Was That Austin McBroom or an NBA Player in Disguise?

Quick, check to see if Kobe Bryant stayed in Washington. Is Allen Iverson really in Europe? Was Deron Williams really with his Utah teammates preparing for New Orleans?

Or were they wearing No. 5 for the Campbell Hall boys' basketball team Tuesday night?

The roster said that was senior Austin McBroom out there scoring 33 points to lead the undefeated Vikings to a 65-61 victory over Community Charter of Pacoima at Panorama High.

But McBroom made Kobe-like moves as he drove to the basket, drew two or three players and still banked in a shot. He channeled Iverson--his favorite player, he said--with pull-up jumpers.

"I can score when I have to," McBroom said without a trace of arrogance. "Whatever the defense gives me, I have to adjust."

Coach Steve Wachs is not surprised, since he knows the difference between necessary scoring and selfish scoring.

"If he jacked up 33 threes, that's selfish," Wachs said. "We preach shot selection and finding the open shot, and if he's open, it's not selfish when he has the open shot."  

Campbell Hall (7-0) played without two starters. Zack Klein was sick and K.J. Smith was participating in a mandatory class project. The Vikings used just one sub, so McBroom did the "necessary" and led the Vikings over the taller Titans (4-4).

He played all 32 minutes and scored 11 of his team's 17 first-period points and all seven of Campbell Hall's fourth-period points, including a put back with 1 minute, 45 seconds to play that gave the Vikings a 64-61 lead. He added a free throw with 15.5 seconds remaining.

"I really, really respect his game," said Community Charter coach Les Bean, who likened McBroom to Williams. "He was unlike any player I've seen this year because of his cleverness. He really put that team on his back, and they really have something there."

McBroom made 13 of 16 free throws. The Vikings were 22 of 25 from the line, compared with 3 of 13 for Community Charter.

Cole Huff scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Campbell Hall.

Community Charter got 12 points and 18 rebounds from Lawrence Domingo, 12 points off the bench from Gavin Wright and 10 points from Brandon Harris.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

CAMPBELL HALL 65, COMMUNITY CHARTER 61

Campbell Hall 17 23 18 7--65

Community Charter 22 18 14 7--61

CAMPBELL HALL (65)--Huff 14 and 10 rebounds, Clark 10, McBroom 33, Harper 3, Griffith 2, Kirk 3.
COMMUNITY CHARTER (61)--Moore 6, Smith 4, Domingo 12 and 18 rebounds and 7 assists, Montelongo 3, Harris 10, Wright 12,  Nichols 6, Martin 5, Hernandez 3.

Records: CH 7-0; CC 4-4