Regardless of whether the La Cañada High girls’ basketball team played at home or on the road this past season, the Spartans’ jerseys had a certain uniformity of cardinal, gold and white.
While Spartans senior guard Courtney Chen wore the same colors as her teammates, the 5-foot-4 sparkplug also accessorized.
Chen could been seen throughout the year with purple bruises, blackened knees and reddened elbows earned by a give-all, play-hard mentality that helped lead her squad to several wins and Chen to individual awards accompanied by bumps, lacerations and even a concussion.
“I liked to model my game, especially my defense after [Ohio State senior guard] Aaron Craft,” said Chen in reference to the recently named National Assn. of Basketball Coaches Defensive Player of the Year. “I’m not saying I’m as good as him, but he plays the way you’re supposed to play.
“You have to hustle to be a good defender and you have to get in your opponent’s face. Don’t be dirty, but be aggressive and be annoying. That’s what I tried to be.”
