Kendall Kikkawa (l) and Jake Althouse (r) By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Just nine games into the 2016-17 season, Flintridge Prep was 3-6 and heading nowhere fast. But enter the renewed leadership and production of seniors Kendall Kikkawa and Jake Althouse and the Rebels have won 9 or their last 11 games, including a 68-47 […]
Kendall Kikkawa (l) and Jake Althouse (r)
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Kendall Kikkawa
Just nine games into the 2016-17 season, Flintridge Prep was 3-6 and heading nowhere fast.
But enter the renewed leadership and production of seniors Kendall Kikkawa and Jake Althouse and the Rebels have won 9 or their last 11 games, including a 68-47 victory over Quartz Hill in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 4-AA playoffs Wednesday night.
So far, their biggest win of the season came in an overtime victory over then-undefeated in league Poly, 51-45, on Feb. 3.
Althouse and Kikkawa are not only great leaders and players, they are even better students and people.
Kikkawa has a 4.23 grade-point average and Althouse is right behind him at 4.19.
Over the last month and a half, Prep has come into their own and so have their star seniors.
They both hope to extend their season when they host Blair on Friday at 7 in the second round of the playoffs.
Althouse is averaging 18 points and 9 rebounds per game.
The 6-foot-4 forward can be penciled in of late for his 20 points and 10 rebounds, but beyond the stats, Althouse is able to stretch a defense open and provide opportunities for his teammates.
Althouse has a quiet demeanor, but his play has spoken volumes.
“Jake is a consistent, inside threat, and he has great touch around the basket. He is a poised veteran, and respected by all,” Prep coach Garrett Ohara said.
Both seniors have accepted and embraced their role on Coach Ohara’s train.
“My role as the ‘big guy’ is to be our team’s inside presence on offense and defense.” Althouse said. “I have to control the boards, and provide the team with an inside scoring threat, while still being able to space the floor.”
Althouse’s biggest output came in a 67-53 victory over Alta Loma at Azusa Pacific when he scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked 3 shots on an early Saturday morning in the So Cal Shootout.
Aside from his character, talent and production, what makes Althouse special are his priorities.
“My mom and dad, Larissa and Dennis Althouse, push me the most to be a good person,” Althouse said. “Their work ethic and values have shaped who I am , and I can’t thank them enough for their support.”
While Althouse knows each game is now a win-or-go-home scenario, he already knows what he hopes his legacy at Prep will be.
“I hope my younger teammates remember my enthusiastic and joyful attitude from every practice and game,” he said. “I also hope they remember how I stick to my routines and follow traditions.”
Kikkawa is the biggest little man in the Pasadena area.
While the senior point guard stands just 5-foot-7, Kikkawa has no fears about dominating in a big man’s sport.
Kikkawa averages 11 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists per game, but as of late, he nears a triple-double almost nightly.
Even when playing amongst the trees inside the lane, Kikkawa’s heart and competitive nature can make you forget that he is supposed to be intimidated by taller opponents.
“Kendall is an Incredible leader and a consummate teammate,” Ohara said. “He is (another) coach on the floor and always gives his maximum effort.”
Kikkawa had a memorable football season, which included an 8-touchdown game, and he’s been a star on the basketball team.
But when this playoff run is over, he’ll head over to the baseball field to play in his third sport of his senior season.
“My job is to be the floor general out there on the court,” he said. ” I set our guys up and try to get us the best shot possible. As the point guard, I set the tone for our team.
I’ve always been one of the smallest guys on the court. It’s hard sometimes to maneuver in the lane and finish over taller players. But I’ve have success because I’ve learned to work hard to make up for my lack of height. I’ve also learned to pay close attention to the little things, as that can be the different between a basket and a turnover.”
Kikkawa, like Althouse is guided and inspired by his family.
“It sounds cliche, but my family (parents Karen and Ken) has driven me to be a good kid, student and athlete. My whole family plays basketball, so they’ve watched me grow over the years and their constant support pushes me to work that much harder. Also, my parents want to put me in the best situation possible to be successful later in life, so I always work hard in the classroom so that one day I can pay them back.”
What does Althouse think of his point guard?
“Kendall does a little of everything to keep this thing rolling,” Althouse said. “He is our leader on the floor and our point guard. He rebounds, scores and distributes the ball.”
Just like Althouse, Kikkawa knows what he hopes he’s most remembered for as well.
“I want them to know me for my work ethic and leadership. I played every game with heart and intensity and I hope they would too.”
Both seniors appreciate kind words sent their way, but both also emphasized that every player on the Rebels roster has been as responsible for their success as has Kikkawa and Althouse.
That includes Jonathan Le, who had his career scoring night (21 points) on Wednesday, Julian Diaz, Leo Reilly, Jonathan Au, Bruce Dennis, Jonny Samuels, Beau Detchemendy, Majeed Ismail, Cameron Wu and Linus Jen.
No one knows for sure until Friday who will come out victorious when Blair invades the Rebels’ gym, but it is almost a mathematical lock that with their work ethic, education, family and intellect, both Althouse and Kikkawa are going to be incredibly successful at whatever paths they choose to travel.
Quotable:
Poly Point guard Jackson Hayes on Kikkawa and Althouse: “They both are extremely hard workers and never give up. It doesn’t matter if they are up by 20 or down by 20, they are always working their tails off.”
Prep Junior guard Johnathan Le: “I am thankful to have had the opportunity to play with Jake and Kendall since my freshman year. They are both incredible leaders for our team, and they definitely use their experience to guide our team in the right direction. Kendall brings intensity and a sense of urgency for us on the court, which has allowed us to elevate our level of play. In addition to being a big inside presence, Jake always brings a positive presence to our team and has helped us bond. Both Jake and Kendall have been invaluable to our team and our success. I will miss both of them next year.”
Jake Althouse: “I think we have had a lot of success late in the year because we have really come together as a team, and played off each other’s energy. The momentum has been what is carrying us. I think we are capable of anything in the playoffs. We just have to play our game and stick to the game plan.”
Kendall Kikkawa: “Jake has brought us experience and consistency all year. His inside presence gets us going early, and it helps open things up for the rest of us. Personally, I’ve developed great chemistry with him over the past four year, and it’s helped both of us grow as players.”
Poly senior guard John Genske: “Jake and Kendall are both extremely competitive players. Kendall is resilient and he makes a tremendous impact on both ends of the court. He is tenacious on defense and he makes precise and efficient moves on offense. If you were to ask what position he plays for Flintridge Prep, I would not tell you that he is a point guard or shooting guard or a one guard. I would tell you that he is a court general. Jake is a force in the paint. He puts stress on the defense, because he has a knack of scooping up offensive rebounds and getting second shots. He has developed a mid-range jump shot as well as his post game. These aspects make Jake a versatile player because he poses a threat to any defense as a face-up player.”
Getting To Know Kikkawa and Althouse:
Kendall Kikkawa:
Favorite Player: Russell Westbrook
Favorite Movie: Coach Carter
Favorite Artist: Chance the Rapper and Drake
Person (Alive or Dead) I’d Most Want To Speak With: Barack Obama
Most Surprising Artist On My Ipod: Justin Bieber
Jake Althouse:
Favorite NBA Player: Tim Duncan
Favorite Movie: Band of Brothers (HBO Series)
Favorite Artist: Drake
Person (Alive or Dead) I’d Most Like To Speak With: Abraham Lincoln
Most Surprising Artist On My Ipod: Justin Bieber
