Jake Althouse, Flintridge Prep Senior: Althouse quietly became one of the most consistent players both offensively and on the boards. The senior forward averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds and helped lead a late surge, where the Rebels won seven of their last nine games, including wins over Quartz Hill in the CIF-SS Division 4-AA […]
Jake Althouse, Flintridge Prep Senior:
Althouse quietly became one of the most consistent players both offensively and on the boards. The senior forward averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds and helped lead a late surge, where the Rebels won seven of their last nine games, including wins over Quartz Hill in the CIF-SS Division 4-AA playoffs.
Chris Austin, Maranatha Junior:
Austin led Maranatha all year offensively, averaging 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists per game. The forward helped lead the Minutemen to a co-championship in the Olympic League as well as a title game appearance in the CIF-SS Division 1-AA title game against Rancho Verde.
Ryan Bowen, Poly Senior:
Bowen paced Poly in scoring with 18 points per game. The Panthers senior guard helped lead Poly to a Prep League championship, and he was named to the First-Team All-Prep League, and Second-Team All-CIF. His quiet leadership and clutch 3-point shots were key to the Panthers having their best season since 2010-11. Bowen and the Panthers earned playoff victories over Vista del Lago and Bishop Diego.
Darius Brown II, Pasadena Junior:
DBII averaged 18 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals per game for the area’s best team all year. The Bulldogs point guard led PHS to a 14-0 run in their Pacific League title run, and into the CIF-SS Division 1-A and CIF State Division 2 title games. Brown’s team-best 30 points led PHS past Heritage Christian on the road in the first round of the CIF-State tournament.
Jack Dakan, Blair Senior:
Dakan was almost always the smallest guy on the court, and yet he was Blair’s ‘dagger’ hitting 3-point baskets to either start a run or close out an opponent. He averaged 13 points per game and led the Vikings with 106 3-point baskets. Blair won its most games in school history behind this ‘clutch’ senior guard.
Sean Espinosa, Maranatha Senior:
Espinosa helped lead the Minutemen to a co-Olympic League title and a berth in the CIF-SS Division 1-AA finals against Rancho Verde. The point guard averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists per game. But stats couldn’t measure the leadership he showed in CIF upset victories over St. John Bosco, Tahquitz and Cantwell-Sacred Heart.
Jaice Gardner, La Salle Senior:
Gardner helped the resurgence at La Salle, as the senior averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. The 6-foot-6 forward was especially clutch in the CIF-SS Division 2-A playoffs. Gardner was key in playoff victories over Eisenhower and Muir and his size helped lead arguably the area’s most stingy defense.
John Genske, Poly Senior:
Genske was even better on the basketball court than he was as quarterback of the 10-1 Panthers. The senior guard averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, but was also a great passer and defender. Genske helped the Panthers to their best season since 2010-11 with a Prep League championship and playoff wins over Vista del Lago and Bishop Diego.
Darius Henderson, La Salle Junior:
Henderson was given credit from coach Mike Lynch for ‘changing the culture’ for the La Salle basketball program. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Just like Gardner, Henderson’s size and athleticism helped make La Salle the area’s best defensive team. They won two playoff games and in one, held Muir to just 33 points in an overtime victory.
Javonte James, Muir Senior:
James earned Co-Most Valuable Player honors for the Pacific League with Pasadena star Bryce Hamilton. The senior averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game. He was key in Muir winning their last four Pacific League game to wrap up a No. 2 seed and in a first round win over Simi Valley.
Kendall Kikkawa, Flintridge Prep Senior:
Kikkawa was the heart and soul of a very tough Rebels team. The 5-foot-7 point guard averaged 11 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds and helped the Rebels finish with seven wins in their final nine games. That included victories over then-undefeated (in league) Poly and Quartz Hill in the CIF-SS Division 4-AA playoffs.
Tiyon Martin, Muir Junior:
Martin was one of the area’s most respected point guards for both his physical and mental traits. He led the Mustangs to a second-place effort in the Pacific League and a first-round playoff victory over Simi Valley. Martin averaged 12 points and 5 assists and 2 steals per game and will return for coach Simaine Stewart in what should be a banner 2017-18 at Muir.
Darius Mason, Pasadena Sophomore:
Mason played an enormous role in Pasadena’s historic run. The super-sophomore did a lot of everything to help the Bulldogs go 14-0 in Pacific League games and the school’s title game appearances in the CIF-SS Division 1-A and CIF State Division 2 finals. He averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 assists per game. His game-high 21 points led PHS past Mission Hills in the state playoffs in San Diego.
Caleb Smith, Blair Senior:
Smith was the quiet leader of Blair’s run to the most wins in school history. The senior point guard came back from injury to play his best basketball in the playoffs. He averaged 12 points and 6 assists and led the Vikings to the CIF-SS Division 4-AA finals and a first-round victory over Palisades in the CIF State Division 4 playoffs. He is as good a kid as he is a leader.
Joey Walsh, St. Francis Senior:
Walsh was the leader of a St. Francis team that won more than twice the games this year than it did the season before. The senior guard had a team-best 17 points per game, as well as 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. He was first on the Golden Knights in 3-pointers (35) and free-throws (147) made.
Dez Washington, Blair Junior:
Washington was a giant figure in Blair’s best season in school history. The 6-foot-7 forward led the Vikings with 23 points and 11 rebounds per game. He led Blair to a CIF-SS Division 4-AA title game berth and was named the Division’s Player of the Year by CIF. Washington scored 125 points in the postseason and had a put-back at the buzzer to beat Palisades in the CIF State Division 4 playoffs.
Hunter Woods, Muir Junior:
Woods was incredibly versatile for a Mustangs team that finished in second place in the Pacific League and earned a first-round victory over Simi Valley in the CIF-SS Division 2-A playoffs. The junior averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game, and as great players do, Woods played his best basketball in the postseason.
