Verdugo Hills’ Diminutive Powell Fills Tall Order

At 5 feet 11 and 165 pounds, Verdugo Hills High’s Eddie Powell is not perfectly suited to play center.

The thought of it even makes him laugh.

But stature had little to do with his recent change of position. Last week, Powell moved from guard to center and, improbably, had the game of his career.

In an 86-78 victory over Eagle Rock, Powell had career highs of 46 points and 26 rebounds.

He scored more than the rest of his teammates combined. His two-game totals from last week: 64 points, 37 rebounds, 12 assists and eight steals.

Powell’s all-around talent and ability to jump, combined with the team’s lack of height, prompted Verdugo Hills Coach Scott Kemple to take his best player and put him where he was needed most.

Said Kemple: “We don’t have a choice.”

Only one starter is taller than Powell--and then only by two inches. But Powell’s instincts make up for what he lacks in size.

“He has a sixth sense about him,” Kemple said. “When the ball is shot, he knows where the ball is going to be. He just knows.”

It doesn’t take opponents long to figure out that Powell is the guy to stop. After all, how many centers are responsible for bringing the ball up the court and running the offense?

Understandably, Powell is often double-teamed. He has come to expect that challenge and almost considers it an insult if he is guarded by only one player.

“That’s what they’ve got to do to me,” Powell said.

“They know I’ll take ‘em one on one . . . sometimes I’ll take them both. I don’t think one person can guard me.”

Powell has the numbers to back up his boast. He is averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 6.9 assists a game. Among area City Section players, only Kennedy’s Joe Wyatt (30.2) is scoring more.

Powell, who transferred from Oakland two years ago, last season averaged 24.9 points and was the third-leading scorer among area City players. It was his first season of organized competition.

Before Powell stepped onto the court for Verdugo Hills, the Dons had won only four games in two years. Last season, they finished 10-11 and missed the playoffs by one game.

This year, the Dons seemed poised to improve on their record. But Chan Cornish, a 6-4 junior center who averaged 14.8 points and 11.4 rebounds, was declared academically ineligible before the start of the season, delivering a major setback to the program.

Despite his team having won only three of 12 games, Powell remains encouraged.

“He approaches every game like it’s the first game,” Kemple said.

Earlier this season, Powell did become frustrated. No matter what he did on the court, it seemed, no matter how many points he scored, or how many assists he dished out, the Dons could not win.

“We kept losing and I was like, ‘Something’s wrong,’ ” Powell said.

So, Kemple added another wrinkle to the Dons’ game plan. He instructed Powell & Co. to pass more in the first half. Get the entire team into the offense. Then, after intermission, give Powell the ball--and the green light.

“When the third and fourth quarter come,” Powell said, “it’s my turn.”

Against Eagle Rock, Powell scored 31 points in the second half.

“Now he’s realized he has to get the others involved,” Kemple said. “He’s changed a lot. He’s more of a leader this year. He’s the kind of guy who leads by example.”

Other players might resent a teammate who shoots so often, and who is given so much attention, but the Dons know who is running the show and who nails the 17-foot jumper from the top of the key (Powell’s favorite shot) with consistency.

However, Powell doesn’t insist on hogging the ball. Although he converted 17 of 32 shots against Eagle Rock, he shot only 19 times against Franklin and made seven.

“I shoot a lot,” Powell said. “I don’t feel shy about shooting the ball. (But) I know when I’m going overboard--when I’m not on.”

Apparently, the team knows, too.

“They know he’s the leader,” Kemple said. “Whatever he says, they don’t ever dispute him. They know he’s the main guy. If he wants it, he gets it.”