Kindred spirits on the court

By Sean Ammerman

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 | 12:05 a.m.

When Lake Mead Christian Academy junior basketball players DeQuan Thompson and Landon Littlefield set out to find a college, they only had one requirement — finding a school where they could play together.

The two wanted to preserve their chemistry on the court, which helped Lake Mead to its first 1A state championship last year, and fulfill a dream to play in college together.

They found a perfect match in November at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, where they made a verbal commitment to attend. They won't be able to sign with the school until next year.

"We're like brothers on the court," Thompson said. "It's hard to explain how well we play together. I wouldn't be as good without him."

Lake Mead, which is coming off a 33-1 year, opens its season Thursday against Calvary Chapel, of Chula Vista, Calif., in the 12-team Lake Mead Classic tournament.

If it seems like Thompson and Littlefield play like kin, it's because they consider themselves brothers.

The two struck up a friendship shortly after meeting as eighth graders. Thompson spent so much time at the Littlefield house that when he had some family problems, Landon's father, Darryl Littlefield, had no qualms giving him a place to sleep.

A sleep-over turned into a permanent residence and Darryl Littlefield took legal guardianship of Thompson in 2005, he said.

"DeQuan and Landon are extremely close," Darryl Littlefield said. "I have never seen them argue. They share everything from the same clothes to the same room."

The two even share the same position as the 6-foot-1 Thompson and 5-foot-7 Landon Littlefield alternate between guard positions in Lake Mead's up-tempo offense.

Thompson had a breakout season last year as he averaged 10 points, three rebounds and two steals per game. Littlefield averaged 21 points and 3.3 assists per game.

"De'quan and I have been playing together for so long that before I even catch the ball I know where he is on the court," Landon Littlefield said. "I know his next move before he does it."

The two have similar work ethics and spend six days a week practicing. Their dedication to working together is so strong that when Landon Littlefield was out for four months with a knee injury this summer, Thompson wanted to sit out, too.

Thompson lost some of the urge to workout when his best friend could not play, said Darryl Littlefield, also an assistant coach at Lake Mead.

"It was like pulling teeth getting him on the court without Landon," Darryl Littlefield said.

Lake Mead coach Jeff Newton is thankful for the chemistry between the two.

With Landon Littlefield already making a name for himself on offense, Newton said Thompson will be one of the league's best defenders.

"He's by far our best on the ball defender," Newton said. "He can shut down the super quick point guard or he can shut down the small forward. But honestly his best attribute is his demeanor. He always has a smile when he's on the court."

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].