Article 277: Clayton big for CV

December 27, 2011

Being able to practice with NCP Top 40 seniors Juan Anderson and Roderick Bobbitt would have its obvious benefits. But another benefit is that they can come up with your nickname. For sophomore small forward Derrick Clayton, his Castro Valley teammates gave him the nickname "Little KD" because he reminds them of Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant.

At 6-foot-5 and 182 pounds, Clayton is a finesse player who also is not afraid to take the ball to the rim and initiate contact. His best move is his pull back through the legs, hesitation dribble drive by, or pop. This move has been successful for him because he is able to survey the floor while he is in his hesitation mode, and it gives him time to decide whether or not to shoot, pass, or drive.

Clayton reminds his teammates of Kevin Durant but he tries to also emulate Lebron James. Clayton has been playing basketball since fourth grade, was called up to varsity at the end of last season, and has been a starter as a sophomore in the current year. He worked hard on his overall game especially his shooting during this past summer as he played for his Oakland Rebels 15U team.

"Derrick is a 6-5 swing man that can hit the three ball, take guys off the dribble, and finish in traffic. He is also a strong rebounder. Derrick has a scorer's mentality and high skill level," said Oakland Rebels Coach Ray Young. "Derrick's feel for the game is real good for a young player and he competes at a high level. Once he gets stronger, I look for him to become a strong and explosive perimeter player. With that being said, hard work has to be put in at the gym and in the weight room."

Clayton has a 3.6 GPA as English is his best subject. He wants to attend a program with strong academics, preferably on the west coast, and a good coach.

Castro Valley went 31-2 and was able to reach the Northern California title game. Marquette commit Anderson was a big reason for the team's success. Clayton will have the chance on replacing Anderson.

When asked about this challenge of replacing Anderson and playing varsity, Clayton responds, "I'm going to be better than him, and I'm saying that humbly but confidently. I learned that varsity is way more physical than previous levels of basketball. I also learned that size is a factor. Practicing with Juan in the Oakland Rebels' practices also has paid off. I have also accepted the challenges that are presented in front of me by my coaches, have taken them in stride, and that will get me better."

His individual goal this year is to make an immediate impact on varsity by averaging at least 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He also wants to show the coaching staff that he is going to lead the team to big things through his leadership in practice and his performance on the court. The team goal is to not fall off to far from this past season's pace.

In the early returns of the season, Castro Valley is 5-2 with close losses to NCP Top 20 teams Bishop O'Dowd and Deer Valley. The Hayward Area Athletic League is wide open this year. Despite having a young team replacing Anderson, Bobbitt, and Chris Read, Castro Valley could still finish in the upper half of the league.

Clayton will also be teamed with sophomore point guard Jalen McFerren. Expect "Little KD" to come up big for Castro Valley in order to have a solid season.

 

Article 276: Fenton a double treat

December 25, 2011

The Organized Chaos club out of Fresno featured one of the more sought after post players Grant Verhoeven, who recently committed to Stanford. Meanwhile, on the same team, another 6-foot-8 and 220 pound power forward showed the same post presence as Central Catholic's John Fenton wowed college coaches this past summer.

Fenton started full time as a sophomore last year in helping the Raiders go 17-11 as he averaged a literal double double with 13 points and 13 rebounds per game.

This season, Fenton has helped CC jump out to a 10-2 record while averaging 14.2 points and 14.9 rebounds per game. As the No. 21 ranked prospect in the NCP 2013 Top 40, Fenton is one of the more sought after pure back to the basket post prospects in his class.

Fenton is a solid anchor in the post and plays with relentless hustle. He plays similar to former Minnesota Gopher Kevin Mchale because he has a variety of post moves. Fenton's best basketball move is his drop step baseline move, which leads him to the free throw line due to fouls or easy layups.

During the summer in Las Vegas, many college coaches scouted Verhoeven while he was playing with Organized Chaos. Some of these coaches were aware of Fenton. But those who were not were in for a double treat.

Residing in Modesto, Fenton chose to play his summer basketball with the Fresno-based Chaos. "I chose to play for a Fresno team instead of a NorCal team because I heard great things about Organized Chaos and I really wanted to learn from someone like Grant Verhoeven who plays my same position," said Fenton. "So, I came out to a tryout and all the guys were very friendly and the workouts were very productive. It was a great experience and our team performed really well."

Organized Chaos Coach Chris Stahowski has this assessment of Fenton. "John's strength include his motor, toughness, strong going over his left shoulder to his right hand, and relentless on the glass. One of the most coachable kids. Huge upside. Not a lot of bigs have a motor and his skill set. Always wants to get better and one of the best practice players around. His recruitment right now varies from Big Sky, Big West, WCC, Ivy League, and Mountain West."

During his down time, Fenton enjoys weightlifting, as he wants to put on another 25 pounds to be able to compete at the next level. In addition, he goes through tendonitis in his knees along with Osgood Schlatter, which encourages him to do ankle-strengthening exercises.

Fenton has a 4.40 weighted GPA and is undecided on his major. He has inquiries from Cal Poly, Cornell, Denver, UC Santa Barbara, and Saint Mary's. His individual goals for his junior year includes leading league in points, leading league in rebounds, winning league MVP, and earning All-District while helping his team to win league and make a run in the postseason.

With his motor and continuous work in the weight room, Fenton should have a college ready body and skill set when he becomes a college freshman who can contribute immediately on campus. In the meantime, folks can enjoy this treat from Modesto, California for the next two seasons.

Article 275: Shootout in San Ramon

December 19, 2011

December is the prime month for high school basketball tournaments as the Dougherty Valley Shootout was host to a five game event in San Ramon. Here is a recap, top performers, and team analysis.

De Anza 72, St. Elizabeth 32
De Anza cruised in the opening game as St. Elizabeth only suited six players. The Dons scored 25 points in each of the first two quarters to take a 50-18 half time lead and the second half was played with a running clock to speed up the inevitable conclusion.

Rashard Williams is a 6-foot-1 wing who can slash to the basket for the Dons. The senior is a versatile defender and is a high-energy player. He had 15 points in the win. Steve Evans is an undersized shooting guard at 5-foot-10 who can flat out shoot. The four-year varsity player had all 26 of his points in the first half.

De Anza runs its record to 10-1 as the Richmond program has run out to a fast start. El Cerrito and Berkeley have been getting all the publicity in the Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League but De Anza will hold the clich?sleeper role in the league.

Moreau Catholic 61, El Cerrito 58
Without Justin Johnson, El Cerrito took a 14-8 first quarter advantage against Moreau Catholic. The Gauchos had a 30-13 lead midway in the second quarter before going into the half up 30-20. El Cerrito held a comfortable 45-33 third quarter advantage but double digit leads inexplicably mean nothing in high school basketball as Moreau Catholic tied the game at 56-56 with 1:05 left. The Mariners experienced the lead for the first time in the game at 59-58 with 15 seconds left.

Deryck Ylanan is a combination guard who handles the ball comfortably and can take on smaller guards in the paint. The Mariner had 8 points before fouling out early. Ylanan projects as a Division II or III prospect.

Joe Calub had 19 points at point guard who made all nine of his free throw attempts. More importantly, the sub 6-footer handled the ball pressure well down the stretch and helped with pressure.

Moreau Catholic moves to 3-5 with the win as most of its losses were close ones. The team showed determination and grit when it easily could have folded. Bishop O'Dowd was the preseason pick to win the Hayward Area Athletic League, but the Mariners could be a strong contender for runner up.


Tyrell Alcorn played crucial minutes as the freshman had 11 points. This Gaucho projects well as he is over 6-foot and long for a guard.

Jonathan Savage had 14 points including two 3-point shots. His length makes him an effective defender and rebounder. The junior is a good second scoring option after Johnson returns.

Even without Johnson, the Gauchos have depth to make up his absence, as he should return next week. Big picture is that El Cerrito has trouble closing out games that it seems to have in the proverbial bag and figures to be the top challenger against Berkeley High in the ACCAL.

San Leandro 59, Santa Teresa 47
In a sloppy start to the third game, San Leandro had an 8-5 first quarter lead that was extended to 30-18. The Pirates maintained a 42-29 margin before closing out the win at 59-47.

Andre Russell had 18 points and 9 rebounds for the Pirates. The small forward is rugged and physical with his play. The senior has a legitimate chance to play on the next level.

Dejon Budreaux is a guard who is active in the passing lanes. He is disruptive on the defensive end with his steals.

Ishi Ali is the younger brother of Hameed Ali from last year's team. The younger Ali is a good on the ball defender, handles the ball well and distributes it wisely.

San Leandro goes to 7-0 with the win. Coach Sean Mackay expects the HAAL to be wide open and feels that his team can compete for the top spot. The Pirates are a bit undersized but make up for it with athleticism and defensive intensity.

Trevor Priest plays the wing position well as he had 16 points for Santa Teresa. As the tallest player on his team, Priest does a good job inside, runs the court well, and has good vision. He should do quite well at Chico State.

Derek King is a 6-foot-3 wing who is the second scoring option for Santa Teresa as he had 19 points. The senior is an undersized wing who also has ball-handling duties. Puget Sound and Occidental are in contact with him.

Santa Teresa drops to 1-4 as the team has two key players academically ineligible and one player hurt. The secular and parochial duo of King and Priest will have to shoulder the load for the aptly named Saints till the return of those players. The Mount Hamilton League is not out of the question for the Saints.

Freedom 67, Amador Valley 41
Freedom had a 17-9 first quarter lead before Amador Valley made a half court shot to end the half trailing 27-23. The Falcons extended to a 44-30 third quarter advantage before winning 67-41.

Jelani Hardaway is a long point guard as the senior Falcon is getting serious interest from Diablo Valley College and Fresno City College. Coach Drew Torres said Hardaway has strong grades and has been getting some feelers from Division I programs. The senior could be a sleeper prospect.

James O'Neal can flat out score as he had a nice up and under scoop layup in the first half that demonstrated his athleticism. Coach Torres has been pleased with the growth and maturity of his junior. His scoring ability will create matchup problems and will free up his teammates.

Elliott Smith seems to keep getting taller every few months. The sophomore looks comfortable with his ball dribbling but will likely be a power forward. Coach Torres said that San Francisco and Santa Clara are interested in Smith.

Freedom is 6-1 with a quality win against Berkeley High. Deer Valley was the consensus favorite in the league but Freedom has the pieces to play with anyone. This team will speed up the game and turnover opponents in a frenetic pace.

Amador Valley was overmatched by the athleticism and pressure of Freedom. After starting the season 4-0, the Dons are now 4-3. The East Bay League has De La Salle as a strong favorite.

Hayward 62, Dougherty Valley 59 OT
The fifth game was both a defensive battle and struggle as host Dougherty Valley had an 11-9 first quarter margin and 23-21 half time lead. Hayward was able to take a 32-31 third quarter lead before the game was tied at 50-50 at the end of the fourth quarter. Hayward was able to pull out the 62-59 overtime win.

Majari and Marjani Ellison are twins and provide some size and length for the Farmers. With both of them on the court, they could present some matchup problems for opponents.

Hayward goes to 2-3 with the win. Hayward was physically bigger than Dougherty Valley but did not play more complete till later in the game. Without a complete effort in each game by Hayward, the HAAL will be hard to compete.

Dougherty Valley is undersized but is well coached and plays well together. The senior backcourt of Rufin and Wong is undersized but they play smart and can make plays for themselves or for their teammates. The interior is manned by Winkler who did not back down and went to the free throw line 16 times in the game. The loss drops the Wildcats to 6-2. The Diablo Foothill League is up for grabs this year, as no clear favorite exists. The Wildcats under Coach Mike Hansen are now in its fourth year of existence and have gone from 2 wins in 2008-2009, to 11 wins in 2009-2010, to 19 wins in 2010-2011, and possibly another increase in 2011-2012.

Article 274: NCP Roundtable

December 15, 2011

The 2011 football season is winding down with the five CIF state bowl games set for the Home Depot Center. Before the action kicks off, the NorCalPreps.com staff took a look at some of the key storylines to look for, including breakout recruits, teams to watch and predictions.

1. Who are players to watch breakout as recruits during the state bowl games?

Douglas Benton: With a number of already known prospects playing this weekend, there is a good group of under the radar prospects who should be able to increase their stock this weekend. De La Salle juniors Austin Hooper and David Moffitt have the size and skills to draw coaches' interest this spring. Bellarmine quarterback Travis McHugh has been one of the most productive players in the region this year and is a tough runner who throws a good ball. Finally in the Division II game, Brandon Monroe and Zach Heath of Del Oro can both use this big stage to turn interest into offers.

Cameron Schott: In the senior class, I see can see a pair of Bells breaking out with dual-threat quarterback Travis McHugh and linebacker Joe Gigantino. Both players have led their respective sides of the ball throughout the season, but have had minimal recruiting attention. McHugh has an Ivy League offer from Harvard, while Gigantino holds an offer from local San Jose State. If they can keep up their success on a major stage, they can see their interest from other colleges turn into more offers.

In the junior class, I would keep an eye out for De La Salle defensive end Austin Hooper and Del Oro running back Brandon Monroe. Hooper has already had a solid campaign with 10.5 sacks and early interest from Cal. Monroe has also had a huge junior season, rushing for 1,605 yards and 22 touchdowns. All of these players have had amazing seasons, but this can be their chance to see their recruiting increase.

Steve Hu: De La Salle's LB Michael Hutchings and DE Austin Hooper. Last year, LB Michael Barton and QB Bart Houston parlayed a state title game into a recruiting bonanza during the offseason. This time around will see Hutchings and Hooper benefit from the center stage. In the case of Hooper, his recruiting stock would soar with another Spartan title.

2. Only De La Salle has a state title among the NorCal teams. Which other team has the best chance to win in Carson?

Douglas Benton: Northern California has a strong chance in most of the bowl games, but I think Del Oro has the best chance. With a physical running style and a sound defense, the Golden Eagles have a style of play that travels and has the experience of playing national level teams like Westlake this year and Bishop Gorman last season. Bellarmine also has a great chance due to the experience of being in a state bowl game before and being able to rely on a strong running game to combat any athleticism disadvantages.

Cameron Schott: As I have heard many times, Campolindo seems like the team of destiny. After being projected to finish last in their league, the Cougars went 14-0 including wins over Cardinal Newman and Marin Catholic in the playoffs. They make their trip to Carson with a last second field goal over Marin, and can win State if they are able to limit Notre Dame-bound receiver Deontay Greenberry. Greenberry has had more than 2,000 yards receiving this season with a team that has a lot of athleticism at skill positions. I think the Cougars will have the best chance to win a state title if they can handle Washington Union's athleticism.

Steve Hu: Del Oro gave Westlake, the Southern California Open opponent, a scare in overtime and could easily be undefeated themselves.

3. What team are you most interested to see play on the state stage?

Douglas Benton: Bellarmine and Del Oro. Both programs are among the best in Northern California and routinely in the state rankings. Each team has put together quality wins over the years, but adding a state title on its resume will only enhance their stature going forward.

Cameron Schott: I'm most interested in watching Le Grand play at the state stage. This team has consistently beaten teams by a large margin, but does not hold a victory over a quality opponent. Le Grand may be the high school version of the 2007 Boise State squad, or the 2008 Hawaii team.

Steve Hu: Le Grand is the only school from the ten teams to not be from the major Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, or San Diego counties. The Bulldogs will be the first Merced county program to play in a state game. Big stage and big expectations exist for the Le Grand program.

4. Prediction time: Who wins each game and why?

Douglas Benton: The Open Division game features De La Salle going for its third straight title in taking on Westlake. The Spartans appear to have rounded into form with the running of Tiapepe Vitale and a first team defense which is dominating teams right now. Westlake has a very good defensive line with quarterback Justin Moore and running back Dashon Hunt giving the offense a pair of playmakers. Still, I don't think Westlake will be able to stay with De La Salle physically as the Open Division title stays in NorCal. De La Salle wins 31-14

In Division I, this game is pretty much a toss-up as Bellarmine will try to get its running game going with McHugh and Tim Crawley to posses the ball in support of a defense which has stopped a variety of attacks. Santa Margarita may have the best collection of linemen in the state as well as a talented dual threat quarterback in Johnny Stanton and running back Ryan Wolpin (1,446 yards and 25 touchdowns). Throw into the mix head coach Harry Welch, who has won two state bowls at two different schools and I'll go with Santa Margarita in a very close one. Santa Margarita wins 28-27

Division II may be the best chance for Northern California to pick up a win outside of De La Salle as Del Oro takes on Helix. The Golden Eagles are led by the running of Nick O'Sullivan and Monroe and a defense which is more athletic than past year's editions. They will be going up against a very fast defense in Helix, which can move the ball in multiple ways on offense and is coming off of a big section win in knocking off longtime power Oceanside 44-6. In a low scoring game, go with Del Oro 17-14

At this point in Division III, can you really go against Campolindo? The Cougars moved through three private school powers en route to winning the North Coast Section Division III finals behind the steady play at quarterback from Brett Stephens and two-way star Griffin Piatt. They will face their most explosive athlete of the year in Greenberry. Washington Union has won 21 straight games and has outscored its opponents 578-102. The momentum of Campolindo has been really impressive to watch and it does it one more time on Saturday. Campolindo wins 24-21

The Division IV game has been a struggle for Northern California since the game was created as Modesto Christian is the only win for the region. Le Grand has won 21 straight games with back-to-back section titles in outscoring its opponents 702-133. However, it hasn't faced a team close to the athletes of Sierra Canyon, led by Division I type quarterback Tyler Stewart (2,245 yards, 32 touchdowns, two interceptions). Look for Sierra Canyon to win the opener on Friday afternoon. Sierra Canyon wins 35-14

Cameron Schott: In the Open Division, I see De La Salle beating Westlake. De La Salle has all of the qualities to win a State Title Game, with the combination of skill and experience. This team has been almost unstoppable for the past decade, and I see their success continuing with a win over Westlake.

In Division I, this one could go either way. Bellarmine has been able to wear down opposing defenses all season and seem to improve as the game progresses. Playing in a tough division like the WCAL will always help prepare a team for a State Bowl Game, in addition to a double overtime contest against De La Salle. Likewise, Santa Margarita has gone through the tough Pac-5 League which is always a challenge. The Bells have had trouble with extra points this season, which could be costly in a game of this magnitude. In the end, I see Bellarmine winning this in a battle of the offensive and defensive lines.

In Division II, I would pick Helix in another close one. After losing their first game, they have averaged victories over their opponents by 39 points. On the flip side, Del Oro has had a nice playoff run over quality opponents, and look to keep rolling. However, I think Kene Anigbogu and the Helix squad will pull off a close victory.

Like I said earlier, Division III will be another close one that can go either way. If Campolindo can handle the athletes, I see them capping their Cinderella season with a State Bowl Game victory.

Finally in Division IV, I would pick Sierra Canyon over Le Grand in the battle of unbeatens. Le Grand has not played a quality opponent this season, and could be shocked to see a team such as Sierra Canyon. However, like I previously said, we do not know how good Le Grand really is, so that's why they play the games.

This weekend seems to have five great games on display, which can all go either way.

Steve Hu: Westlake 14-0 played a much tougher schedule in the Marmonte League that includes St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian. After Bellarmine and St. Thomas Aquinas, De La Salle 12-1 did not have a real challenge the rest of the season. But the rule of thumb seems to be to never go against De La Salle in the state title game as the Spartans win 28-7.

Santa Margarita (Orange County) 12-2 was arguably not even the best team in their Trinity League as Servite was upended during the playoffs. Bellarmine 12-1 could easily have been playing in the Open title game if their special teams field goal kicking was up to par in their season opening loss to De La Salle. Expect Bellarmine's defense to play well in a 28-14 win over Carson Palmer's former high school.

Both Del Oro 13-1 and Helix (San Diego County) 12-1 had early season losses. Helix cruised for the rest of the season as they enter the game with a string of nine straight games limiting the opponent in the single digits. Del Oro on the other hand had struggles with Nevada Union and Granite Bay in mid-season. Del Oro will break through the double digit mark and win 28-21.

Washington Union (Fresno) gave up a total of 102 points in their 13-0 season and basically cruised in the second half of their season. Campolindo on the other hand had to survive against Cardinal Newman and Marin Catholic to remain undefeated at 14-0. Expect Campolindo to be more battle tested and prepared in winning 35-21.

Le Grand went 12-0 and outscored their opponents by 569 points while Sierra Canyon was 14-0 and outscored their opponents by 499 points. But the private program Sierra Canyon out of Chatsworth (in the Los Angeles County) will end up prevailing 42-21.

Article 273: Don't sleep on Zee

December 14, 2011

Weston Ranch made a nice improvement from a 2009-2010 15-12 season to 26-4 last year. That eleven win improvement probably caught many opponents napping. A key contributor to the Cougars' turnaround is combination guard Zerrion Payton who is often called "Zee" by his teammates.

At 6-foot-1 and 155 pounds, Payton averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game last season. The No.38 ranked junior prospect according to NorCalPreps.com is a slasher who can finish with both hands and get to the free throw line frequently. His best move is the between the legs cross over because it gets the defender off balance and allows him to create separation.

Weston Ranch Head Coach Ryan Bono says, "Zerrion is a good penetrator who likes to dish the ball. He is able to get his shot off in the lane and finish contested shots. His jumpshoot is improving everyday. Defensively he is good at playing the passing lane and helping to block shots. Zerrion is usually a cool mannered player on the court. He is very competitive and likes the challenge of the other teams best guard player. He likes to pass the ball for the assist which makes him a good teammate."

Payton models his game after Milwaukee Buck Brandon Jennings because he can create ways to get his teammates open, he can shoot the three point shot, he has a nice dribble, and he is great in transition. The nephew of former Oregon State Beaver Gary Payton, this Cougar has been playing basketball since he was three years old and is going into his second year as a varsity starter.

Payton muses about the influence of his paternal uncle, "I learned from him that getting your teammates involved is key to being a great team and winning games. I also got that hard nose competitiveness like all my Payton family members have and want to win by any means necessary. He's influenced me a lot on my game considering we are both point guards and all around players."

During this past summer, Payton played for his Bay Area Hoosiers club. In addition for playing for the Hoosiers, Payton worked on his perimeter game, ball handling, free throws, defense, moves to get by defenders, and moves to get open.

Payton has had early inquiries from Arizona, Pacific, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Jose State, and Santa Clara. He wants to play for an up tempo type of offense because he can lead the break and run the floor to get quick transition buckets. Payton is undecided about his academics and is open to anywhere geographically.

Bono adds, "Zerrion off the court, is the same low key young man you see on the court. He does not get to high or too low. He goes about his business, likes to have fun, but is not in the center of it. If you don't know Z he would come across as a quiet, stick to himself person. Zerrion has a decent chance at playing at the next level. He may have to go through the JC route first. He needs to add strength to his frame and a more consistent jumpshot. He sometimes makes ill advised passes, so he will have to improve his decision making skills."

The current edition of Weston Ranch also features 2013 prospects Dylan Alexander and Daiveon Leverett. Payton has the luxury of passing to such playmakers and scorers. Payton hopes to earn All-League and possibly league MVP in helping his Cougars make a deep run in the postseason. For opposing opponents when visiting Stockton, California, they would be wise not to sleep on Zee.

Article 272: Hicks in another gear

December 13, 2011

The Sheldon Huskies returned starters Kyiron Thomas, Dakarai Allen, and D'Erryl Williams II from a 24-8 season that ended in the Northern California semifinals. The Huskies lost 2011 starters Ramon Eaton (Pepperdine) and Darius Nelson (UTEP) but another key piece that has stepped up in the rotation is point guard Jalen Hicks.

At 6-foot-2 and 160 pounds, Hicks had minimal playing time in his first year on varsity for the Huskies last year. However, the 2013 prospect has proven himself at every other level.

During middle school, he played on his club team Beyond Basketball that featured himself with his future Sheldon teammates, Dakarai Allen, Armani Hampton, Chris Haney, and D'Erryl Williams II. His former coach D'Erryl Williams I, who was an athletic wing in the early 1980s for Santa Clara University and played alongside future sports agent Bill Duffy, preached a pressure defense and fast pace tempo offense on his club team. The cohesiveness of the Beyond Basketball alums has been evident for the current Sheldon team.

This past summer, Hicks played for the Lil Reg Shooting Stars based out of Sacramento. Lil Reg Coach Reggie Vaughn says, "Jalen has a very high basketball IQ. He is very competitive and takes this game serious. Most high school players laugh and have fun after games that they lost, but this young man gets very upset and wants to work harder so that it won't happen to his team again. His strength on the court is defense. Jalen reminds me of Eric 'Sleepy' Floyd that played for Georgetown/ the Golden State Warriors."

Hicks is a floor leader, and has no problem directing traffic on the court, but can also score almost any time he has the ball, like he did when he helped lead the Lil Reg shooting Stars to the Championship of the Rumble in The Bay. He loves to be a play-maker. Off the court, he's a kid who comes from good stock, he loves spending time with family and has a great attitude off the court. From an NCAA perspective, Hicks is the whole package at point guard.

At the Rumble in the Bay in Cupertino, Hicks was quite adept at taking the ball into the lane and taking pull up jumpers. He has a long wingspan which allows him to disrupt passing lanes. Hicks thrives whenever Sheldon plays a three guard set.

The long, lanky guard likes to compare his game to former Georgetown star Eric "Sleepy" Floyd who was a crafty point guard. Hicks is a slasher who uses his in and out crossover to create space.

Sheldon Coach Joey Rollings comments on his expectations and perspective of Hicks. "Jalen sees the floor very well and is a great ball handler and passer. He is kind of quiet, but hates to lose. I think if he wants to make it to a Div 1 school, he needs to get a lot stronger and more athletic. He has great handles, but needs the burst of speed and strength to play against the big dogs. Jalen, is working very hard this summer, putting in time in the weight room and on the court. His confidence is soaring every day. I hope he becomes the player I know he can be."

The only college contact that he has had is with Boise State (John Rillie) and Santa Clara (Dustin Kerns). His individual goal is to lead the Delta River League in assists and steals while helping the team to the Northern California finals. Watch for Hicks to kick it up a gear in the current season for the Huskies in Sacramento.

Article 271: Lee is lethal

December 12, 2011

At 6-foot-8, 2013 forward Marcus Lee is long for his age. At 195 pounds, this Deer Valley prospect is lean. As a sophomore, this Wolverine averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 blocks per game to be lethal on the hard court.

Due to his productivity, Deer Valley finished 21-7 this past season that included a second round exit in the NCS playoffs. Lee has the ability to either play face up to the basket or as a post player in the paint. In addition, he has solid ball handling skills for his size to be a versatile player who is a difficult matchup for opponents.

When asked which players his game most resembles, Lee said, "I would probably say Lamar Odom right now. He is a great passer to be 6'9. He also is able to score without too many plays run for him. I really like guys who aren't volume shooters and can score within an offense. My brother says I really take after Dwight Powell from Stanford. So we're going to get up to a lot of Stanford's games this year. I also see similarities in Perry Jones at Baylor."

Lee's older brother, Bryan Lee, also played basketball and has been an influence on his game. Bryan graduated from Deer Valley in 2003 as a 6-foot-9 forward. He then matriculated at Grand Canyon University where he was an All-American in his senior year. His older brother's influence is evident in Lee's paint play but Bryan also made sure that Lee worked on his guard skills as it was not a foregone conclusion that he would inherit the height. Lee's mother stands at 6-foot-2 as a reference point.

Lee considers his court vision as his best skill as he runs the point for his high school in certain set plays. With his ball handling and height, opposing teams find it difficult to press or trap Deer Valley. In addition, Lee has a good arsenal of post moves at his disposal.

Lee has been playing organized basketball since middle school and earned a starting role at Deer Valley as a freshman. During the summer season, he plays with his Bay Area Hoosiers club. Lee has been working on his shooting skills because he knows that he will be called upon to take more shots this upcoming season. In addition, he is putting in time in the weight room. He wants to be stronger and capable of going all out for 32 minutes.

Robert Jones is the coach for the Bay Area Hoosiers. "[Marcus] has so much versatility to his game," said Jones. "He can bring the ball up against pressure, he is an outstanding passer, he can put score facing up or with his back to the basket. Also, he is an outstanding rebounder and shot blocker. He is a very unselfish player and plays with a lot of poise. He has a great leadership quality of remaining calm in tight situations. People might mistake his quiet competitiveness, but he is the ultimate competitor."

Not surprisingly, colleges are already interested in this national prospect. Arizona State, Baylor, Boise State, Boston College, Cal, Colorado, Fresno State, Georgetown, Harvard, Kansas State, Loyola Marymount, Nevada, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Stanford, St. Mary's, Texas, Texas A&M, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Washington, Washington State, West Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth have been in contact with offers from Colorado, San Diego State, and Virginia Commonwealth. The recruiting process is early but Lee likes Shaka Smart at Virginia Commonwealth. Lee has seen the Georgetown, Notre Dame, and Virginia Commonwealth staffs in attendance at his summer games. He also likes the St. Mary's staff as well. Apparently, face time by college coaches at summer events does matter to a prospect and does make an impression.

Lee has a 3.20 GPA and considers English and History as his best subjects. He would like to major in Child Psychology. He wants to play for a program that gets up and down such as the scheme that Virginia Commonwealth runs. They cause a lot of havoc defensively and Lee feels that his ability to guard multiple positions gives him the opportunity to thrive in such a defense. Offensively, Lee is versatile as he can play in a slower methodical offense because he can think through the game, but his athleticism also can be turned on in a faster pace.

Being long, lean, and lethal could also be applicable to Lee on the volleyball court. Lee started playing volleyball as a freshman at Deer Valley where he helped Deer Valley to a second place finish in the NCS Championships. He made first team BVAL as a sophomore and second team in the Bay Area as a middle blocker. He is not being recruited yet for volleyball but he has been invited to play for the junior Olympics and the top traveling volleyball teams in California. He was hoping to play volleyball in college as well but it conflicts with basketball schedule for the most part.

Lee has been spending every previous summer in Texas for the last three years to visit a close friend, Dylan Jones. Jones is a 2013 forward who has already committed to Pepperdine. Jones plays for the Texas Cagers club in Houston. As a result, Lee has had a relationship with this Houston club. When Lee is in Houston during the summer, the trip is no summer breeze. Jones' father puts the boys through three intense daily workouts that start at 5am in the morning. In addition, former NBA player and coach John Lucas has his time drilling the boys on basketball skills.

As a result, Lee may still suit up next summer in Texas for the summer circuit. Lee grew up playing for the Bay Area Hoosiers and the Oakland Rebels. Lee makes it clear that this possible decision would not be a strike against his Northern California clubs. But making a summer basketball trip to the Lone Star state would not be a bad idea from a recruiting perspective. Lee would be able to get Big 12 and SEC exposure in the region.

Lee has individual goals of getting better overall and to increase his strength. His team goals are to win NCS and make a deep run in playoffs as he believes his pack of Wolverines are X-Men caliber. Watch for this Wolverine to be long, lean, and lethal in Antioch, California this upcoming season.

Article 270: Spartans hold court

December 11, 2011

The Chris Vontoure Classic in Concord featured a final that was a north versus south battle as host De La Salle defeated Damien High of La Verne 43-39.

In a battle of Spartans and all-boys programs, Damien rushed out to a 12-5 first quarter lead but then was limited to three and four points in the following two quarters as De La Salle maintained an eight-point advantage through three quarters. The Spartans from Damien made a furious attempt to come back but fell short as it was a typical DLS defensive struggle that kept the scoring from reaching the half-century mark.

Elliott Pitts had 22 points in the win as he was relentless in the paint. The junior wing made many trips to the free throw line and was strong on the boards. Pitts had a breakout year last season in addition to getting much attention during the summer. He is one of the more complete players in Northern California as he plays bigger than his size, is smart, and approaches the game with persistent determination.

Amadi Udenyi had eight points but was more valuable in the way that he directed traffic and played perimeter defense. The senior point guard may be overlooked because he is not of the prototypical height for a point guard but is worth a look by mid-low major programs. Jared Dizon scored 13 to lead Damien.


De La looks to be already in top form as it prepares to make the always dreaded five hour flight to Honolulu for the Iolani Prep Classic. When the New Year arrives, the Spartans will be the prohibitive favorite in the East Bay Athletic League with an interesting non-league matchup approaching against Archbishop Mitty on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at UC Berkeley.

Third Place Game: Acalanes 85, Deer Valley 72
Acalanes held a close 17-15 first quarter lead before they extended to a 45-34 half time margin. Deer Valley made several runs but Acalanes led 67-53 after three before closing it out.

Kevin Huber had 34 points in the victory as the 6-foot-1 senior is an accurate three-point shooter with great range. He also has a solid mid range game and plays smart.

Noah Orlik is an up and coming point guard in the Diablo Foothill League. He has a great knack for getting to the basket and finishing in traffic. He has a good mid-range game and uses the pull up jumper in transition well as he had 14 points.

The Dons are undersized but they spread out opponents well and hit the open perimeter shot. The team recognizes their size disadvantage and crashes the board as a unit. Dublin was the preseason favorite for the DFAL but the Dons cannot be counted out as a legit challenger for league title.

Deer Valley's Marcus Lee is long and plays the post primarily by default due to his size. He had 19 points in the loss. As for his college prospects, he would seem to be more likely to be a small forward or power forward depending on how much bulk he puts on or how well his ball handling develops.

Olajuwon Garner can score in bunches as he had 33 points. The senior can drive to the basket, pull up from the mid-range, or step back for a three-pointer. Expect Garner to be the leading scorer for the Wolverines.

Ranked in the NCP Preseason Top 20, the Wolverines have struggled mightily in the early season. Coach Lechet Phillips confirmed that the team scheduled a challenging preseason to test his young team. They will still be the favorites in the BVAL but can expect a challenge from Freedom and Heritage.

Fifth Place Game: Serra 42, St. Patrick St. Vincent 39
Serra built a 17-11 first quarter lead and extended it to 31-23 at the half. The second half saw the Bruins trim the deficit to 37-33 after three before tying the game at 39-39. However, the Padres hit a game winning three to close things out.

Henry Caruso plays fundamentally sound as a forward for the Padres. He is not overly imposing but maximizes his ability. He scored 25 points on Friday evening in addition to the 15 points in the Saturday win.

The Padres may be a surprise team in the WCAL. The team has some good size in the interior with Caruso, Stephen Grosey, Matt Jajeh, and football player Luke Longinotti. That size will be needed against league favorite Archibishop Mitty.

Jalen Canty is agile for a post player. The St. Pat's sophomore keeps the ball above his head and moves well without the ball. He projects as a back to the basket energy guy. Canty had 7 points in the loss but was active defensively and on the boards.

The Bruins are still turnover prone as they committed eight turnovers in the first quarter alone. Until the team gets more consistent guard play and commits fewer turnovers, the team will struggle. The Bay Shore League looks to be a toss up after Salesian.

Seventh Place Game: Fairfield 72, James Logan 55
Fairfield had a comfortable 21-7 first quarter lead but allowed Logan to trim it to 37-31 at the half. The Falcons had the size advantage and athleticism to extend to a 54-40 third quarter lead before closing out the Colts.

Jamare Moss is 6-foot-5 and is a long, athletic wing who is multi dimensional, and does a little of everything. His offensive stats will not stand out but the defense and rebounding will highlight his contributions.

Terrance Tyson-Fairley is a 6-foot-3 wing that is a solid perimeter shooter and defender. He plays well in transition and gives maximum effort.

Jalen Dupree is a quick point guard who drives and changes directions quickly with the ball. He is also a solid on the ball defender.

Fairfield is a balanced team with several good pieces. They could be a surprise team in the Monticello Empire League.

The Colts were down big early but fought to stay in the game before being overwhelmed in the second half. The Mission Valley is going to be won by Newark Memorial. After that, the league is a toss up and the Colts could contend for runner-up.

Article 269: Demps doing double duty

December 2, 2011

At the recent NorCal Tipoff in Newark Memorial, Pleasant Grove showed it might be a sleeper to be reckoned with during basketball season. Surprisingly, the Eagles did not have their full arsenal of players as the football team is still in the midst of a postseason run. One of the gridiron boys who will be running the hard court is senior quarterback Cody Demps.

At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Demps has good size and height to read the coverage over defensive linemen. His Eagles are currently 12-1 and looking for a possible trip to Carson later in the year. He has completed 87 passes out of 128 attempts for 1,638 yards with 21 touchdowns and 3 interceptions as his quarterback rating is 141.

On a Pleasant Grove football team that features nationally recruited lineman Arik Armstead and a prolific scorer in running back Mark Jenkins, Demps has done well to carve his time in the spotlight. The two-year varsity starter has a good long ball and is apt with the deep post pass.

Demps likens his game to former Boston College Eagle Matt Ryan and Oregon Duck Darren Thomas. Demps is calm and collective when in the pocket but also can pull the ball down and run with it.

He entered his junior season with a knee injury from the summer. As a result, his timing with his wide receivers was off but his senior year has seen him double his stats and improve his effectiveness with his teammates.

Demps considers his basketball skills to be superior to his football skills but still has garnered attention from football programs. He has a 4.00 GPA with an 1880 SAT score as he would like to major in Engineering. Sacramento State, San Diego State, San Jose State, and UC Davis have been in contact for football.

Demps was critical in helping his Eagles to an 18-10 basketball record last season that ended in a playoff loss to Franklin 57-56. This year's team will have its hands full in the Delta River League. But with the addition of Demps and fellow senior D.J. Dunn, the Eagles look to fly high in league play.

Pleasant Grove will take on Granite Bay this weekend for a chance to win back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section football titles. If Demps plays his normally efficient game, the Eagles will have a strong chance of winning and then making the trip to Carson. Thereafter, watch for Demps to do double duty for the Eagle basketball team in the Delta River.

Article 268: McNair to let loose the Pitbull

December 1, 2011

McNair High in Stockton had an impressive 22-6 record, while advancing to the second round of the playoffs last season. A big reason for the success was 2013 point guard Eric Duncan. At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, he averaged 16.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.

With his build and size, Duncan's teammates often call him Pitbull. For the Eagles to make another run in the Tri-City League, they will need to let loose this Pitbull. Duncan used to play football as a freshman when he was at Cesar Chavez High in Stockton.

When his father resigned as the football coach, he decided to transfer to McNair. As a freshman starter at Cesar Chavez, Duncan averaged 13.3 point and had a 37 point effort against West High of Tracy. In addition, he gave up football when he became an Eagle.

Duncan models his game after Illinois alum Deron Williams because he can score and pass the ball effectively. He considers himself to be a power play because of his size and strength. He likes to use his jab and step back move to get defenders off balance.

Duncan has been playing basketball for nine years and has been a varsity starter since his freshman year. During the summer, he works on his quickness and jumping. In addition, he plays for his Play Hard Play Smart Black club in the various summer tournaments.

PHPS Coach Shawn Osborne says, "Eric is very strong and plays low to the ground. This allows him to be successful at both ends. I would consider his commitment to the weight room as one of his core strengths and desire to create contact. On the court, he plays with a lot of passion and flare. He is very vocal and respects his coaches. If you are watching a game, you cannot help but notice him as he sticks out with his ability to do almost everything above average. He is a pleasure to be around and he could play for me anytime based on his work ethic and personality alone."

Duncan wants to play in a college program that fits his style of play, which is fast pace. He has a 3.2 GPA as his favorite subject is English and wants to major in Sports Management in college. Army, Boise State, Cal Maritime, Chico State, Fresno State, Oregon State, Pacific, Sacramento State, Santa Clara, St. Mary's, San Francisco, UC Irvine, and Washington State have shown interest.

Coach Osborne says, "Eric brings a lot to the table in terms of assists, steals, rebounds, and points that is combined with a great attitude. He will be playing somewhere after high school and make some coach very happy. His attitude and commitment to conditioning, as well as his desire to be the absolute best should be noted. Eric will be a four year varsity starter when it is all said and done and as a sophomore was a top 25 scorer in the section on a winning team."

Duncan's goal is to go to Arco next year average and average 20 points and 8 assists per game. He wants to win MVP of his area and league. Watch for this Pitbull to be let loose in Stockton in the upcoming season.

Article 267: Jean ready to bust out

November 29, 2011

Northgate High had a successful season last year as the team went 23-7 and lasted into the semifinals of the North Coast Section playoffs. A big reason for the results was combo guard Connor Jean. Despite averaging a consistent 9.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, Jean has not had any significant college interest during the regular season.

At 6-foot and 160 pounds, Jean played his first summer of club basketball with the Lakeshow 17 team in hopes of busting out. Lakeshow Coach Terry Ahern has this basketball assessment of Jean, "Connor is a very fundamentally sound basketball player that does everything well on the basketball court. He is a very good outside shooter and can hit the 3 point shot with consistency. In addition, he is improving in his ability to get to the basket and finish. He is also a very sound ball handler and passer."

Despite being a Bronco, Jean is a finesse player who plays smart. He is highly critical of himself and is always working on improving his shot. Jean wants to be able to out think his opponent in addition to outworking them. As a result, he plays the point guard with the awareness of when to score to take over the game and also when to facilitate to get his teammates involved.

Coach Ahern on Jean's leadership skill: "I think that Connor is also a very good leader on the basketball court. He is vocal on the court with his teammates in a very good and positive way. He works hard on his basketball skills in the gym and also spends his time in the weight room getting stronger and more athletic."

This 2012 prospect models his game after a few players. Jean can be instant offense like former Arizona Wildcat Jason Terry in that he can hit the three point shot consistently or pull up for the open mid-range jumper on the break. Or he plays like former Oklahoma State Cowboy John Starks in that he can take the ball to the basket, he can finish strong, and he can play relentless defense.

When asked what positive basketball skills he brings to a team, Jean says, "I have a few good basketball moves ranging from a strong aggressive jab, to getting to the hole, and beating my man off the dribble to seeing the court well. However, I believe that my best basketball skill and quality is my leadership and ability to run a club. I am a very cool, calm, and collected point guard that runs a ball club very well and just finds a way to get a win. My leadership is contagious and I bring the best out in all of my teammates and I make all the players around me better."

This upcoming season will be Jean's third year on varsity. In addition to playing for Lakeshow, Jean is working on a spin move and floater. Jean is quite apt at getting in the lane, but wants a dependable floater to improve his finishing that seems so common amongst the professional point guards such as Tony Parker or Chris Paul.

Playing for Lakeshow during the summer has afforded Jean an opportunity to play in front of college coaches throughout the west coast including San Francisco, Anaheim, and Las Vegas. He has a 3.53 GPA and has academically qualified with his SAT score as he would like to major in Finance. He would like to be in a big city environment with a lively environment. He wants to play for a basketball program that features its guards and runs a lot of pick and rolls such as the Princeton style offense with the countless motion and backdoors.

Coach Ahern speaks about Jean's college potential. "I think that Connor will be a great addition to any D-II or D-III basketball program. Connor is a coach's dream to have on your basketball team and he is going to be a very good find for a college basketball program."

Jean is also an accomplished musician as he plays the piano, saxophone, and guitar. In addition, Jean also enjoys refining his culinary skills in the family kitchen. As a result, Jean is not the stereotypical one dimensional jock.

Jean fits the Lakeshow Basketball program mission statement. Lakeshow Coach Joe Fuca says, "Connor is a very good basketball player and a tremendous leader on the court. He is a leader at his school and in the classroom. Connor will play college basketball and be an asset to his program. Connor is currently being recruited by many CCAA teams in Div II like Sonoma State, Humboldt State, and Cal Poly Pomona. We believe Connor is a great ball handler, excellent 3 point shooter, and loves to play aggressive defense. Quick story, Connor's Northgate team went pretty far in the playoffs and he was not able to get into our normal tryout period. When he showed up, I warned him of the competition level and the tough odds to make either of our top 17 teams. He looked me in the eye and said, 'Coach I can make one of these teams and I will help you because I know how to win.' He was right and he has been a leader ever since in our program at practice and on the road and in games."

His team goals are to repeat as league champions and go undefeated in league again as Northgate went 12-0 in league play for the first time in the history of the league. He wants to help his Broncos win an NCS championship and put Northgate basketball back on the map. Personally, he wants to be the MVP of the league and go for 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.

If Jean can attain those individual goals, then his Broncos should have a good shot at league and a deep playoff run. And if that were to happen, watch for this Bronco's college recruiting to bust out in 2012 in Walnut Creek, California.

Article 266: Tratter finally healthy

November 28, 2011

St. Francis finished the 2010-2011 season with a mediocre 15-14 record and first round loss to Woodcreek in the NorCal regional playoffs. A key piece for the team was expected to be wing Abu Tratter but a nagging left ankle sprain rendered him ineffective. Finally, this Lancer is physically fit and ready to contribute in the West Coast Athletic League for his senior year.

At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Tratter is surprisingly agile and quick for his build. He is powerful and athletic and can post up against smaller perimeter players. In addition, he is not afraid to crash the boards and can dunk with authority.

Trtter models his game after former Syracuse Orangeman Carmelo Anthony because of his versatility. Tratter's favorite move is the euro step because it allows him to fake and separate from the defender to create space to finish at the basket hard. He has been playing basketball for over six years and will be going into his second year as a varsity starter.

Kristopher Weems is Tratter's club coach with the KWA Pride. "Abu Tratter is one of the most competitive players I've coached," said Weems. "He loves to attack on both ends; he aggressively goes to the basket and has proven to be a tough cover for guards and forwards. Defensively, he can be a lock down one on one defender or get deflections and blocks coming from the weak side to help. Abu has improved his range to 18-20 ft and can effectively shoot the 3, especially stepping into his shot in transition. With improved ball handling, he'll be able to create his own shot as well as find others for open looks once the defense collapses."

Chico State and UC Davis have been in contact with Tratter. He has no particular preference for a basketball program or geography though he would like a college that offers good academic programs such as business or engineering.

Weems, who played at Stanford himself, assesses Tratter's college potential. "I think Abu can play at the Division I level especially if a program can use him at the 3 and 4 positions. As his body matures, he could play the forward position but he would be undersized guarding bigger forwards. At the same time, his quickness and athleticism is a problem for bigger guys trying to guard him from 15-17 feet. If he can refine his ball handling and passing skills, I have no doubt he can play the wing yet still rebound at a high level."

In his senior year, Tratter wants to become a better guard while improving his ball-handling and shooting and hopes to help his team make a deep run in the playoffs. Tratter was on the track and field and football teams in his early high school years but only expects to play basketball in college.

Weems also speaks highly of Tratter's non-basketball traits. "Off the court, Abu is a great kid. He loves his teammates and respects the wishes of his coaches. Over this spring and summer season, he's proven to be a leader vocally as well as playing hard on both offense and defense," said Weems. "Abu's best basketball is obviously in front of him. Every discussion I have had with him over the last 3-4 months about leadership, sharing the ball, defending, rebounding, he's found a way to add those things to his game and then improve on those things. On top of that, he's made a stronger commitment to his academics and being a solid student. I think Abu can be one of the best players in the WCAL. That will go a long way in him realizing his goal of being a Division I student-athlete."

St. Francis also returns 2012 post player Drew Dickey. With Dickey and Tratter healthy, the Lancers should be able to challenge for the WCAL title and make a deep playoff run in 2012. Afterwards, watch for Tratter to compete on the next level.

Article 265: Tip-off is Classic

November 27, 2011

The Fifth Annual NorCal Tip-Off Classic at Newark Memorial High School tipped off the high school basketball season in Northern California. Here are the game results plus the players of the game as determined by the media:

Game 1: Freedom, 73, Rodriguez 56
Player of the Game: Jelani Hardaway, Freedom
Freedom cruised in the opening game. The Falcons were up 22-11 at the end of one, 40-19 at the half, 54-40 at the end of the third, and prevailed 73-56 for the final.

Rodriguez
Rae Jackson is athletic and plays at a different gear. If he can harness his energy, then the junior could bring his game to a whole new level. Jackson had 11 points for the Mustangs.

As a team, the Mustangs need to slow down their pace as they played out of control. They can probably outrun less talented teams but will have trouble playing against teams who play defense and play with discipline. Jackson will be the focal point on offense but will be most effective as a distributor than a scorer.

Freedom
Elliott Smith came out strong in his first varsity game. Smith plays taller than his size as he led his team with 6 rebounds and was not afraid of contact as he scored 14 points. The sophomore projects to be a post player who has good face to the basket ability.

Jelani Hardaway is a quick guard with shiftiness. He led all scores with 21 points. He will provide the senior leadership for a young Falcon team.

As a team, the Falcons have good perimeter players. With Smith as an effective post presence, Freedom has a potent team. The Falcons look to be clicking after the first game of the season

Game 2: Jesuit 83, Dublin 74
Player of the Game: Bryce Pressley, Jesuit
As with game 1, game 2 followed the same script as Jesuit was ahead at the end of each quarter. The Maruaders were up 22-17 at the end of one, 43-27 at the half, 63-47 after three, and 83-74 at the end.

Dublin
Joe Mcglaston can play above the rim with ease. He projects as an explosive wing as he had 17 points in the loss. The junior has another gear as he can run faster and jump higher than his primary defender.

Devin Koeplin is a craft left handed point guard. The junior hit some contested three point shots and was able to break down his defender as he totaled 12 points. At 5-foot-8, his height will be his primary factor in terms of his recruiting.

The Gaels have talented pieces but did not seem to have a team effort in their first game. They have multiple offensive pieces and have 6-foot-8 Eric Nielson to man the post. Dublin will present matchup problems for their opponents.

Jesuit
Parker Uu showed his versatility by guarding the opposing team's defender who had a significant height advanatage. The senior could score inside or outside as he had 20 points that included 2 three-point shots. He is listed as a forward but will likely be a guard in college.

Kurt Parker is a 5-foot-11 guard who scored 22 points in an efficient manner by only taking 9 total field goal attempts. He was relentless in going to the basket as he had 10 free throw attempts.

The Marauders are a senior laden team that is already showing strong cohesion and teamwork. Aside from the interior size and a true post presence, Jesuit has few obvious deficiencies. They will be a favorite in the Delta River League.

Game 3: Pleasant Grove 62, St. Patrick-St. Vincent 49
Player of the Game: Matt Hayes, Pleasant Grove
The theme continued in game 3 as Pleasant Grove coasted to a victory a they were up 19-2 after one, 38-11 at the half, 51-34 after three, and pulled off the pedal with a 62-49 final.

St. Patrick St. Vincent
Jalen Canty will be a physical force as he had 8 points and 15 rebounds. The sophomore is still raw as he needs to improve on finishing in the paint but has the size to be mistaken as a linebacker. At 6-foot-6, Canty will have no trouble over-powering opposing defenders in the paint.

The Bruins looked sluggish as they were settling for individual perimeter shots and did not score until the 1:00 minute mark in the first quarter for their lone basket. The team looked much better when they went inside to Canty or took the ball to the basket.

Pleasant Grove
Malik Thames has a really smooth and polished game as junior. He was fluid in the way that he took the ball to the basket or how he elevated for his jump shot. The younger brother of San Diego State Aztec, Xavier, Thames projects to be a shooting guard in college. He has a respectable perimeter game but his ability to contort his way into the paint for shots was impressive as he had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Matt Hayes is a good spot up perimeter shooter as he had 20 points that included 3 three-point shots. He will be able to spread the court for his teammates. The junior also played solid perimeter defense.

Colfax Nordquist played a solid game as a forward at 6-foot-3. With an undersized team, the junior will have to continue with his physical play and rebounding. He had 8 points and 7 rebounds in the victory.

With football season still in session, this team was not expected to be so crisp and coordinated. When they do get their football players, such as Cody Demps, this team may be the dark horse in the Delta River League.

Game 4: Vallejo 65, El Cerrito 63
Player of the Game: Tajai Johnson, Vallejo
Game 4 was on pace to continue the trends of the first three games as El Cerrito lead 21-14 after one, 36-28 at the half, and 52-44 at the end of three. With over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Gauchos had a 13-point lead but ended up losing 65-63 to Vallejo.

El Cerrito
Jaise Griffey is an intriguing sophomore as a 6-foot-4 forward. He plays comfortably in the post and can be a high producer of rebounds and post points if he gets taller by the time he is a senior. In this game, he had 12 points and 9 rebounds.

The Gauchos are a high-energy team with a plethora of quick guards. With no seasoned post experience, they will have to out run and out hustle opponents. In this game, the lack of size seemed to prevent them from grabbing key rebounds in the end.

Vallejo
Larry Wickett will help with the backcourt. The senior provides versatile scoring and solid perimeter defense. He had 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to provide some balance.

Jabbar Brown is a freshman guard at 6-foot-2. He had 5 points and 5 rebounds but projects to be a really solid perimeter player.

The Apaches are scrappy and did not despair when they were down by 13 points in the fourth quarter. The team is not going to win with size but with hustle as everyone crashed the boards and hustle to the floor for loose possessions.

Game 5: Berkeley 64, Weston Ranch 62
Player of the Game: Langston Morris-Walker, Berkeley
The fifth game broke the trend, as it was a back and forth battle between Berkeley and Weston Ranch. Berkeley was up 15-13 after one, Weston Ranch was ahead 28-27 at the half, Berkeley took the lead 43-42 at the end of three, and Berkeley prevailed 64-62 in the end.
Berkeley
Henry Cornelious will provide much needed size for Berkeley. The 6-foot-5 junior had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. He showed good energy in rebounding and defense while still hustling up and down the court.

Justyce Key is another junior who will have to contribute at the guard position. He had 5 points and 8 rebounds despite not being a big guard. The shifty junior can create his own shot or break down opposing defenders on the dribble.

Berkeley is again without a true center or even a true power forward by historical standards. But the team is similar to last year's in that it showed hustle and relentlessness. Coach Damion McNeil concurs that this team probably has more depth than last year's version.

Weston Ranch
Zerrion Payton is a good floor general for his Cougars. The lefty point guard is agile and breaks down presses well as he resembles former Georgia Tech star Kenny Anderson.

The Cougars will be an entertaining bunch to watch as everyone can run up and down and are athletic. The team let this game get away as they had multiple chances at the end to extend the lead or to tie the game.


Game 6: Newark Memorial 74, Deer Valley 58
Player of the Game: Paramvir Singh, Newark Memorial
Newark cruised in their victory in the sixth game. The Cougars lead 21-13 after one, 41-25 at the half, 56-37 at the end of three, and ended the game with a 74-58 victory.

Deer Valley
Olajuwon Garner, Kendall Smith, and Marcus Lee will be the core for this Wolverine pack. Garner and Smith had 16 points each but were quite inefficient in attaining those numbers. Lee had foul trouble and could never get into any rhythm.

The Wolverines will be much better and create matchup problems for opposing teams. In this loss, they could never dictate the tempo or pace of the game and yielded to Newark's pressing defense.

Newark Memorial
Casey Norris and Joey Frenchwood will make up one of the better performing backcourts in the region. The two had 19 and 7 points respectively but pressed timely in creating 6 and 1 steals respectively as well.

Newark has a true and tried system that flusters opponents. The team has a rotation that probably goes nine deep as they come at opposing teams in waves on the full court press.


Game 7: Sheldon 45, McClymonds 43
Player of the Game: Armani Hampton, Sheldon
In the literal nightcap game, the seventh game was either a defensive struggle or two teams that could never find any rhythm in their play. Sheldon was up 8-3 after one, 19-18 at the half, 32-22 at the end of three, and squeezing out a 45-43 final.

Sheldon
Hampton led the Huskies with 13 points as he was not hesitant with his perimeter shot. The junior will be called upon for more scoring in the season.

Ryan Manning will be the main post presence for Sheldon as he had 9 points and 6 rebounds. The son of former Washington Huskie, Rich, Manning is a junior who will be critical in the Huskies run to repeat in league.

Jalen Hicks had 8 points but will be running the point position. The junior was instrumental in breaking the press and taking the ball to the paint.

Sheldon did not look anywhere near their preseason expectations. Dakarai Allen and D'Erryl Williams had off games as they totaled 6 points and were battling foul trouble for the entire game. However, the Huskies will take the win and try to build on this.

Mcclymonds
Seniors Dulani Robinson and Lawrence Otis had 13 and 9 points respectively. The team made 13 out of 43 field goal attempts but free throw shooting helped keep them in it.

Willie Williams and Dalvin Guy make up an imposing interior as they combined for 15 rebounds. With the impending return of senior Jamaree Strickland for the New Year, the Warriors should have the depth to win the Oakland Athletic League. But to make a deeper run in the postseason, the team will have to play more as a unit.


All Tournament Team

Jamir Andrews, Dublin - Has good size for a guard. The junior can create his own shot and can post up against smaller guards. Andrews also has a solid perimeter game as he made 3 three-point shots to lead his team with 21 points in addition to 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Andrews rally resembles former Detroit Piston Vinnie Johnson in body stature and basketball ability.

Bryce Pressley, Jesuit - Is fundamentally sound as he had 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team. The senior played with good composure and displayed a consistent fade away jumper. Pressley, his father played in the NBA, is listed as a forward but will have to be a guard at the college level. He played with control and always seems to let the game come to him.

Justin Johnson, El Cerrito - Had 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. But the senior will be the glue guy for his team. He does a little of everything. With the team up by 13 points in the fourth quarter, Johnson was taken out of the game. When he returned, the Gauchos were only up by 2 points and had lost the momentum and ended up losing the game. Expect Johnson to be on the court till the end to help finish games.

Tajai Johnson, Vallejo - Will be a good barometer for his team's success. If he plays an efficient game, then expect his team to win and vice versa. He had 26 points and 6 rebounds in the win. But he came up big in closing the double digit deficit and was central in taking key shots, picking up crucial rebounds, or making the right pass.

Langston Morris-Walker, Berkeley - Will be the focus of opposing teams and for good reason. In the victory, he had 18 points and 19 rebounds. Once again, Morris-Walker will be expected to play a big role in the paint for his team.

Daiveon Leverett, Weston Ranch - Plays above the rim with ease at 6-foot-7. The left hander is a back to the basket forward but is absolutely agile and nimble. The junior needs to improve on finishing as he missed a few dunk attempts. Despite those misses, he still scored 17 points on 10 field goal attempts and also had 10 rebounds.

Dylan Alexander, Weston Ranch - Is one of the more thorough offensive players in the region. The junior could pull up with ease at the perimeter or break down defenders on the dribble. He also has a nifty turnaround, fade away jumper. He has that Florida Gator Mike Miller feel in the way that he plays but is deceptively quick.

Paramvir Singh, Newark Memorial - A senior forward at 6-foot-3 who is projected to be a DII or JUCO prospect. He had a monster game with 17 points and 18 rebounds but flustered the opposing Deer Valley interior. Singh plays in a Newark system where he knows what his strengths are and plays to them. In the right college system, his hustle and determination could be of some value.


Observations and Musings

Free throw shooting was overall really bad. Dublin though had an impressive 21 out of 23 in their attempts but still lost their game. Contrary to expectations of what usually happens with bad free throw shooting, Sheldon on the flip side was 8 out of 23 in their attempts but they somehow pulled out their game.

Jesuit and Newark Memorial are really complete teams. If they play consistently like their first game, they will be difficult to beat. For Jesuit's opponents, it will be pick your poison in terms of whom you want to defend. For Newark Memorial, opposing teams would be wise to break the full court press by staying in the middle of the court and to have someone flash to the top of the key to help break the press.

Sheldon, Mcclymonds, and Deer Valley probably did not have their best day. Each was a preseason favorite for their respective league. Mcclymonds and Deer Valley will probably still be the league favorites.

Pleasant Grove is ahead of schedule. This team was missing their football teammate size, but that did not seem to matter. Jesuit looks to be the top of their league while Sheldon will need a more convincing performance. But league play is months away and much can change till then.

Freedom has some good pieces. They probably do not have the size nor experience to challenge Deer Valley in their league yet.

Weston Ranch is in Stockton and is somewhat remote from San Francisco. But it would be a shocker if this team did not make a deeper run in the postseason this year. The Cougars create multiple matchup problems for opposing teams.

Article 264: Boys BB Top 20: 1-5

November 24, 2011

As basketball season officially tips off Thanksgiving weekend, the release of the final five completes the boys basketball preseason rankings. The Top 5 includes four state finalists and all return at least one Division I prospect. Does Mitty enter the year at No. 1? Will key transfers hurt two perennial Bay Area powers?

No. 5 Bishop O'Dowd

COACH: Doug Vierra LAST SEASON:25-7, Lost in finals of the CIF Division III State Playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 6 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Richard Longrus, Terrence Daniel, and Kendall Jackson are all in the NCP Top 40 Basketball player rankings. Longrus and Daniel are both heading to the Pac-12. Jackson is a quality point guard leading the team. QUESTION MARKS: With Brandon Ashley going to Findlay Prep, the loss would be assumed to be big. However, the Dragons have up and coming freshman Ivan Rabb, who probably will be close to 7-foot by the time he graduates. Depth and bench play will probably be the bigger concern than post play. KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: McClymonds, Berkeley, and Sheldon headline the non-league matchups. The latter two will show if the Dragons can run up tempo or not. OUTLOOK: Last year saw the Dragons fall to Castro Valley in league play. This year's team will be the preseason favorites and be one of the top teams in Division III.

No. 4 Sheldon

COACH: Joey Rollings LAST SEASON: 24-8, Lost in semi-finals of the NorCal Division I playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 5 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: The team returns Dakarai Allen, Kyiron Thomas, and D'Erryl Williams II as starters. Thomas is a 2012 wing prospect ranked No. 7 in the 2012 class. Allen and Williams are juniors who are becoming national recruiting targets. Armani Hampton, Chris Haney, Jalen Hicks, and Ryan Manning are all 2013 prospects that will surprise some as they enter the starting lineup and main rotation. The Huskies will have more depth in their up tempo pace in the upcoming season. QUESTION MARKS: Leadership will be a big question for this team. Last season's team had Darius Nelson or Ramon Eaton breaking down defenses on the dribble or taking clutch shot. How will this year's team respond to dry spells and tough situations? KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAUGE PLAY: McClymonds, St. Ignatius, Archbishop Mitty, Franklin-Elk Grove, Bishop O'Dowd, Salesian, and Berkeley make up the non-league schedule. Add on the league play and Sheldon will have one of the tougher overall schedules. OUTLOOK: Expect this team to gel towards the end of the season and really be a playoff favorite. The Huskies have depth and more athleticism than most teams. The youth on this team should not be a surprise. No. 3 De La Salle COACH: Frank Allocco LAST SEASON: 27-6, Lost in the finals of the CIF Division I State Playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 3 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Amadi Udenyi and Elliott Pitts will be the core for this team. Udenyi is a senior guard with a long wingspan for a point guard. Pitts is a versatile junior wing who plays bigger than his position. Both have been drawing interest from Division I programs after their summer season. The team will have seven seniors who will play significant minutes. Coach Frank Allocco will be able to rotate a core group guys in pressure defense and matchup schemes. QUESTION MARKS: When asked of De La Salle's weaknesses, Udenyi says, "We have a great coaching staff and great head coach that is something that gives us an edge. I can't see any weakness at the moment. I feel we are in a good position right now. We just have to continue to go out and work hard." KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: The Spartans will be hosting their annual Chris Vontoure tournament in early December and then they make a trip to Hawaii before Christmas for the Iolani Classic. The Archbishop Mitty matchup will square off the state representatives from Division I and II last year. OUTLOOK: The Spartans had an under the radar team from last year that exceeded expectations. With a core group returning, the expectations will be high. The defense should keep the team competitive in all games. If the Spartans force the opponent to play at their tempo, then they will be difficult to defeat.    No. 2 Mitty COACH: Tim Kennedy LAST SEASON: 32-2, CIF Division II State Champions FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 1 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Junior Aaron Gordon and Senior Neil Vranicar will be the leaders for this defending state champion. Both will probably play small forward in college but due to their size, they will be manning the paint. QUESTION MARKS: The Monarchs need to replace both guards (Kyle Toth and Colin Wan) and wing (Brandon White) from last season. Opposing teams will probably key on Gordon and Vranicar on offense while forcing the new starters to convert. In addition, the backcourt needs to be able to handle pressure defenses and full court presses. KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: A December 10 matchup with Sheldon in Moraga will be an early measurement of the team's backcourt. Sheldon plays an up tempo pace with a multi guard set that can fluster opposing teams. The MLK Classic will have the Monarchs face against De La Salle. OUTLOOK: Mitty has a 20 game winning streak going into the new season. The Monarchs are well coached and have one of the top players in the country in Gordon. He is capable of taking over the game on either end of the floor but the Monarchs will need some solid guard play and bench play to make another run.  No. 1 Salesian COACH: Bill Mellis LAST SEASON: 26-12, Lost in the finals of the CIF Division IV State Playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 2 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Despite the departure of Dominic Artis to Findlay Prep, Salesian has a plethora of guards available to replace him. Juniors Mario Dunn and Markel Leonard will be the in the starting backcourt. Another junior, Jabari Bird, will be the key wing player and is a top tier national prospect. Leonard says about the departure of Artis, "I think we will handle it fine. We have guards that can pick up DA's minutes and scoring. Obviously, we miss him because he is a great player but we have other guys who can pick up the slack." QUESTION MARKS: Size and rebounding will be question marks for the Pride. Until football season is done for Freddie Tagaloa, a 6-foot-8 prospect, Salesian does not have a true post player. KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: Berkeley (January 13), Sacramento (January 16), and Sheldon (February 4) are three of the more interesting matchups for the Pride, who are also participating in the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament. OUTLOOK: Salesian will still be the favorites to defend the BSAL and to be a postseason threat in Division IV. Not many teams will be able to match up with the Pride's athleticism.

Article 263: Boys BB Top 20: 6-10

November 23, 2011

You don't need a wide breath of knowledge of NorCal basketball to be familiar with teams No. 6-10 in the preseason NCP Top 20. With ranked prospects and previous success, these mainstays figure to remain among the best of the region throughout the winter.

No. 10 Berkeley

COACH: Damon McNeil LAST SEASON:21-5, Lost in second round of the NCS Division I Playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 20 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Everything will start with Oregon State signee Langston Morris-Walker. The versatile wing played on an undersized Berkeley team last season and showed he has the strength to battle inside. He will have help as junior varsity call ups include small forward Henry Cornelious and guards Noah Wellington and Justice Key. QUESTION MARKS: Consistency and maturity of the supporting cast. Defenses will key on Morris-Walker. Will the younger players be consistent all season long and when pressure moments in the fourth quarter come? KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: Berkeley has probably the toughest non-league schedule. The schedule before league play starts has Weston Ranch, Burbank (Sacramento), Freedom, McClymonds, and Bishop O'Dowd. During league play the Yellowjackets still have non-league encounters with Pleasant Grove, Salesian, St. Mary's-Berkeley, Rodriguez, and Sheldon. The Yellowjackets will battle El Cerrito for league title. OUTLOOK: The Yellowjackets will be the favorites in their league. Last year's team hustled and never gave up as this year's team has a bit more size but also has bit more youth. The question will be if they can go further in NCS to make a trip to NorCals.   No. 9 Jesuit COACH: Greg Harcos LAST SEASON: 22-10, Lost in first round of the NorCal Division I playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 15 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Parker Uu and Akachi Okugo will be the leaders for a Jesuit team that lost to Oakland in the first round of the NorCal playoffs last year. In addition, Bryce Pressley and Brian Glodowski will be returning starters. Former player Matt Clifford will also be part of the coaching staff to provide more experience. QUESTION MARKS: A higher playoff seeding would help make the Marauders run to state smoother. However, Jesuit plays in the loaded DRL. Last season, Jesuit lost to Sheldon in all three matchups and then bowed in the first round of the state playoffs. KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAUGE PLAY: Jesuit starts the season against a strong Dublin team and then will play in the Father Barry Classic in which they gave Archbishop Mitty their only non-league loss last year. Jesuit travels to San Francisco to play Sacred Heart Cathedral right before Christmas and will begin the first week of the New Year with games against McClymonds and Newark Memorial. OUTLOOK: The Marauders will battle nemesis Sheldon for the top spot in league. This is a senior laden team that could possibly get over the hump and take SJS and then make a run in state.  No. 8 Newark Memorial COACH: Craig Ashmore LAST SEASON: 22-7, Lost in the semi-finals of the NCS Division I playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 18 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Mixture of young and old for this Cougar team. Guard Casey Norris leads the team along with fellow seniors Yussuf Faruqui, Kenneth Jones, and Parminder Singh. Rising point guard Joey Frenchwood will be in the backcourt plus fellow sophomores Damien Banford and 6-foot-7 Mathew Thomas. The time is now and the future for Newark Memorial. QUESTION MARKS: Post play experience. Banford and Thomas will be key in providing post depth. Expect with more playing time, the post should be less of a question mark as the season goes on. KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: The non-league schedule includes Deer Valley, Sacramento, McClymonds, and Jesuit. The Cougars went 11-1 in league last year and should roll again in league this year. So, these non-league tests early in the season will give a better gauge of this team's potential. OUTLOOK: Newark Memorial is two years removed from a trip to the state title game. This year's team looks to be as deep and complete in its roster. Last year was a tough Division I road in NCS as is this year. But Newark has moved to Division II and looks to have the pieces to be one of the more dangerous Division II teams in Northern California.  No. 7 Sacramento COACH: Derek Swafford LAST SEASON: 27-6, Lost in the semi-finals of the NorCal Division III Playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 10 in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Seniors Erik Kinney and Darius Graham are already bound for Cal State Bakersfield and UC Davis respectively. Juniors James Hadnot, Joe Barnes, and Aaron Cameron have Division I potential. Aside from a true center position, the Dragons look to be a very complete team. QUESTION MARKS: Last year's team had 6-foot-10 Robert Garrett handling the post. Hadnot will be expected to provide some of the post rebounding and scoring this year. KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: Newark Memorial, Centennial (Corona), and Salesian highlight the non-league games. Last year's team got a good spark in defeating Bishop O'Dowd on MLK in Berkeley after some internal roster turmoil. OUTLOOK: The Dragons will be the league favorite in the Metro and should be one of the favorites to go far in NorCal. This team looks to be very athletic and can run with anyone.  No. 6 McClymonds COACH: Brandon Brooks LAST SEASON: 16-15, Lost in the first round of the NorCal Division I Playoffs FINAL 2010 RANKING: NR in NCP Top 20 STRENGTHS: Seniors Dulani Robinson and Lawrence Otis both had solid summers with their Team 94 club. Junior Dalvin Guy will be expected to be the primary post player. QUESTION MARKS: : Senior Jamaree Strickland expects to be back in the February time frame. He is coming back from a knee injury. The post play should still be solid with Guy and sophomore Deion Ellis. KEY GAMES OUTSIDE OF LEAGUE PLAY: The non-league games include Sheldon, Deer Valley, Bishop O'Dowd, El Cerrito, Newark Memorial, Berkeley, Jesuit, Rodriguez, and Sacred Heart Cathedral. OUTLOOK: The Warriors are the consensus choice to win the OAL. As a result, the postseason expectations are high for them. This team is as complete and balanced as any other team in Northern California.