Sixth Annual Tribune/Star-News Classic
Boys and Girls Basketball All-Star Game
Sixth Annual Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic
Saturday, April 4, Azusa Pacific University
Girl's game: 5:30pm
Boy's game: 7:30pm
SERIES RECORD
Boys: Star-News leads series, 4-1
Girls: Tribune leads series, 3-2
Girls all-star practice
By Fred J. Robledo
Anyone who has spent time with Sierra Vista High School girls basketball coach Keith Locklear knows about his intensity, attention to detail, and the tremendous amount of pride he has in his program. Sierra Vista isn't exactly a hotbed of hoops talent, but Locklear does an amazing job with the talent he has, which resulted in a 21-4 overall record and perfect 12-0 campaign in winning the Montview League title. The Dons' stellar play earned Locklear Tribune coach of the year honors and the opportunity to coach in Saturday's Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic at Azusa Pacific University. To continue reading and find rosters for all the teams, click thread
Above: Sierra Vista's Janice Jimenez will compete for the Tribune in Saturday's game.
The sixth annual meeting between the boys and girls all-star teams from the Tribune and Pasadena Star-News areas begins with the girls game at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys game at 7:30 p.m.
As soon as he learned he was coaching the Tribune girls, Locklear took over like anything else he does, immediately making contact with players, and getting everyone on the same page as soon as possible.
He is even hoping to arrange a Friday night dinner in preparation for Saturday's game.
"I have really enjoyed the short time we have had with him," said Bishop Amat standout Katie Moreno. "He does have a lot of energy. He's making it fun, and he makes you want to work hard and play more. I think we're all enjoying it."
Moreno is part of the stellar Bishop Amat foursome in Saturday's game, which also includes Lancers seniors Jacqueline Salas, Morgann Ellis and Jessica Fontenette.
"We're all looking forward to playing in another game and an all-star game is a great way to end your high school career," Moreno said. "There won't be a lot of structure, it will probably be a playground atmosphere where we can all go out and have a lot of fun."
Locklear held his second practice at Sierra Vista on Monday, and has another practice tonight before getting ready for Saturday's showdown, where the Tribune hopes to improve on its 3-2 series advantage.
"Everyone is real eager," Locklear said. "I'm eager, the players are eager, we want to come out and make the Tribune area proud.
"None of us won CIF, so all of us ended with a loss and though it really doesn't matter who wins, deep down we're all competitive and want to win. You can see that competitiveness in practice, they really get after it."
All-star games are also a great opportunity for players such as West Covina High's Kai Brown, whose team didn't have a great season, but Brown did in earning first-team San Antonio League honors and making the Tribune's all-area second-team list.
"In our first practice she stood out," Moreno said of Brown. "It was fun kind of seeing what she can do."
The 5-foot-5 point guard averaged 14 points for the Bulldogs, and had several memorable games, which included a 28-point outburst in a 54-40 win over Nogales, and a 24-point effort in a huge 56-50 win over rival South Hills.
"I've been feeling good in practice," Brown said. "I know being from West Covina people didn't see me that much, so hopefully I can bring something to the game.
"But with the Bishop Amat girls, and some of the others I'm getting to know, there is a lot of talent on this team. I think everyone will have their chance to show what they can do."
TRIBUNE BOYS TEAM
COACH: Ricky Roper, Nogales
Garrett Johnson, Diamond Ranch
Chris Cunningham, Diamond Ranch
Randal Guillory, Nogales
Aaron De Anda, Nogales
Anthony Farmer, Northivew
Manny Acosta, South El Monte
Karlo Galvez, Walnut
Nolan Abernathy, Bonita
Danny Silva, Northview
Kos Russell, Glendora, Guard
Abel Rodriguez, Bishop Amat
Cody Bennett, Bonita
Gabriel Gamboa, Nogales
Brandon Stansell, Rowland
Jakie Vieth, Damien
Jesmar Amad, South Hills
STAR-NEWS BOYS TEAM
COACH: Rich Hollinger, Temple City
Travis Flye, Pasadena
Joseph Henson, Pasadena
Darius Johnson, Pasadena
James Chen, Temple City
Andy Scauzillo, Temple City
Chris Smith, Monrovia
Aeric Allen, Alhambra
Haitham Ali, Alhambra
Djon Ellams, South Pasadena
Brandon Bonar, Marshall
Riley Heaton, La Canada
Deon Geary, Blair
Katorio Walker, Blair
Malik Speed, St. Francis
Drew Assinesi, La Salle
Paul King, Muir
Tim Esguera, Rio Hondo Prep
TRIBUNE GIRLS TEAM
COACH: Keith Locklear, Sierra Vista
Kai Brown, West Covina
Courtney Tolentino, Rowland
Lauren Gonzales, Western Christian
Janice Jimenez, Sierra Vista
Jacqueline Salas, Bishop Amat
Melissa Mejia, Bassett
Lauren Holguin, Wilson
Katie Moreno, Bishop Amat
Morgann Ellis, Bishop Amat
Elva Salcido, Charter Oak
Lauren Williams, Nogales
Jessica Fontenette, Bishop Amat
Remy Mallett, Diamond Bar
Sandy Perez, Azusa
Keyonna Arnwine, San Dimas
GIRLS STAR-NEWS TEAM
COACH: Gary Johnson, Muir
Brittany Henderson, Muir
Paige Robinson, Muir
Jasmine Gordon, Monrovia
Maryum Jenkins, Monrovia
Vanessa Hernandez, Monrovia
Ashley Quiñones, Monrovia
Janise Ho, Keppel
Tiffany Rubin, Keppel
Nicol Biesek, South Pasadena
Kara Yoshihara, South Pasadena
Lora Bendedetti, La Canada
Kim Tsou, La Canada
Katie Tripoli, La Salle
Jasmine Jenkins, La Salle
Tiffany Horton, La Salle
Comments
That's a negative Frank.
Posted by: Simon | April 3, 2009 12:30 PM
Simon did your son play at Damien as well?
Posted by: Frank C | April 2, 2009 8:53 PM
I can see where you're coming from Frank. My son played with Jake in 8th grade travel ball. My son comes off the bench, Jake was strating at point. Fast forward to their senior year, I was totally dissapointed at Jake's development (or lack thereof.) I watched multiple Damien games this year and saw an ineffective point guard, especially late in the game. Coaches call obviously.
Posted by: Simon | April 2, 2009 5:52 PM
Simon I totally agree. One thing I will say is every player has to be honest with himself, and few are. Magic Johnson was the best i've ever seen at being honest with himself. Every year he developed a new skill or refined an old one. A 3 point shot, a baby skyhook, fast break kick out to AC Green in the corner, whatever the team needed or "he" needed to help the team he went out and worked on. Kobe isn't even close in that regard...and Michael's game never really changed as much as everyone around him (opponents and officials) made concessions to his slowing down.
Sometimes a player, and I'm not talking about Jake in particular, needs to look at himself and ask, "what does the team need?"
Sometimes a team needs you to sit, sometimes it needs you to campaign for others and sometimes it needs you to just say no to "your" playing time and role. That takes courage on some levels but really it's just about being a good team leader.
I've always said the leadership role has many many facets to it, some are blindingly obvious while others are just blinding. The movie "Hoosiers" tries to make the point...and I believe does with varying results...when the HC gets himself thrown out to give the Assistant Coach a "shot at redemption" and at the end when the "leader" tells the coach..."I want the shot!" Leadership is more than never leaving the court.
Maybe others have a different view or might like to talk about a player that highlighted leadership during their years.
The End.
Posted by: Frank C | April 2, 2009 12:47 PM
Wow, it's nice to see the folks over at Sierra Vista get some notoriety every once in a while.
Congratulations coach Locklear !
Posted by: jcaz | April 2, 2009 1:40 AM