Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Tony Melum

Barry Faulkner

If videotape of Tony Melum’s Newport Harbor High basketball career

was ever condensed into a movie, there would be, he admits, the need for

some judicious editing.

For while the 6-foot-6 All-CIF Southern Section standout has produced

prodigious amounts of highlight-reel footage, and a 21.4 per-game scoring

average for this year’s Sea View League champions, there have been

occasional unscripted outtakes.

“I think God blessed me as a thinker and not as much as a doer,” said

Melum, addressing the perception that his talents, at times, exceed his

willingness to impose them upon less accomplished competition.

“There are times when it looks like I’m not doing anything,” Melum

said. “I see myself on tape, just standing there not moving, or with a

dumb look on my face. I think it’s because I’m thinking too much about

what I can do. I realize that’s a flaw in my game. I know there are times

when I don’t put forth as much energy as I should.”

This realization, which came to Melum midway through his junior year,

has been a source of consternation to Coach Larry Hirst, who has been

reluctant to shower praise upon his star player.

There are games, however, when the three-year varsity performer

eliminates such conflicted feelings about his play. In these instances,

as in the Sailors’ 54-40 league title-clinching triumph at Woodbridge

Feb. 6, his 32-minute performance is virtually devoid of lulls.

Against Woodbridge, Melum amassed 26 points, 13 rebounds, three

blocked shots, three assists and three steals. The Daily Pilot Athlete of

the Week also collected the unabashed admiration of those in attendance,

including Hirst.

“When Tony sticks to the basics and stays within the framework of what

we’re trying to do, he turns in solid numbers,” said Hirst, of whom Melum

has built a firm respect.

“The things Coach Hirst tells me are all ways to make me better,”

Melum said. “I kid around with Coach, because I’ve never won a battle

with him. He wins every one, because he’ll just say, ‘OK, we’ll see who

plays Friday night.’ ”

On some special Friday nights, Melum can take over a game, carrying

his team to victory on his muscular shoulders. An adept shooter with

three-point range, he creates matchup problems by blending an

inside-outside game of which most prep players are incapable.

When his outside shot isn’t falling, he can attack the basket, post up

defenders, finish in transition, or simply pound the glass for offensive

rebounds and putbacks.

When his desire overcomes on-court analysis, he can bring spectators

to their feet, while dropping opponents to their knees.

“Rebounding is nothing but desire,” Melum said. “There have been some

games when I don’t think I wanted the ball enough. But there are others,

like against Woodbridge, when I want the ball so badly, I’m willing to

fight everyone to get it.”

Melum’s physical prowess often manifests itself in spectacular dunks.

But his time above the rim is not limited to breakaways. He and senior

point guard Greg Perrine have frequently paired for alley-oop slams as a

part of the Tars’ halfcourt offense.

Melum credits Perrine, as well as senior teammate Erik Peterson, for

enhancing his game.

“I usually shoot when Greg gives me the ball,” Melum said. “He

controls our offense so well.

“And Erik takes a lot of pressure off me on defense, because he keeps

the point guard and the wings out of the middle.”

Melum is anxious to enjoy a prolonged postseason run, after which he

will select from several college suitors, including Seattle, Colorado

School of Mines, UC Davis, Chico State and Southern Methodist.

A serious student as well as a self-proclaimed class clown, Melum said

he looks forward to a more focused approach to college.

“My life in college is going to be eating, going to class, doing

homework and playing basketball,” he said. “Ideally, I’d like to find a

happy medium between a good basketball program and a scholastic school.”

For now, he’ll simply try to avoid any middle ground between thinking

and doing.