L-R: Tavian Percy, Darius Brown, Bryce Hamilton, Hunter Woods, Tiyon Martin, Haleem Jenkins By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor The popular coach-speak would be that Friday night’s Pacific League showdown between first-place Muir and second-place Pasadena is ‘just another game.’ That’s partly true, but there is so much more to this match up. It goes without […]
L-R: Tavian Percy, Darius Brown, Bryce Hamilton, Hunter Woods, Tiyon Martin, Haleem Jenkins
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
The popular coach-speak would be that Friday night’s Pacific League showdown between first-place Muir and second-place Pasadena is ‘just another game.’
That’s partly true, but there is so much more to this match up.
It goes without saying that this is an incredibly intense rivalry game.
It’s the first time that Pasadena coach Tony Brooks has entered the crosstown battle trailing in the league standings
PHS has won 13 consecutive Pacific League titles, but if Muir leaves Maranatha with the victory, the Mustangs will hold a two-game lead with just 7 games to play.
Muir is on an 8-game winning streak and Pasadena has won 5 consecutive since the return of point guard Darius Brown II.
The Mustangs are 1-9 against the Bulldogs since coach Simaine Stewart took over the program in the 2012-13 season.
It was a 67-57 victory on February 11, 2016.
The best part of this match up, though, is that both teams are loaded with talent and they’re both playing their best basketball of the season.
Both schools have at least four guys that can step up when needed and produce.
The obvious ‘main event’ has to be considered the match up between Pasadena’s Bryce Hamilton and Muir’s Hunter Woods.
Hamilton is averaging 27 points and 9 rebounds per game, and Woods puts up nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Both big men are also great passers and contribute in a multitude of ways.
Next is the battle between point guards Darius Brown II and Tiyon Martin.
DBII makes the Pasadena offense go and is Brooks’ coach on the court. He puts up 13 points and 8 assists each night.
Martin is one of the area’s most unsung heroes for his team, and despite being shorter than most guards he competes against.
Martin averages 11 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds.
PHS’ Tavian Percy, a transfer from Miami, is a much-needed extra body on the boards and his 12 points and 6 rebounds have been big in the Bulldogs success thus far.
Haleem Jenkins (13 points) and Tasson Aubry’s 9 points and 9 rebounds have Muir on pace for their best season in Stewart’s tenure at Muir.
Darius Mason has come alive in league and has his point total up to 13 per game, and is second in assists for the Bulldogs.
Simaine Stewart Junior is also a key player to look out for.
The Muir senior and son of the head coach puts up 7 points and 4 assists per game..
Both Muir and Pasadena, as we said, are playing the best basketball of the season and just as important, they’ve playing their most balanced as well.
Tip off is set for 8 p.m. at Maranatha and both schools recommend getting to the game at least 90 minutes early to secure a seat.
Quotable:
Muir coach Simaine Stewart: “To beat Pasadena, we have to win the toughness battle. The rebounds, the free throws and the 50-50 balls. It will be a possession game. These kids all grew up together. Some players will negate each other like Bryce and Hunter, and this game could be decided by role players stepping up and doing their part.
Pasadena point guard Darius Brown II: “It’s a very important game, because to win league, we have to get through them. In the short run, we have to go through them twice to win league. We know people are tired of seeing us win the league title. We don’t talk about it, but we know we can’t give it up. They are very good at bringing energy. We need to control the tempo. It’s not really one thing they’re going to do on the court, it’s more we have to worry about their momentum. Once they get going, they are difficult to stop. They are a scrappy team.”
Pacific League Standings:
Muir (14-5 overall, 6-0 in league)
Pasadena (12-6, 5-1)
Crescenta Valley (11-8, 4-2)
Arcadia (6-7, 3-3)
Glendale (14-5, 2-4)
Burroughs (11-7, 2-4)
Burbank (12-7, 2-4)
Hoover (4-15, 0-6)
PHS & Muir First Round of Pacific League Scores:
Muir 57, Glendale 45
Pasadena 74, Glendale 55
Muir 60, Burroughs 45
Pasadena 78, Burroughs 41
Muir 63, Arcadia 60
Pasadena 67, Arcadia 51
Muir 69, Crescenta Valley 60
Crescenta Valley 65, Pasadena 60
Muir 56, Burbank 45
Pasadena 87, Burbank 42
Muir 78, Hoover 24
Pasadena 92, Hoover 37
