McArthur is Metro Player of the Year
METRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, April 13, 2010
McArthur, a rugged 6-foot-9, 240-pound senior post, was on his way to a school-record 40-point night and the Spartans were en route to a 67-55 victory.
Afterward, Allocco seemed as happy for McArthur's record-breaking night as his team's victory. "He so deserved (the record)," Allocco said. "I told the team they should carry him off the court after a performance like that. He was a gladiator out there."
McArthur was no one-night wonder.
After three dirty-work seasons on varsity, the Santa Clara-bound standout carried the young and inexperienced Spartans to a 29-3 record, a North Coast Section Division I title and berth into the NorCal championship game.
From a blue-collar, occasional scorer, McArthur turned into a player who averaged an East Bay-best 22.8 points per game while shooting 55 percent from the field, 44 percent on three-pointers and 77 percent from the line. He averaged 11.7 rebounds per game.
He set single-season school records for points, free throws made and field goals made, and career marks for field goals made, free throws made and rebounds. He finished second in career points (1,358) and, most importantly, the Spartans were 111-10 in McArthur's four-year career.
He was the clear choice for 2010 Metro Player of the Year.
"There's not much more a player could do for a team than John did for us this season," Allocco said.
De La Salle traditionally relies on scoring balance, but after five college-team-bound players graduated from last year's squad and potential All-State guard Joe Stein transferred, the load was dumped primarily on McArthur, who responded with five games scoring 30 or more points.
Even against double teams, McArthur was relentless, not only finding scoring opportunities on the block but developing an outside game as well. Add in his nearly 80 percent foul shooting and he was nearly unguardable. Just ask Oakland, which looked helpless as McArthur made 12 of 18 shots and was 16-for-19 at the line.
"He's a load down in the block, he never stops moving and he can really shoot," Oakland coach Orlando Watkins said. "That's a tough combination."
Said San Ramon Valley coach John Raynor, whose 28-4 squad lost three times to McArthur: "He was the proverbial man playing among boys."