Mighty Proud : Muir’s Girls’ Basketball Team Hailed as No. 1 in Nation

Imagine it: 3,000 miles away, New York Christ the King High School beats H.D. Woodson of Washington in a girls’ basketball game, and the campus of a Pasadena high school is thrown into a frenzy.

Last week’s win by Christ the King over USA Today’s No. 1-ranked team allowed John Muir High School to be elevated a notch to the top spot in the country.

And that has the coach, players, parents, the student-body and people they don’t even know more than excited.

Archie Newton, the coach, knew the times were achangin’ when a student asked, “Do you realize all the teams there are in America? And you’re No. 1?”

The players knew there was a different mood on campus when they were hounded by autograph-seeking freshmen. And, get this, they were boys.

Wadie Gravely, a member of the booster club, got a taste of the team’s new-found acclaim when she took the team’s long-delayed program to a local printer. Another customer, who happened to be involved with a parade celebrating Black History Month, approached her and invited the team to be in the parade.

Suddenly, the Muir girls have been elevated to larger-than-life status on campus and, indeed, in Pasadena.

The reporters started calling Newton that Tuesday evening, a day after the game back East. The television stations filmed a Muir game last Friday afternoon, and the lives of Newton and the 11 varsity players haven’t been the same since.

“When we were No. 2 in the nation it was a ho-hum kind of thing,” Newton said.

Yet, one victory across the country changed all that.

“Being No. 1 in the country is a very awesome statement,” Newton said. “It imposes an awesome responsibility.”

Said Vice Principal Don Cooke: “We don’t take it for granted. Everyone on campus is very proud of them.”

Among the proud are Muir switchboard operator Maria Aragon, who squealed with delight to a recent caller: “The Muir girls, they’re the best in the nation. Did you know that? We have all the future Cheryl Millers of the world.”

And Sidney Mitchell, an imposing-looking security guard, who broke into a big smile when he learned a visitors’ purpose for trespassing on campus. “Oh, you’re here to see the girls basketball team. . . . “

Not to forget the 11 players.

The rise of this team actually started three seasons ago when two soccer players decided to try their hand at basketball. Pauline and Geannine Jordan, twins, were awkward, gangly freshmen but had talent. It was up to Larry Cash, the coach then, to start them on the right course.

When Newton, who’s taught at the school since 1971, took over two seasons later, he needed only to develop and nurture the twins. They’ve flowered beyond expectations.

Pauline, the 6-foot 3-inch right-handed one, is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 21.3 points a game. Geannine, the 6-2 lefty, is the leading rebounder, averaging 12 a game.

The twins’ size always made them big on campus, but now there are the autograph seekers, the television crews and an endless stream of recruiters.

In fact, the telephone was ringing so much recently that Newton had to take it off the hook to get some quiet.

“Recruiters have been known to just wander into the gym,” Cooke said.

Newton has the task of screening the considerable number of interested coaches, keeping them at bay at least until the season is over.

Through it all, however, the Jordans have kept an unwavering eye on a still elusive goal--winning the Southern Section 4-A championship. They’ve been to the finals twice, losing to Buena in their sophomore season and to Compton last year.

They’ve won just about everything else, though. In the Jordans’ four seasons, Muir has not lost a league game or a tournament. Newton does not have the exact figures, but he thinks Muir was 101-5 in the Jordans’ previous three seasons.

Today, with a win over Pasadena, the Mustangs can complete a perfect 25-0 regular season.

The Mustangs, also top-ranked in the 4-A and state, will begin their quest for the Southern Section title next week. The pairings will be announced Tuesday.

This season, the Jordans have had a little help from their friends. Notably, forward Tasha Bradley (9.2 points per game) and guard Angie Grant.

Bradley is 6-2 and, though she is just a sophomore, is very talented.

Newton thinks Bradley is far better than the Jordans were at that stage. “She’s just going to be super,” he said.

Guard Jami Edwards, who averages seven assists a game, is Muir’s other starter.

It has not been an easy season. The Mustangs have played a tough schedule, but their most impressive wins came at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions in late December.

In the semifinals, Muir beat San Diego Point Loma, then the nation’s second-ranked team, 62-43. Muir also held Terri Mann, the Pointers’ high-scoring center to only eight points, and snapped Point Loma’s 63-game winning streak.

Then, in the championship game, the Mustangs fell behind Christ the King, then ranked No. 1, 18-2, before rallying before halftime.

In that game, the Jordans were on the bench, in foul trouble, late in the game. But Bradley emerged as floor leader in a manner that surprised and pleased Newton.

They went on to win easily, 54-45.

Said Newton: “At first it was a matter of us not hitting our shots, but then I could see into the second half that we would do OK. Bradley just took over.” He seems nonchalant about it now, but he said he lost 15 pounds, mostly from anxiety, during the team’s five-day stay in Santa Barbara.

Newton is a soft-spoken man. He does not raise his voice, yet he commands the full attention of his players as well as any drill sergeant. He is decked out in a blue and white sweat suit. His glasses are preppie, his haircut Miami Vice-like.

He is as amazed by the spotlight as anyone. Yet, winning has been a strain on Newton. He has had to balance the needs of his players alone. He doesn’t have an assistant coach.

“It’s been difficult to keep up with all my paper work,” said Newton, who teaches five classes in psychology. “It all requires extra energy and time.

“If we could close shop tomorrow that would be great. But it has caused a bit of anxiety.”

The Mustangs have, indeed, caused quite a stir, but no one has any lingering regrets.

The attention has somehow transcended the game of basketball, though playing the game is still the real fun of all this.

Said Pauline Jordan: “To me (basketball) has always been fun, but yes, it is a little more fun, now.”