High School Basketball

 

Last year U.C.L.A.'s Kevin Love and U.S.C.'s O.J. Mayo were celebrated high school stars ranked amongst the top three in almost every major publication.

Jrue Holiday

This year's high school version of that duo squared off Thursday night at the Tournament of Champions hosted by Ocean View High School and U.C.L.A. bound forward Jrue Holiday from Campbell Hall of North Hollywood won round one against U.S.C. bound guard Demar DeRozan from Compton High.

Holiday displayed a wide arsenal of tricks scoring 32 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and pleasing the crowd with several acrobatic dunks and drives to the hoop for easy lay-ups.

"It was just another game for our team", Holiday said of his one on one match-up that fans were drooling over for weeks after the brackets were released and it wa s apparent the two teams would face each other at some point in the tournament. "There is no rivalry for the two of us. This is just high school. College is a different level. I never thought of this as a one on one game between me and Demar. Our team is just trying to get better, have fun and win state."

If Holiday wasn't thinking about the match-up with DeRozan, he probably was one of the few thinking that way because the gym was filled with college coaches and scouts including U.S.C.'s Tim Floyd to undoubtedly see who would gain the upper hand.

The game was close early on as both teams traded baskets much of the first half before Campbell Hall went on an 8-0 run to take a 44-36 lead at halftime.

	DeMar DeRozan

Holiday scored 12 points in the first half while DeRozan scored 15 points including nine of 11 at the free throw line.

But in the second half, Holiday took over scoring 10 points in each quarter and making all five of his free throws.

On one play, Holiday skied for a rebound, lost control for a second but kept control of the ball with his left hand, dribbled down court past three defenders and made a lay up shifting off balance to his left that left one fan yelling "California's finest".

When asked about asserting himself in the second half, Holiday said "I decided to do that last game when we lost. I was laid back on Tuesday (loss to JS erra 85-72) and all I need to do is play smart and bring my teammates along with me."