Mike Sciacca
Four years ago, Alex Norfleet and Peter Renault were a pair of
freshmen trying to find their way on the Laguna Beach High campus.
Today, in the midst of their senior year, each has found his niche
at the school.
Norfleet and Renault, friends dating back to early childhood, are
the lone seniors to travel through the school's boys' basketball
program.
They carry the banner for the class of 2003, although that journey
has been anything but easy.
"They have worked hard to set the example that I expect out of my
players," second-year Laguna head coach Rob Cullinan said.
"If I were to rate them on a scale of 1 to 10, in terms of the job
they have done leading by example, they would be at the top of the
chart."
Cullinan says the duo has been committed to the program for four
years and have finished what they started in the fall of 1999.
They have played under two different varsity head coaches and have
been on teams that have struggled on the playing court.
But in the 2002-03 season, Norfleet and Renault are enjoying the
fruits of their labor: they are leaders on a unique team that also
consists of an extremely talented transfer, three juniors, three
sophomores and a freshman.
This team won the consolation championship at the La Quinta
Tournament, played last Monday for the consolation title at the
Mayor's Cup Holiday Classic, and is posting a winning record for the
first time in three years.
The ultimate goal -- and conclusion to this journey, both say --
would be to help lead Laguna to the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Norfleet, a 5-foot-11 guard, played freshman basketball before
moving up to varsity as a sophomore.
The 18-year-old is the team's second-leading scorer, with 8.3
points per game, leads the team in three-point baskets, with 24,
averages two assists per game and hits 77% from the free-throw line.
Renault, a 5-foot-7 point guard, is in his second year playing
varsity ball, and has played at every level in the program.
The 17-year-old averages 5.6 points and three assists per game,
has hit 20 three-point baskets and is first on the team with a 90%
free throw shooting average.
Two years ago, Laguna was regularly beaten by 20 or more points
per game.
"We've had so many ups and downs, but we both have stuck with it,"
Norfleet said. "I just wanted to play, although there were times
where I'd ask myself, 'What am I doing here?' I'm glad I'm still with
this program as a senior, because we're having a fun year."
