RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — It isn't easy to see when he's out on the court doing what he loves, but the 2021 season left Etiwanda senior guard Jahmai Mashack with a lot on his mind. 

To play or not to play?

What You Need To Know

  • On March 10, 2020, Sierra Canyon beat Etiwanda on a buzzer-beater in the SoCal Regional Finals

  • It was the last high school basketball contest played in California for more than a year

  • Fourteen months later, the two Southern Section powerhouses will match up once again, with a trip to the CIF Finals on the line

  • Etiwanda will be led by veteran guard Jahmai Mashack, who is playing with a powerful purpose in his senior season

"It was definitely something I had to sit with myself and make the decision if I wanted to sit out and get ready for college or play this year and finish out my senior year," Mashack said.

The veteran leader may have had little reason to play out his final year as it was a shortened season due to the pandemic, and he was already committed to the University of Tennessee. 

But to Mashack, the bond with his teammates gave him plenty to consider. 

"We might not have the publicity of other private schools, but I'm proud to be here and play for this program and school," he explained. "I know this is a chance I'm never gonna get back."

And so he decided to play it out — legacy, the word on his mind and his heart every time he laces up his shoes. 

Because this year, Mashack has dedicated the season to his grandmother, Debbie Phillips, who died last spring from COVID-19. 

"Getting back into it and going through my first game and she's not there, it was tough because she was always at every game," Mashack said. "I played through her, and every game, I wanted to go out and play for her."

He said his grandmother left him with one final lesson to carry on, never taking anything for granted, including the game of basketball. 

It's something he's tried to impart on his teammates all season long. 

"Just letting my teammates know that through any second, this could be over. You wanna play every game like it's your last," he said.

To the Eagles, that mentality has become a part of their identity. While Etiwanda High School has long been a SoCal powerhouse, Mashack said they always see themselves as the underdogs, working hard to prove outsiders wrong. 

"We're gonna come out strong, with a chip on our shoulders," he said. "Anything that has something to do with competition, I'm all for it."

It's a mentality that's led them to a 9-1 regular-season record, a spot in the Open Division playoffs, and a chance at a CIF Championship. 

To get to the finals, the Eagles must first take down the best. 

Ask head coach Dave Kleckner, and this week's game is no different, even if it does come against Sierra Canyon, a matchup that was the last game of the 2020 season. 

On March 10, 2020, the Eagles lost a heartbreaker in a buzzer-beater from then-senior guard Zairre Williams. It was the last game played in the state before the pandemic. 

"I don't get caught up in those things," Kleckner said. "I've been coaching for 25 years, and we've played opponents multiple times over the years."

"It's just kind of a one game at a time mentality for me," he said. "In order to play the best, you have to beat the best, so we'll have an opportunity to do that."

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While Mashack may follow his coach's lead in most things, he couldn't help but admit Friday's game means just a little more. 

"I can say the same thing, I wanna take it one game at a time, but I'm gonna be honest, I can't wait to play Sierra Canyon," Mashack said. "That's gonna be one of the games I can't wait to play."