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Griffin’s been golden for Pam Pack
By STEVE FRANKLIN, Sports Writer
Washington senior Jarees Griffin has blossomed into a star since making the transition from role player to starting power forward.
Last season, Griffin barely touched the floor early in the year, before busting into the Pam Pack rotation late in the season. The 6’3” forward averaged just four points per game in 2007 as he logged less than 10 minutes per night.
Griffin never complained. Instead, he laced up his shoes and went out and did his job every night, knowing that one day his time would come.
That time is now.
After losing four starters to graduation, the Pam Pack had several question marks entering the season.
Who would step up to fill the scoring load vacated by Cor-J Cox and Daquan Collins? Could Washington find a solid rebounder? Would the Pam Pack be able to compete with so many new faces?
Griffin has helped answer those questions. Through seven games, the second-year player is leading the Pack in scoring with 20 points per game and is averaging a team-high seven rebounds per contest. More importantly, he’s helped Washington get off to a 5-2 start this season.
“He’s been a pleasant surprise,” Pam Pack coach Joe Lawrence said. “You could tell the first day (of practice) that there was something different about him this year. He’s playing with a lot more confidence.
“Last year, he was tentative on offense. He wasn’t sure whether to shoot it or give it up,” Lawrence continued. “This year, he’s taking those mid-range jumpers and knocking them down. He’s playing terrific for us right now.”
This summer, Griffin spent hours on end, shooting the basketball, playing pick up games and hitting the weight room.
His hard work has paid huge dividends.
“I knew I had to step up and be a leader this year,” Griffin said. “Last year, I just settled into my role as a bench player, and just came in and did the things that were asked of me. This year, I’ve had to take on an expanded role and be a scoring threat for us.”
Not only has he proven to be a scoring threat, but he’s also showed the ability to be a tremendous rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass.
“He just goes and gets it,” said Lawrence about Griffin’s ability to rebound on the offensive end. “Offensive rebounding is just one of those things you can do, or you can’t. It’s like a point guard, you’ve got to be natural at it. You can’t teach someone to be a point guard. They’ve either got it, or they don’t. It’s the same way with offensive rebounding.
“Jarees just has a knack for it. I wish we could instill his ability to crash the offensive boards in every one of our guys,” Lawrence added. “Jarees has turned into a great all-around offensive player. Last year, he was a role player. Now, he’s one of our go-to-guys.”
Although the Pam Pack lost more than a handful of seniors from last year’s squad, the athletic forward believes that this year’s team has the ability to be as good as last year’s team that went 12-10 and advanced to the first round of the state playoffs.
He’s tired of hearing folks call this season, “a rebuilding year.”
“We’ve got to take it one game at a time, but I think we can win our conference,” Griffin said. “This year, I think we have more depth than last year. Everyone talks about us losing so many guys, but I think we’ve got the talent to compete for the conference crown. Our expectations are just as high as last year.”
As long as Griffin keeps performing the way he has the first seven games, who can argue?
“He’s been a big part of our team so far this season,” Lawrence said. “If something happens to him, we could be in trouble. That’s how important he is.”
Last season, Griffin barely touched the floor early in the year, before busting into the Pam Pack rotation late in the season. The 6’3” forward averaged just four points per game in 2007 as he logged less than 10 minutes per night.
Griffin never complained. Instead, he laced up his shoes and went out and did his job every night, knowing that one day his time would come.
That time is now.
After losing four starters to graduation, the Pam Pack had several question marks entering the season.
Who would step up to fill the scoring load vacated by Cor-J Cox and Daquan Collins? Could Washington find a solid rebounder? Would the Pam Pack be able to compete with so many new faces?
Griffin has helped answer those questions. Through seven games, the second-year player is leading the Pack in scoring with 20 points per game and is averaging a team-high seven rebounds per contest. More importantly, he’s helped Washington get off to a 5-2 start this season.
“He’s been a pleasant surprise,” Pam Pack coach Joe Lawrence said. “You could tell the first day (of practice) that there was something different about him this year. He’s playing with a lot more confidence.
“Last year, he was tentative on offense. He wasn’t sure whether to shoot it or give it up,” Lawrence continued. “This year, he’s taking those mid-range jumpers and knocking them down. He’s playing terrific for us right now.”
This summer, Griffin spent hours on end, shooting the basketball, playing pick up games and hitting the weight room.
His hard work has paid huge dividends.
“I knew I had to step up and be a leader this year,” Griffin said. “Last year, I just settled into my role as a bench player, and just came in and did the things that were asked of me. This year, I’ve had to take on an expanded role and be a scoring threat for us.”
Not only has he proven to be a scoring threat, but he’s also showed the ability to be a tremendous rebounder, particularly on the offensive glass.
“He just goes and gets it,” said Lawrence about Griffin’s ability to rebound on the offensive end. “Offensive rebounding is just one of those things you can do, or you can’t. It’s like a point guard, you’ve got to be natural at it. You can’t teach someone to be a point guard. They’ve either got it, or they don’t. It’s the same way with offensive rebounding.
“Jarees just has a knack for it. I wish we could instill his ability to crash the offensive boards in every one of our guys,” Lawrence added. “Jarees has turned into a great all-around offensive player. Last year, he was a role player. Now, he’s one of our go-to-guys.”
Although the Pam Pack lost more than a handful of seniors from last year’s squad, the athletic forward believes that this year’s team has the ability to be as good as last year’s team that went 12-10 and advanced to the first round of the state playoffs.
He’s tired of hearing folks call this season, “a rebuilding year.”
“We’ve got to take it one game at a time, but I think we can win our conference,” Griffin said. “This year, I think we have more depth than last year. Everyone talks about us losing so many guys, but I think we’ve got the talent to compete for the conference crown. Our expectations are just as high as last year.”
As long as Griffin keeps performing the way he has the first seven games, who can argue?
“He’s been a big part of our team so far this season,” Lawrence said. “If something happens to him, we could be in trouble. That’s how important he is.”
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