Page 6 October 30, 2014 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Nash Gone, Lakers Move On By Adam Serrao Steve Nash came to the Los Angeles Lakers two years ago on Independence Day. Since his arrival here in Laker Land, there has been anything but fireworks for both Nash and his fans. With news coming down last Thursday that the point guard will be out for the season with nerve damage in his back, it is clear to see that Nash has simply not been able to find any freedom from the injury bug. Playing in just 15 games last season and being unable to even make it to the season opener this year, Steve Nash’s illustrious NBA career has now most likely come to an end. In his prime, there may not have been a better point guard in the league, but Nash’s injury is actually a good thing for the Lakers as a franchise. The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t necessarily been one of the most successful franchises in the NBA over the past couple of seasons. In fact, they’ve been quite the opposite. Coming off of the worst year in franchise history last year, it was clear that the Lakers needed to do something to get things turned around. The only problem was their reluctance to do it. It is always sad to see someone of Steve Nash’s stature get injured. The point guard out of Canada gave it his all to end his career on the right foot. Unfortunately, degenerative nerve damage is something that you simply can’t outrun and Nash has now learned that the hard way. Injuring his back while doing something as simple as moving a suitcase has ended the season for Nash, and perhaps his career. But it has also allowed to the Lakers to find themselves a clearer sense of direction. This year would have been Nash’s 19th season in the NBA and perhaps his last one. It was his mission to go out on his own terms and finish his career as at least a semblance of the player he once was. “Being on the court this season has been my top priority and it is disappointing to not be able to do that right now,” said Nash. “I work very hard to stay healthy and unfortunately my recent setback makes performing at full capacity difficult. I will continue to support my team during this period of rest, and will focus on my long-term health.” What Nash needs now is rest. Basketball is his passion, but his health should be his focus. The Lakers, on the other hand, can now look to forward and attempt to find their next point guard of the future. For this season, that appears to be Jeremy Lin. If Nash was healthy, Lin would have been limited to somewhat of a backup role. With Nash out, however, the reigns will be handed over almost completely to Lin in what is the last year of his current contract, giving the young point guard a chance to show that he can play at a high level in this league. Lin has consistently been both a scorer and distributor throughout his career and will look to be more of the same this year with the Lakers. “Jeremy makes a huge difference . . . creating shots for others,” said Kobe Bryant. We’ve got somebody else who can penetrate, make plays for others and put pressure on the defense. It’s a really big difference.” Ronnie Price will also get a chance to prove himself, presumably as Lin’s backup. Seeing a player’s career cut short by injury is never an easy thing to see. Especially when the player is a person and athlete like Steve Nash. Players like Nash don’t come around often. If this is, indeed, the final act of his magnificent career, Nash will have finished third on the all-time assists leader board with 10,335 assists. He’s also the all-time leader in free-throw percentage at 90.43% and one of only 14 players to ever have attained more than one MVP award. Those statistics certainly shine light on what kind of player Steve Nash was, but also tell you what kind of player the Lakers thought they would be getting. Since he has arrived in Los Angeles, Nash has been a shell of himself and the trade that the Lakers put forth has looked like a bad one. With only 65 total games under his belt in his Laker career, Los Angeles can finally look forward and move on from Nash and the $9.7 million that he took up on the books. The Lakers’ dream of Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard never quite came true the way that they wanted it to. A lineup that seemed destined to contend for championships simply fell apart right before our very eyes, as did the health of Nash. With those dreams gone, however, seeing a healthy Kobe and Nash play alongside one another this season for what would have seemed like the first time would have been a treat for everyone. It certainly is sad to see a player like Nash slowly begin to fade into the background of a league that he was such a prominent fixture of for over the last decade and more. For the Lakers though, it is just one more domino that has fallen which allows them to prioritize for the future and attempt to at last get back to their championship winning glory. For Nash, there may be a position in coach in his future, beginning with a spot as an assistant on the Lakers bench this season. • Serving Sick and Homeless Children Children In Hospice Centers Children Awaiting Treatments for Life Threatening Diseases www.mmbha.webs.com North Gets It Done On Defense By Adam Serrao Photos by Peter Thornton, jp.thornton58@gmail.com Coming into their game against the Torrance Tartars, the North High Saxons knew that if they wanted to win, they would have to shut down Torrance’s star running back, Tyree Harris. 35 carries, 200 yards and two touchdowns later, Harris came out of the game as, once again, the most explosive player on the field. Though they didn’t shut down Harris, the Saxons defense still came to play last Friday night at North High. With a remarkable five interceptions on the night, North High was able to squeak away with a 23-15 victory on their home turf to stay within close range of the first place spot in the Pioneer League. This game was all North High in the first half of play. The Saxons came out of the gates knowing that it was a rivalry game, ready to avenge their loss to West High two weeks ago in what was also a clash of two inner-city rivals. It was obvious that North was ready. After two touchdown runs and a safety, the Saxons led 16-0 before the first quarter was even completely over. In the second quarter, though, Harris and the Tartars finally got their feet underneath themselves and got things going. After a few big runs, Harris pulled away from 15-yards out to get the ball in the end zone for Torrance for the first time on the night. Harris would quickly come back with a twopoint conversion to cut into North’s lead, 16-8. North would try not to let Torrance get too close and did so by utilizing the duo who has been working for them all year long. Starting quarterback Chris Kuaea hooked up with star wide receiver Mique Juarez on an 8-yard touchdown pass to put the Saxons up by a wide margin again. North led 23-8 going into the half. 23 was all North would get in the game as Torrance stepped things up on the defensive side of the ball in the second half. “It was ugly, but our defense played darn well,” Saxons coach Todd Croce said. Rock Hollis, head coach for the Tartars, acknowledged the job his kids did on defense. “We outplayed them on defense, but good teams find ways to win and North did that tonight,” he said. Torrance began charging again late in the fourth quarter when Tyler Maseuli took a pass 54 yards to set up a Harris touchdown, bringing the score to 23-15. The Tartars had one last chance to tie things up with just over a minute to go in the fourth quarter, but Torrance quarterback Vincent Huey threw one of five interceptions on the night for the Tartars as the Saxons were subsequently able to run the clock out and ultimately take the victory on the night. “I don’t know if we’ve had five interceptions before,” Croce continued. “We forced them into those scenarios and our defense stepped up.” Tyree Harris accounted for 200 of the Tartars (5-3, 2-1) 289 total yards on the night. Kuaea went 8-for-13 for 119 yards and two touchdowns for the Saxons (5-3, 2-1). Next up for North High is a last place Leuzinger team who has yet to notch a victory in league play this season. The Tartars, meanwhile, will take on Centennial, who like Leuzinger is winless in league play this year. Both Torrance and North are chasing West High in the standings. West High The Centennial Apaches are tied for last place in the Pioneer League for a reason and the West High Warriors showed last Friday night at West High exactly why they are in first and Centennial is bringing up the rear. This one was over from the start as the Warriors scored on all three of their first three possessions and by halftime, led 35-0. West (8-0, 4-0) notched two more touchdowns after the half to complete their blowout victory. Brett Ojiyi had another touchdown to add to his yearly total and starting quarterback for West, Trevor Mallett, threw three touchdowns on the night. Mallett’s favorite wide receiver, Dale Rouse, also had three touchdowns to his name. The Warriors will now put their season-long perfect record on the line when they welcome the visiting South High Spartans to the Westside of Torrance in what will be another cross-town rivalry game with implications on the line. South High The South High Spartans didn’t have as easy of a time as the West High Warriors did, but the Leuzinger Olympians basically posed no challenge to head coach Joshua Waybright and his club last Friday night at South High. The Spartans relied on big plays and the Bjazevich brothers for the win. Bailey Bjazevich received a 68-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gabe Zuniga in the Spartans 20 point first quarter. Bailey also returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown. Bailey’s brother Vini got in on the action with a touchdown run in the third quarter as the Spartans staked a claim to a 49-24 lead before ultimately taking a 49-31 victory. The Spartans (6-2, 2-1) are now headed into a matchup against the undefeated, first place West High Warriors in what will be a top-notch cross-town rivalry game. If the Spartans win, they will have a shot at finishing in first place in the Pioneer League this season. • For more photos see North Holds off Torrance High, page 11 Tartars #8 Tyree Harris finds himself surrounded.
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