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Sports

State Basketball Playoffs: Boyd Ready to Play on Trojans' Home Floor

Conner Boyd and La Cañada face La Verne Lutheran on Saturday at noon for CIF State Southern Region Division 3 championship.

La Cañada center Conner Boyd isn’t the first Spartan basketball player to have ties to the University of South California.

But his ties run long and much deeper than any other Spartan. So when the Spartans play La Verne Lutheran at USC’s Galen Center on Saturday at noon for CIF State Southern Region Division 3 championship, the venue will be very much like home.

“It’s nice because I’ve been watching USC games since they were at the Sports Arena,” the 6-foot-9 junior said of the Trojans previous home arena.

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Conner, 17, counts a grandfather, both parents and an uncle as Trojan alumni.

Boyd’s grandfather Bob Boyd is one of the most successful coaches in the university’s storied athletic history. Bob Boyd was also a star player for the Trojans. He received the team’s Sam Berry Most Valuable Player award in 1952 and later became the program’s head coach.

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As the Trojans’ head coach from 1967 to 1979, Bob Boyd guided USC to a 216-131 mark. This included a 24-2 campaign in 1971, the best in school history.

Conner’s father, Bill, played for his father, and also left his mark with the Trojans. Bill Boyd played on USC’s last freshman team, which was ranked No. 2 in the nation. The following year the NCAA began allowing freshman to play on the varsity team. Before he finished his career, Bob Boyd earned the Ernie Holbrook Memorial Award in 1976, given to the most inspirational Trojan player.

Although USC changed several home venues before the Galen Center opened in 2006, Saturday Conner Boyd will continue a family tradition of playing on the Trojans home floor.

“It will be really fun to play there because I’ve been introduced to some of the players by my grandpa,” Boyd said of past Trojan greats. “Now I will actually get a chance to play where they’ve played, so it will be really cool.”

Boyd’s role this season has been as a backup center to senior Matt Faber. He averaged 3.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game during the regular season.

“Connor has come a long way in three years. He’s had a significant impact this year,” La Cañada coach Tom Hofman said. “In the Bishop Montgomery game he was huge. He’s had a lot of games where he’s come off the bench and contributed.

Hofman said Boyd’s playing time has mostly been determined based upon the opponent this season, but will certainly increase next year.

“I’m excited about him for next year. He’s getting better every day in practice,” Hofman said. “He’s going to be a real force next year. He’s been growing for a while. He’s lost some weight and he’s turning into an athlete. He should be a major part of next year’s team.”

Even though he isn’t a starter and doesn’t always get significant playing time, Boyd has enjoyed every minute this season.

“The run has been absolutely amazing,” Boyd said. “I thought we could win but I never thought it would be this surreal. Now that we’re going to the state semifinals, it’s insane.”

Bill Boyd said he is glad his son has been able to enjoy this season.

“Conner exemplifies what we have asked our kids ever since they first participated in sports,” Bill said. “We simply have said there are just two rules: always do your best, and have fun. Conner is certainly doing both.

“We saw a photo of Conner jumping up off the bench (in the Inglewood game) extolling his teammates. We were so proud of that photo as it demonstrated Conner’s focus and intensity even when he’s on the bench.”

Boyd said he hopes Saturday’s game isn’t his last at the Galen Center as he would like to attend USC, but is also looking for a basketball scholarship.

“It depends on where basketball takes me (after) next year,” Boyd said.

One thing that is certain, however, is that Boyd will certainly have all the support he needs on Saturday from his family.

“I think my entire family will be there – my dad’s three brothers and my grandparents,” Boyd said. 

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