Column: RJ Smith enjoys Damien’s ride to brink of state boys’ basketball title

Late Tuesday evening, senior RJ Smith of La Verne Damien Excessive went into massive brother mode by comforting his sophomore sister, Kennedy Smith of Etiwanda. One earned a visit to play for a state basketball championship in Sacramento on Friday; the opposite got here up one win quick.

“She was in my room crying,” RJ stated. “We talked. She’s going to be particular. That is only a starting. It’s so uncommon we have been put on this scenario. The outcome didn’t come out the best way we wished. She’s going to be OK. I’m completely satisfied for my crew. We’re going to Sacramento and make the very best of it and have enjoyable.”

Twelve groups from Southern California will play this weekend at Golden 1 Heart within the first state basketball championships since 2019.

Damien is about to play Clovis North at 8 p.m. Friday for the Division I championship. Etiwanda had its unbeaten season come to an finish in a loss to Chatsworth Sierra Canyon within the Southern California Open Division regional ultimate.

Kennedy shall be in Sacramento cheering for her brother. Their mom, Monica, was a standout participant at Washington Prep and has raised them as a single dad or mum for a number of years. They’re terrific gamers and terrific youngsters.

RJ, headed to Colorado, is likely one of the most versatile guards in Southern California. He does no matter it takes to win.

“I do higher serving to folks,” he stated. “I play the sport the correct approach. If I see somebody open, I’ll cross it to them. Everybody can rating on this crew. We all know if somebody goes off, you get them the ball.”

There’s one attribute present in each championship crew — unselfishness. You see it when a participant offers up an open shot to make a cross. You’re feeling it when a teammate jumps off the bench to have a good time a charging foul. You sense it when gamers are so completely satisfied for one another.

RJ is a kind of gamers. He is aware of his coach, Mike LeDuc, is in his forty second yr with greater than 1,000 profession victories however no state championships. When Damien defeated Irvine Crean Lutheran to win the regional title, Smith was extraordinarily completely satisfied — for his coach.

“It was a surreal second,” he stated. “After the sport, I gave him a hug. I informed him we’re going to get one. I wish to make him completely satisfied and proud and provides him a primary one. He doesn’t like emotion on the courtroom. In the event you speak to him and get to know him, he’s an exquisite man. I’ve had an important 4 years. I’m grateful and grateful.”

One other crew experiencing a surreal second is Venice. The Gondoliers are set to play Chino Nice Valley for the Division III championship at 4 p.m. Friday. It’s the very best season in class historical past. No Los Angeles Unified Faculty District crew has gained a state title since Westchester in 2010. The Gondoliers simply opened their new fitness center, and coach Dave Galley has someway been capable of hold his proficient gamers collectively throughout two years of COVID-19 when different gamers in LAUSD left for supposedly greener pastures.

“This has been a resilient group,” Galley stated. “They love enjoying basketball. They love being round one another. It’s a kind of uncommon groups you’re going to recollect.”

Venice fell behind 11-2 in its regional ultimate in opposition to Calabasas Viewpoint earlier than ultimately happening a 13-0 spurt. “Some groups put their head down and are abruptly down 25-2,” Galley stated. “Not this crew. They only reply. They concentrate on the defensive finish and grind.”

Tyler Hunt, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, will get to indicate off his abilities as the most effective gamers within the Metropolis Part. “Tyler is superb,” Galley stated. “He’s a really loyal particular person. He’s by no means wavered. He’s loved the trip. He’s a really team-based man.”

It’s going to be the primary time Venice performs in an NBA area. Galley already has his speech prepared.

“The basket remains to be 10 toes,” he stated, recalling a scene from “Hoosiers.”

Win or lose, it’s going to be fairly a weekend in Sacramento for followers, coaches, gamers and oldsters.