SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION II-AA : Tustin’s Beilstein Narrows Focus to Court

David Beilstein, Tustin High School’s senior point guard, hasn’t limited his talents to the basketball court.

Beilstein currently is planning and scripting a six-minute film for his film analysis class. He learned some of the ways of the business world in an economics class where he broke even buying Nike, Reebok, LA Gear and Boston Celtics stock.

He’s involved in school activities and politics as Tustin’s senior class president and is helping to organize senior-week graduation activities.

Beilstein also has found time to maintain a 4.2 grade-point average and has been accepted at USC, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Syracuse University and is awaiting word from UCLA, Cornell and Princeton.

At the moment, however, Tustin’s Renaissance man is focused on the Southern Section basketball playoffs, where Tustin will meet host Muir at 7:30 tonight at Pasadena High in the semifinals of the Division II-AA playoffs.

Beilstein, a three-year starter, is coming off one of the best games of his career, scoring 27 points and getting 12 assists in a 77-49 rout of Edison Friday.

Beilstein orchestrated the big victory with his cunning passes and three-point shots. He expertly blended passes to teammates Thomas Clayton, Jentry Moore and Brian Reider for easy shots or took the outside shot when Edison’s defense collapsed inside.

The result was a 28-point blowout that Beilstein later called, “almost a perfect game” for third-seeded Tustin (24-4). If Beilstein appears to be playing every game as if it might be his last, there’s good reason. The playoffs could be the final chapter of his playing days.

“I don’t plan on playing college basketball,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of fun playing basketball, but my future is my academics. I’ll always be a fan, but I don’t see myself playing after this year. We’ll see what happens.”

Beilstein will major in business and hopes to own his own business someday. He gives a subtle reminder that he’s still an 18-year-old when he suggests he’d like to own a record store.

“I listen to a lot of different groups,” he said. “AC/DC, Black Crowes and Led Zeppelin are the ones I’ve been into lately. I’ll probably go to a college in the East.”

Beilstein routinely works on his homework until midnight after daily two-hour practice sessions. Earlier this year, he reported to school at 7 a.m. for an hour of weight lifting.

“During the basketball season, I don’t spend as much time with the ASB officers, but I plan on getting involved more when the season ends,” he said. “Student government has been a lot of fun. I’m really glad I got involved.”

Beilstein’s life has become well-rounded this year after a 10-year love affair with basketball. He began playing the game at the Tustin Boys Club in the second grade and made his first traveling all-star team in the sixth grade.

He figures that he has played nearly 500 organized basketball games since the sixth grade, wearing jersey No. 10 until he enrolled at Tustin High.

“I missed practice when the uniform numbers were ordered, so I had to settle for No. 15,” Beilstein.

Beilstein’s hand-me-down jersey will likely someday be enshrined in Tustin’s trophy case. He’s the school’s season and career scoring leader. He averaged 20.7 points during the regular season and has added 60 points in three postseason games.

Tustin Coach Tom McCluskey said Beilstein has three intangibles that separate him from most high school players.

“First, he has a huge heart,” McCluskey said. “He got beat up as a sophomore and then had to take a big role as a junior when Jason Moore got hurt. The added responsibilities have propelled him into the success he’s had this year.

“Second, he has this burning desire to succeed. David’s parents laid a great foundation for their son. His father (Paul) is our booster club president. The Beilstein’s have set a great example for their son.

“Finally, he has that aura of confidence that spreads to every member of the team. The bottom line is, David Beilstein is a winner.”