SoCal High School & Prep Report

Jason Day: Showtime at the Goldmine--Artesia
Beats Up LB Wilson--(December 18,1997)

This wasn't a tournament, even though it was played at the Long Beach State Goldmine. It was an exhibition. Actually it was a more of a shooting clinic by one team than an exhibition game. Our friend Jason Day was there, and he had this report.

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"This game is boring." --- Seven year old in the front row.

Exclusive to SoCalHoops, by Jason Day

Long Beach---The above quote from the very observant kid with a good enough seat in the house to know, wasn’t really a commentary on the caliber of play and effort, nor on the officiating, or anything like that. It was instead a simple example of how difficult it is to retain interest in a fight that’s essentially over after the first punch is thrown.

Try to follow me here. Artesia is already in one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don’t" situations. They have so much talent and potential, that observers, like myself, are already raising the expectations. Thus, when they play a 2 and 3 team like Wilson and they blow them out (like they did in this one), people say, "of course they beat em, it was ONLY Wilson". If they win by a small margin, then we say, "Hmmm. Are they as good as we thought?" The Westchesters, Crenshaws, and Dominguezes of the world know this dilemma very well.

Well, I’m telling you right now. This is a great h.s. ball team, they’re going to win lots of games, and it’s because they’ve got great players being coached by a savvy staff.

3:00 into the 1^st quarter...Artesia 15 – Wilson 0. Three minutes later...Artesia 26 – Wilson 6.

Why? Because Artesia has got some great athletes, like Jason Kapono (6'-8" Jr SF). He’s obviously recovering from the tweaked ankle he suffered a couple of weeks ago. He shoots, he rebounds, he passes ( he probably slices and dices). Check the line: 19pts (1-2 from 3, 6 for 6 from the line); 8 boards (3 offensive); 5 assists; and 1 steal.

Like FRESHMAN Jack Martinez,(6'-7" PF/C). Smooth and intense, that’s the way I see this future superstar. If you get this dude the rock in the paint, count it and fall back. He went 9 for 10 from the field, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. IN 16 MINUTES.

And they’ve got another one in 6'-9" SF/PF, Apolinar (Amari) Fernandez. A flashier big man, ala Kapono, this kid’s got a more diversified offensive package than Martinez at this point. He has tremendous hops and can already rebound, and finish for the slam, with the best of em. But he’s got a developing handle, and WILL take you off the dribble from the wing too. I said developing though. He travelled on that first step 3 times in this game. He also has guard-like passing instincts and can hit the mid-range jumper. He finished with 10 pts.(4 for 7), 3 boards, and 2 steals.

I could go on. Believe me. Artesia has guards, guards, and more guards to get the ball to those 3. Senior James Murdock, 11pts. (4 of 5 with one 3), 9 assists, 6 steals, had a great game. Jonathan Stokes also made the most of his 8 minutes on the floor, finishing with 7pts. (with a 3), 1 rebound, 1 assist, and a steal. They’ve also got Jamal O’Quinn, 6 pts. (on and poor shooting night), 5 boards and a blocked shot.

Wilson was in trouble from the opening bell. Artesia’s full court press rattled Wilson’s guards early on and they never recovered. Artesia scored 22 pts. off of turnovers.

One bright spot for Wilson was the play of Sr. G/SF Travon Carter. He went 5 of 8 from he field and finished with 10. Junior Jeffrey Harris chipped in 7, including a 3, and 2 boards. Junior point guard Cory Harris tried to keep them in it with his shot, but could only muster 2 of 9 for 6pts. and an assist. He was just too slight of build to fend off the likes of Murdock, Stokes, or Willie Alford.

Final score; Artesia89 – Wilson 42. Boring to a 7 year old. Intriguing to a basketball fan.

Bottom line. Artesia won a game they should have won. Wilson is now 2 and 4.

Artesia is a team to watch. I plan to catch them at the Best in the West. See ya there.

Jason Day

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