Sierra Canyon’s Terren Frank might be overlooked, but never undervalued (2024)

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Sierra Canyon’s BJ Boston and Ziaire Williams — both five-star recruits — were in the hallway outside the locker room being interviewed by recruiting analysts and reporters after the Trailblazers’ game at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

As Boston and Williams were wrapping up their interviews, a 6-foot-7 teenager with broad shoulders slipped out of the locker room with his thick Sierra Canyon winter jacket on and a hoodie covering his head.

It was TCU commit Terren Frank, a four-star recruit ranked among the best stretch forwards in the country.

“I don’t feel I get overlooked, but I don’t get the same attention as the other players,” Frank said. “I can’t let it bother me. Just have to keep working.”

One thing that can’t be overlooked is Frank’s resume. As he heads into his final high school basketball postseason, the standout senior has a chance to be a winner of three CIF State titles, three regional plaques and three Southern Section championships — claiming at least one piece of hardware each season.

“It’s one of my goals this year to win again, so I can say I won something every season in my high school career,” said Frank.

Frank won the CIF Southern Section Division 1A championship his freshman year with Harvard-Westlake before winning the regional and state Open Division titles his sophom*ore year with Sierra Canyon and winning the Southern Section, regional and Open Division State crowns as a junior last year.

If Sierra Canyon lifts a third straight CIF State Open Division title this season, Frank’s resume could rival that of former Mater Dei standout Stanley Johnson, a two-time CIF State Division I champion (2011-12) and two-time CIF State Open Division champion in 2013-14, the first to years of the Open Division’s existence.

Stanley and Price High’s Oscar Edwards are the only players to win four straight state titles. Edwards did it from 2000-2003.

Frank won’t have four state titles, but he could have three Open Division titles, which would be the most ever.

Look out below! Terren Frank with the throwdown. TCU commit pic.twitter.com/f02AyW8yhD

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 4, 2019

Sierra Canyon will be the No. 1-seeded team when the Southern Section announces the Open Division field Sunday afternoon. Though the Trailblazers seem to be favored, Frank feels this third state title might be the toughest to get.

“This year is very similar to my sophom*ore year, we were all new,” Frank said, comparing his sophom*ore year when Cassius Stanley, Scotty Pippen Jr. and KJ Martin transferred in. “It’s not really the biggest challenge, but the biggest adjustment.”

Boston, Shy Odom, Ziaire Wade and freshman Bronny James are all new to the Southern Section playoff system (and competition). Williams is familiar with it, but never got further than the second round of the playoffs.

The experience lies with Frank, sophom*ore Amari Bailey, junior Harold Yu and backup point guard Tookey Wigington – all returners from last year’s 32-3 team.

“I’m really the only veteran player on the team when it comes to going through the CIF playoffs,” Frank said.

Frank is averaging 11 points and seven rebounds per game this season.

The numbers don’t jump off the page, but his role is very similar to forward Draymond Green of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors – a comparison Frank likes. Like Green, Frank’s physical play is pivotal when playing teams with an inside presence. Frank is often seen grabbing a much-needed rebound or guarding the opposing team’s best forward down the stretch of big games.

“I like that comparison, although I think I’m more skilled and can shoot it a little better (at this stage in my career),” Frank said. “I definitely communicate with my teammates and play tough defense like Draymond.”

Sierra Canyon will host its first playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14.

Originally Published: February 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.