DANVILLE – Even though the San Ramon Valley gymnasium was packed to capacity for Friday’s 71-60 boys basketball victory against rival Monte Vista, one spot remained unoccupied throughout the game.
Hans de Lannoy’s seat at the end of the SRV bench was left vacant during the team’s first game since the legendary coach, most recently an assistant at the Danville school, died on Wednesday following a long battle with cancer.
The players and coaching staff were exhausted, having gotten little sleep and having shed many tears since learning of de Lannoy’s death.
But there was no question that the Wolves would play on Friday night.
“This is what we needed,” coach Brian Botteen said. “It’s medicine and it’s therapy … this is what these boys needed.”
Placed on the empty seat was de Lannoy’s trademark hat and a small bouquet of yellow flowers. And even though de Lannoy was no longer there, SRV players and Botteen drew strength from their memories of him.
“We felt his presence, and when you occasionally turn and see the hat …,” Botteen said before his voice trailed off for a moment. After a pause, he said, “You know it’s going to be OK, but we miss our friend,”
DANVILLE – The late Hans de Lannoy’s hat was placed in a chair at the end of the San Ramon Valley bench. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys high school basketball game on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley High in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first game since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
Before tipoff, a lengthy moment of silence was held for the man who impacted the lives of thousands at the Danville public school and beyond.
But in the locker room after the ceremony, a familiar voice was heard echoing throughout the space.
De Lannoy could be heard shouting the familiar refrain of “Whose house?” in a recording Botteen played for the team.
The players responded by bellowing, “Our house!”
“After we spoke in there and had our moment of silence, I wanted to make sure his voice would be shared, and there were a lot of emotions that came in there with that,” Botteen said.
The SRV team had leaned on each other to get through a painful few days.
“It’s us crying together, praying together, sharing stories together,” Botteen said. “And just when you think you’re doing OK, then all of a sudden you go through the emotions again.
“That’s OK,” the coach continued. “That guy felt emotion and he shared emotion, so don’t feel bad that there’s tears. It’s all a part of this.”
DANVILLE – San Ramon Valley guard Mason Thomas (10) speaks with coach Brian Botteen. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys high school basketball game on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley High in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first game since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
On the court Friday, senior point guard Mason Thomas starred in the role of playmaker, commanding tempo and dictating the pace while scoring 13 points. There was no question he was the leader on the floor.
Thomas’ confidence was, in many ways, a product of de Lannoy’s coaching, where his friendly and encouraging demeanor helped Thomas grow from a shy freshman to a vocal upperclassman.
“Coming here as a freshman, he was the first person in my life to make me feel welcome at SRV,” Thomas said. “He had a big impact on my life at San Ramon Valley.”
Thomas wasn’t the only one.
De Lannoy coached around the Bay Area, but was an icon at SRV, where he coached the boys team in the 1980s and the girls in the 2000s.
In a coaching career that spanned more than six decades, de Lannoy won 512 games. He led the SRV girls to East Bay Athletic League and North Coast Section Division I titles in 2006.
Each San Ramon Valley player wore a shirt during warmups on Friday bearing de Lannoy’s name and emblazoned with the words “Our Champion.”
He coined the term, “Home of Champions” – a slogan that is painted inside the SRV gym walls.
DANVILLE – San Ramon Valley guard Elliot Conley looks at the school’s motto “Home of Champions” during a break in the action during the second half. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys high school basketball game on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley High in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first game since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
And against the team de Lannoy wanted to beat more than any other during his time at San Ramon Valley, the Wolves honored the man by playing like champions.
San Ramon Valley started out understandably sluggish, but got things going in the second half as players high-fived, cheered one another on and expressed the kind of love for the game that would have made de Lannoy proud.
High-flying Elliot Conley led the Wolves (19-7, 8-1) with 15 points and threw down a huge dunk in the second half, and Luke Isaak scored 14 on senior night. Sophomore guard Ian Desai had 23 points and made six 3-pointers for Monte Vista (16-10, 4-5).
Long after the final buzzer sounded, San Ramon Valley forward Brad Laird echoed the sentiment of his teammate and coach while describing the beloved de Lannoy.
“He was someone who would walk into a room and literally it would become brighter,” Laird said. “It sucks, because I know he’s in a better place right now, but we really, really miss him.”
Christian Babcock and Nathan Canilao contributed to this story
DANVILLE – San Ramon Valley’s basketball team wore shirts honoring the late Hans de Lannoy. San Ramon Valley defeated Monte Vista 71-60 in a boys high school basketball game on Feb. 7, 2024 at San Ramon Valley High in Danville, Calif. It was San Ramon Valley’s first game since assistant coach Hans de Lannoy died on Feb. 5.
