1992-93 / The Times’ All-Ventura County Boys’ Basketball Team : Grand Deeds by a Humble Player : Thousand Oaks Forward Paul Foster Just Performs and Leaves Talk to Others

Paul Foster is one talented basketball player. However, you will not find that out by speaking with the Thousand Oaks High senior.

Soft-spoken and shy, Foster mentions his accomplishments in tones usually reserved for secrets. The 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward is reluctant to discuss his powerful moves and imposing defense.

Foster seems as lost talking about himself as he looks standing in three-point goal territory. Some athletes play down to the competition--Foster downplays himself.

“I’m quiet off the court and I usually don’t get too loud when I’m playing,” Foster said. “I’m not real fancy. I’m not very spectacular.”

Others are more colorful in describing Foster’s ability.

“He can do it all,” said teammate and friend Jason Hartman.

Said Thousand Oaks Coach Ed Chevalier: “I’ve been (at Thousand Oaks) for 14 years and he’s one of the most outstanding players we’ve had. He was determined to become a great player and he did.”

Those assessments are supported by more than words. Foster was a key reason Thousand Oaks emerged as The Times’ top-ranked area boys’ team.

Foster--The Times’ Ventura County player of the year--was a team leader for the gifted, successful Lancers. He teamed with Hartman (6-6) and identical twin Nick Foster (6-7) to form the county’s most talented front line. Hartman, a forward, and Nick, a center, also were selected to The Times’ All-Ventura County team.

Thousand Oaks ran roughshod over the Marmonte League, crushing many opponents en route to the championship and an undefeated league season (14-0). The Lancers advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Section Division I-A semifinals where they lost to Huntington Beach, 58-50. They finished 26-2.

Paul led the Lancers in scoring average (16.2) and finished second to Nick in rebounding (8.0) and blocked shots (2.8). He probably would have posted better numbers had he not played for such a balanced team (four Lancers averaged double figures in scoring).

Still, no one questions he is among the county’s elite performers. Paul was chosen co-MVP of the Marmonte League with Simi Valley’s Ryan Briggs. He was also second-team All-Southern Section Division I.

“All of this has been a little embarrassing,” Foster said. “I wasn’t expecting any of this.

“I’m very honored.”

Hartman knows how difficult it is for Foster to express himself. He has often tried to get his friend fired up on the court.

No luck.

“I’ve seen him dunk on guys and not say a word,” Hartman said. “He doesn’t say anything unless he has to. He’s just a real quiet guy. But he’s a great player.”

Foster, a two-year starter, prefers to let his play do the talking. He is comfortable driving the lane, grabbing rebounds and swatting shots.

“Paul does everything that needs to be done,” Chevalier said. “He also does a lot of the subtle things that all good players do.

“He’s been great to have around not just because of what he does during games but because of how hard he works. He’s a great example for the younger kids. We’re going to miss him a lot.”

Foster is cruising to the end of his high school career, enjoying the relatively care-free days when high school seniors concentrate on becoming high school graduates .

He passes time with friends watching movies and playing basketball at every chance. Foster also does homework now and then--although he tries to keep that activity at a minimum.

“Yeah, I am kind of coasting,” Foster said. “Things are going pretty easy right now and I like it this way.

“I’m going to have to work really hard again in college so it’s good things are slow now.”

An excellent student, Foster is undecided on what college to attend. Foster, who hopes to be an engineer, has a 3.4 grade-point average and scored 1,070 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. He and Nick have been accepted by the Air Force Academy.

Both are leaning toward Air Force. But Paul said it is not important for he and his brother to attend the same college.

“We understand that because we’re twins people think we have to do everything together, but it’s not like that,” he said. “We do whatever we think is best for ourselves.”

Paul also is considering playing basketball closer to home at either Ventura, Moorpark or Westmont colleges. He is also thinking about walking on at UC Santa Barbara.

Basketball will be a major part of his life no matter where he attends school. However, it will not be the focus.

“Basketball is great and I play it because it’s enjoyable but there are other things in life,” he said. “You have to have other things to fall back on. I’d love to be able to play professional basketball but you have to be prepared if that doesn’t happen. I’m looking forward to studying what I want to do in life.”

For now, Foster is content reveling in his remaining high school days.

“This has been the greatest time in my life so far,” he said. “I’m going to look back on this time and have some really good memories.

“This is a point in my life I will never forget.”