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Peoria Times
SPORTS
March 17, 2022
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Peoria boys basketball coach has an alter ego BY DOMINIC RIVERA Cronkite News
To Valley sports fans, Patrick Battillo is Mr. ORNG, the guy often spotted in the crowd during Phoenix Suns and Mercury games covered head to toe in orange. To the Peoria boys basketball team, he’s “coach.” Panthers coach Battillo fell in love with the Suns when he moved to Arizona at age 7. At the time, the NBA franchise was the only major professional sports team in the state and the team played its games at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which many called the Madhouse on McDowell. Phoenix Suns superfan Mr. ORNG is the alter ego of Peoria boys basketball coach While attending games there, Bat- Patrick Battillo. (Photo by Dominic Rivera/Cronkite News) tillo noticed a lack of energy in the stands. He was often told to sit down events and team practices in which he them and attending talks as a sixthand be quiet while fans around him has mingled with players and coach- man member, I’m able to apply some read books, knitted or were otherwise es. It’s hard to know sometimes where of what they do and how they execute occupied with tasks other than watch- Battillo ends and his Mr. ORNG alter and how they plan for their games and ing the game. Eventually, Battillo ego begins. The life experiences and practices and then translate that over decided to take matters into his own basketball knowledge he has gained in to the high school level,” Battillo said. hands and started wearing orange at both realms have helped shape him as “I continue to try to be as fun as I’m the games. a person and as a coach. absorbed, take feedback, make changTraveling to San Antonio in 2010, “Being a superfan and watching the es and then execute.” he sat courtside behind Suns own- coaches and having conversations with As Mr. ORNG at Suns games, Battiler Robert Sarver. He lo experienced a deeper quickly gained nationlove for the sport. He al attention on ESPN sought other opporas the camera panned tunities in basketball, to Sarver throughout which led him to a varthe game and picked sity assistant coaching up Battillo, whose hair position at his alma mawas painted bright orter, Peoria High School, ange to match his Suns in 2016. shirt. The team found its Mr. ORNG was born. footing in the 2017-18 Battillo embellished season, finishing 18-10 his look in the offseaand advancing to the son, making his entire postseason. The sucattire orange and tradecess carried over into marking his nickname. the 2018-19 season, In that role, he has where Peoria improved attended countless Patrick Battillo said “life is bigger than basketball, and all of it comes full cir- to 18-8 and again made charity and volunteer cle.” (Photo by Dominic Rivera/Cronkite News) the playoffs. Both post-
seasons ended in first-round exits but provided extra motivation moving forward. Early in the 2019-20 season, William Roberts, the coach, took a personal leave, opening an opportunity for Battillo to apply and eventually be granted the interim head coaching position for the remainder of the season. Battillo led the Panthers to a 4A West Valley division-best 26-4 record, with significant contributions coming from their superstar senior backcourt of Isaac Monroe and Deandre Petty. The Panthers rolled through the regular season and playoffs, advancing to the 4A championship game against the 30-1 Salpointe Catholic Lancers. The title game went back and forth, with Salpointe Catholic eventually winning in overtime, 54-48. Disappointed by the loss in the championship game, the Panthers were determined to come back the next season and claim the trophy that had slipped through their fingertips. Unfortunately, the Panthers’ 2020-21 was full of obstacles, including COVID-19-related disruptions and injuries to three starters. Battillo described the team’s 6-12 record as “below our expectations.” Fast forward to this season. Peoria held the top spot in the 4A West Valley division and won crucial games down the stretch, including a 78-76 double-overtime win over the Deer Valley Skyhawks, then the leaders in the 4A West Valley division. “The relationships I have made with current and former players, fans of the Suns and at the NBA level, transcending that and those experiences of my relationships with those people to the relationship I have with my athletes, all comes full circle,” he said. SEE ALTER
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