State title was only goal left for Watson

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, March 14, 2002 | 10:30 a.m.

For C.J. Watson, the 2001-2002 prep basketball season was never a quest to prove he was Nevada's top player.

That was a given going in for the Bishop Gorman guard.

Likewise, Watson's senior season wasn't about impressing college recruiters.

He'd already taken care of that as well, signing with Tennessee in November.

So when Watson's final high school campaign tipped off, his sights were set on a single mission -- bringing Nevada's top prize back to Bishop Gorman.

"Winning a state championship was his main focus all year," Gorman coach Grant Rice said. "That was the most important thing to him."

The Sun's 2002 State Player of the Year added that final piece to his puzzle last month, scoring 35 points to lift the Gaels over Cheyenne in the 4A finals. That pushed his three-year varsity record to 85-14, and 8-1 in state tournament games.

"He knew he had to put a lot on his shoulders this year," Rice said. "He was completely consistent and played at the highest level all year."

The lone remaining starter from Gorman's 2001 state runner-up squad, Watson was Mr. Everything for the Gaels in his final season -- its go-to player on offense, its defensive stopper and a teammate who made those around him better.

Despite constant attention from opponents, including more than a few box-and-ones, Watson led the state in scoring, averaging 26.1 points.

"They tried to stop me, which wasn't going to happen," Watson said. "I just played my game and tried to help my team."

Watson also took his legendary defensive prowess to another level, averaging 6.1 steals and getting his hands on everything in sight.

"It's like people are just throwing the ball right to him, almost like he has magnets on his hands," Rice said. "The ball just seems to gravitate to him when he's on defense."

The 6-foot-2 Watson even rebounded with the area's top big men, averaging eight boards.

But Watson realized he couldn't get the Gaels where he wanted them to go alone. He showed confidence in his teammates -- notably veterans Brandon Knott, Joe Anderson and Mark Hill -- all year, averaging five assists and drawing defensive attention away from them.

"I had help on my side, and when we got to state I felt we were going to win it," Watson said. "I didn't want to end my career without winning it again."