Another Kind of Twin Killing

Jarron Collins may be a twin, but he’s no clone.

Collins accentuated the differences, basketball-wise, between himself and brother Jason during Harvard-Westlake High’s 75-46 victory over San Diego St. Augustine in the first round of the Southern California Regional Division III tournament Tuesday night at Harvard-Westlake.

With a mix of driving, dunking and long-distance shooting, Jarron, a 6-foot-9 swingman, helped move the three-time Southern Section champion Wolverines a step closer to a second consecutive state title.

Harvard-Westlake (32-1), ranked No. 5 nationally by USA Today, will play host to Tehachapi, a 61-52 winner over Cathedral City, on Thursday.

Jarron had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks--numbers similar to Jason’s 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

But while Jason, the team’s center, remained customarily anchored to the low post, Jarron made an impact on the perimeter as well as in the paint.

“He definitely has an outside shot,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Greg Hilliard said. “We try to encourage him to shoot it more often.”

Collins attempted two three-pointers, connecting on a buzzer-beater that gave the Wolverines a 52-36 lead after three quarters.

He delivered two authoritative dunks, the first on a fast-break pass from guard Ryan Smiley, who scored 18 points.

Early in the fourth quarter, Jarron passed to Jason with the ball beneath the Wolverines’ basket while making a leaping save of a wayward pass.

Jarron even was whistled for charging in the fourth quarter.

“He has never ceased to amaze me,” Smiley said. “In practice, you think he’ll drive on you and then he pulls up and takes the shot. His agility is a major part of this team.”

So often throughout the impressive careers of the Stanford-bound twins, observers have seen only a pair of big men whose dominance is felt only near the basket.

“That’s all I’ve heard all my life,” Jarron said. “I know I can dribble, I just haven’t had to.

“At this point of the season, it’s whatever it takes to get the W. Get a rebound . . . just make some plays.”

St. Augustine (21-11), runner-up in the San Diego Section, stuck with the Wolverines for much of the first half, trailing, 32-26, at intermission.

The Saints pulled to within two points when center Tom Ryan scored inside of Jason Collins seconds into the second half.

But Jason’s two free throws, followed moments later by Jarron’s dunk and accompanying foul shot, stretched the Wolverines’ lead to 37-28.

For Jarron it was the start of a 13-4 Wolverines run in which he accounted for 11 points.