Sweetwater coach Gary Zarecky took over a bottomed-out program in 1972-73 that was 2-22, 6-20, and 1-23 in the three previous seasons and proceeded to go 6-19, 1-23, and 11-15.
In Zarecky’s year four the Red Devils saw light at the end of the tunnel and fast-breaked past it.
Since 1975-76 Sweetwater is 196-54, a .772 winning percentage. Zarecky ioverall is 214-111 (.658) in 12 seasons. Of the 39 instances in which a San Diego Section team scored at least 100 points in a game since the 1978-79 season, Sweetwater has accomplished the feat 18 times.
The Red Devils passed 100 on six occasions this season, including 123 points, sixth highest all-time, against Marian.
Bud Maloney of the Evening Tribune wrote that the Red Devils were not getting “game-in game-out challenges” to prepare for the playoffs. They had won 39 consecutive Metropolitan Conference games and six consecutive league championships.
Zarecky was not fooled, according to Maloney.
“What am I supposed to do? wondered the coach. “We have to press to stay sharp and stay in shape. If we don’t press we’ll win about sixty to fifty and then the first time we play an Eastern League team we’ll get blown out.”
Zarecky promoted his team. He took it to a tournament in Vancouver, Canada, in 1982-83, and the Red Devils traveled to basketball hotbed Hobbs, New Mexico, this season.
1983-84 Century Club:
| TEAM | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| Sweetwater | Southwest | 123-48 |
| Sweetwater | Marian | 122-91 |
| Sweetwater | Montgomery | 114-68 |
| Sweetwater | Chula Vista | 112-72 |
| Sweetwater | Bonita Vista | 112-74 |
| Torrey Pines | El Centro Central | 105-64 |
| Sweetwater | Castle Park | 104-69 |
| Point Loma | Melbourne Trinity College, Australia | 103-53 |
For more on the San Diego Section season see 1982-83 “A Titan Was Emerging at Poway”.
