Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Nancy Hatsushi - Mad bomber

Tony Altobelli

Nancy Hatsushi, the 5-foot-4 point guard for the Costa Mesa High

girls basketball team may look all sweet and innocent on the outside, but

don’t let that fool you.

Costa Mesa’s 2000 Homecoming Queen has feasted on the opposition like

a pit bull on a favorite chew-toy.

With scoring standouts Autumn Smith and Jenny Earnst gone because of

graduation, Hatsushi has looked to shoulder more of the scoring

responsibility this year and the numbers speak for themselves.

A second-team, All-Pacific Coast League selection a year ago with an

8.6 points-per-game average, Hatsushi is averaging 17.6 points per game

this year, much to the delight of Coach Jim Weeks.

“She’s one of those players who coaches might get to coach once every

generation,” Weeks said. “She’s strong in every aspect of the game of

basketball and it’s been a fun three years watching her grow.”

A fine example of her improved offensive leadership can be traced to

last week’s contest against Newport Harbor on Dec. 12.

With her team trailing for the entire first quarter of the game

against the feisty Sailors, the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week went 6

for 6 from three-point range in the second and third quarters, helping

Mesa turn the game around.

“It was one of those games where every shot felt good coming off my

hand,” Hatsushi said. “Some games are like that where everything felt

perfect. But I’ve also had days where nothing drops for you.”

Her six treys tied the Mustangs’ school record set by Evelyn Powers on

Dec. 23, 1998 at the Artesia Tournament.

In addition to her long-range bombs, Hatsushi had seven assists, six

steals, was 5 for 6 from the free-throw line down the stretch and scored

a career-high 25 points as Mesa won, 56-44.

“I take the shot when I’m open,” Hatsushi said. “I don’t look to

myself as a first scoring option. I try to get everyone involved in the

offense, but if I’m open I’ll take it.”

The Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week’s 25-point performance came three

days after a 24-point, eight-assist, five-steal display in a 67-65

overtime loss against Gahr at the Mayfair-Bellflower Tournament.

“She’s a true leader in every sense of the word,” Weeks said. “She’s

her hardest critic and she expects herself to be a top leader.”

That seems like a far cry from the Hatsushi who graced the varsity

hardwood as a freshman.

“Looking back, I was so scared,” she said with a laugh. “If I made a

mistake I was so worried that I was letting the seniors down. Obviously,

it’s much easier now after playing varsity for three years.”

On her team’s chances, Hatsushi is happy with the direction the team

is heading.

“Our offense is designed to get everyone involved and as a point

guard, that’s my first priority,” Hatsushi said. “We may not have as many

skills as some of our opponents, but we get our offense going through

tough defense. We’ll also wear you down because we have a strong

second-string squad.”

All of the accolades Hatsushi has received and will receive almost

never happened.

“The first time I played basketball was in the fourth grade and I

absolutely hated it,” she said. “I went to one practice and quit right

then and there. In the sixth grade, by friends tried to talk me into

playing and told me if I played, they would too.”

And the rest, as they say, is history.