Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week - Micah Young: More than a feeling

Barry Faulkner

Micah Young finally found a sensation more consuming than the

throbbing of his left ankle. This feeling enveloped him during the Jan.

24 game against Pacific Coast League-leading University, which he torched

for a career-high 39 points and 14 rebounds.

“It was like I couldn’t miss ... like I was unstoppable,” said the

6-foot-2 junior post player, who could, to a lesser degree, make the same

statement virtually every time he has taken the court in his first

varsity season.

After his performance against Uni, which sparked a 73-65 upset, he

collected 19 points and nine rebounds in a loss to Costa Mesa to garner

Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week recognition.

Despite battling taller opponents in the paint, Young’s quickness,

leaping ability and determination have helped him average 17.6 points per

game, heading into Wednesday’s home game against Laguna Beach.

His scoring numbers might be even more impressive, if not for a

misstep in the first Laguna Beach game, Jan. 12. Young landed on a Laguna

player’s foot in the first quarter. The result was a rolled ankle and a

seat on the sidelines, after scoring only four points.

He sat out the Eagles’ subsequent nonleague loss to Santa Margarita,

Jan. 15, then, defying Coach Chris Sorce’s prediction that he may miss

the next two league games, was back in the lineup Jan. 17 in a two-point

loss to Corona del Mar.

“I came back too early,” said Young, who admits the ankle is still

only about 80%.

“He’s still hobbling around on it,” Sorce said. “But you’d never know

by the way he is playing that he was anything less than 100%. He’s never complained. He just gets treatment, tapes it up and plays hard, even

every day in practice.”

Young’s work ethic, much improved from his sophomore season, according

to Sorce, is a big reason Young is enjoying such success.

“He’s really grown up a lot this year and become a much more

well-rounded basketball player,” Sorce said. “He’s worked hard every day,

been very coachable, and done the little things you have to do to be

successful. He’s one of the top players in the league and he’s shown

everyone else that hard work has its rewards.”

Young began playing basketball in the fourth grade and satisfies his

passion for the game almost every day. He said quickness is his biggest

weapon against taller foes inside.

Creativity also comes into play, as Young manages to twist, contort,

spin and slash in order to get his shot off.

Young said he fears no defender, including blue-chip Dominguez High

7-footer Tyson Chandler, against whom he played in a summer league game

last year.

“Costa Mesa has a 6-7 center (Mike Payne) and he went right at him,”

Sorce said.

University, like Estancia, lacks significant size on the front line

and Young took full advantage.

“Our plan was to be very patient and just pound the ball inside,”

Sorce said. “Micah just seemed to be on. It was one of those games where

he was almost automatic when he got the ball.”

Young hit 15 of 20 field-goal attempts and added nine points at the

foul line against the Trojans.

If Young hasn’t surprised himself, his smooth transition to the

varsity level has taken Sorce slightly off guard.

“I knew he was athletic and had ability, but I didn’t know if he’d put

it all together with the mental aspects of the game,” Sorce said. “But

he’s really matured and he’s been taking care of business. He’s exceeded

our expectations, offensively, and, defensively, he’s really improved

dramatically. We kind of expected him to be a weak link on defense, but

he’s become one of our strong points.”

And, as Young’s ankle gets stronger, there figure to be many more

points in his future.