulldog players also endured the pain.
   Reginald Vaughn Jr. was a frequent visitor at practice. The players
grew fond of the 11-year-old, who often participated in drills.
   "When I first found out about it I couldn't believe it, I didn't
believe it," senior Wes Baggs said. "I had to call some people before I
would believe it. It was tough on everybody, just a real shock."
   Reggie Vaughn Sr. is a popular figure on the Encina campus. As a campus
supervisor, he frequently monitors the hallways, ensuring the day passes
smoothly for students. He's part counselor, part friend, part
disciplinarian.
   The basketball team not only got behind Vaughn in his time of grief, so
did the school. There were buttons proclaiming, "We love you Lil' Reg." Kids
wore ribbons in memory of the young boy. The faculty redirected its money
for a staff luncheon to help with the costs of the funeral.
   More than 2,000 people attended his memorial service. Dressed in
uniform, the basketball players served as pallbearers. The cheerleaders were
there, too.
   "The whole school rallied behind Reggie," athletic director Russ
Hibbard said. "It seemed like the whole school was at the funeral. It
was standing room only."
   It was difficult saying goodbye to a child. The Vaughn family, which
includes four children and countless aunts and uncles, was wracked with
grief. "The family took it really hard. We're a real tight family, and we
all miss him so much," Vaughn said. "He was just a really good kid. It's
still tough on everyone. I'm trying to be the tough one."
   For Vaughn, who recently turned 31, the thought of getting back into
basketball was difficult. Yet three nights after his son's death,
Vaughn was back on the bench, coaching the team against Highlands.
   "I think Lil' Reg would have wanted me to keep going," Vaughn said. "It
motivated me. I knew I couldn't just drop the team."
   Encina, which entered the week with a 9-15 overall record and 5-5 mark in
the Golden Empire League, lost to the Scots. It wasn't for a lack of effort.
"We gave 110 percent that night," Baggs said. "We all loved Lil' Reg. He
would run around with his sister at practice, and a lot of times do the
drills with us. He was a pretty funny kid, a special kid. "And he was a good
basketball player. It's sad to think he'll never get the chance to play."
   The tragedy muted any dissension within the team because of its
inconsistent on-court performance. But Vaughn already knew this was
going to be a rebuilding year. The Bulldogs had one returning starter, Mike
Pritchett, from a 19-11 club that lost its first six games a year ago. This
year's team struggled early, too, but the Bulldogs have played well enough
in league that they could make the playoffs. The Bulldogs were ranked 15th
the top 16 teams advance to the postseason in the most recent Sac-Joaquin
Section Division IV power ratings.
   The Bulldogs have some talented players. Forward Reonadry Walker is
averaging nearly 20 points per game. Baggs has provided solid play at
small forward and 6-foot-10 Neil Young is swatting away nearly 10 shots a
game. Not bad for a junior with only two years of experience.
   Yet the team can't find a winning groove like last year and in 1996-97,
when then coach John Hightower led Encina to the state championship game in
Southern California, where they lost to Crossroads and UCLA star Baron
Davis. Hightower was fired just before the start of last season when it was
discovered he was having a sexual relationship with a student.
   Vaughn, who was the junior varsity coach, had to step in for Hightower.
After the 0-6 start, Vaughn directed the team to a 19-4 record before the
Bulldogs were eliminated by No. 1 Modesto Christian in the section
quarterfinals.
   Still, the difficult moments Vaughn faced last year don't compare to this
season. Those close to him are impressed with his resolve and
dedication to his players.
   "It's sad, a very sad thing to happen," Hibbard said. "Anytime a parent
has to suffer a loss of a son or a daughter it's so difficult. It's nothing
any parent should ever have to experience."
   It's nothing Reggie Vaughn ever thought would happen to him. If there is
an upside to this, it's the lesson passed along to the players. Life can be
short, make the most of it. Ironically, the night before his son died,
Vaughn passed that message to his team in a pre-game speech.
   "He was telling us to play your best every game because you never know
when it's going to be your last," Baggs said. "It's made us all think
differently about things. It's still on our minds, but we're trying to get
past it."