SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Faulkner’s New Approach Pays Off for Estancia

COSTA MESA —  A year ago, Jim Faulkner would have approached the Southern Section basketball finals the same way he approached any other game.

With panic. Terror. And a big dose of dismay.

“Oh, I’d be completely nervous,” said Faulkner, an Estancia High School guard. “I’d be just . . . just . . . eee- ugggh. “

Fortunately for the Eagles, Faulkner’s confidence has taken a 180-degree turn since last season, when he was a talented-but-timid sophomore on the junior varsity team. Today, the 6-foot-4 junior is one of the reasons Estancia will play for the III-AA championship at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

The Eagles (23-6) meet Inglewood Morningside (20-6) at 11:15 a.m. today.

“Jim has come on really strong this season,” Estancia Coach Tim O’Brien said. “He’s overshadowed by Matt (Fuerbringer) of course, but he’s a real key to this team. He can play any position and play it well.”

In fact, Faulkner leads the team in nearly every category except scoring and rebounding--that’s Fuerbringer’s domain--which isn’t bad considering Faulkner’s the only non-senior starter. He averages 4.2 assists, 2.5 steals and shoots 78% from the foul line, all tops for Estancia, and contributes 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.

O’Brien thinks next year, Faulkner will be one of the top players in Orange County. Funny thing is, Faulkner thinks so too. It’s just part of his new self-image, boosted by endless basketball play last summer. Before that, though . . .

“It was like, ‘Oh God, I have to play basketball again tomorrow night?’ ” Faulkner says.

His trepidation was tiresome, not only for himself but for his teammates. Every time they’d try to boost Faulkner’s ego, Faulkner would think of something to bring himself down. His best shots weren’t aimed at the hoop, but at himself.

“I was scared to play the way I knew I could,” Faulkner said. “I wouldn’t look to shoot. Matt would say you could see through my eyes. I was out in never-never land.”

Especially when it came to making free throws. Faulkner shot just 60% from the line last season.

“I was a kid mentally last year,” he says. “I developed faster (physically) than I did in my head.”

And physically?

“Oh, I was scrawny, really scrawny,” he says with a sigh. “I was 6-2, 170 . . . so, so lanky.”

He credits his change in confidence to being a year older--he just turned 16 in September --and playing against stronger, athletic players such as Edison standout Brandon Jessie during summer traveling team play. It also didn’t hurt to hear O’Brien tell him last summer that he’d be a starter on varsity this year.

Today, he’s a fearless Faulkner, both relaxed and aggressive. He wants to make the most of every opportunity. He knows he has the ability. He’s ready for the challenge. Of course, that isn’t to say there isn’t room for a bit of self-evaluation.

Some nights, I stay awake thinking about it,” Faulkner says. “It’s like, ‘CIF, CIF . . . Are you working hard enough? Are you doing what you’re supposed to do?’ ”

Self-analysis aside, Faulkner says he’s thrilled at the thought of playing in the title game, especially since it gives him a chance to help Estancia redeem itself after last season’s section final loss to Pomona. Playing in the home arena of the Clippers and USC makes it even more exciting, he says.

“Matt’s been there. Coach has been there. And now I just can’t wait to get there and use Harold Miner’s locker,” he says.

If all of that wasn’t enough, Faulkner has one more place to look for motivation. On one wall of his bedroom, his favorite slogan beckons:

Dare to be in the spotlight.