By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor It was just last year that Pasadena High School saw its boys basketball program compete for both a CIF-SS Division 1A and CIF State Division 2 Regional title. That Bulldogs team went 27-7, including a 14-0 run through their Pacific League calendar and at one point, PHS won 19 consecutive […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Darius Mason, Georgia Jones
It was just last year that Pasadena High School saw its boys basketball program compete for both a CIF-SS Division 1A and CIF State Division 2 Regional title.
That Bulldogs team went 27-7, including a 14-0 run through their Pacific League calendar and at one point, PHS won 19 consecutive games.
Despite falling shy to both Harvard-Westlake and Esperanza in those championship games, it was an incredibly successful campaign for a program that was being led by two juniors (Bryce Hamilton, Darius Brown II) and a sophomore.
Bryce Hamilton and Darius Brown II combined for 42 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists per night.
And as much as PHS got from their junior tandem, the Bulldogs couldn’t have accomplished as much as they did without then sophomore Darius Mason.
Mason took a backseat in the headlines and often times the credit when it was being doled out for PHS and their remarkable run.
Darius Mason free throw
He scored 12 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 4 assists per game in 2016-17.
Mason also had 2 blocked shots and 2 steals a night, and did so quietly and without much fanfare because of the attention both Hamilton and DBII received and had earned.
Fast forward a year, and it seemed like Mason got off to a slow start.
He’d injured himself in an early season tournament and wasn’t putting up the stats people were expecting or hoping for.
The 6-foot-3 guard saw stories written by all of us so-called experts, and wondering what happened to Darius Mason.
Mason, though, couldn’t have handled the situation better or with more maturity, because he took into account things that we hadn’t.
As mentioned, Mason was hobbled, and he was certainly not the only PHS player that needed time to figure out what their roles were because of the key addition of senior transfers Omari Moore (St. Francis High School) and Tavian Percy (Florida).
A few weeks back, in a conversation we had with Darius Brown II, he too said it took some time to adjust.
In 2016-17, Hamilton, Brown and Mason had an extra 18-20 shots per game split between the three of them that now go to Percy and Moore.
To add to the scrutiny or perceived uncertainty, Pasadena started the season 7-6, including a 65-60 loss at Crescenta Valley to begin Pacific League play.
Was PHS not the team we built them up to be in the media?
Were they still the most talented program in the area and in spite of what their record might indicate to others?
PHS, as expected, proved any and all doubters wrong.
The Bulldogs are the team we thought they were and they most certainly are the high water mark for excellence in Pasadena-area boys basketball.
In fact, Pasadena just wrapped up their 14th consecutive Pacific League championship.
While some on social media predicted a potential downfall early in the season, PHS coach Tony Brooks knows exactly what he’s doing.
Brooks prefers a hellacious nonleague and tournament schedule, which always seems to benefit his Bulldogs when Pacific League play is winding down and the playoffs are just getting underway.
So, after 13 games, PHS had already lost one less game than all of 2016-17 combined, but they played state and nationally ranked programs in the Maranatha, Las Vegas and Damien tournaments.
There was also the fact that Percy, Mason and DBII were all far from healthy, and missed time, if not outright games.
Beginning on January 5, and being 0-1 in league, Brown made his return at point guard, and the rest is history.
PHS has won 16 consecutive games and finds itself in Saturday night’s CIF-SS Division 1 title game against Chino Hills at 8:30 at Azusa Pacific University.
It’s the same gym that exactly 365 days ago, PHS fell to Harvard-Westlake in a game they would be the first to acknowledge was far from their best basketball, and without taking away any of the credit the Wolverines had earned.
Not many get that second chance to avenge a title-game loss, and even fewer get that opportunity with the returning core and two key additions.
And as well as Hamilton (26 points, 12 rebounds), Brown (16 points,10 assists, 5 steals), Percy (12 points, 6 rebounds) and Moore (9 points 6 rebounds) have played, this program isn’t where it is without the heart, selflessness, production, maturity, perseverance and versatility of Darius Mason.
“I was excited when we added Tavian and Omari to our team and I don’t care how many shots I get as long as we’re winning games,” Mason said. “Everyone on this team is unselfish and willing to do whatever is asked of us to help us win games. It’s fun being a part of such a talented group of guys, and what makes it more special is that we all get along really well.”
If he’s not shooting well on a particular night, he’s making up for it with rebounds, assists, blocked shots and steals.
Mason averages 11 points, 9 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots per game.
He earned his first career triple-double in the 84-51 victory over Burbank in a Pacific League contest back on January 29.
Mason is fourth in scoring, tied for best with Hamilton in rebounds, second to DBII in assists and third in blocked shots behind Hamilton and Laz Morris.
“Darius does so many things to help us win games, and some of those things don’t always show up in stat sheets,” PHS coach Tony Brooks said. “If you’re a basketball purist, you’d notice all he does, but he isn’t concerned with getting the credit. He just wants to win, and he’s willing to do anything it takes to help us win each time we take the court. He’s also a very good kid, and he represents our program well.”
In last Friday’s 2-point semifinal victory over Rancho Verde, Mason contributed 8 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocked shots and it was his altering of Sadiq Muhammad’s shot at the buzzer that allowed Pasadena to move on to the championship for the second consecutive season.
Three nights prior, Mason’s 14 points and team-highs in rebounds (11) and blocked shots (7) was a key part of PHS’ 88-75 victory at Damien in the quarterfinals.
After a first-round bye, he chipped in 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and 5 points in the 30-point blowout of visiting Loyola.
Pasadena’s crosstown rival, Muir, is having an historic season and the Mustangs’ only 2 Pacific League losses came to the Bulldogs.
PHS swept Muir by a combined score of 159-113 and Mason combined for 35 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists in the pair of victories over their friendly foes and in front of standing-room-only crowds at both games.
Just tallying up Mason’s statistics, especially against PHS’ most formidable opponents would be impressive enough on its own.
One particular stat Mason would cherish most is that while being a starter for PHS over the last two seasons, the Bulldogs are a combined 50-13 overall, 27-1 in Pacific League games and 9-2 in the postseason.
But as good and selfless as Mason is on the basketball court, he far exceeds that as a brother, son, friend and person.
He’s a very bright and articulate young man, and while a 3.1 GPA is well above what’s needed, Mason is disappointed in himself a bit, because he says he’s much closer to being a 3.5 or higher type of student.
What many don’t take into account is the time and the toll it takes on one’s grades and social life when playing a high school sport, especially one of the stature at PHS.
To his credit, though, Mason said his grades are vital in his life now and for his future, and one day he could see himself being a scout as a profession.
Much of the credit for Mason’s maturity and the way he carries himself has to go to his mother, Georgia Jones.
Jones is raising Mason and his three siblings, and provides for them as a nurse at USC.
His grandmother, Lynette Mason, is also someone that Mason and his brothers Deandre, and Damarion, and sister, Arianna, all look up to and appreciate for all she does and for her unconditional love and presence in their lives.
“My mom and grandma definitely keep us all on track and I don’t know where I’d be without them,” Mason said. “They put us first and sacrifice everything to give us the best life possible. I don’t think there is a way to accurately say how much I love and appreciate everything about them and for all they do.”
Jones beams with pride when talking about any of her children, and she has every reason to.
“What makes me most proud to be Darius’ mom is his strong character and the way he conducts himself on and off the court,” Jones said. “I also admire the way he displays himself as a level-headed young man, even through adversity, as well as his intellect and carrying himself in a dignified manner. He is not only a great son, he is a very good big brother and he sets a very good example for all of them to follow.”
For this writer, what makes covering PHS boys basketball the last two seasons so special is how little basketball means in the big picture to these impressive young men.
That doesn’t mean by any stretch that the sport isn’t their passion, it’s to say their families, their education, being good and honorable people all come first.
Much of that credit obviously goes to their parents, coaches and the players themselves for realizing what matters most in life.
And Mason certainly exemplifies what kind of player and person any coach would want in their program.
The CIF-SS and CIF State playoffs will both come and go quickly, but Mason’s not only left an impressive mark already, he’s still got one more season at PHS to put his contributions and production among some of the most elite that school has seen.
And after the 2018-19 season, Mason will represent a college program with intelligence and class.
Quotable:
PHS coach Tony Brooks: “Darius has a great personality. He is a great kid to be around and is very funny. He never takes anything too seriously and doesn’t want you to take things too serious either. His presence means everything is OK. What I appreciate most about him is his talent and that he’s a stat-sheet filler.He does so many things that might not get the headline, but were things that are necessary to win games. Next year, when all the guys have graduated, I could easily see Darius averaging 25 a game and doing even bigger things than he’s already doing.”
PHS senior Bryce Hamilton: “Darius Mason is a great teammate and has played great all throughout league and has helped us a lot during our season to keep our winning streak going. Mace is a funny guy, he’s always laughing and is always smiling and bringing good vibes to everyone. He is a good friend. As a player, Mason is a great athlete and he can elevate very well and is very aggressive on the court. He is a great scorer with a good mid range and is able to attack the basket with his strength.”
PHS senior Darius Brown II: “Mason did a lot of important stuff last year. It was more scoring. He’s still scoring, but now he has managed being more balanced with scoring rebounding and assists. He’s a great friend, is always laughing and is always there for me. He also has great character.”
PHS senior Tavian Percy: “Darius is one of our best athletes. As a player, he’s another scorer and an aggressive rebounder. He brings intensity to our defense and helps get us on the fast break. As a teammate, he’s great because he’ll do anything you need from him. His most vital part is staying aggressive and rebounding.”
PHS senior Omari Moore: “Mason is one of the most important players to our team. He is a great teammate and helps our team tremendously. Outside of basketball, he is one of the funniest people I know. He’s always laughing and having a good time. He can score when we need him to, and is arguably our best defender. Without him, we wouldn’t be where we are right now.”
Getting To Know Darius Mason:
Favorite Athlete: Lebron James
Favorite Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Favorite Movie: Space Jam
Favorite Musical Artist: Drake
Musical Artist Some Might Be Surprised I Like: Katy Perry
Famous Person I’d Most Want A Conversation With: Kobe Bryant
