Babek acclaimed as one of the school’s greatest basketball players

Scoring over a 1,100 career points as a high school basketball player is often regarded as a high achievement. Senior varsity basketball captain Mickey Babek has attained this feat, scoring over 1,100 points during his four years at Peninsula.
“I think Mickey has been so successful in basketball due to the amount he dedicates himself to the sport,” Mickey’s brother and fellow varsity player sophomore George Babek said. “He inspires and pushes me to do the same as he, and I praise him for it.”
Babek started playing basketball around the age of four at the Bogdanovich Recreation Center in San Pedro, once his father introduced him to the sport. He continued to play throughout his elementary and middle school years, eventually earning his way onto the Peninsula varsity basketball team as a freshman.
“Mickey Babek has a passion for the game that all successful high school student athletes need to have,” varsity basketball head coach Ryan Quinlan said. “He wants to get better each day and he puts the time and effort in to do so.”
To his coaches, Babek constantly demonstrates his hard work and positive attitude towards training.“He enjoys the competitive nature of the game and raises his level of play when the stakes are at the highest,” Quinlan said. “Those characteristics are what make players like Mickey stand out.”
During games, Babek plays as a combination guard, which means that he takes on the roles of both a point and a shooting guard. This season, the Panthers are 14-12 with a Bay League record of 5-5. During season, he practices two and a half hours a day, and for two to four hours a day during the off-season.
“Mickey’s work ethic is second to none,” Quinlan said. “He is the first one in the gym before practice and the last to leave after getting extra shots up.”
Babek cherishes the memories he has made with the team over the past four years.
“Last year’s CIF home game against Foothill is definitely my favorite memory of playing basketball on the Peninsula team,” Babek said. “Although we lost, the environment and support from the students, adults and community was amazing and a special atmosphere to play in.”
Babek’s memories of playing at Peninsula will definitely not be his last memories of basketball. Babek hopes to utilize his talent by continuing to play basketball for a university at the NCAA Division I level.
“I hope to continue to play basketball throughout college,” Babek said. “I have about six schools that are heavily interested, so I will hopefully know where I am going by March.”
Although the loss of this year’s senior players will impact the basketball program, Babek has faith in the team’s abilities and believes in their future success.
“I would tell future players to work hard and to take advantage of your time on the team,” Babek said. “It goes by very quickly.”