Friday, Dec. 05, 2008

It's Griffin's turn to shine for Pasco basketball

By Kevin Anthony, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- Andre Griffin is gearing up for a big season.

Right now, you can hear it in his voice.

Chances are CBBN opponents are going to see it on the court.

Pasco's third-year starting point guard is simply brimming with excitement, sparked by the prospect of finally stepping out in a Bulldogs uniform and playing a style of game that perfectly suits his considerable skills.

"Oh, yeah, that's how I love to play," Griffin said of Pasco's new up-tempo style. "I've played this way all my life until high school."

And when he says all his life, he pretty much means it.

Griffin is the convergence of some serious athletic genes. Andre Griffin Sr.'s side of the family is filled with football talent. His mother, Treva Miller, comes from a basketball family, including her brothers Bruce, Theartis and Maurice who starred for Richland in the 1970s.

Andre Jr. has been lugging a basketball around with him since the age of 6. He spent his youth going to open gyms with his cousin, Kris Groce, and chasing around his other cousins, Dean Colbray and Jerome Houf, watching them become leaders of their teams.

"This is something I've looked forward to for a long time," he said. "Now it's my turn."

It's his turn because, unlike previous seasons, there is no Bryant Whitby or Shayne Kelly, no Gavin Gilmore to carry the load. Griffin is the guy.

His turn also because the offense has been transformed from inside-out (get the ball to the 6-foot-8 Gilmore and then kick out for the open shot) to a guard-oriented attack that will shoot first, ask questions later.

Opposing teams have gotten a good look at Griffin's lightning first step for three years now, which has been the key to his offense that centers on driving to the basket.

Even without a consistent outside shot, the 5-foot-7 guard averaged 13.5 points last season.

But Griffin has spent the past year pouring hour after hour into refining his shooting touch, coach Chad Herron said, which could make him just about unstoppable.

"I've always told him, if he ever develops a consistent outside jump shot, no one person could guard him," Herron said, adding that Griffin is valuable for far more than his quick first step, scoring and defense.

"For us, he's just a calming influence. The other players have so much more confidence when he's on the floor. He has a feel for who's hot, who needs the ball. We're a much, much better team when he's on the floor."

Griffin was a unanimous choice by his teammates as captain, and Herron is a big fan of the senior guard for reasons that have nothing to do with scoring points.

"I just can't say enough about Andre," he said. "He's done well in the classroom all four years; he's a heck of a leader for us.

"He's popular around school. He epitomizes student-athlete, and he's never said a bad word about his team."

No doubt the foundation of that character comes from life at home.

"He never got a real big head about it," his mother said. "I don't believe in that."

Treva Miller praised her son for the kind of person he has become.

"He's very good with his mom," she said proudly. "I have MS (multiple sclerosis), and he helps me around the house. When I go to games, he gets my scooter for me, makes sure I'm settled before he does his thing."

College is likely in Griffin's future. He's gotten some interest from Portland, and a big scoring year could open more doors. With or without basketball, he's taking a long look at Eastern Washington.

But first comes this season -- his season.

"I don't want to speak too soon, but we're looking forward to a real big year," he said. "But I don't want to jinx it."

It is, after all, his turn.