Jeron Artest’s Putback as Time Expires Lifts Pali High Boys Hoops over Uni
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
When Jeron Artest joined the Palisades High boys basketball team, he knew there would be high expectations for him. Such is the pressure that comes with being the son of an NBA star.
In the closing moments of Monday’s Western League game against University, Artest did his father proud with a rebound and putback that bounced twice on the rim before falling through the net as the buzzer sounded, giving Palisades a thrilling 71-69 victory.
The youngest son of Los Angeles Lakers forward and Pali High girls assistant coach Metta World Peace, Artest finished with eight points but it was the last two that provided the most exciting moment so far in his high school career.
The final play wasn’t exactly what was drawn up in the huddle, but afterwards no one in a white jersey minded one bit.
“Actually, we were trying to get Will Johnson open on a screen but we couldn’t,” Artest said. “Once the shot went up my job was to crash the boards just in case. In that split second after I let it go I was thinking this better go in!”
The score was tied 69-69 when Palisades inbounded the ball with 12 seconds left. After several passes it ended up in the hands of Zach Lynch, who launched a three-pointer from the corner that fell short of the rim. Dayne Downey grabbed it as he was falling backwards and his shot hit the front of the iron, but Artest swooped in and fired in midair before the Wildcats could react.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Artest made a steal and a layup to break a 59-59 tie, then took a charge to give Palisades possession. He also hit a clutch free throw with 30 seconds left.
The win avenged a loss in the first round of league play and kept the Dolphins in fourth place in the standings with four games left. Every win is crucial for Palisades, which is fighting for a spot in the City Section Division I playoffs.
Overlooked by Artest’s final heroic shot was his ball-hawking defense, which created numerous fast-break opportunities and easy layups for his teammates.
“We stress defense every game and that’s my role,” said Artest, who wasn’t eligible until early January due to transfer rules. “I’m the one who has to get the stops.”
Pali High assistant coach Kris Johnson was happy to see Artest rewarded for his effort.
“Jeron changed the whole game defensively,” Pali High assistant coach Kris Johnson said. “He pressured the ball and never gave up on the play. His talent is off the charts. It’s hard to believe he’s only a sophomore.”
Will Johnson led the Dolphins with 22 points. Lynch made three three-pointers on his way to 11 points and Downey added 11. George Brown had eight points and his rebounding kept the Dolphins close throughout the first half.
Adam Chaarawi scored 22 points, including six three-pointers, and Jude Agbasi added 18 points for the Wildcats, who defeated Palisadesby six points on their own floor Jan. 13.
“This is a microcosm of our entire season – good, but not good enough,” University Coach Steve Ackerman said. “On that last play we needed to do three things: deny the drive, close out on the shooter and get the rebound. We did the first two things but not the third and it cost us.”
The last-second victory got Palisades back on track after last Friday’s 86-49 loss to first-place Westchester in which the Dolphins were limited to a total of 10 points in the second half.
The Dolphins had no trouble scoring last Wednesday in a 75-35 rout of visiting Hamilton. In fact, it was their best shooting performance of the season as they knocked down 14 three-point baskets. The real key to the win, however, was how well they defended the three-pointer.
“They shoot a high volume of threes from the corner, but we didn’t let them tonight,” Pali High head coach Donzell Hayes said. “We ran them off the three-point line and didn’t give them good locks.”
Hamilton did not make one three-pointer in the game, going 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. The Yankees also hurt themselves at the free throw line, missing 11 of 22 attempts.
Palisades increased its lead after every quarter and every player contributed to the victory. Johnson led the way with a season-high 28 points, including six three-pointers. Lynch had 11 points (with three three-pointers) and Nick Kerkorian and Artest each made one three-pointer and finished with seven points.
Brown had four points and Chris Kurihara, Bailey Jones and Angel Villalta each added one three-pointer for the Dolphins, who outscored Hamilton 15-7 in the first eight minutes, built a 32-19 halftime lead and began the fourth quarter with a 20-point cushion.
“Of course I’m happy that we won, but I’m more happy to see us playing the right way,” Hayes said. “This was a huge confidence booster after going to overtime with LACES.”
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