It’s Minor Things That Help Canyon

There is no player more riveting on a basketball court than a pure shooter. He can’t keep his eyes off the basket and fans can’t keep their eyes off him.

All eyes have been on Greg Minor during Canyon games for four years. Minor is a major point maker.

He is appreciated for his artistry, his fluid moves, his quick release, his delicate touch.

He is appreciated for his numbers, having rewritten the school’s record book in every shooting category.

And this year he is appreciated for his leadership, a new role for a player who had relished being the Young Gun for three years. After being a part-time player as a freshman, he averaged 15.7 points as a sophomore and 22.9 last season.

“I don’t talk very much. I do it on the court, but I enjoy being the experienced guy on a young team,” Minor said.

Minor, a 6-foot-2 guard, leads area players with a 27.2 scoring average despite being the focus of attention by every opponent. He has twice this season scored a school-record 45 points and also has games of 43 and 41 points.

“Everyone tries to frustrate him by playing him aggressively, bumping him, double- and triple-teaming him, doing anything they can to wear him down,” Canyon Coach Greg Hayes said. “But Greg has the ability to reach down deep. He is one of the best clutch players I have seen or coached.”

Minor’s stamina is especially remarkable because he brings the ball upcourt, blurring the distinction between point guard and shooting guard.

When Canyon leads in the fourth quarter, Minor handles the ball until he is fouled. And why not? He made 43 consecutive free throws earlier this season and in one game made 20 of 20.

“He is a great passer and ballhandler,” Hayes said. “College recruiters assume he’s a (shooting guard) but the more they see him play, they say he could play the point.”

Loyola Marymount and Long Beach State have the inside track on Minor, who said he wants to remain in Southern California for college.

But he has some unfinished business at Canyon. The team finished 20-7 last season but was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in overtime by Long Beach Wilson. This year the young Cowboys (13-10, 6-5) have been inconsistent but will advance in the playoffs as far as Minor carries them.

“We put him in a position where he is the first, second and third option (to shoot),” Hayes said. “We definitely want the ball in his hands.”

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While others are raving, Saugus Coach Jeff Hallman speaks in low-key tones about 6-9 sophomore center Tim Faulconer, who has 46 blocked shots in 12 games since being promoted from the junior varsity.

“He’s just a tall, lanky kid--not real strong,” Hallman said. “He’s starting to feel more comfortable.”

Opponents have become uneasy about challenging Faulconer on drives to the basket. He blocked seven shots against Highland in his first varsity game, nine against Burbank and six against Canyon and Hart.

“They are gaining more respect for him,” Hallman said. “He went three games without a block the second time through the league. Teams have adjusted.”

Respect is obvious, if Canyon Coach Greg Hayes is to be believed. Hayes is already comparing Faulconer to two NBA players whom he coached against: Elden Campbell (Morningside) and Scott Williams (Hacienda Heights Wilson).

“Faulconer makes the same kind of impact as those other guys did as sophomores in that he changes what you do offensively,” he said.

Shoring up his own offense is Faulconer’s next task. He has scored only 48 points, giving him nearly as many blocks as points. But he has made 23 of 36 field-goal attempts.

“Tim has a nice touch on his shot,” Hallman said.

And he has a way of putting his own touch on the shots of others.

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It’s time for Take 2 of Santa Paula’s quest to snap Santa Clara’s unfathomable league winning streak. Two weeks ago, Santa Clara squeaked out a double-overtime victory when Santa Paula missed several potential game-winning free throws.

The streak, meanwhile, has grown to 91, seven short of the Southern Section record.

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Less noticed is the streak strung together by the Santa Clara girls’ soccer team--44 consecutive home matches without a loss. The Saints (12-3-3, 4-0-2) have won four consecutive Frontier League championships and took a big step toward a fifth by defeating Moorpark (8-6-3, 4-1-1), 1-0, Friday.

Staff writer Dana Haddad contributed to this story.