By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Who: Pasadena vs Muir Where: At Muir High School When: Friday, 6 p.m. While its coaches might downplay the importance of Friday night’s first of two Pacific League match ups this season, a lot is riding on the outcome. Pasadena (13-5 overall, 6-0 in league) has won 12 consecutive Pacific […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Who: Pasadena vs Muir
Where: At Muir High School
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
While its coaches might downplay the importance of Friday night’s first of two Pacific League match ups this season, a lot is riding on the outcome.
Pasadena (13-5 overall, 6-0 in league) has won 12 consecutive Pacific League titles and holds just a one-game lead in the standings over second-place Muir.
The Mustangs (12-6, 5-1) are on a four-game win streak, including league victories over Burroughs, Arcadia, Crescenta Valley and Burbank.
The Bulldogs are on an 8-game win streak and haven’t lost since a Dec. 28 defeat to George Washington Prep, 50-48, in a holiday tournament.
Pasadena has won its first six league games, and five of the six came by at least 20 points or more.
Muir and Pasadena split their two games last season, with both notching 10-point victories on their respective home courts.
Pasadena features a three-headed monster that includes Bryce Hamilton (20 points per game, 11 rebounds, 4 assists), Darius Brown (17 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists) and Darius Mason (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists).
Hamilton is someone that Muir coach Simaine Stewart calls “the best guy in the area.”
“Bryce and the two Darius’ play well together,” Pasadena coach Tony Brooks said. “Although they score almost equally, they do it within the offense and share the ball. Their abilities allow them to take advantage of those opportunities. Bryce gets a lot of attention, but he’s not a selfish player and gives the ball up. It makes us a more effective team. Any time you have multiple scorers, you’re going to be much stronger. It’s a testament to them that they realize that.”
Brooks has a lot of respect for Muir and Coach Stewart.
“Coach Stewart has done an excellent job in their half-court defense,” Brooks said. “They help each other and put great pressure on the ball and take away from what you’re doing on offense. Their defense has been their biggest improvement. On offense, Hunter (Woods) is a great shooter, you have Javonte (James), who has inside presence and energy in the post. You also have guys from the outside who can beat you. The challenge is to try and keep that from happening.”
Muir is led by Tiyon Martin’s 19 points per game.
Javonte James, someone Stewart calls “the heart and soul of our team” scores 17 a game and Hunter Woods averages around 15 points per game.
Eric Hollins mans the boards for the Mustangs and averages 11 rebounds per game.
“It’s a crosstown rivalry, and the community looks at it differently,” Stewart said. “We try and win as many of the 28 games or so we play on the schedule, and this is another game on that schedule. But Pasadena has some wiggle room, because they already have a one-game lead on us, so to be able to make the final game of the season matter (their second match up at Pasadena) we need to win this game on Friday. We want to be able to control our own destiny.”
Stewart said there’s no real secret to what will decide Friday night’s game: “second-chance points,” he said. “They are good on the boards and we need to limit their second-chance opportunities.”
Both coaches agree that the home court does pose a slight advantage, but that it likely won’t come down to that.
“We are used to our rims, but it’s going to be about whether we can stay calm, and don’t allow the moment to get out of character,” Stewart said. “We need to do what we’ve been doing to be successful. Our defense is all about getting after people and making an effort.”
Quotable:
District Athletic Director Gilbert Barraza:
“PUSD is very proud of John Muir and Pasadena High School’s boys basketball programs.
Both teams have a tremendous opportunity to win the Pacific League title outright and move deep into the CIF-SS playoffs. With this fantastic rivalry, every fan of basketball will witness amazing basketball skills and talent. Despite PHS running away with the last 14 of 15 Pacific League titles, last year, the Muir Mustangs did in fact beat a very confident Bulldogs team. I expect this game to go down to the wire. With this rivalry, I expect to see a low scoring offense, nasty defense with a few monster dunks. The foul line will determine the winner.
Pacific League Standings:
Pasadena (13-5 overall, 6-0 in league)
Muir (12-6, 5-1)
Crescenta Valley (10-6, 4-2)
Burbank (14-5, 3-3)
Burroughs (11-7, 3-3)
Arcadia (9-9, 2-4)
Glendale (9-10, 1-5)
Hoover (6-12, 0-6)
Pacific League Completed Results:
Muir 68, Hoover 48
Pasadena 79, Hoover 39
Glendale 61, Muir 48
Pasadena 86, Glendale 51
Muir 54, Burroughs 45
Pasadena 60, Burroughs 38
Muir 74, Arcadia 60
Pasadena 68, Arcadia 42
Muir 58, Crescenta Valley 49
Pasadena 75, Crescenta Valley 51
Muir 61, Burbank 56
Pasadena 64, Burbank 60
