At 5-feet-2, Mason Trinh was the leading scorer and MVP last season for the freshman boys basketball team at Oceanside’s Mission Vista High.
Under doctor’s orders, Trinh cannot play for now, but he’s still part of the program.
Trinh traded in his uniform for a coach’s shirt, becoming head coach Davion Famber’s assistant.
“It’s kind of funny to coach my friends and tell them what to do,” Trinh said. “There is a little weirdness not being on the team and being one of the guys. I’m still working on that one.”
During a physical in December 2015, Trinh’s doctor became alarmed. The teenager was sent to a specialist, who confirmed the diagnosis.
Trinh has tachycardia, a condition in which his heart begins to beat faster than normal while at rest.
In Trinh’s case, his normal heart rate of about 60 beats per minute was up to almost 120.
Tachycardia can significantly increase the risk of stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.
“I just want to get rid of this and be normal again,” Trinh said. “I just want my life back.”
Trinh underwent a surgical procedure to fix the problem, but it was unsuccessful and he was forced to sit out this season.
He plans to have the same procedure again early next month. Trinh said Rady Children’s Hospital has a new surgical tool it will implement in the operation.
“The doctors say I have a 90 percent chance of the procedure working this time,” said Trinh, who now goes by “Coach Mason” in the gym. “I really don’t want to be on medicine the rest of my life to control this thing.
“Every day I have to take about 14 pills at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. If this works, no more medicine.”
Trinh accepted the coaching position with only one requirement. He wanted to do some real coaching, not be an honorary coach.
Mission Vista, which won the San Diego Section Division IV championship last season with a 67-55 win over Brawley, has had a rough season. The Timberwolves (1-15) lost their first 14 games before posting a 61-44 win over San Pasqual Academy in last month’s Holiday Hoops Classic at Mt. Carmel.
“He has taken on the coaching thing full force like he does at point guard,” Famber said. “He’s come to grips with what life has thrown at him and he’s making the best out of it for now.”
Trinh acknowledged his goal is to return to the court as a player, but coaching has intrigued him.
“This has really opened my eyes,” Trinh said. “I never realized how hard it is to get players to do what they’re supposed to do.
“I want to play again, but if I get the opportunity to coach later on, I think it’s something I could do.”
Monahan is a freelance writer.
