2008 Woodie Awards
Sharp-Shooting Sophomore Tops Conference in Scoring
Star forward/center finishes up junior college career, heads off to UC Irvine next season
Adam Casas
Issue date: 2/9/05 Section: Sports
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Early in the morning, when we are drinking coffee to get the day going, the fifth top scorer in men's basketball statewide is busy thinking basketball-basketball for breakfast, basketball for lunch; and basketball for dinner.
Mark Kelley, Citrus College's starting forward/center, eats, sleeps and dreams basketball. He is 6-9 and can shoot rainbows 10 feet high over his opponents' heads.
Kelley puts up more than 300 shots a day, just to warm up. Practice makes perfect
With his long -range jumper that helps him average 26.5 points a game, he is leading the Western State Conference in scoring.
"I came to Citrus to play organized basketball," Kelley said. "In some JC programs, guys jerk around and don't take it serious. I came here for the discipline and the relationship with my teammates."
After scouting him at La Salle High School in Pasadena, head coach James Hyneman said that he recognized that Kelley had excellent potential on court, exhibited leadership and was academically gifted.
"I knew he could shoot, but what if he developed ever more skills on the court?" Hynemnan said.
The offense Hyneman instills is geared for players to pick and choose high percentage shots. Kelley is doing just that. He is shooting 44 percent from the field. No one shuts him down. The territory that he controls is located outside the paint on the court. He owns it.
Kelley has developed a drop step, created a low post game in the paint, and can bring out opposing teams' big men.
"When I hit that court, in my mind I don't think there is anyone that can stop me. I'm focused, and I'm confident," Kelley said.
He is also a serious student.
He never misses a class and always completes his homework. Now that effort is paying off: Kelley is headed to UC Irvine next semester on a full scholarship to major in economics.
When Kelley sits on the bench, taking a break when his team is doing well, he shows that he understands that team work, chemistry and patience, are what wins games.
Mark Kelley, Citrus College's starting forward/center, eats, sleeps and dreams basketball. He is 6-9 and can shoot rainbows 10 feet high over his opponents' heads.
Kelley puts up more than 300 shots a day, just to warm up. Practice makes perfect
With his long -range jumper that helps him average 26.5 points a game, he is leading the Western State Conference in scoring.
"I came to Citrus to play organized basketball," Kelley said. "In some JC programs, guys jerk around and don't take it serious. I came here for the discipline and the relationship with my teammates."
After scouting him at La Salle High School in Pasadena, head coach James Hyneman said that he recognized that Kelley had excellent potential on court, exhibited leadership and was academically gifted.
"I knew he could shoot, but what if he developed ever more skills on the court?" Hynemnan said.
The offense Hyneman instills is geared for players to pick and choose high percentage shots. Kelley is doing just that. He is shooting 44 percent from the field. No one shuts him down. The territory that he controls is located outside the paint on the court. He owns it.
Kelley has developed a drop step, created a low post game in the paint, and can bring out opposing teams' big men.
"When I hit that court, in my mind I don't think there is anyone that can stop me. I'm focused, and I'm confident," Kelley said.
He is also a serious student.
He never misses a class and always completes his homework. Now that effort is paying off: Kelley is headed to UC Irvine next semester on a full scholarship to major in economics.
When Kelley sits on the bench, taking a break when his team is doing well, he shows that he understands that team work, chemistry and patience, are what wins games.