jason day crossroads

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Games of Note: Jason Day on
Crossroads v. Campbell Hall--(January 14, 1998)

As you may or may not know, both of these teams are personal favorites of a lot of us over here at SoCalHoops. Jason Day went over to Campbell Hall the other night to watch a Delphic League game between crosstown rivals Campbell Hall and Crossroads. As you will also discern from reading our previews of both Campbell Hall and Crossroads, it's been a considerable amount of time, i.e., many moons since anyone in league play has defeated Crossroads. And this one, played over at Campbell Hall wasn't really any different in the outcome. While Jason's sympathies seem to lie with the big guys from "over the hill", we think you'll find it a pretty interesting take on the action. Oh yeah, and if you've got any complaints about the commentary, don't blame us; write directly to Jason at elgee333@pacbell.net. Anyway, here's Jason's take on the game:

CROSSROADS DEFEATS CAMPBELL HALL 60-47

by Jason Day

I usually try to maintain some sense of suspense when reporting on a game [Jerry's note: by making us hunt for the score somewhere near the bottom of the article :- ) ], but since this one held little intrigue or mystery, I thought I’d give you the bottom line right up front. Crossroads won by 13 after being up by 20+ at least twice.

While the game wasn’t very exciting, it was nice to be in the company of some of my favorite fellow basketball nuts. I rode over the hill to Campbell Hall (how in the hell do you poor souls who have to truck up the 405 everyday do it) [Jerry's Note: We don't. . . why leave the Valley. . .it's got everything, doesn't it?] with my good friend and partner Donovan Green.

"Donnie", a SoCal youth basketball legend, is the Director of Basketball Operations for Ultra Student Athletes and coaches their varsity level traveling team. He was there to support players from both teams that play on his USA team. You’re not going to find a more knowledgeable basketball mind or more insightful observer of players, and play, than Donnie.

When we were joined by Dwight Bolden, another USA director, and Reggie Childs, who runs "The Woodshed", an excellent skills development program for younger ball players, I knew the evening would be full of colorful commentary even it wasn’t full of slam dunks and no-look passes.

It was the first time I had seen Crossroads since their brilliant performance at the Best in the West Invitational three weekends ago when they came within 2 points and 5 seconds of knocking off the Westchester Comets, the recently anointed "Number 1 team" in SoCal. I had not seen this year’s version of the Campbell Hall Vikings play, but had heard about them.

At the opening tip-off I sensed a problem for Campbell Hall. Brandon Woodard (6’-3" Jr G) was jumping center. He was the tallest player on the floor for CH. Problem. He was jumping against Crossroads' Misha Taylor (6’-5" Jr F), who was jumping center because Isaiah Fox (6’-9" Fr C) is still developing those young muscles that will eventually vertically lift that 230 pound frame. Problem.

So Campbell Hall couldn’t count on too much of an inside game, and their team quickness was neutralized by a "Roadrunners" team that lives up to its name. Crossroads jumped out to a big early lead and stayed there.

Crossroads (8-6) was not nearly as sharp as they were in the Westchester game, but they got the job done. In the first half I thought they weren’t going into Fox near enough. But I also noticed that he was mostly flat-footed a lot of the time. He is a quick, agile kid for his size and experience, but in this game he seemed sluggish and not very aggressive. The footwork wasn’t there early either. Woodard, who at 6’-3" and 185 lbs. had to guard the big guy, was dwarfed by him, but still managed to push Fox around at times. Woodard and SR guard Ronnie Polk even teamed up for a dramatic block of a Fox inside shot. But in the second half, Isaiah was much more involved on offense. Coach Darryl Roper called his number several times, and he responded with nice baskets off cuts and curls to the hoop. In the paint, this guy is already a force; he’ll dominate by the time he’s a senior. He finished with 14 points.

Crossroads did miss the fire and intensity they usually get from Felipe Williams (6’-3 So. F). If you’ve seen this young man play, you know he can be an absolute monster. Particularly on the boards and on D. He had 26 in the Westchester game and was nearly unstoppable in the 2^nd half. Here he was clearly hobbled by a recurrence of a knee injury. This was one of those games where I expected to see Felipe working out on the wing more where he would use his explosive first step to blow by the overmatched Vikings and smash some glass. He’s developing the 2-guard open court handle and the medium-range J, but he couldn’t really showcase any of that in this game. He finished with 7 points. And we were only treated to one of his patented primal yells after a dominating play.

So with all this "missing in action" stuff, how did Crossroads build a lead?

Simple.

Misha Taylor and Chad Gordon. Taylor, a 6’-5" Jr forward, has my vote for "most improved player" on this team. This guy has stepped up, and stepped up big. He’s very athletic, gets his hands on the ball a lot, and knows what to do with it when he does. He took the Vikings to school on the inside in this one, then while they regrouped there, he stepped outside and blew down a J here and there. His rebounding was a big factor early, as was his defense. He had 14 points (I didn’t keep boards, but trust me, he had a grip). He’s a fun kid to watch because he’s always working, always moving, and lately, always scoring.

Chad Gordon (6’-3" Jr. G) is another huge key to Crossroads this year. He’s playing far more consistently than he did last year, and has a more calm and purposeful demeanor. I like the way he looks to score more now. He’s got a good handle out on the wing and while not a skilled penetrator, he can take a defender off the dribble to elevate for what has developed into a pretty mid-range jumper. His defense is very good and he has good leaping ability. His leadership, Misha’s toughness, and Felipe’s aggressiveness almost toppled Westchester. In this one he finished with 14 points.

For Campbell Hall (11-5) the story was pretty straightforward. Not enough horses, not enough guns against a team like Crossroads. First year coach, Brian Haloosim hardly touched his bench, and could only watch as his two early strategies, full-court press and perimeter shooting, hardly slowed Crossroads down. Crossroads junior guard tandem of Devrin Anderson (5 points) and Gordon (14 points) broke the press fairly easily, and the Viking outside guns, Josh Glass (5'-11" Sr. G) and Mike Womack (5'-11" So. G) and Ronnie Polk (Sr. 6-2 G/SF), couldn’t find the mark early. While Glass has been known to be a pretty prolific shooter he didn't turn it up until near the end of the game, and then he at least got to show his impressive range. He finished with 12 points, including three three-pointers. Womack added 7points, and Polk had six on two 3’s.

The MAN for Campbell Hall was Woodard. He finished with 18 points and nearly every one of them came in the paint. He made good use of his considerable jumping ability and quick feet to get good position inside for boards and putbacks. A few times, after getting the ball either on the baseline or at the elbow, he showed a good first step as he got to the hole for the hoop or a foul. And, considering the size difference, I thought he did a good job on Fox. Remember this kid is a GUARD so he was very effective playing way out of his position. Nice game. Note to Coach Haloosim, this kid can shoot the ball from outside. Really. I’ve seen him. Get him to shoot the ball more. Trust me.

And one more thing. Someone should immediately insist that Campbell Hall, a not insubstantial and fairly prestigious institution (which probably has a "Benjamin" or two laying around somewhere) should, no must, BUY A 35 SECOND clock. This stuff with the announcer mumbling a count down on the PA while the kids are playing is bizarre. Hilarious as hell, but bizarre.

Later.

Jason Day