BIW finals

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Best in the West Tourney: Westchester v.
Artesia Finals--(January 1, 1998)

Here's Jason Day's article on the finals of the Best in the West Tourney, which was played on Tuesday, December 30, 1997. And in case you missed it, Westchester won, 61-51.

BEST IN THE WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

WESTCHESTER DEFEATS ARTESIA FOR ALL THE MARBLES

by Jason Day

The Best in the West Tourney provided a late Christmas present for all of the "basketballaholics" who attended this great event, a matchup between two of the best teams in SoCal, if not in all of California.

No. 3 seed, and tournament host, Lakewood Artesia took on No. 1 seed, and L.A. powerhouse, Westchester. Both teams had previously put their very strong lineups on display in their respective marches to this final. Westchester took out Antelope Valley, won a thriller against Crossroads, handled Perris, then beat an overmatched Long Beach Jordan team. Artesia got here by beating Bonita Vista, routing Verbum Dei, rolling against Etiwanda, and outlasting Long Beach Poly. By the time the middle rounds of the tournament had been concluded, most people attending the tournament were already anticipating a final between these two teams.

Westchester came out and played to their strengths right away. Clamp their vise-like full court press on the Artesia guards on D, and get the ball inside to their BIG man, David Bluthenthal (6'7" Sr. PF). The 2-2-1 yielded a couple of turnovers early and David made his presence felt inside. Westchester jumped out to an 11-4 lead.

Artesia mixed in some half court zones on defense and looked to their offensive horse, Jason Kapono (6'-7" Jr. F) early. Two things were immediately apparent. Artesia was gonna get creamed inside if they didn’t make some adjustment, and Kapono was not clicking early in this game.

At 3:18 of the first quarter, Artesia coach, Wayne Merino, made the inside adjustment and sent in his two BIG freshmen, Jack Martinez (6'-7" Fr. PF)-- a young man who is already being mentioned in the same breath as Tyson Chandler (7'-0" Fr. F/C) from Dominguez High, and of 60 Minutes-fame, and Isaiah Fox (6'-9" Fr. C) of Crossroads, when observers are talking about the best freshman around-- and Apolinar (Amari) Fernandez (6'-9" Fr. F/C) of Artesia, who plays like a 6’4 guard.

Martinez scored the first time he touched the ball, and Fernandez made his mark inside on both ends. Those two, and Kapono, neutralized Westchester’s rebounding tandem, Bluthenthal and Chris Osborne (6'-9" Jr. C/F), who was playing his first game since being injured against Crossroads on Saturday, and playing very well I might add.

Bluthenthal sat down with 2 personals at 2:40 of the 1^st and Artesia cut the lead to 3, 13-10 by the end of the quarter.

In the second, both teams settled into their plans of attack. Westchester wanted to run, run, and run off of defensive pressure and rebounds. Artesia had similar intentions, but with less offensive weapons, needed to get the ball in the right guy’s hands at the right time. For the most part Artesia did that. They got the ball to Kapono. But he was having his second off night and repeatedly missed.

Westchester was more successful in executing the plan. Brandon Granville (5'-10" Sr. PG) played the best game I've seen him play all year. He was much more animated and up-tempo in his efforts. There were two key drives that he made to the hoop, and although they were both swatted by Martinez, they were, 1) a new problem for Artesia’s interior defense to to deal with, and 2) just what Westchester needed to really make their offense click. Brandon "controlled" the offense, where in earlier games he seemed to only participate in it. His numbers weren’t big (9points, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a board) but believe me, he was a key factor in this game for the Comets. His defense, along with that of C. J. Williams (6'-1" Sr. G) was also a factor .

Bluthenthal and Osborne came in at 4:40 of the 2^nd quarter with Westchester up 23-19. David, a big 6’7 and at 230 (at least), bound for USC, was simply THE man out there tonight. While Artesia’s big men played tough D and kept him to only 6 of 13 shooting, they had to put him on the line a few times to do it. He hit all 6 of his free throws and finished with 18 points, 12 boards (8 offensive), 3 steals, and a block. His post partner Osborne, who's also a bit 6’9 at about 220, only played about six minutes in this game because of headaches resulting from the Crossroads collision, but contributed 4points and 4 boards. This was significant because when David is on the floor with Chris, much of the offensive pressure is taken off of Chris and put on David. Chris has not developed the hands he needs to be an effective reciever of those sharp passes from Granville and/or Tony Bland, but he does have a real nose for the ball, can go get it, and put it back with the best of em. One of his baskets was a sweet turnaround jumper off an offensive board. Look for this guy’s game to really grow now that David is back and healthy.

Speaking of health. Westchester senior Tony Bland went to the bench late in the 2^nd with a tweaked ankle. There had been concern that a knee he injured earlier in the tourney might keep him out of this one, but he played and ended up with this injury. He and his coach, Ed Azzam, both said the ankle wasn’t that bad and he’d be better with some rest. He contributed 2 three pointers before sitting down.

Artesia opened the 3^rd quarter by leaving Eric Knight (6'-2" Jr. SG)-- Billy Knight of UCLA's little bro--open for a three. Score: Westchester 34, Artesia 24. Knight can be as streaky a shooter as you'd ever want to see. He was 6 for 8 from the field and 4 for 5 from three point- range against Poly, but only hit 1 for 5 from three-point range in this one, but he did manage to pull down 5 boards, an assist, and a steal in the finals.

The Eric Knight three-pointer seemed to be a wake-up call for Artesia. James Murdock (6'-1" Sr. SG) , who had his second strong game in a row, hit two big threes of his own, and with a little help from Fernandez and Martinez had Artesia right back in this one. 38-36 Westchester at 2:00 of the 3^rd. Murdock had 14 points, and 3 boards, with no turnovers.

The problem for Artesia continued to be the off night of their "go to guy" Kapono. He forced up some bad shots, then got some good looks that just wouldn’t fall. He did a great job on the boards where 6 of his 13 rebounds were under his own basket, but had a real tough time scoring on put-backs (Westchester defense!!!) He finished with 4points, going only 1 for 10 from the field, but did manage 13 boards, and an uncharacteristic 4 turnovers.

The good news for the Pioneers is that if Kapono is having a bad night, there are some very capable offensive alternatives. Jack Martinez, whose shooting percentage was way down in this game, (Westchester defense!!!) still showed what a talent he is. He popped in 12 points, going 4 for 12 from the field, 4 of 6 from the line, 8 rebounds, and 4 spectacular blocks. Amari Fernandez also had a big contribution with 7points, 5 boards, and 2 assists. He’s a big athletic kid who has guard skills and instincts, to go with a power forward body. I think this young man will develop into one of the dominant players around these parts. Andre Hazel (5'-11 So. G) of Artesia also played well in helping get the ball up the floor against the Comet’s press. A future defensive star, I think Hazel is making a strong bid to be the heir apparent to the Artesia point guard position. Jamal O’Quinn (6'-7" Sr. F) had yet another good game chipping in 7points, 2 boards, an assist and 2 steals.

But Westchester was the better team on this night. They weathered Artesia’s runs and answered with short ones of their own. Lou Wright (6’5 So SG/SF) hit some big jumpers in the second half and finished with a crucial 6 points, 2 rebounds, and a big block. Albert Miller (6'-3" Jr. G), the unsung hero for Westchester, at least in my view, had an off shooting night, going only 3 for 10 from the field, but still managing to finish with 8 points, 3 boards, an assist, and a steal. And, as usual, he was on the floor for more than 25 minutes. A real workhorse.

By the middle of the fourth, Westchester had clawed to a 51-45 lead. Kapono had picked up his third and got a brief rest on the bench. Both teams went to the line a couple of times, then Kapono returned. His off balance offensive effort continued and Westchester rebounded the misses. Bluthenthal at the line again, drops em again, and the Comets start to pull away. Artesia gives up back to back steals, Westchester converts, and socks away the victory.

Final score: Westchester 61, Artesia 51.

It would be great to see these teams play each other again in 3-4 weeks when they have hit their stride. Frankly, they just might be the only real competition, for each other, out there.

This was a great finish to a great tournament. Many thanks to Tournament Director Wayne Merino, and his outstanding tourney staff, for the great hospitality and for putting on a real first class show.

I get to rest a bit, and will pick up a couple of games here and there for you all between now and the MLK Challenge on January 19^th. For now...HAPPY NEW YEAR and see ya later.

Jason Day