By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor They say the true measure of a (young) man’s character is to see how they respond during times of adversity, as opposed to when things are going well. Five nights ago, at Azusa Pacific, Darius Brown II left the APU locker room disappointed after losing to Harvard-Westlake in the finals […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
They say the true measure of a (young) man’s character is to see how they respond during times of adversity, as opposed to when things are going well.
Five nights ago, at Azusa Pacific, Darius Brown II left the APU locker room disappointed after losing to Harvard-Westlake in the finals of the CIF-SS Division 1-A title game.
Instead of pouting, he met his responsibilities by speaking with the media, family and friends, and finally left the college gym around midnight.
Fast forward five days, and after what some had perceived as a slap to Pasadena’s remarkable 19-game win streak to the finals, the Bulldogs somehow fell to a No. 12 seed.
That meant Pasadena would open the CIF State Division 2 playoffs on the road and at Heritage Christian of Northridge.
How would Brown II and Bryce Hamilton react?
Quite nicely.
Brown scored a game-high 30 points, and even better, it was on 11-of-17 shooting.
The junior point guard made all five of his free-throw attempts, and was 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point arc.
Brown dished out 4 assists, had 3 rebounds and helped lead Pasadena to a 63-57 victory Wednesday night, and the Bulldogs were able to wash that sour taste out of their mouth.
PHS (25-6) will travel to the San Diego area on Saturday and take on Mission Hills of San Marcos at 6 p.m.
The Grizzlies (22-8) took down Rancho Verde on the road, 57-48, Wednesday night.
Bryce Hamilton added 21 points on 6 of 13 shooting, and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.
“What a character-building win,” a happy Pasadena coach Tony Brooks said. “This team once again showed how special it is. For Pasadena to go into there gym and play with such poise and grit, is a testament to how special these young kids are. We felt that we really didn’t show who we were in the championship, and the kids were eager to get their retribution.”
Brown II didn’t want any of the credit, all he cared about was he and his brothers were moving forward.
“We have to have a short memory and get ready for round two, but it was a great team win and great rebounding done by everyone,” he said. “We didn’t care what seed we were. Of course we thought we should have been higher, but we have to let it go and do what we’re supposed to do.”
Darius Mason, the Bulldogs super-soph, went for 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
That meant Brown II, Hamilton and Mason scored 61 of Pasadena’s 63 points.
Jesse Watkins had the other 2 points for Pasadena.
Pasadena had 26 rebounds, with 7 being on the offensive end.
The Bulldogs were outstanding at the free-throw line, converting on 15 of 16.
They also shot 51-percent from the field.
Quotable:
Pasadena coach Tony Brooks:
Darius Brown made a quiet 30. That is so special, because it means that he didn’t dominate the ball and took his shots at the right time, every time. I’m so proud of his effort tonight on both ends of the court. Of course, Bryce Hamilton was his normally spectacular self. Slashing, diving and making plays like he has for us all year long. I am most proud of all of the kids effort on the boards. Last week we got beat up in the paint, when it pertains to rebounding, and I thought tonight Bryce,Kalonji and Darius Mason were relentless!
Go Bulldogs!”
Box Score:
Pasadena: 19-14-16-14-(63)
H. Christian:11-10-15-21-(57)
