SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Kennedy’s Murakami Gets Close Look at Title Game

Morgan Murakami figures to have a better view of the Southern Section boys’ basketball championship games today at the Los Angeles Sports Arena than he did five years ago.

Murakami will be a starting guard for Kennedy High School in its Division II-A title game against Trabuco Hills at 1 p.m. today.

Five years ago, Murakami was an eighth-grader who, along with a couple of friends, tried to sneak down to the student section to watch Kennedy in its 3-A title game against Tustin.

“We got kicked out by (football) Coach (Mitch) Olson,” Murakami said.

But Olson proved to be a prophet as he sent Murakami and his friends back to the loge level.

“I never forgot this,” Murakami said. “He told us, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be here someday.’ ”

But little did Murakami know that he would play a key role in Kennedy’s drive to the championship game. The 5-foot-11 senior has become the team’s top outside shooting threat and has hit nine three-point shots in four playoff games.

Murakami’s biggest three-pointer was a baseline shot with 1 minute 8 seconds remaining that helped Kennedy upset second-seeded San Marcos, 57-55, in the semifinals Tuesday at Santa Barbara City College.

Murakami’s buzzer-beating, long-distance shots have become legendary at Kennedy. He once launched a shot from near the free-throw line on the opposite end of the court that banked in to end the first quarter of a game at Garden Grove.

“It was the longest shot in Kennedy basketball history,” said Coach John Mayberry, who has seen or coached every game Kennedy has played.

Murakami nearly matched the feat by hitting a half-court shot to beat the first-quarter buzzer at Rancho Alamitos. The ball rolled around the rim and went in.

Murakami admits he occasionally practices those long shots but diligently works on his three-point shots. He’s literally gotten fat off his accurate shooting.

“I play (shoot-around game) H-O-R-S-E with Bobby Deck for lunch,” Murakami said. “We’ll play for pizza, ice cream or cinnamon rolls. I’ve won my share of games against him. One time, I was up to almost $9 on him.”

Murakami began playing in Asian League recreation games and tournaments as a fourth grader and quickly developed into a deft shooter. He’s the youngest of three brothers, following Jeff and Todd on Kennedy’s basketball team.

“My older brothers taught me a lot about the game and have always supported me,” Murakami said. “We have a very competitive family.”

Murakami also made his mark on Kennedy’s football team, for which he was a three-year starter at wide receiver and strong safety. He hasn’t decided whether he’ll continue to compete in college but insisted he would pursue a football career if he chooses to stay in athletics.

Murakami said he was suffering from burnout midway through the basketball season but had a change in attitude after a long talk with assistant Everett Watson.

“(Coach) Watson pulled me aside one day during practice and asked me what was wrong,” he said. “I was going through a shooting slump and was down. He told me, ‘This is your senior year. It’s probably the last chance you’ll have to play the game. Just go out and have fun.”’

Murakami said it took several hours on the bus ride home from Santa Barbara to finally realize the significance of his three-point shot and the upset against San Marcos.

“I woke up later that night and I thought I was dreaming,” he said. “Then, it hit me. We’re going to the Sports Arena for the championship.”

Only this time, Murakami will have the best seat in the house.