Player of the Year: Jaimie Brown
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Friday, April 4, 2008 11:22 AM PDT
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| Argus file photo
New Plymouth's Jaimie Brown was selected as the 2008 All-Argus Player of the Year in boy prep basketball. |
New Plymouth—The Treasure Valley is loaded with basketball talent, but one player rose to the top when it came to the All-Argus Player of the Year.
That player is New Plymouth’s Jaimie Brown.
Brown led the Pilgrims to a district championship and a state playoff berth. He averaged 17 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and six steals per game this season on a team that had only two returning starters from a year ago. Brown is a high-octane athlete on the basketball court that did not know the meaning of quit.
New Plymouth head coach Tyler Gaston said Brown is a talented basketball player who understands the game and knows how to score the ball.
“He is a stat stuffer just because of his athleticism. The steals, the blocks and the assists he picked up this year, those numbers say a lot.” Gaston said. “Not only did he create numbers for himself, he created numbers for his teammates as well. He is the best passer that I have ever seen at the high school level.”
Brown said he was surprised when he was named the All-Argus Player of the Year.
“I thought Dahle of Fruitland would it get since they won the championship this year,” Brown said. “Getting this award made me feel real proud. When you are on the court, you try to do your best and you try to win a state championship. But winning awards is nice because it shows you all the hard work you put in paid off.”
Gaston feels that Brown would be a great asset to any college he chooses to attend.
“He played guard for us out of necessity and had to run the show,” Gaston said. “That was beneficial for him, and that will be a huge selling point for him with the colleges. With the kids that are coming out of high school, there are shooters and scorers, and Brown is really not a shooter yet, but he is a great scorer. He can always score for a team. He has great floor vision and he is a very versatile player.”
Gaston added he thinks that Brown has the ability to go into a college, and be named as the starting point guard for a number of the schools looking at him.
“We were very lucky to have Jaimie here at New Plymouth and any college that gets him will be lucky as well,” Gaston said. “I want to wish him all the success.”
Brown said he is looking at some junior colleges to attend, but hopes his play at a junior college will open the door to a Division I college.
He has visited North Idaho College, in Coeur d’Alene, and said he liked that school.
Brown plans on visiting Mt. Hood Community College, Salt Lake Community College and Big Bend Community College.
The Senior has had a few open gyms with Boise State University, but said they did not have a scholarship for him this year.
Brown said he entered his senior season with the attitude of wanting to do his best.
“I wanted to win the state championship, and I think we surprised a lot of teams this season,” Brown said.
He added one of his greatest memories of attending New Plymouth will be that he was a part of a solid basketball family.
“That is what I love to do. Playing basketball with all my friends,” Brown said. “Going to state every year, and breaking records, I will remember as well.”
One of your Nemisis wrote on Apr 11, 2008 6:56 PM: