Justin Russell remembers exactly what life was like in 7th grade.

Russell was enrolled at Mount Elden Middle School and hadn't played any organized sports other
than going out for tryouts for pee-wee football. Looking for something to get into,
Russell decided to start playing basketball.

The now Coconino senior would love to say he flourished at the game
he loves instantly, but that's not exactly how it happened.

"I started playing organized basketball in seventh grade at MEMS and I was really, really bad," Russell said with a slight chuckle.
"I actually shot the ball in the wrong hoop once. I got a bit of a late start."

That late start hasn't seemed to hurt the Panthers forward too much.

Today, six years after he was maybe the worst player on his team,
Russell is named the Daily Sun's 2010 Prep Basketball Player of the Year
for his role on this year's Panthers team that returned to the Class 4A,
Division II state tournament after missing out in 2009.

Russell emerged as the Daily Sun's player of the year from a highly talented field of finalists including
Flagstaff High seniors Daniel Frost and Jesse Tate.

The tough 6-foot-4 forward led his team in points (12.3 points per game) and rebounds, grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game.

"He was huge for us this year," Coconino coach Kelley Smith said. "I'd say his best asset is his leadership. He directed traffic for us.
You think of your leader being your point guard a lot, but with us, Justin was our guy. He played his butt off every single minute
he was in there and just loves to play the game."

Russell's love for the game is what made him start up in 7th grade. He used to watch the Suns' fast-paced style of play and
wanted to get out on the court and play.

After playing for two years at MEMS, Russell went out for the freshman team at Coconino and wasn't sure what to expect.

"My freshman year, I wasn't even sure I was going to make the team," Russell said. "I made it and then I ended up getting
most improved player of the year for our team. I wasn't the worst guy on the team anymore."

That was clear to Smith, who coached Russell on the junior varsity team during Russell's sophomore season.
When the coach left practice the first day, he knew who the best player on the team was going to be,
even though he had never heard of him.

"At that time, I had coached basketball in this city at all levels and I didn't remember him," Smith said.
"But, somewhere along the way he got very good. When I walked in that first day,
I kind of looked at him and thought that he was going to be the talent on our team.

"He must have improved a lot since 7th grade."

It didn't take Smith long to figure out that not only did he have a great player in Russell,
he also had a kid that he liked very much.

Smith loved the way Russell liked to keep things light and how he liked to include everybody in everything the team did.
That's one thing that hasn't changed for Russell.

"Justin is mature beyond his years," Smith said. "He realizes this is a kid's game and he keeps things in perspective.
Sports have gotten overblown in a lot of ways recently, but he realizes he's just a kid. He realizes it's a kid's game.
I love that about him. When they weren't having fun, Justin would definitely try to change that."

Now, Russell, who was also the Grand Canyon Region's Player of the Year, wouldn't mind trying his hand at college basketball.
He never figured that would ever happen, especially after his introduction to the game in middle school.
He didn't even think that would happen earlier this year, but now he'd like to give it a shot and see what happens.

"I didn't realize that I would miss the game this much already," said Russell, who said he'd look at some junior colleges
to play or just attend NAU or the University of Arizona as a student. "I already really miss playing, so I'd like to see if
I can keep playing somewhere. It didn't really hit me until I went to the rec center the other day and there was no
competitiveness on the floor. No one cared what happened. I want that competitiveness again."

Whether or not he plays at the next level, Russell will always carry one regret with him from his high school days.

"I really wanted to dunk in a game," Russell said with a big smile. "I got really close in the Sinagua game, but couldn't get it.
I wish I could have. I guess that's the lone regret."

Daniel Berk can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 556-2251.