The Payoff of Practice

The Rafu Shimpo-January 4, 2005

Hagiya scores 14 points in USC's win over Misuzawa and Oregon, as JA players are becoming a force at the collegiate level. More than $1,400 is raised for the Little Tokyo Recreation Center Project.
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
Rafu Sports Editor

LA SPORTS ARENA Ð One fan Sunday commented that twenty years ago, this game could have taken place-a pre-dominantly Japanese American crowd, gathered to support local basketball stars. But not at the L.A. Sports Arena, and not in Division I college basketball.

This is a different era. Generations of Japanese American athletes, who grew up playing in the dozens of local basketball leagues, are no longer a novelty in big-time NCAA basketball. They are seasoned players who have simply grown up in the culture of the game, and rosters among the nationÕs colleges see an increasing number of alumni from organizations such as the Japanese American Optimist, SEYO and the Asian Athletic Union.

On Sunday, the focus was on USCÕs sophomore guard Jamie Hagiya and Oregon Senior Corrie Mizusawa, as their schools faced off in a Pac-10 match up. It was a game that was promoted on the star power of the two local stars, both born in Torrance, and Hagiya grabbed the spotlight, scoring a game-high 14 points, as the Women of Troy sank the Ducks, 77-72.

Oregon, who upset fifth-ranked Stanford last week, falls to 9-3 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-10. The Trojans improve to 7-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

ÒThis is really a big deal, when you think of how few Asian players have been in Division I ball,Ó said Bob Hamaguchi, who traveled from MizusawaÕs hometown of Lafayette, Calif. to see her play. ÒThis is wonderful, and it encourages all young girls who play the game to do well.Ó

In addition to her 14 points, Hagiya logged five assists in 28 minutes of play. Camille LeNoir also netted 10 for USC, in front of a crowd of 1,357. Mizusawa scored a pair and added eight assists in her 32 minutes.

Oregon led for much of the first half, but the Trojans remained close behind. After trailing by six points, 24-18 at the six-minute mark, USC worked its way back thanks to a three-pointer by Hagiya and Kim GipsonÕs layup. After knotting the score at 28-28, the Trojans closed out the half on a 9-2 run to enter the break ahead 37-30.

The Women of Troy never trailed in the second half, leading by as much as 11 points, 70-59, with 3:21 remaining. Oregon did manage to close the gap to one, 41-40, early in the half, but back-to-back three-pointers by junior guard Meghan Gnekow and freshman Brynn Cameron slowed the DucksÕ momentum and kept USC on top.

ÒItÕs nice to see everyone who came out here to support us,Ó Hagiya said after the game. She believes that the success of players from the local leagues is not surprising, regardless of their size, in what has become a big person's game over the decades.

ÒI think itÕs only a matter of time. ThereÕs talent out there, no matter what nationality or race the players are. If you grow up playing the game, and youÕre out there practicing and working as hard as everyone else, youÕre bound to make it.Ó

Other current college players who grew up playing in JA leagues include Cal State L.A.Õs Jaemy Oda and Jennifer Katsuyama at the University of San Francisco. Mizusawa, who was born in Torrance but grew up in northern California, didnÕt downplay the significance of the match up to players who see herself and Hagiya as role models.

ÒThis was a great opportunity for Japanese American kids and fans to come see Jamie and I play at the Division I level,Ó she said. ÒThe Pac-10 is one of the best conferences in the nation, and for kids to see us out there, it sends a message that hard work can take you anywhere.

ÒAs role models, we have to watch what we do and take care of ourselves, because kids look up to us, thatÕs true. IÕm pretty lucky to do what I do, so I try not to forget it.Ó

Since graduating from the University of Oregon last spring, Mizusawa is unsure at this point what lies after this, her last season of eligibility. She said sheÕll like to continue to coach childrenÕs teams and encourage them to reach or surpass her own level of success.

ÒObviously, IÕd like to play basketball anywhere I can, maybe here, maybe even in Japan, IÕm not sure,Ó Mizusawa said. In addition to the game, SundayÕs event also served as a fundraiser for the Little Tokyo Recreation Center project, which plans to bring a public gymnasium to the downtown district.

In conjunction with the Little Tokyo Service Center and The Rafu Shimpo, USC donated a portion of SundayÕs ticket sales, totaling more than $1,400, to the LTRC project.

ÒEvery penny helps,Ó said a cheerful Bill Watanabe, who accepted a check at halftime, along with fellow LTRC board of directors member David Nagano. ÒBasketball is what the gym was originally all about, so this is a perfect kick off for our fundraising.Ó

Next up, the Trojans host Oregon State Today, Jan.4, at 1 p.m. at the Lyon Center.

Admission is free for this 1 p.m. match up as the Women of Troy look for a Pac-10 victory before USCÕs football goes for its second-straight national title tonight. USC will provide free DominoÕs Pizza and Coca-Cola products as a lunchtime treat (beginning at 12:45 p.m.), and the first 1,000 fans to arrive will also receive an NCAA orange USC gift to celebrate what is expected to be an exciting day.


Copyright 2005, The Rafu Shimpo