Ex-Brea Standout Anton Making Every Minute Count at USC

Jody Anton realized early that nothing lasts forever. So Anton, a junior forward at USC, is determined to make her final two years of college basketball as meaningful and fun as possible.

Anton finds something positive in every bus trip, film session, flight and practice. The actual games have monumental significance for Anton, although she doesn’t appreciate that each one means she has one fewer remaining.

And to think, Anton, the 1992 Times Orange County player of the year at Brea Olinda High, isn’t even a senior. No need to wait until the last minute, she said.

“I know I still have my senior year but I want to make the most of this year and next year too,” Anton said. “The time has gone by so fast. You always want to end things on a good note, you never want to look back and say, ‘Did I give 100% all the time?’

“I know that in a couple of years I won’t be playing this game anymore, so I’m trying to make this year as much fun as I’ve ever had.”

The plan seems on track.

USC (16-7, 9-6 in the Pacific 10) has struggled lately after a great start. But that hasn’t tempered Anton’s outlook.

“We put ourselves in a hole by losing some games we shouldn’t have lost,” she said. “But the doors haven’t shut on us yet. We can still get in (to the NCAA tournament).”

The Trojans’ third-leading scorer, Anton averages 8.9 points and 5.1 rebounds. She leads the team with 26 three-pointers and shoots 78% from the free-throw line.

Anton played well as a reserve last season, averaging 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds as USC finished one game short of the Final Four. However, her role on and off the court wasn’t as significant as it is this season.

“I enjoy playing with this group,” Anton said. “I feel good about myself on the court and we get along well on and off the court.

“Not that I didn’t enjoy playing with other groups, it’s just that we’re all very close this season.”

But it hasn’t been a totally smooth ride.

Anton isn’t shooting very well from the field and she can’t figure out why. The slump has lowered her field-goal percentage to a very un-Anton like 33.8%.

“I’m having the worst shooting year in my entire basketball career,” she said. “I think it is a little bit mental.”

No doubt about it, said USC Coach Cheryl Miller.

“Jody is sometimes her own worst critic,” Miller said. “I think she’s pressing, but she has stepped up defensively an extra notch and her rebounding has improved.

“She’s also elevated her aggressiveness. All in all, I’m pleased with her play.”

Anton isn’t quite there yet--but she is trying.

“I’ve tried to improve in all aspects of my game,” she said. “I get down on myself a lot, and it’s difficult for me to deal with this shooting slump, but my teammates are helping me through it.”

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In the middle: Center Gavin Vanderputten has been a bright spot in a disappointing season for Pepperdine (8-18, 4-10 in the West Coast Conference).

Vanderputten (7 feet 0, 220 pounds), who was born in Perth, Australia, was selected in 1992 to The Times’ all-county team at Trabuco Hills High. He has improved each season for the Waves and averages 8.3 points and 5.4 rebounds.

He should be one of the conference’s best players next season.

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Point man: Sophomore point guard Kamran Sufi (Mater Dei) is a big reason St. Mary’s (17-9, 10-4) is among the WCC’s leaders.

Despite his slight build, Sufi (5-10, 140) leads the Gaels in minutes played with an average of 32.5 per game. He also has team-leading averages of 5.7 assists, 2.4 steals and averages 4.5 points.

Keeping Track is a regular column in The Times following the progress of former Orange County athletes competing for colleges elsewhere.