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SoCal High School & Prep Report

Daily News & LA Times Agree On Player Of
The Week: J.T. Stotts--(January 27, 1998)

Coincidence?

We think not. It's just that while both papers covering the northern areas of LA County rarely agree on anything, it's hard for them to overlook such an obviously fine player. That they would both choose him as the Player of the Week in the same week, is pretty amazing. So why did they do it?

J.T. Stotts (5'-10" Sr. G) has been the returning Foothill League most valuable player, and this year Hart has been a team looking for an identity. Stotts is averaging 22.7 points per game, and is shooting an impressive 40% (58 for 145) on three-point attempts. He carried the Indians, who are now only 13-8, early on while key players David Neill, Jerry Owens and Scott Hunt made the transition from football to basketball.

Last week Stotts stepped up at crucial times in two Foothill League victories for Hart. He scored 23 of his 31 points in the second half to help Hart overcome a 23-15 halftime deficit and defeat Burbank, 49-43. Against Valencia, he had 11 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and seven in overtime to help the Indians upset the league favorite, 77-70. He had a four-point play in the fourth quarter to break a 53-53 tie and hit a back-breaking three-pointer in overtime that put the Indians up, 75-68.

As the Daily News quoted Stotts: "We're coming together as a team. I was ready to play this game at 5 p.m.," he said of the game against Valencia which didn't start until 7:30 pm.

Congratulations J.T., the true consensus Player of the Week from both the Times and the Daily News.