Shamburger is a coach on the floor(photo by Dave Keefer)
April 23, 2010
Serra High in Gardena must be one special place. Fresh off going 15-0 and winning a state football championship against Marin Catholic in late December, the Cavaliers also nabbed a state basketball championship in March. And yes, that is the first time this has happened in California during the same school year.
Leading the way on the hardwood was guard Keith Shamburger, who recently signed a letter-of-intent with San Jose State University.
Shamburger is a coach on the floorHe’s not the biggest in physical stature at 6-foot-0, 175 but Serra Coach Dwan Hurt sums up the Shamburger effect: "He has meant everything," Hurt said. "As Keith Shamburger goes, so goes Serra High School. He was our most valuable player, no doubt about it."
Hurt added, "Keith is a coach on the floor and simply does what it takes to win."
In an opening playoff game, the senior backcourter scored 25 points versus Ridgeview, including the first 11 points in the game.
On March 13, Serra topped Oceanview 50-45 with Shamburger totaling 12 points.
A week later, Serra beat Compton Centennial 62-48 behind 14 points from their team leader.
Finally, the championship game against Bishop O’Dowd turned into a 63-59 overtime win, with another 14 points from Shamburger.
His senior season numbers: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.3 steals a game leading to a 35-2 overall record.
According to Hurt, Shamburger chose San Jose State because "he felt comfortable for a long time with San Jose State and he wanted to stay near home."
Asked about academics, Hurt said "Keith is a very good student, he’s very intelligent with a 3.0+ grade point average."
One recruiting site described the 6-footer as "an athletic combo guard who sees the floor, handles well, is effective in transition and can score it."
Another offered this: "lightning quick with major range on his jumper and a clutch shooter."
After one Nike camp, Shamburger was nicknamed "Little Big Shot" by his fellow campers.