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SoCal High School & Prep Report

Jason Day At The Nike Extravaganza III: Compton
Dominguez v. Oak Hill--(February 8, 1998)

Our trusted and trusty reporter Jason Day was at the Bren Center in Irvine yesterday for the Nike Extravaganza III and here's his first report on Dominguez v. Oak Hill. This time we won't tell you the final score; you'll have to read the article to find out who won. It's well worth the journey, and as you'll see, this was a great game with terrific teams and good action. And, as always, whether you agree or disagree with anything Jason says, don't blame us, since we choose not to exercise very much editorial control over content; we just present it as he writes it. If you want to talk to him, he can be reached at elgee333@pacbell.net . Here's the report:

Dominguez Meets Oak Hill At the Bren Center

by Jason Day

Exclusive to SoCalHoops

Irvine--I spent yesterday at the Bren Center watching some fine basketball at the Nike Extravaganza III. And I "garrontee" that you couldn't possibly have done anything else for four hours and still have as good a time as I did yesterday.

There were a bunch of games played in the afternoon, and then the place was cleared for the "even session" series of "national games". The second "evening session" game pitted consensus No. 1 in the State of California and nationally ranked No. 3 (depending upon which poll you read) Compton Dominguez against national power, and top 10 ranked, Oak Hill Academy from Mouth of Wilson, Virginia (ranked as high as No. 7 nationally in some polls). And this game was special because Dominguez came in trying to avenge last year's loss to Oak Hill at this very same event.

The first thing you noticed about the Oak Hill team was their size. They are anchored by Kevin Lyde (6'-9" Sr PF), who weighs in at a legitimate 255. Lyde shares frontcourt space with Souleymane Camara (6'-11" Sr C), and Antwan Scott (6'-8 Sr SF). Their 2 guard, senior Lloyd Price, is 6'-4". They are just an imposing looking team.

Of course the Dons are no slouches in the "thin-air" department, what with future all-everything, Tyson Chandler (7'-0" Fr. C) and already all-everything, Tayshaun Prince (6'-7" Sr. G/F) and their own tall 2 guard Keith Kincade (6'-4" Jr, G). Throw in Walter Small (6'-4" Jr. G), who is as strong as they come, and you have a pretty imposing team too.

That's pretty much what we got in the early stages of this game. Lots of work from the big men. The first quarter was a lot of sparring, and ended with Dominguez leading 18-16.

Things started to open up a bit in the second quarter, with both teams adjusting to each other's man to man and match-up defenses. While neither could really gain a decisive advantage, Prince was able to shoot the Dons forward to a 9 point lead at 4:40 of the quarter on back to back 3's. By the end of the half, Oak Hill had taken a 2 point lead (29-27), mostly on nice inside baskets by Lyde.

The second half opened with a clear indication that this was going to be one hotly contested basketball game. Chandler got the ball in deep against Camara and blew the lay-in. He rebounded his own miss and threw down a thunderous "slam-back" even after attracting Lyde who had slid over to help. Both teams continued a mostly half court attack with few breakaways. Lots of patient running of the offenses, but when the rock got inside the big boys went to work on both ends. A slam here, a put back there, a block or two. Dominguez 45, Oak Hill 41 end of the 3rd quarter.

The partisan SoCal West Coast crowd had been enjoying this great basketball game in relative quiet up to this point. It's not that nothing was happening; there were spectacular plays here and there. No, it was just that these were two well matched teams doing their thing, and neither could deliver the knock-out blow. So rather than the crowd being frenzied, they were, like the play, being patient.

At 4:30 of the 4th, Dominguez reserve, Michael Carson hit the biggest of his 9 points when he finished a sweet drive and was fouled. That put Dominguez ahead 49-48. Carson, a 6'-5 Sr., also contributed 4 boards, 2 assists, and a block. Oak Hill remained patient and calmly came down court and got the ball to Lyde on the low block. He turned toward the basket and, using some real nice moves, took the Dons' defender straight to the hole. But he missed again. He had been missing a grip of close-in shots. The trouble for Dominguez was that Lyde drew so much attention as soon as he touched the ball, often double or even triple teamed, that even when he missed there were wide open lanes to the offensive rebound for this teammates. The kid is a load. Quick feet, nice elevation, and a confident short jumper. I was told that he's considering Temple and I'm sure Coach Chaney, or anyone else, would be glad to have him. It's safe to say that against a lesser defensive team than Dominguez, this guy would have made a lot more shots, (he was 7 for 21 from the field, most coming from in the paint). But to the Dons' credit, he did not get one uncontested shot all night.

Chandler took the opportunity to show that even though he is a freshman, he has the skills to make a major impact on a big game. Heck, on any game. At 2:30 left, Oak Hill guard Lloyd Price made a terrific slashing move to the basket and watched it sail the other way as Tyson came from deep on the weak side to swat it away. Chandler would soon have the opportunity to show us all just how much he has matured and just how comfortable he is as a main man on a main team.

Dominguez missed on the possession resulting from the block and Oak Hill came down and went right to Lyde. He faked right then pivoted to his left and elevated for a beautiful jump hook. Nothing but net. The first of his last seven shots to fall. 55-51 Oak Hill, about a minute left in the game.

The Dons push it up court and Tyson takes a pretty pass from the great, and ever entertaining, Willie Hurst (Sr. PG), then flushes it in two defenders faces. That assist was one of seven for Willie who also had 9 points, 5 boards, a block, and two steals. 55-53, Oak Hill.

Oak Hill turnover. Dominguez runs a play for Tayshaun from three. He's covered so they swing it to Hurst who sends it into Chandler who elevates for the tying dunk. Missed it. Fouled. The freshman is on the line for two to tie it. The foul was on Lyde. His fifth. He finished with 18 points (on 7©21 shooting), 6 rebounds, a block, and a steal.

You could have heard a pin drop when Tyson came to the line. He makes 'em both justas cool as you please. Except for the jumping up and down, and the chest thumping he was doing as he went to the bench for the Oak Hill timeout, you'd have thought that possibly saving the game was the most natural thing in the world for him. Just another chapter in the book of lore that is being written every time this kid steps on the floor. 14 points, (6 for 10 from the line--remember that stat-- 20+ boards, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and a lot o' heart. Pumping ice water.

OT.

Prince opens with a runner. Lloyd Price, a superstar in the making, answers with a sweet take to the rack, and 1. Price was the game's high scorer, and, along with Lyde and Camara, gave us all a taste of the skills that have carried this team to the top of most people's "great team" list. He had 21 points, (7-21 from the field, that Don D again), 5 boards, 2 assists, 1 block, and 3 steals. At 6'-4" with terrific hops to go along with a real pretty J, the Xavier bound Price matched up very well against the Dons' Kincade, Hurst, and or Prince. They held him to a low percentage, but he made the ones that really counted. To keep em close, or stop a little Don run. You know. Nice player.

He sinks the FT. 58-57 Oak Hill.

Hurst comes back with an acrobatic move to the hoop to put the Dons back up 59-58.

Oak Hill sputters and Prince is fouled on the ensuing possession. He hits em both. 61-58 Dominguez.

Offensive foul Oak Hill. Dons ball. Prince is fouled again. At the line for 2 again.

Misses em both. Still 61-58 Dominguez with 2:30 left in OT.

Oak Hill misses a shot. Dominguez ball. Hurst fouled. At the line for 2. Missed the first one. AIR BALLED the second. Hmmmm. Still 61-58 Dominguez with 1:55 left in OT.

Oh Oh. Oak Hill has a secret weapon named Terry Reynolds (5'-8 150 lb. Jr PG) who essentially replaced the 6'-9" 255 lb. Lyde. Reynolds came down and hit a 3 to tie it at 61. Dominguez ran a play and, naturally, Tyson was fouled so once again he has to save the day. To the line for 2.

The first one bounces in, then out. The second one drops. 62-61 Dominguez with 1:30 left in OT.

Reynolds, the secret weapon who only played seven minutes in the whole game and had 7 points and a steal, came down and made a sweet move to the hoop for the lay-in AND ONE. The foul was on Chandler. HIS fifth. Reynolds to the line for one. He misses it. 63-62 Oak Hill with 1:00 minute left in OT. Dons ball. Steal by Price who sprints the length of the floor. He's caught at the basket by Prince on a great hustle play to contest the lay-up and force the miss. Dons get it back and (Oh my God) Hurst is FOULED, and goes to the line for 2. Misses the first, makes the second. 63-63 with :50 secs. left in OT.

At :20 Tayshaun steals the ball and heads to the rack. He misses the contested shot and doesn't get the foul call. Oak Hill ball, tie game, :16 left in OT.

Oak Hill inbounds the ball and runs a little clock. Price takes the ball from three point land, up-fakes, and commences to weave through the entire Dons defense to finish at the rack for the easy lay-in. 65-63 Oak Hill. ONE SECOND LEFT IN OT.

Eight minutes later there was still ONE SECOND LEFT IN OT.

First there were 3 timeouts. All of which may have been extended to accommodate TV. Then there was the inbounds pass by Dominguez that hadn't touched anyone before the buzzer sounded. The buzzer sounded while the ball was in the air, and a Dominguez player put it in the basket as the Oak Hill players seemed to stop for the buzzer. The refs waived it off and put ONE SECOND back on the clock. Then?

Another time out.

This time the buzzer didn't go off until a player had touched the inbounds pass. It was an Oak Hill player so the last ditch effort for the Dons had failed. But, OH BOY, what a game. Great stuff. Hope you really enjoyed whatever you were doing (especially if you did it for 4 hours), otherwise you really missed some great basketball. Final: Oak Hill 65, Dominguez 63.

Let me take a minute to compliment John Pohlen, Steve Kasper, Gary McKnight, Aaron Sullivan, and all of the other folks who put on another great "extravaganza". Special thanks to Steve and Aaron for their assistance and hospitality. This was truly a well run and entertaining event, and I can't wait to be there for the next one. And the lasagna was superb. Congratulations.

See ya later.

Jason Day