Freshmen Have Moved to Head of the Class

By second grade, Pierce Brooks was wearing size 9 shoes. By ninth grade, he had grown to 6 feet 6, and his shoe size had doubled.

Shoe size, though, is no forecaster of basketball ability. What has made Brooks one of the top freshmen in the City Section this season at Woodland Hills Taft is his maturity, toughness and willingness to learn.

“It’s intense,” he said. “There are people stronger, more physical and smarter. I take it as a blessing to be able to handle it.”

Brooks, who is an honors student and is projected to reach 6-10, is part of a strong group of first-year players making an impact at the varsity level in Southern California.

Many have already become well-known in the basketball community, from Taylor King of Santa Ana Mater Dei to the four talented freshmen -- Daniel Hackett, Quinton Watkins, Alex Jacobson and Kertd Elisaldez -- at Bellflower St. John Bosco.

But there are others earning rave reviews, such as point guard Jesse Woodard of Compton Centennial, shooting guard Jabari Trotter of Pasadena Poly, shooting guard Jordan Block of Claremont, center Clint Amberry of Huntington Beach Ocean View and guard Landon Pluimer of San Clemente.

Brooks has been a starter since the opening game for the 14-3 Toreadors, contributing as a rebounder, defender and occasional offensive force. Mostly, he watches, listens and learns from All-City guard Jordan Farmar.

“We have these one-on-one drills, so I try to get the chance to guard Jordan,” he said. “As my coach says, he always baptizes me.”

But with each game, Brooks takes small steps toward becoming a top player.

“Jordan has been leading me, guiding me, trying to show me how to be a leader, and I appreciate it,” he said. “I’m a freshman. I’m not that good yet. I want to be able to do everything, post up, shoot, do whatever the defense gives me. Along with talent, you have to be able to analyze things before they happen, sort of like chess.”

Brooks has uncovered a strange occurrence with his body. Whenever he’s sick, he grows.

“My mom brought it to my attention,” he said. “I’m mostly sick around January, February, March. I’m actually sort of sick right now.”

Anyone have a pair of size 20 shoes?

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Woodard is a point guard who knows how to distribute the ball to Centennial’s shooters.

He’s so steady that Coach Rod Palmer said, “I forget Jesse is a freshman. Whenever the ball is in his hands, I don’t ever have to worry about him. I look at the other four guys.”

There’s a level of toughness Woodard displays on the court.

“I got my lip busted a couple of times,” he said. “No big deal. I have confidence in myself to lead the team.”

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Coach Jim Harris of Ocean View must be careful not to overly hype the 6-9, 205-pound Amberry, but he can’t help it.

“I’ve never seen a guy this big for his age this skilled,” he said. “He’s grown before my eyes. He’s already an exceptional shooter.”

Amberry is averaging 7.7 points and 6.6 rebounds.

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Averaging 23.5 points as a 14-year-old is quite an accomplishment for the 5-9 Trotter, one of the top young players at the small-school level.

He has attended Pasadena Poly since sixth grade while living in Northridge. His mother teaches math at the school. He has an unorthodox two-handed set shot but releases the ball quickly and possesses good acceleration.

“I’m just starting out and getting the feel of high school basketball,” he said. “As the years come, I think I’ll start to play against better players. I’m at a learning stage.”

He has had games of 35 and 29 points. Left open, he’s extremely accurate on three-point shots from the baseline.

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Block, a 6-1 guard, made a memorable early impression at Claremont, scoring 38 points against Moreno Valley Canyon Springs in the second game of the season.

He has cooled off a little in recent weeks, but he’s still averaging 18.5 points and has made 42 three-point baskets.

“There are some games he’s a great shooter,” Coach Mike Bateman said. “Other games, he attacks the rim. He understands how to finish.”

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Coach Daryl Roper of Crossroads knows something about top point guards. He coached Baron Davis of UCLA and the New Orleans Hornets. His newest point guard, freshman Dashan Harris, is friends with Davis.

Roper thinks the 6-foot Harris has the potential to be a standout. “He’s got the skills and the know-how,” he said.

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When it comes to streak shooters, 5-10 freshman guard Harrison Gaines of Phelan Serrano can light up the scoreboard.

He scored 30 points against Victor Valley Silverado and 27 against Paramount. He’s averaging 15.8 points and has made 43 three-point baskets.

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San Clemente’s Pluimer has a tough act to follow. His sister, Lindsey, a senior, has led the Tritons to three consecutive Southern Section Division I-A girls’ championships.

But the little brother of the Pluimer family, 6-3 Landon, is off to a terrific start, averaging 10.9 points while shooting 46% from three-point range.

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Nick Graves is a 6-2 guard who doesn’t get to start for Cathedral City. However, he’s one of the first players off the bench and is gaining invaluable varsity experience for a team that is 18-1 and could win a section championship.

“He’s got a shot to be real good,” said his coach, Rob Hanmer.

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Foremost Freshmen

*--* Name School Ht. Comment Clint Amberry Ocean View 6-9 Big man with three-point range Jordan Block Claremont 6-1 Has made 42 three-pointers Pierce Brooks Taft 6-6 Can be dominant rebounder Kertd Elisaldez St. John Bosco 5-8 Averaging 7.1 assists Harrison Gaines Serrano 5-10 Has high game of 30 points Nick Graves Cathedral City 6-2 Player with excellent skills Daniel Hackett St. John Bosco 6-4 Averaging 12 points Dashan Harris Crossroads 6-0 Doesn’t commit turnovers Taylor King Mater Dei 6-7 Averaging 14.1 points, 7.9 rebounds Landon Pluimer San Clemente 6-3 Shooting 86% on free throws Jerry Santos South Hills 5-10 Averaging 16.1 points Jabari Trotter Pasadena Poly 5-9 Averaging 23.5 points Quinton Watkins St. John Bosco 6-4 Automatic on baseline jumpers Jesse Woodard Compton Centennial 6-0 Plays like senior point guard

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