Usually the family of professional athletes live a charmed life -- expert coaching, wealth, access to clubhouses and the like.

However, things have been tough on El Cerrito High's Tyrell Alcorn, the nephew of former San Francisco Giants outfielder Max Venable. Alcorn said he never really knew his father and his mother, Jackie Venable, was killed in a drive-by shooting when he was 11 years old.

"I think about her all of the time," said Alcorn, Prep2Prep's North Coast Section Junior of the Year. "When I'm on the court I think of the basketball as being like my mom. I protect it and never have many turnovers. My teammates should be grateful to their parents and not disrespect them. That's why I'm always polite when I'm around them."

The blues did not end there.

Alcorn, a 6-foot point guard, scored 40 points against St. Patrick-St. Vincent, the day his grandfather on his father's side was buried.

"It was difficult playing, but I wasn't going to let (the tragedy) stop me," Alcorn said. "I used it as motivation."

Something is driving Alcorn, who was raised mostly by his grandmother, but now lives with his El Cerrito coach, Michael Booker. He took out his angst on opponents this season, averaging 16.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game.

His excellence helped El Cerrito (28-5) to a Tri-County-Rock championship, as the Gauchos finished one game ahead of CIF-State Division IV champion St. Joseph-Notre Dame.

"I'm a good shooter and I attack the rim," Alcorn said. "I'm also a good coach, on and off the floor."

Given Alcorn's background, it's not surprising the Gauchos are benefiting from such maturity, Then again, it's not entirely surprising, since he's already 18, having been held back a grade when he was young because of one of his family's moves.

Alcorn said he's learned much from his brother Christopher Venable, 28, a former San Rafael High and Merritt College basketball player who attends all of his games.

The Gaucho standout doesn't have all that the kin of pro athletes sometimes possess, but he seems to have enough to excel. He said he hopes to parlay his ability into a college scholarship after graduation.

Also considered: Charlie Duysen, G, Marin Catholic; Joe DeMers, F, College Park; Jesse Hunt, F, Drake; Beau Keeve, G, Terra Linda; Malcolm Jenkins, G, Analy.

NOTE: We would like to thank our readers for all of the nominations you sent in for the season-ending NCS basketball awards. It is a daunting task to narrow down our selections to just the top few as we recognize there are lots of great players who make contributions on the court that are not necessarily well-documented but mean a great deal to the success of their teams. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of NCS basketball.