2003 PREVIEW: BOYS' BASKETBALL: RECALLING THE SHOT MANUEL'S HEROICS EARN CELEBRITY AT Q.H.Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer QUARTZ HILL - The running joke on the Quartz Hill High boys' basketball team is that Byron Manuel pulled off a ``Michael Jordan This article is about the former basketball player. For other uses, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player. .'' Then an unheralded reserve junior guard, Manuel hit a desperation 3- pointer at the buzzer of a 79-78 double-overtime wild-card playoff victory over A.B. Miller of Fontana last season. The shot has since brought him near-celebrity status within Quartz Hill basketball circles, much the way Jordan made a name for himself with a buzzer-beater in an NCAA tournament NCAA Tournament can mean: Men's Sports
Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. . ``We still tease him about it,'' Quartz Hill senior forward Jon Coleman said, ``we call him `the next Michael Jordan'. ``If he missed it, who knows what would have happened? But he was given the opportunity and he made the most of it.'' Senior guard Jason Burton still calls it ``one of the most exciting moments I've ever been a part of.'' Suffice it to say, Manuel is Manuel I, 1469–1521, king of Portugal Manuel I, 1469–1521, king of Portugal (1495–1521), successor of John II. Manuel's reign was most notable for the successful continuation of Portugal's overseas enterprises. no longer unheralded. This season, he's the focal point focal point n. See focus. of the offense on a team that graduated seven seniors, including all five starters. And though anointing a·noint tr.v. a·noint·ed, a·noint·ing, a·noints 1. To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to. 2. To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration. 3. Manuel the next Michael Jordan is perhaps a stretch, Manuel's ability to come through the way he did in the A.B. Miller game shows the type of player he is, Quartz Hill coach Bernard Nichter said. ``Only certain players step up and are willing to take big shots late in games,'' Nichter said. ``It's something that's rare at just about every level, and he's proven to everyone that he's one of those guys that's willing to do it.'' Manuel's willingness to take big shots figures prominently in Quartz Hill's hopes for contending in the intensely competitive Golden League. Manuel is among just four returnees, and the only one with significant varsity experience. Coleman, Burton, and junior point guard Nate Forte were on the varsity last season, but were used sparingly spar·ing adj. 1. Given to or marked by prudence and restraint in the use of material resources. 2. Deficient or limited in quantity, fullness, or extent. 3. Forbearing; lenient. on a senior-rich Rebels team that tied for third place in league, finishing one game behind co-champions Lancaster and Highland, this season's consensus favorites. Others players to watch include newcomers Lawrence Tyson, a junior shooting guard The Shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or off guard,[1] is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. , and Stephen Spann, a junior forward. In addition to inexperience, another concern for the Rebels is their lack of height. At 6-foot-4, Coleman and James Collins James Collins may refer to:
The good news for Quartz Hill is (2-3) is Forte has returned to the point guard position he was originally slated to play but was displaced from after suffering a nose injury. That preseason setback required him to wear a mask that limited his peripheral vision peripheral vision n. Vision produced by light rays falling on areas of the retina beyond the macula. Also called indirect vision. Peripheral vision . Forte's move to the point facilitates Manuel going back to his natural position of shooting guard, where Nichter believes he can be most effective. Manuel had been playing point guard until earlier this week. Quartz Hill will try to make up for some of its deficiencies with a team that is quicker than in past years, and one which takes great pride in defensive intensity. ``We're not the biggest team out there,'' Forte said. ``We're going to have to work together to get out in transition for us to win, but we're comfortable in transition, so I think we should do pretty well in league.'' Although not as tall or experienced as last year's team, Quartz Hill is significantly better in one area compared to last season that it hopes will translate into better play. ``We all get along,'' Manuel said. ``Last year we didn't really get along very well, but we're clicking this year. Everybody really wants to win.'' Gideon Rubin (818)713-3607 gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com AT A GLANCE Team: Quartz Hill boys' basketball Coach: Bernard Nichter, 10th year 2002-03: 15-12, 6-4, third place in Golden League Playoffs: Lost in first round of Div. I-AA Top returnees: Byron Manuel, Sr. G; Jon Coleman, Sr. F; Jason Burton, Sr. G; Nate Forte, Jr. G. Top newcomers: Lawrence Tyson, Jr. Jr. G; Stephen Spann, Jr. F/C F/C See first coupon (F/C). . CAPTION(S): box Box: AT A GLANCE (see text) |
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