Crooks’ Value to Edison Can Be Found Off the Boards

Talia Crooks wasn’t named the most valuable player of last week’s Marina girls’ basketball tournament, but her value to the Edison High School girls’ basketball team was all too evident.

Just ask Coach Philip Abraham.

“(Tournament MVP) Debbie Fischer has been stealing the limelight, but Talia is the reason we are able to play teams with big posts,” Abraham said.

From pillar to post, Crooks, the Times’ Athlete of the Week, had her way last week.

Crooks, 5-feet-9 and 140 pounds, is averaging 11 rebounds and 12 points this season. She had 44 rebounds and 47 points in four games of the Marina tournament as Edison (9-2) upset Ocean View, 58-53, in the championship game.

“Talia is really quick and she uses that,” Abraham said. “She’s thin but muscular.

“Laura Finch and Talia set solid screens and they are really good at rolling to the hoop.”

Crooks is not Edison’s primary offensive threat.

“Talia gets most of her points off of rebounds and post moves,” Abraham said. “She has a good sense for the ball and tremendous timing, which is so important for rebounding.

“She’s a great volleyball player and that helps with timing.”

Crooks agrees. “I think volleyball has helped. I’m not that great a jumper but I work at it,” she said. “In volleyball you learn to jump with the timing of the set ball, so I guess I’m used to it (timing rebounds).”

Hard work and concentration also help hone rebounding skills, and Crooks posts high marks in those areas too.

She had 11 rebounds against Lakewood’s front line of three 6-footers in Edison’s 56-54 victory last week. That takes a little more effort for a 5-9 player than letting the ball bounce into her hands.

“They weren’t just 6-footers,” Abraham said. “They were all legitimately good players. But Talia’s presence is constantly felt on the floor. She plays clean and always plays very hard.”

And Crooks doesn’t care how tall the opposition is.

“They don’t intimidate me just because they’re taller,” Crooks said. “The first thing I look for is to rebound. I hurry to get position and screen out. We’re a running team, so usually the tall girls are slower and don’t keep up.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Denise Gandara of University had 73 points in three games at the Orange Glen tournament, including a 24-point, 12-rebound performance in a 58-53 victory over Orange Glen Friday.

Amy Jalewalia of La Quinta was the leading scorer in the Marina tournament with 122 points in four games and led La Quinta (8-2) to the consolation championship.

Melisa Sortino had 100 points for Marina (10-4) during the Marina tournament. Marina lost to La Quinta in the consolation championship.

Talia Crooks

Edison High School

Position: Forward

Height, Weight, Class: 5-9, 140, Junior

Last Week: Crooks had 44 rebounds and 47 points in four games to lead Edison (9-2) to the Marina tournament title.

Season: Crooks averages 12 rebounds and 11.5 points.