Lasley Quick on the Draw

If rebounding were an art form, Aaron Lasley of Canoga Park High could draw a great self-portrait.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior center is as adept at pencil drawings as he is at pulling down rebounds. And that is no small feat.

Lasley averages 12.7 rebounds, best in the region among large-school players.

Drawing is among many things Lasley takes seriously: “One of my many talents,” he said with a laugh.

“I’ve been drawing since I was real, real little,” he said. “Everything from comic book characters to controversial art. I’m very versatile.”

The same could be said about his ability as a basketball player--Lasley averages 13 points.

A three-year starter, he is a team leader who sees himself “as the sort of person that keeps everything on track.”

“I try to get everybody upbeat and keep everybody into the game.” Lasley said. “I don’t see myself as strict, but I’m very serious when it comes to winning.”

Lasley’s presence on the court is tantamount to the Hunters winning games. “When he’s out of the game, we don’t rebound as well,” Turner said.

Lasley still blames himself for Canoga Park’s early exit from the playoffs last season. He was declared academically ineligible after the regular season and did not play in either of the Hunters’ two playoff games.

Birmingham’s 77-49 thrashing of the Hunters haunts him. “I felt personally responsible that Birmingham won that game,” Lasley said. “We would have beaten them.”

A year later, Lasley has rebounded from his mistakes in the classroom. He has stayed focused on winning a City Section 3-A title--Canoga Park (22-4) meets Van Nuys in the championship game Friday--while also becoming the Hunters’ spiritual provider.

“We have to play more together, both in mind and body,” he said.