GIRLS BASKETBALL: Chan embraces leader's role

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer
PASADENA - Nicole Chan now has an inkling of how Kobe Bryant must feel each game.
The San Marino High School senior knows what it must be like for the Lakers guard to face special defenses every night, knowing that the team relies on her for points and to be the leader of the team on and off the floor.
Chan gained all that experience in one season, and because of it, she'll be a key member of the Pasadena Star-News squad in Saturday's annual Star-News/Tribune All-Star Classic at Azusa Pacific University. The girls play at 5:30 p.m. and the boys at 7:30 p.m.
"It was really difficult because last year we had a lot of leadership and talent," Chan said. "I had other people to look up to and count on. And this year, I was the only senior captain and I carried the team a lot. There was a lot of pressure."
The Titans had five freshmen on the team, and three started. Yet, San Marino succeeded. No, the Titans did not win league or finish with a better than .500 average. They went 12-15 on the season and finished Rio Hondo League play 3-7. But they advanced to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs and gave a good account of themselves, almost knocking off favored Oak Park before falling, 48-41.
"There was a lot of pressure," Chan said. "It's hard when you know you're the go-to person. You have to do this, you have to do that. It's really hard."
At 5-foot-6 and the fourth-tallest player on the floor for San Marino, Chan was supposed to play guard. But more often than not, she played nearly every position.
"I played everything," she said. "If (the No.) 4 (position) got hurt, I played that. 1, 2, 3, 4."
Offensively, it was far different. Being the captain and go-to player meant Chan faced the best defenders. Every night.
"That caused lots of problems, and during league, they figured it out," she said. "They put a box-and-one on me and it breaks down from there on. We had to deal with it. It does not look good when you're playing by yourself, especially if there's no one on you. It does nothing. When you have someone on your case, it makes you want to free up and have enough space. You have to learn moves on your own. It gives you more confidence."
Confidence, she had. She averaged 15.1 points. She had a season-high 34 points in a 54-32 victory over Rosemead in the final game before league play, and then scored 29 in a 64-52 loss to eventual champion Blair in the league opener. In that loss to Oak Park, she had 20 points. She was selected to the all-league first team.
"Knowing the fact that everybody was so young and we had people with a lot of inexperience, knowing that fact made us try harder, work harder because we knew we had to get to the next level," Chan said.
Saturday's game is just another cog in Chan's busy extra-curricular schedule. She played on the Titans' volleyball team, which went 14-7 overall and finished second in league, advancing to the second round of the CIF-SS playoffs. She is a member of the track and field team, competing in the 100 and 200 meters and as a member of the 400 relay team.
She is also a member of the school's varsity cheer team, which she said fits around her athletic schedule.
"Sports are always before cheer," she said. "Fortunately, I have been on it for three years, so I know all the cheers."
On Saturday, in what is likely her final competitive basketball game - she is planning on attending the University of Arizona next year, but is also considering walking on the basketball team at Cal Poly Pomona - Chan will not be facing those box-and-one defenses. She has too many good teammates.
"It will be a lot different from my varsity team," she said. "It will be harder and more intense. But it will be easier because I was always the other best player. I haven't been on a team with all these all-stars, so it's very fun. There is no slacking with these girls."