LJ BB: Playing Klay and Trayce Thompson

The Vikings' Matt Jones drives on

Klay Thompson (1) early in a State

Regional game March 6, 2008 at

Santa Margarita.

(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

I remember it vividly...

La Jolla's boys basketball team, fresh off its CIF Division 3 basketball title, traveled up to Orange County to play Santa Margarita High in the state regional playoffs.

It was a nightmare.

This was March 2008. I drove up on my own. My wife Dianna was ill, so she stayed home. Our granddaughter Alexis, a senior, rode with fellow cheerleaders to the game.

What I remember is Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors superstar, and his younger brother Trayce, who now plays for the Dodgers, slam-dunking on the poor, smaller Vikings.

It wasn't that then-LJHS Coach Kamal Assaf's squad had anything to be ashamed of. The little team that could, achieving the San Diego CIF title, did the best they could. They were well-coached, and disciplined.

Just--Klay Thompson and his highly-recruited teammates played at and above the rim, with their height and jumping ability. There was a blur of dunks, and the game was a blowout from early on.

Looking back at the 69-51 score, which doesn't appear so bad, I remember the host Eagles letting up in the second half. The final result was never in doubt. The game wasn't really that close.

MaxPreps recently carried a story and video of the brothers' play, along with teammate Gavin Escobar, a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. I wasn't aware of him at the time of the playoff game, lo, so many years ago.

It marked the first of three straight years Taylor Davis and the Vikings, coached by Assaf, a teacher at Bishop's who now coaches middle school basketball, went to the CIF Division 3 championship game. They won in 2008 and 2009. They lost in 2010 on a foul called at the buzzer, after which Mount Miguel's player, with three free throw opportunities, won the game.

I think I remember spotting the Thompson brothers' famous dad, Mychal, who had played for the Lakers, sitting high atop the visiting stands, away from the home crowd. As a sports celebrity, the now-sports talk show co-host enjoys the attention but also tires of it when it impinges on his enjoying his sons' athletic pursuits.

I remember the Santa Margarita gym, as well, as fairly large. Much bigger than La Jolla's traditional gym. Stands extend from the floor on each of the two sidelines.

I positioned myself on the respective baselines, as I usually do, facing the Vikings on offense. The home crowd was large, and there weren't a lot of highlights for the visitors. But, as you know, still photos can make you look like you just won the NBA title, win or lose.

I carted my memory cards and photos home to San Diego, and my wife, not a major sports fan but a supporter of our granddaughter cheerleading, missed Alexis' last game cheering. That was her senior year, and the last basketball game of the season.

Tyler Heap (30) of La Jolla plays defense on

Eagles' Trayce Thompson (43) in Vikings'

69-51 loss. Trayce now plays for the Dodgers,

his brother Klay for the Warriors.