Orange County Prep Player of the Week : CdM’s Morris Provides Offense and Inspiration

Team cap-tain (teem kapten) n . The designated leader of a sports team, responsible for maintaining team morale, motivation and unity. See also Darren Morris of Corona del Mar High School.

Morris is the quintessential team captain. Between phrases such as “We take one game at a time,� and “Let’s work as hard as we can,� Morris surpasses the typical team captain. In a position often equated with team social director or doughnut supplier, Morris, a senior guard, takes his job seriously.

“I think the team unity (aspect) is the most important part of it,� said Morris, The Times’ Player of the Week. “We have team dinners and do lots of things together. We’ve all been friends since fourth grade, so it’s easier to talk to them about everything.�

According to his coaches, no one has inspired or encouraged the Sea Kings as Morris has. Teammates say Morris’ influence--both on and off the court--has been the difference between winning and losing many games this season.

“Darren’s always been a leader,� forward Chris Burns said. “He gets us up for games. During the day, he talks to us a lot, making sure we feel good and ready. Or out on the court, he says things that help.�

He must have said something right Friday night during the Sea Kings’ 60-59 victory over Etiwanda in a Southern Section 3-A quarterfinal game. With Corona del Mar trailing by five points with less than six minutes left, Morris gathered his teammates in a huddle.

“Basically, Darren told us he didn’t want the season to end yet,� Burns said. “Then he went out and made four points in a row.�

Morris’ two plays set up Corona del Mar’s winning drive. He finished with 18 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. On the preceding Tuesday, Morris scored 8 points and had 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in a 68-50 second-round victory over Valencia.

This season, Morris has averaged 10.8 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds per game. Although his statistics are not extraordinary, he has played extraordinarily well when necessary.

“Darren has that quality to play at a much higher level when the situation demands it,� said Paul Orris, Corona del Mar coach.

In its first meeting of the season against University, Corona del Mar was down by two with four seconds remaining and the Trojans in possession. The Sea Kings’ plan was to steal the ball, get fouled and call a timeout--quickly.

“Darren came from nowhere, leaped across the court, intercepted the pass going through the air, (catching) the ball under his arm so he could use his free hand to call time,� Orris said. “It was a fantastic move.�

The referee didn’t see it that way. He called Morris for traveling.

But with two seconds remaining, Morris intercepted the next pass, drove down court to shoot and was fouled. His two free throws sent the game into overtime.

In the last 30 seconds of overtime, Morris held the ball at halfcourt, baiting the University defense with an innocent-looking dribble and an I-don’t-know-what-to-do-next look. As his opponents rushed in for the steal, Morris drove the key and passed to Carl Amacker for the winning shot.

“He’s my coach on the floor,� Orris said. “But the responsibility goes both ways. If something doesn’t go right (no matter who makes the error), it’s his fault. The responsibility is on him either way.�

Said Morris: “Taking the blame doesn’t bother me. I like it. As long as it helps our team unity stay together.

Darren Morris

Corona del Mar High School

Position: Guard

Height, Class: 6-2, Sr.

Last Week: Morris scored 18 points and had 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in a 60-59 victory over Etiwanda in Friday’s Southern Section 3-A quarter- finals. In a 68-50 second-round victory over Valencia the previous Tuesday, Morris had 8 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.

Season: Morris has averaged 10.8 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in 30 games.