LoVett named All-American
He put up big numbers, made a huge impact and enjoyed a wildly successful freshman season.
Marcus LoVett Jr. also earned his share of awards locally, including being named CIF Southern Section Division V-A Player of the Year, Liberty League Player of the Year and 2012 All-Area Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year.
But LoVett’s accolades are not limited to Southern California. This week, the sharp-shooting guard was named to the MaxPreps.com Freshman All-American Team. He also earned Division V All-State first-team honors by MaxPreps.com.
“The awards that Marcus gets are a testament to the hard work that he puts in and the dedication that he has shown every day,” said Providence Coach Earnest Baskerville, who completed his first season with the Pioneers. “He works at being the bast player on the floor at all times, no matter what team he’s playing against or what other players are on the floor.”
Baskerville said although the All-American award is nice recognition for the school, LoVett should bask in the accomplishment on a personal level as well.
“It’s always nice for the school,” he said. “But it’s nice for the individual to be recognized and to get credit for all that he did. It’s great what he did for our program this season, but I want him to be celebrated for all the time and effort that he’s put in. He did so many things that made our team great.
“His freshman class was amazing this year. To be able to win something like this and to be recognized among players across the nation is amazing.”
LoVett not only enjoyed individual success in his first year with the Pioneers, but he also helped the program thrive and make history in the playoffs.
He averaged 31.7 points a game, which was best in the nation among freshmen according to MaxPreps.com. In addition, he poured in 1,035 points this season — breaking the school record — and put up 35.8 points a game in the playoffs.
What might be the most remarkable aspect of LoVett’s game was his consistency as a scorer throughout the season. He never scored fewer than 20 points in all of team’s 32 games, tallying 30 or more points 17 times and hitting the 40-point mark six times — twice in the postseason. His season high was a 57-point performance in tournament game against Santa Maria St. Joseph.
He also averaged nearly five rebounds and more than three assists and three steals a contest.
Behind LoVett, Providence (26-6) captured its first Liberty League championship in 12 years.
The Pioneers enjoyed a historic postseason run, advancing past the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. Unfortunately for Providence, its first-ever appearance in a CIF championship game ended with a 65-62 overtime loss to league foe Holy Martyrs.
Providence also advanced to state competition for the first time, losing to Mission Prep, 68-62, in the opening round of the Southern California Regionals of the CIF State Division Championships.