SoCalHoops High School News

Jason Day: Dream Classic Photo Essay--
Dominguez v. Artesia--(Jan. 19, 2000)

Our sometime on-again, off-again correspondent  and good friends Jason Day and hoops photo hound Larry Gray, are back again, and they were out at the Pyramid on Monday, covering the 6th Annual Nike Dream Classic.  Despite some rude treatment from some of the "volunteers" who staffed this event (hey, we didn't experience that, but we have heard from several people that they were denied access even with their CIF media passes. . . we didn't see it or experience it ourselves,  but it's evidently really made some people who support high school basketball pretty hot. . . . including Jason), they still managed to get a lot of great shots and see some terrific basketball action.  Larry's pictures are the usual stellar quality material, taken with extremely expensive, high-quality photographic equipment; ours on the other hand are shot using just have a little Sony Mavica digital (which is actually pretty good, all things considered).  We'll be posting up our own shots later this afternoon, but in the meantime, you've got to check these out.  And as usual, Larry's photos and Jason's commentary  can be found over at UltraStudentAthletes Online, a great website aimed at promoting youth basketball, and the USA teams and academics in particular.  And again, as always with Jason's articles, the opinions are solely those of the author, so if you don't like something he's said, or the way he's said it, don't come crying to us;  let him know instead.  Jason can be reached at jasonday@ultrastudentathletes.org.   

DREAM CLASSIC (MLK) 2000 / DOMINGUEZ BEATS ARTESIA AGAIN
by Jason Day
photos by Larry Gray

(left)  This was the matchup that has defined the two games these two great teams have played so far this year.   6'8 Jr. Forward, Jack Martinez (l) for Artesia, up against 7'0 Jr. Center, Tyson Chandler (r) for Dominguez. 

(right)  Make no mistake about it...Chandler or no Chandler...6'7, 240' Senior, Keith Brooks is now, has been, and, for the rest of this season at least, will be the key to the Don's fortunes.

(left)..another key to both wins the Don's have had over the Pioneers (here and at the Best in the West)...has been the guard play...at times Senior Michah McKinney (30) just overpowered Artesia's defensive stopper, Andre Hazel.  McKinney and serious shooter, Senior Steve Moore combined for 27 in this one alone.

(right)...Don's Senior guard Steve Moore sizes up the defense.  His clutch shooting often took the air out of some serious Artesia runs.  I still say he's one of the best long range bombers in SoCal...streaky yes...but when he's on...look out.

(left)...Artesia's other "big gun"...6'9 Junior F/C...Amauri Fernandez...hasn't really had great games in the two contests between these teams, but was way more of a factor in this one than the last...as talented a big man as you'll see round these parts...and has true point guard skills too...oh my..

(right)...Chandler over the top for two of his 9 pts...way short of the 19 he hit in the first matchup...but effective. (note:...I noticed that no other reporters made mention of the return of "Chandler's antics".  Within the opening minute he had thrown two blatant elbows on Martinez...as the game progressed he had added one "throwdown" and a couple more 'bows' including a personal for a vicious shot to the face of Artesia guard Andre Hazel as Hazel cut along the baseline.  True, this is always a very physical contest between these two teams, and Jack Martinez can "thug" with the best of 'em.  But anyone who has watched Chandler knows that he has had a penchant for bumpin his gums, taunting, and getting "stupid" fouls either initiating confrontation or retaliating.  I single this out in this game because I saw his Coach, Russel Otis, get on his case at least twice to knock off the bulls**t, and I saw at least two of his teammates talkin to him too.  I mention it also because I had a car full of younger players with me after the games and the conversation regarding Chandler was enlightening.  These kids, to a person, just couldn't stop "clownin" him for these "antics".  They made specific mention of Chandler grasping his throat in the "choke" sign when Hazel missed a critical free throw near the end of the game.  He did the same thing again when Martinez missed the late seconds 3 pointer that ended the game.  None of them were too impressed when Tyson grabbed his throat as he passed Martinez at the end, then seemed to be "struck" as he pivoted and grabbed Martinez in a hug.  One kid hadn't ever seen Tyson play and referred to him as "number 32".  His question was, "Does he think they (coaches or players) will put up with that in college."  Good question, maybe we should check with some of the "who's who" of coaching that was in the stands for this event.  Hmmmm...

(right) one of those "who's who" type coaches, Arizona coach, Lute Olson

(left)...UCLA coach, Steve Lavin, with Todd Ramasar, also in "da house"...

(left)...Artesia's Martinez (l) gets another view of Chandler as the seven footer "raises" toward the hoop.  Several Pioneers drew defensive duty on Tyson, and while they held him to 9, Chandler's teammates took up the slack.

(right)..The Don's Sherman Gay (6'- 6" Sr. SG/SF) made his presence felt on the boards, with a couple of important baskets, and on defense...here guarding Martinez.

(left)...McKinney, 6'3 Senior, is another Don's transfer (Westchester) who has flourished...a much stronger player than he was last season, he improves with every game....Dominguez really doesn't have a true point guard...and the job Michah, Moore, and Larry Johnson do handling and distributing the ball is a credit to their coaches, and their talent and determination.  

(right)...no, 6'3" Soph. guard Franklin Matos, is not calling for divine intervention, though at times Artesia could have used it.  Very talented young man who, along with Jon Steffanson 6'6"(?) Soph. guard, are gonna be a formidable back court next year.

(left)...Steffanson is a dead eye shooter from deep, but he's also big enough and strong enough to take backcourt defenders to the rack...lotta talent and only a sophomore.

(right)...6'4" (?) Senior guard, Ryan Reyes has quickness a real nice outside jumper and is a very strong defender (I ain't even gonna buy the 6'4"..but maybe)...anyway...big contributor for Artesia.

(left)...another of Dominguez's stable of weapons...6'6" Sophomore, Darius Sanders looks for the way out of this pickle...strong kid, good rebounder who can get to the rack too...and he's got 2 more years....my goodness...

Sorry for the lack of stats for this game...while I refuse to bad mouth anyone (this is too great an event that is establishing a stellar tradition of top level high school basketball)...I will say that the "hangers on" need to get a clue...It ain't about y'all my brothas...it's about the kid's, the schools, the games, the competition...Fallin all over yourselves to (for goodness sakes) hand carry bottled water to all the Nike "VIPs" while hassling the reporters, photographers, and school personnel (all of whom have means and desire to "jock" the event, support it, and recommend it...thereby ensuring you at least one more event to make fools of yourselves) is embarrassing to the rest of the "community" yo.

Hey, for real y'all...this a great event...the small s**t is just that...small s**t....

Photo features on Crenshaw / Upland; Mater Dei / USDHS; Westchester / Fairfax; and Crossroads / LB Jordan comin as we can get the time to post em.

later

jason day

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