game 7 preview

SoCalHoops High School News

adidas Double Pump Hoop Challenge Game 7
Preview: Artesia v. Mayfair--(Jan. 15, 1999)

What: 1^st Annual adidas Double Pump Hoop Challenge
Nine games: First game 9:00 a.m.; last game starts 9:00 p.m.
When: Saturday January 16, 1998, MLK, Jr. Holiday Weekend
Where: Cal State Dominguez Hills, Carson California

The seventh game of the day will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. between the Artesia Pioneers and the Mayfair Monsoons . Here are the rosters:

Artesia:

Ricky Thornton (5'-10" Fr. G)
Jamaal James (6'-2" So. G)
Franklin Matos (6'-4" Fr. PG/SG)
Apolinar "Amaury" Fernandez (6'-9" So. F)
Ryan Reyes (6'-2: So. PG)
Andre Hazel (5'-10" Jr. PG)
Marcus Crane (6'-3" So. SG)
Jason Kapono (6'-8" Sr. G/F)
Mark Jones (6'-3" Sr. SG)
Aaron Hamilton (6'-5" Sr. F)
Jon Steffanson (6'-5" Fr. F)
Malcohm Heron (6'-5" So. F)
Armand Ivory (6'-2" So. SG)
Jack Martinez (6'-8" So. F)

Mayfair:

Edwin Draughan (6'-5" So. PG)
Jesus Miranda (6'-2" Sr. SG)
Josh Childress (6'-6" So. SG/SF)
Jeff Bonds (6'-5" Jr. SF/PF)
Andre Walters (6'-4' Sr. C)
Matt McCraw (5'-10" Fr. PG/SG)
James Washington, Jr. (6'-3" Jr. SF/PF)
Brandon Morgan (6'-7" Sr. C)
Lee Emanual (5'-9" Sr. PG)
Chris Pittman (6'-3" Jr. SG/SF)
Ty Bapp (6'-1" Sr. SG)
DeAndre Williams (6'-3" So. SG/SF)

This may seem like a mis-match, but it's actually a classic pairing of league rivals. Certainly Artesia is considered the odds-on favorite, and it's a dangerous job trying to take on the top-dog, but somebody's got to do it, right? And Mayfair gets to do it twice this season.

Currently ranked No. 1 in the State of California in the SCIBCA coaches poll, and ranked No. 14 by USA Today, (and previously as high as No. 5 in the country in December prior to suffering a loss in the Best in the West to unranked Verbum Dei) Artesia features Jason Kapono perhaps the best pure basketball player in the senior class, who can, and often does, play just about every position on the floor. He’s one of the top unsigned players in the country, and will sign with one of four or five schools in the spring: UNLV, Utah, Syracuse, Missouri or maybe Cal. Kapono averaged 31.5 points in victories agaisnt Norwalk 105-36 and La Mirada 98-42 in the last week; Apolinar Fernandez scored 21 points in each
game. Along with super sophomores Jack Martinez and Apolinar Fernandez they make up one of the tallest and toughest frontcourts in the country. Artesia also features Andre Hazel a smart point with a great Handle, Marcus Crane, an excellent shooter, Aaron Hamilton and Jon Steffanson, both excellent wing players and Malcohm Heron, Ryan Reyes, Jamal James and Franklin Matos.

Mayfair Coach Dave Breig is excited about his teams prospects in league play this year, for good reason: Mayfair has a great nucleus, as good as anyone in CIF SS D-III-AA; whether they are good enough to handle Artesia is what we'll all find out tomorrow. The team finished 19-8, second in league last year, but hopes to improve with players like Edwin Draughan, a great shooter with excellent vision, who will handle the point and Josh Childress one of the most versatile and dangerous wings in SoCal this year. Also at point will be Jesus Miranda, an All-League selection last year. Matt McCraw, a young, tough freshman will see time at the 1 or 2 spots, as will Lee Emmanual a terrific defensive player. At the 2, expect Ty Bapp, a 3 point specialist. In the frontcourt will be Jeff Bonds at the 4, and Andre Walters at the 5, one of the strongest players in the Suburban League this year.

A great game, 6:00 p.m. at Cal State Dominguez Hills. See you there.

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