HS FOOT: Oaks' Jones finishes as Gatorade runnerup

One of the area's most accomplished prep football players ever, Malcolm Jones represented Oaks Christian High of Westlake Village one last time today as one of six finalists for the male Gatorade National Athlete of the Year.

Jones lost out to Brandon Knight, a basketball player from Pine Crest High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in an awards luncheon at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. But the event gave the prized running back a chance to reflect on more than his three section championships and 114 career touchdowns.

"When I look back, it was a really great four years at Oaks Christian, the best years of my life," Jones said. "Not just football but all the friends I've made that will be my friends forever. The whole atmosphere at Oaks Christian, I just loved it."

Jones previously was named Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, and all of the national winners in every sport were the finalists for the athlete of the year honor. Besides Knight, the other finalists were Lucas Verzbicas (cross country) from Illinois, Kaleb Cowart (baseball) from Georgia, Sam Crouser (track) from Oregon and Soony Saad (soccer) from Michigan.

Beforehand, Jones said he "can't stand losing," but he also conceded that Knight was the favorite because he was a two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year in his sport.
"I'm a little disappointed, but this was still a good experience," Jones said. "It's cool, all this media attention and the whole experience of doing all this at L.A. Live, plus we get to participate in the Espys, walk the red carpet, get recognized on the show. It's just a really good experience."

Chiney Ogwumike, a basketball player from Cy-Fair High in Cypress, Texas, was selected Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year. The other finalists were Ashley Wittman (volleyball) from Minnesota, Megan Goethals (cross country) from Washington, Kasey Fagen (softball) from Florida, Ashton Purvis (track) from Oakland and Mollie Pathman (soccer) from North Carolina.

Jones is at UCLA, where he has already begun classes and football workouts.
"High school is over. It's time to move on," he said.

Jones could have played college football just about anywhere - he has shoebox full of scholarship offered - but wanted to remain close to home.

"I just love Southern California. It's one of the best places to live," Jones said.

Knight -- a Kentucky signee considered the top national recruit in the class of 2010 by Rivals and Scout.com -- is a two-time Gatorade National Boys' Basketball Player of the Year, joining LeBron James and Greg Oden as the only two-time honorees.

Knight, who averaged 31.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.5 steals, helped the Panthers (25-5) return to the Florida Class 3A championship game after winning state titles in 2008 and '09.

He is a member of the USA Basketball Junior Select National Team, a Jordan Brand Classic All-America, a Parade Magazine All-America first-team selection and a USA Today All-USA first-team honoree.

In addition, Knight hit the winning 3-pointer in the West's 107-104 victory in this year's McDonald's All-American game.

The Stanford-bound Ogwumike, the No. 1 national recruit in the class of 2010 according to ESPNU, averaged 22.9 points, 13.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.1 blocks leading the Bobcats (36-1) to the Texas Class 5A state title.

She was also selected Naismith Girls' High School Basketball Player of the Year, Parade Magazine Co-Player of the Year, McDonald's High School All-American Game MVP and Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-America Game MVP.

-- Gerry Gittelson