Unique Socks, Talent

Akil Anderson’s socks are the most distinctive part of his uniform.

Since last season, the Montclair Prep point guard has worn the same pair of white tube socks for each game. Unlike his teammates’, Anderson’s socks have three wide blue stripes that were last in fashion a decade ago.

They are even more eye-catching because they cover massive calves.

At 5 feet 8 and 220 pounds, Anderson doesn’t look like a typical point guard. In fact, put a couple of inches on him and he would resemble Charles Barkley.

But Anderson uses natural talent and deceptively quick moves learned on the football field to be successful on the court.

“The other team looks at me during warmups and figures I’m slow,” Anderson said. “After a couple of possessions, they realize I’m not so slow.”

Anderson is liable to do anything as he drives to the basket: dribble behind his back, twist and turn 360 degrees, even throw his weight around.

“I just try to find some open space,” Anderson said. “Just like football, try to find the daylight.”

Even though Anderson rarely plays basketball in the off-season, he has led Montclair Prep to unprecedented success the past two seasons. Last season, the Mounties became the first Valley team to win a state boys’ basketball championship.

If Montclair Prep defeats San Diego Horizon Christian today at 4 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton, the Mounties will go to Sacramento next week to defend their Division V title.

If Montclair Prep (28-3) claims its second consecutive title, chances are Anderson, who averages 11.9 points, 5.6 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 steals, will have made the critical play.

Even though he is the third leading scorer on the team, when the Mounties are faced with a tough opponent, coaches and teammates usually turn to Anderson.

“He plays biggest in the big games,” said Howard Abrams, Montclair Prep co-coach.

Thursday night, when La Jolla Country Day slowed down the Mounties in a Southern California Regional semifinal, Anderson had 17 points and 10 assists, despite playing the fourth quarter and overtime with four fouls.

In the Southern Section V-AA title game against Cate last week, Anderson kept the Mounties afloat in a tight first half by scoring 16 points.

Anderson’s constant drives to the basket created opportunities for himself and Anwawn Jones, a 6-4 forward. Combined, they scored all but eight of Montclair Prep’s 37 points in the first half.

Last year, with Montclair Prep facing elimination against Brentwood in he V-AA semifinals, Anderson made the steal that led to the go-ahead basket with less than a minute to play.

“Anwawn had fouled out and there was no one else left,” said Greg Patterson, Montclair Prep co-coach. “Akil came into the huddle and said we were going to win and we did.”

Anderson has been known as a defensive stopper since his freshman season, when he teamed with Jerome Joseph for an all-freshman Mountie backcourt.

“I was known as the offensive guy and he was the defensive guy,” Joseph said. “He’s always used to making the big play.”

Joseph and Anderson, best friends who live minutes apart, played basketball together since grade school. But after his freshman season Joseph transferred to Chatsworth, leaving Anderson behind.

Anderson started again for the Mounties as a sophomore, but the season came to a disappointing end when Montclair Prep didn’t make the playoffs, despite a 15-6 record.

Anderson developed a new friendship with another neighbor, Carlease Clark, then an eighth-grader.

Now Clark, who lives five houses away from Anderson, looks to supplant Anderson as both the tailback and point guard for the Mounties next season.

“Akil has showed me a lot over the past couple of years,” Clark said. “I guess I’m ready to follow in his footsteps.”

To prove his point Clark, the only non-senior starter for Montclair Prep, made the two free throws that sealed the 72-67 victory over Country Day.

If Clark can only emulate what Anderson has done on the football field, the Mounties figure to be in good shape in both sports.

After starring on the junior varsity football team as a freshman and playing behind Wibert Smith, Anderson has gained 2,783 yards as the Mounties’ starting tailback the past two years, despite being slowed by a sore ankle most of his senior season.

“If I were a few inches taller, maybe basketball would be in my future,” Anderson said. “I love football but I like to say that basketball is my mistress.”

Anderson will get a chance at both if he attends NAIA Trinity College in Illinois. Former Montclair Prep standout Michael Jones recently completed his football eligibility at the school and word of mouth has spread.

Anderson, along with teammates Demetris Green and Rahshawn Jones, are considering playing football at Trinity College.

Anderson will visit the campus later this month and coaches have promised him a chance to play basketball.

Even if Anderson plays basketball in college, he is committed to football. Once the Mounties’ season ends, either this week or next, it’s back to the weight room to work on his strength. He probably won’t pick up a basketball until next season rolls around.

At least he’ll be working on his moves, even if it is on the field instead of in the gym.