Bishop O’Dowd remains inspired by Steve Phelps

Bishop O’Dowd boys basketball coach Lou Richie never got to properly grieve the loss of Steve Phelps, his godfather and mentor, so he doesn’t bring him up at practice or in pre-game talks.

“Frankly, I don’t say anything because I’ll probably start to cry,” Richie said. “And that never helps motivate anyone.”

Besides, the Dragons know what Phelps, the school’s president since 2005, meant to the school, the Bay Area, the basketball program, and to Richie.

They knew that when the 73-year-old died Dec. 26 due to complications from heart bypass surgery, that their season would be dedicated to him. No one had to say a word.