Justin Holmes is making his presence known at Malibu High School. At 6-feet 5 inches tall and 240 pounds, the sophomore center patrols the paint for the Sharks boys’ basketball team and is making large strides each day.
Two weeks ago at the Summer Shark Showdown hosted by Malibu High, Holmes had an “All-Tournament”-type performance as he averaged 15 points and seven rebounds per game. The Sharks went 2-2 in the tournament, losing to Pacifica High School in the consolation championship.
Despite being an underclassman, Holmes has become the centerpiece of the team as the Sharks compete throughout the summer.
“We did pretty well in the tournament,” Holmes said. “We could have won all four games, but it was our first games of the summer and I thought we played well.”
“Justin had a great tournament,” Malibu High coach Bobby Tenorio said. “He gave us double-digit numbers every game and was very consistent.
“He plays hard and has really matured in the center position,” Tenorio added. “He has come a long way. He’s good with his back to the basket and he has improved facing up to the basket as well.”
Holmes, 15, also plays for the Ventura County 805 club traveling team during the summer. The club team will compete this week at California State University, Dominguez Hills in the Adidas Double Pump Classic, as well as two other prestigious tournaments in Anaheim.
He will play close to 50 games total this summer between the two teams as he hones his skills for the 2011-12 regular season.
“I’m working hard to become a better player,” Holmes said. “I’m lifting weights to become stronger. This should all help me in the long run.”
He began playing basketball at age four and currently plays year-round basketball. Holmes has always been the tallest and biggest player on his team, sometimes even on the court. He said he takes pride in being the big man on the floor and knows what it takes to fulfill that role.
“You need to keep composure when you are battling down low,” Holmes said. “You have to always play with a purpose and with heart. It’s the most physical spot on the court and if you play with heart you will do pretty well.”
Not only is he a talented player for the Sharks basketball program, but Holmes is an excellent student, achieving a 3.8 GPA in his freshman year. He hopes to one day earn a basketball scholarship. If not, his dream school to attend is UCLA.
“He understands the game and is smart in the classroom,” Tenorio said. “He’s just an all-around great kid.
“Without Justin I don’t think we are as good as a team that I feel we can be. He brings us a toughness type of mentality that we didn’t have last year. We have good guards but you need a big guy to win. Last year he was more of “I want to be one of the guys.’ This year, he is learning to be “The Guy.’”
By Dick Dornan