ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : A More Aggressive Gray Gives Granada Hills the Strength Underneath

Although Gary Gray of Granada Hills High averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds per game last season, he believed he needed to work on playing more aggressively. On Saturday, he put on a display of muscle that will be difficult to match.

Against Taft in the championship game of the North Hollywood tournament, Gray scored 47 points, 16 better than his previous career high. He was named most valuable player after leading the Highlanders to an 85-75 win.

Gray, a 6-9 senior center, credits his performance to an unusual training method.

“During practice guys have been hitting me with football blocking pads while I post up,” Gray said. “I used to fall down when I got fouled, now I try and make the shot. I’ve been progressively getting more aggressive every day.”

Said Granada Hills Coach Bob Johnson: “We figure that he’s going to get fouled a lot. If he never makes a basket in those situations, we lose points.”

Gray, who is averaging 29 points, made four three-point plays against Taft. Each time, opponents were hanging on him as he shot. Gray had 30 points by halftime.

“Gary is very strong,” Taft Coach Jim Woodard said. “He has a big body and knows how to use it.”

Gray figured in all 20 of the Highlanders’ first-quarter points, scoring 18 and assisting on the other basket. For the game, he made 17 of 23 shots and 13 of 14 free throws.

A three-year starter, Gray is the primary reason that every coach in the Northwest Valley League expects Granada Hills to win its third consecutive league title.

Gray, who has scored at least 20 points in every game, said he plays best against tough opponents.

“I was really pumped up for the Taft game,” Gray said. “We hadn’t won the North Hollywood tournament either of the last two years and I really wanted to win it.”