By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor The La Salle boys basketball offense hasn’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard in the postseason, but its defense has been nothing short of stifling. In CIF-SS Division 2-A victories so far, La Salle gave up 39 to Eisenhower, and two nights later, the Lancers held high-scoring Muir to 33 […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
The La Salle boys basketball offense hasn’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard in the postseason, but its defense has been nothing short of stifling.
In CIF-SS Division 2-A victories so far, La Salle gave up 39 to Eisenhower, and two nights later, the Lancers held high-scoring Muir to 33 points.
Muir averaged 62 points in their second-place Pacific League run, but in four quarters and overtime, the Mustangs offense was held to nearly one-half of it’s season output.
La Salle coach Mike Lynch said after Friday’s win that “offense is what gets the crowd excited, but it’s the defense that wins titles.”
If ever there were a game the Lancers need to D-up, it’s Tuesday night’s quarterfinal at Oxnard.
Oxnard (25-3) has won 15 consecutive games, and has scored at least 60 points in 11 of those 15 victories.
While every member of the La Salle roster has made vital contributions, the trio of Jaice Gardner, AJ Akobian and Darius Henderson have come up especially big.
Each is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds, but they bring so much more to Lynch’s program.
Gardner is the sentimental favorite.
After 7 games last year, his junior season was ended after an injury required surgery.
One year later, the 6-foot-6 forward is averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
His timely dunks have been able to give the Lancers’ fans and bench a much-needed jolt at times.
“My role is to score, rebound, play defense and do anything I can to help lead this team,” Gardner said. I think we’re capable of winning a CIF title, because we learned how to play together. Every player on this team is a good athlete with different capabilities, and we’ve learned how to use them together.”
Gardner said his stepfather, Dennis Nortcutt, a 10-year NFL veteran has inspired him to find a sport he loves and to become dedicated (to basketball). But more importantly, Gardner credits Northcutt for steering him to be a good student and polite young man.
His coach loves Gardner.
“Jaice Gardner wears so many hats for our team,” Lynch said. “He is the guy that I ask to rebound, play inside, play on the wing, run the floor and score the ball for us. When he has a double-double in scoring and rebounds, we are usually on the winning side. The thing that does my heart good about Jaice is that he’s finally experiencing high school athletic success in his senior year. Last year, Jaice suffered a season-ending injury after only 7 games. He had surgery for an ACL tear and had to watch the team make a championship type run. He worked so hard to prepare for junior season only to see it cut short.”
Akobian came off the football field, where he teamed with Amon Milliner in the backfield late in the season to become one of the area’s best 1-2 punches.
The 6-foot-2, 200 pound senior is averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, and is someone Lynch calls “a warrior.”
“He is one of the toughest and most persistent players that I have coached over my 20-plus years,” Lynch said. “He is the example of a team-first type guy. He does not get the shine that others do, but he does a lot of the dirty work and helps you win ball games.. What is amazing is that AJ is away from basketball for as much as 6 months due to the fact that he plays football at a high level.”
Akobian’s faith and his father, Alan Akobian, has been a source of strength and guidance that has led the senior to success as both a student-athlete and a person.
“He is my hero. Honestly, I’ll be lucky if I can grow up to be half the man he is,” Akobian said about his father. “He is determined, hard working and selfless. He has pushed me in football and basketball as well as in my education. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for him.”
What is Akobian’s role and why does he think the Lancers run will continue past Tuesday?
“I feel like I bring a lot of playoff experience from our run last year,” he said. “I am an aggressive player who brings hustle. I don’t shy down to anyone. No matter who we play; no matter how big they are, I will always be the most physical player on the court. We work hard and hustle and are capable of holding teams who put up big numbers to low scoring defense games, and this makes them uncomfortable. We make them play our game.”
Henderson choosing to play at La Salle is something Lynch said “was critical in me being able to change the culture of La Salle basketball. Not only in the classroom, but he also has open arms to young people that want to be successful in a variety of ways.”
The 6-foot-8, 225 pound junior averages 17 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists per game.
Lynch said Henderson’s persistence and toughness is the reason the Lancers got out of Friday’s overtime thriller with a win.
“Darius Henderson is our leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker,” Lynch said. ” I demand a lot from him on both ends of the floor in order for us to be successful! He has done a really good job of anchoring our defense, while having to score on this mostly young and inexperienced team. This experience for Darius is forcing him to become a better basketball player and person, while at the same time making me a better coach. I am a old-school type coach, and we are teaching each other what it takes, some giving and taking from the coach and player to be successful.”
Just like Gardner and Akobian, Henderson gets his identity, dignity and inspiration from two strong parents.
“Both my mother (Darlene Royal) and my father (David Henderson) have been there for me through it all,” Henderson said. “My dad used to always work with me day in and day out when I was younger and put people in my path to get me better. He always wanted me to be better than what he was. But through it all I have to give God the glory. He’s the one who made all this possible.”
Henderson’s role, as he see’s it, is to be a leader, rebound, protect the rim and be a good passer, which is something Lynch is most proud of.
He too, believes La Salle could play beyond this week.
“Our size is what’s going to help us and get us a ring,” he said. “Our guards are big and a 6’8″ big in the post. Our wings are 6’5″ and above and they’re strong and long. Our point guard is big and strong, stronger than most. Then, that turns into a bad case of bully ball. We have the better advantage all around. We just need to use it to our advantage now.”
While La Salle’s trio has to play well on Tuesday night if the Lancers season is to continue, each of the three and their coach would be the first to tell you that every player on their roster is invaluable to their success.
Getting To Know Jaice, AJ & Darius:
Jaice Gardner:
Dream School: San Diego State University
Favorite Player: Demar Derozan
Favorite Movie: Star Wars
Favorite Musical Artist: Tory Lanez
Person I’d Most Like To Talk To: Demar Derozan
Most Surprising Artist On My Ipod: Keith Sweat
AJ Akobian:
Dream School: Occidental
Favorite Movie: Remember The Titans
Favorite Musical Artist: Coldplay
Person I’d Most Like To Talk To: Ray Lewis
Most Surprising Artist On My Ipod: Taylor Swift
Darius Henderson:
Dream School: UCLA or Cal
Favorite Player: Lebron James
Favorite Movie: He Got Game
Favorite Musical Artist: Migos
Person I’d Most Like To Talk To: Lebron James
Most Surprising Artist On My Ipod: Charlie Wilson: “There go’s my baby.”
