Article 157: Newark wins Top 20 battle

February 27, 2011

A second round NCS Division I game at Newark featured two top 20 NorCal teams in the Berkeley High Yellowjackets and the Newark Memorial Cougars. The home team Cougars had a 10 point fourth quarter lead that they surrendered to Berkeley but were able to hold off the Berkeley rally to win 65-62 and setup a semifinal battle with Castro Valley.

In the first quarter, the playoff jitters may have gotten to both teams as several turnovers were committed. In addition, Yellowjacket Langston Morris-Walker picked up his second foul with 6:31 left to force him to a long stay on the bench. Teammate Jalil Eppenger picked up the slack as he scored 10 points in the quarter as the Yellowjackets only trailed 15-12.

The Cougars would extend the lead to 26-21 in the second quarter. Casey Norris had 8 points in the quarter as he made a few nifty driving layups. Once again, Eppenger helped keep the Berkeley deficit at 31-28 as he scored another 10 points in the quarter.

The Cougars built a 37-30 lead into the third quarter but the Yellowjackets battled back as Eppenger helped cut the lead to 39-37 late in the quarter. In addition, Berkeley was able to get Newark into the penalty free throw shooting early. However, Newark ended the period on a 7-0 run to lead 46-37 with the home crowd energized.

The fourth quarter started slow but Newark had a 53-43 lead with the momentum and home crowd. But Eppenger and guard BT Shabazz helped key a rally that gave Berkeley a 56-54 lead with 3:00 minutes left. Newark would go into their post player Kendall Andrews who would score the next 7 points to give Newark a 61-58 lead in route to the final of 65-62.

How this game was won: Newark had the size advantage and was able to get higher percentage shots. Andrews had 24 points that was mostly layups. This also allowed Norris and freshman Joey Frenchwood to take the ball to the paint for layups or passes to open perimeter shooters.

Turning point: Andrews scoring his team's next 7 points after Berkeley took the fourth quarter lead. The momentum swung back to Newark and put the pressure back on Berkeley. The Yellowjackets had chances to tie the game at the end but could not.

Berkeley analysis: Coach Damion McNeil said that Morris-Walker's two fouls early did not disrupt the flow of the team as Eppenger with 34 points and Shabazz with 18 points picked up the scoring effort. Berkeley finishes 21-5 as they return to playoffs after the suspension from last year. McNeil was extremely proud how his senior group handled the suspension and injuries while he is also optimistic about next year with the return of Morris-Walker and some promising players from the junior varsity team.

Newark analysis: Newark has a good inside and outside balance with Andrews in the interior while guards Frenchwood and Norris handle the outside. Norris attributes the team's defense and experience for the win. Frenchwood is only a freshman and looks to be a promising point guard prospect.

What is next for Newark: Newark is 22-6 and will have a battle with top seed Castro Valley next. Coach Craig Ashmore would like his team to prepare defensively to stop guards from driving to the basket and to close out on the open perimeter shooters. He expects a tough opponent in Castro Valley and wants his team to battle to keep the game close to give them a chance at the end to win.

Article 156: Trojans' big 3 comes up big

February 26, 2011

Despite being off since last Thursday, the Castro Valley Trojans showed little rust in their second round NCS playoff game against the Antioch Panthers. The Panthers won their first round game against College Park and were able to stay close in the first quarter with Castro Valley. But Castro Valley showed why they are the top ranked team in the NCP polls and was able to win easily 77-53 behind their senior trio of Juan Anderson, Roderick Bobbitt, and Chris Read.

In the first quarter, the tempo was a frenetic pace that had the teams going up and down on the court. Castro Valley forced several outside shots while Antioch missed several open layups and put backs. The Panthers would only trail 14-12 at the end of the quarter.

The Panthers last lead of the game was at 18-17 in the second quarter. At that point, Castro Valley went on a 16-2 run to take a 33-20 halftime lead. The Panthers committed too many turnovers and could not hit their shots during this Castro Valley run.

Castro Valley extended the lead in the third quarter. With the Panthers trailing 42-30, Castro Valley scored the last seven points of the quarter to lead 49-30. The Castro Valley defense had only allowed 12, 8, and 10 points for each of the first three quarters.

The first two minutes of the fourth quarter was a dunk fest for Castro Valley as Anderson and Read had a few dunks to increase the lead at 59-30. With about four minutes left, Castro Valley had their largest lead of 31 points with a score of 68-37. Castro Valley would send in their reserves to win with a final score of 77-53.

Game Notes

How this game was won: Castro Valley Coach Nick Jones felt that his team came out sluggish but picked up defensively. The high scorer for Antioch was Drew Cones with 10 points while Michael Crawley and Tyvon Walker each had nine points. The Castro Valley trio of Anderson, Bobbitt, and Read outscored the Antioch team 54-53.

Turning Point: Castro Valley made a 16-2 run to end the second quarter at 33-20. Antioch was competitive for the first quarter but could not sustain that level of play thereafter. Anderson commented on how the team increased its intensity while Bobbitt stated how the defense setup the team’s offense.

Antioch analysis: The Panthers made too many turnovers that led to easy baskets for Castro Valley. The team also had several offensive rebound chances and layups that did not fall. The Panthers finish with a 16-12 record and the entire varsity roster will graduate except for two juniors.

Castro Valley analysis: Anderson feels that the team has not reached its potential as he would like to see the team put four good quarters together. Anderson only scored 12 points as Bobbitt and Read had 22 and 20 points respectively. Opponents will have a difficult task of limiting all three of the Castro Valley trio from scoring their normal offensive output.

What is next for Castro Valley: Castro Valley is 26-1 and still look to be the favorites in the NCS playoffs. They await the winner of Newark and Berkeley. Newark has given Castro Valley a difficult time in the past few years while Berkeley was the only loss in the current season.

Article 155: Manley mans up in Knights win

February 26, 2011

In the OAL regular season finale between the McClymonds Warriors and Castlemont Knights, the game had no bearing in the seeding for the upcoming OAL playoffs. However, the rivalry between the two schools still fueled a spirited battle to the final minutes of the game. In front of his home crowd, senior Knight Deverauex Manley concluded his last regular season game by leading all scorers with 26 points for the Castlemont 65-61 victory.

In the first quarter, the Warriors came out attacking on both ends of the court. Their pressing defense caused several Castlemont turnovers as McClymonds held a 12-2 lead, which was the largest Warrior lead of the game. Castlemont scored the last 6 points of the quarter to cut the deficit to 12-8.

In the second quarter, Castlemont was still committing several turnovers due to the Warrior defense. However, McClymonds had poor free throw shooting that allowed Castlemont to tie the game at 18-18 with 3:05 left. The Knights would take a 24-21 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was a back and forth struggle between the two teams. Warrior big man Jamaree Strickland was critical in getting several offensive rebounds and put back attempts. However, Castlemont was still able to extend the lead to 37-32.

McClymonds scored the first 5 points of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 37-37. In addition, the Warriors were shooting the penalty early in the quarter. Junior Dulani Robinson hit a 3-point shot to tie the game as he made five 3-point shots in the game. The Warriors would not lead in the quarter as they would also be tied at 39-39. With the Warriors trailing 47-46, Castlemont ran off 9 straight points to lead 56-46 with less than three minutes left in the quarter to hold what seemed to be an insurmountable lead. The Warriors cut the lead to 59-56 and had free throw attempts with 30 seconds left but missed both attempts as Castlemont held on for the 65-61 win.

How this game was won: Castlemont Coach Hodari Mcgavock said it was a team effort. He highlighted the efforts of Manley and Gary Williams as they scored 26 and 21 points respectively. But Mcgavock said senior Bobby Johnson played the game of his life. Johnson only scored 7 points but was literally huge for the Knights. He had to be the interior physical presence to counter the height and size advantage that the Warriors had.

Turning point: When Castlemont was leading 47-46 in the fourth quarter, the Knights scored 9 straight points to lead 56-46. Manley hit two consecutive 3-point shots with the latter being a 4-point play as he was fouled. Give McClymonds credit for still battling as they could have let the momentum overwhelm them.

McClymonds analysis: The McClymonds bus was stuck in traffic which caused the game to be delayed by 30 minutes. Apparently, the team free throw shooting was adversely affected by that delay as they made 14 out of 28 free throw attempts. Post player Strickland is still feeling his way through his recovered knee injury as he scored 7 points. Coach Brandon Brooks plans to be careful with Strickland. Robinson led the Warriors with 17 points as he made five 3-point shots and was shifty in breaking down the defense.

Castlemont analysis: Coach Mcgavock felt that his team has underachieved the entire year. He hopes that his team is peaking or reaching more of its potential. The Knights have solid guard play with Manley and Williams while the interior is patrolled by Johnson.

What is next for McClymonds: Coach Brooks did not want to go into OAL playoffs with a two game losing streak. The Warriors had the top seed locked up before the game already and a first round bye. He will have his team work on their free throw shooting, strengthen their defensive rotation, and work on fundamentals. After starting the season so poorly, McClymonds finished the regular season at 15-13 and are one win away from reaching the NorCal playoffs. All the injured players are back and the Warriors can be a matchup problem for most teams.

What is next for Castlemont: Castlemont finished the regular season at 15-8 and will have a first round game. They avenge the first meeting against McClymonds. A third meeting between the two teams would not be surprising.

Article 154: D-Mize is opponents' demise

February 24, 2011

On every dominant basketball team, there is always a player who is unheralded because he is overshadowed by flashier teammates or is known for playing solid, fundamental defense. For Salesian, both of these statements can be said of Davion Mize, who is in his junior year for the Pride and was a sophomore varsity starter as a shooting guard for the team that finished 32-3 with a 54-50 loss to St. Mary's College High in the NorCal semifinal playoffs.

At 6-foot and 165 pounds, Mize considers himself to be a slasher due to his speed that allows him drive the ball with ease but also has the ability to knock down perimeter shots. His defensive aggressiveness is his best skill as he can cause turnovers. As a result, he compares his game to Golden State Warrior Monta Ellis because he is a great defensive player, has speed, can score in different ways, and can rebound.

Mize has been playing basketball since he was 7 years old. His best move offensively is the in and out crossover to get past defenders. During the off season, he works on his jump shot and his offhand moves because it will allow versatility and enhance his overall game. The work has paid off as senior Bryce Thompson has had back problems recently. Coach Bill Mellis put Mize in the starting rotation and has liked what he has seen from his junior.

Coach Mellis says, "Davion's strengths are that he has a balanced offensive game of going strong to the basket and a solid jump shot, especially from 3-point range. He plays very hard and the best part of his game might be at the defensive end. He can really shut down opposing guards using his quickness and anticipation skills. On the court, he works very hard and it is all business for him. At the same time, he really has a passion for the game and you can see it in his play. He is very unselfish and definitely puts winning before any personal statistics."

Mize is unheralded because he is the least recognized of a quartet of Salesian sophomores and duet of Salesian juniors. Jabari Bird, Mario Dunn, Jermaine Edmonds, and Markel Leonard are Salesian sophomores who are ranked in the latest NCP 2013 boys basketball top 40 while Dominic Artis and Freddie Tagaloa are ranked in the NCP class of 2012. If Mize continues to play well, he will get his recognition.

Sophomore teammate Leonard says, "Davion's strengths are his on ball defense, leaping ability, and ability to get to the rim. On the court, he listens and is very hungry. Off the court, he is kind of quiet and likes to have fun."

As a junior, Mize is in contact with Portland, Santa Clara, and UC Santa Barbara. He would like to play for an up tempo pace program that can utilize his skills. He would like to stay on the west coast.

Coach Mellis says, "Off the court, he's liked by all his peers. He has a great personality and while he is outgoing around his friends, he is very respectful toward others, especially his teachers and coaches. Academically, he works hard in the classroom and he is an overall well-rounded caring person. As far as at the NCAA level, he has the potential to play college football or basketball. This year, he plans to play baseball as well, so he's every bit of a well-rounded athlete as he is a person. He will definitely play one of these sports at the next level, but it seems that his passion is with basketball."

D-Mize, what his teammates call him, plays football as a wide receiver but expects to play basketball at the college level. During the summer, he plays for his Richmond Bad Boyz club team. Expect Mize to be a defensive asset that will be the demise of Salesian's opponents in their upcoming playoff run in Richmond.

Article 153: Hutchings one half of M&M

February 24, 2011

The maxim of defense winning championships is a hackneyed but true statement. For the De La Salle Spartans, the goal of winning a third straight state title next fall will depend greatly on their defense. In this previous season, the Spartans went 14-0 and relied heavily on college bound players like Antoine Pickett, Blake Renaud, and Dylan Wynn.
 Replacing these seniors will be the M&M linebacking core of Michael Barton and Michael Hutchings. Junior Barton led the team with 72 tackles while the sophomore Hutchings had 68 tackles. The defense gave up only 139 points over those 14 games that resulted in 10 points per game allowed average.

Hutchings was the only sophomore on the Spartan varsity team and made an immediate impact. His efforts got him recognized on the all state team for ESPN Rise and he was made California state sophomore of the year by Goldenstatepreps.com. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Hutchings can bench press 265 pounds, squat 405 pounds, and has a vertical of 31 inches.

The Spartans employ a 4-4 defense. This takes advantage of Hutchings' skills because he can play outside linebacker and also drop back to strong safety in certain situations.

Oregon State, Washington, and Washington State have offered Barton who says of the younger of the M&M boys, "Hutchings is an athletic kid and is almost always around the ball. He has the potential to be better. He works hard in the weight room, likes to compete, and is a nice kid to be around. He has the potential to be a great and impactful Division I college player if he keeps up the hard work. Hutchings has a lot of pressure on his shoulders to be a junior leader and step up on both sides of the ball next year. If he stays focused and works hard, I know he will succeed in this."

Hutchings is already working hard in preparation for the next season. He plans on attending the Stanford Invitational in spring. In addition, he is always working on his agility, lifting, and running with his linebacker coach, Coach Alumbaugh.

Hutchings says, "Next year, I plan on stepping up and leading the juniors on our team. Our job as juniors is to help lead the seniors to a state title and get better, because we have another year to achieve the ultimate goal of winning state. This upcoming season, I know Michael Barton expects me to step up and take on a large role of the defense and I do not want to let him down as he has worked three tough years for his senior season. As long as we want to put the work in, it pays off at game time."

Hutchings has been receiving numerous college brochures and inquiries. Officially, high school prospects cannot get their first offer until September 1st during their junior year. He is interested in the Pac-12 schools because they are still reasonable distances from home and a top football conference in the country. But all west coast schools are on his list.

The M&M boys plan to give something sweet for their Spartan fans next year. If Hutchings plays up to expectation, then opposing offenses will have a bitter taste and sore feeling. Watch for Hutchings to defend De La Salle's state title in Concord in the upcoming season.

Article 152: Shittu looking for baker's dozen

February 23, 2011

At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, junior Aziz Shittu of the Buhach Colony Thunder has the frame to fill out into the ideal defensive tackle at the next level. Last year, Shittu could run 5.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash, had a shuttle time of 4.98 seconds, and had a vertical of 24 inches. Shittu says his numbers have improved as he will get measured in the upcoming summer camps.

Big linemen who can run and are athletic will fit in any 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. As a result, Shittu has already received 12 offers that include Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Iowa State, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon State, San Jose State, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, and Washington State. That covers over half of the Pac-12 schools and is heavily west coast based.

He plans to visit Stanford later this month. Shittu seems to have the Cardinal and the Pac-12 conference as his top school preference and top conference preference.

Buhach Colony finished this past year 12-1 as they lost in the playoffs to Folsom in the SJS playoffs. Shittu had 76 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovered on the season. Shittu will anchor a strong Thunder defense as they look to make another deep playoff run.

Buhach Colony Coach Kevin Swartwood says, "Aziz is very smart as evidenced by his high GPA. His academic record is impressive because he takes difficult courses when he has the opportunity. Aziz has an explosive first step which makes him very powerful off the ball. Aziz is very competitive on the field and hates to lose. I like that specific quality in my players because they will fight to the end."

Shittu plans to attend a few camps during the summer but is undecided on the complete list yet. The ones that he chooses may go a long way in narrowing his offer choices.

Coach Swartwood says, "Aziz is the guy who is always looking to have fun while he is around his friends. He will laugh and joke around a lot when he is with his buddies. I think Aziz will do well at the college level. He is still a "Puppy" as far as his athletic ability is concerned. He has a tremendous up-side and he will do well academically as well."

Expect Shittu to have a busy summer racking up his baker's dozen offer and probably more. In the fall, expect the Thunder with Shittu to limit opposing offenses. And in 2012, watch for Shittu at the college level moving the line of scrimmage.

Article 151: NCP Girls Basketball Top 20

2/21/2011

Ranking Team City Record Pvs.

1 Berkeley Berkeley 25-1 1
The Yellowjackets enter the playoffs two points shy of being undefeated and get a well-deserved bye in the first round of the NCS DI playoffs. B-High will host the winner of Liberty/Foothill on Friday.

2 Carondelet Concord 23-3 2
Tough defense allowed only 29 and 31 points to Amador Valley and California respectively to close out league play. Carondelet hosts College Park on Tuesday in the first round of the NCS DI playoffs. The finals are two weeks away but a deciding third game between Berkeley and Carondelet looms large.

3 St. Mary's Stockton 21-2 3
The Rams have a 19 game winning streak going into the postseason. The 75-67 win against St. Francis-Sacramento was a rare single digit win for the Rams who routinely blow out opponents.

4 St. Mary's Berkeley 23-4 4
With a third straight BSAL championship under their belts, the Panthers are eyeing a repeat trip to the NorCal D-IV finals.

5 Dougherty Valley San Ramon 24-2 5
The NCS No. 1 seed Wildcats have a 17 game winning streak going into the postseason after 70-14 and 68-51 wins over Alhambra and Dublin respectively.
 
6 Del Oro Loomis 22-3 6
Del Oro finished undefeated in the SFL and have the second seed in the SJS DII bracket. The Golden Eagles host River City on Tuesday in the first round.

7 St. Francis Sacramento 21-6 7
The Troubadours lost a late season non-league match with St. Mary's-Stockton 75-67 but they still wrapped up an undefeated league record with a win against Pleasant Grove. SJS DI tournament play commences on Tuesday against Bear Creek.

8 Lincoln Stockton 22-3 8
Another undefeated league champ, the Trojans host Davis on Tuesday in the first round of the SJS DI playoffs. If the seeding plays out to form, they will meet St. Francis-Sacramento for the championship.

9 Vanden Fairfield 23-4 9
Sacramento and El Dorado are the higher seeded teams in SJS DIII that could give Vanden a challenge in the brackets.

10 Archbishop Mitty San Jose 20-7 14
The Monarchs won the WCAL championship by beating Presentation 66-59. The win earned a No. 2 seed in the CCS playoffs.
 
11 Bishop O'Dowd Oakland 18-7 10
A difficult non-league schedule earned the Dragons the top seed in NCS DIII.
 
12 Campolindo Moraga 21-5 11
As a second seed in the NCS DIII playoffs, Campolindo awaits a second round match on Friday against the winner of Tamalpais/Albany.

13 Presentation San Jose 20-6 13
The Panthers failed to defeat Mitty a third time the WCAL playoffs. Despite the loss, the Panthers are are a No. 1 seed.
 
14 St. Ignatius San Francisco 20-6 15
St. Ignatius lost to Mitty in the WCAL playoffs. Despite the lost, the Wildcats are the number 1 seed in the CCS D3 playoffs. They play their first playoff game on Saturday.

15 El Camino Sacramento 26-1 16
The SJS DII brackets yield possible matchups against Del Oro in the semifinals and St. Mary's-Stockton in the finals. Tough road ahead for the Eagles.

16 Gilroy Gilroy 21-1 17
Gilroy goes into postseason play with 18 straight wins and a No. 2 seed. The Mustangs could face top seed Palo Alto for the title if the seeding plays out.

17 Deer Valley Antioch 18-7 19
The Wolverines capped an undefeated BVAL season with wins against Heritage and Liberty. The first round of the NCS DI playoffs is Tuesday at home against Irvington.

18 Pinewood School Los Altos Hills 21-5 NR
Pinewood won the West Bay championship by beating DV powerhouse Eastside Prep 43-40.

19 Mission San Jose Fremont 25-2 12
A 23-40 loss to Logan last Thursday results in a severe rankings drop. The Warriors did avenge the loss 33-28 in the Saturday rematch to win league outright.

20 Clayton Valley Concord 24-2 NR
The Eagles have a 19 game winning streak going into the postseason due in part to a defense that only gave up 35 points per game. 

Article 150: Eppenger is a Swiss Army Knife

February 21, 2011

With the advent of the internet and the technological revolution in the past few decades, multitasking has become the norm in society. On the basketball court, multitasking players who can defend, dribble, pass, rebound, and score will make life easier on their coaches and garner more floor time. Exhibit 1: Jalil Eppenger of Berkeley High.
Eppenger considers himself to be a combination guard but has had to do a little of everything for an undersized Berkeley team. As a junior last year, Eppenger averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists as the team went 17-9 but were unable to go the playoffs due to a previous school suspension. In his senior year, he is averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as the Yellowjackets are 20-4 and preparing for a playoff run.

At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Eppenger has that desired height and size for a combination guard who can run 4.80 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 200 pounds, squat 185 pounds, and has a vertical of 38 inches. He is a slasher as he has a quick first step and an explosive jumping ability.

Eppenger compares himself to former North Carolina Tar Heel Wayne Ellington as he has a good mid range game and is an athletic guard. Eppenger has been playing basketball since he was 9 years old and works hard on his mid-range game, explosiveness, and footwork.

During this past summer, he played for his NorCal Supreme club team. At the Double Pump tournament in Anaheim at the end of summer, he exhibited those multitasking skills as he was fearless in going after rebounds against bigger players, comfortable running the fast break, and able to finish at the rim or with a pull up jumper.

And more recently in his senior season, Eppenger's Berkeley High team has been undersized in the interior due to injuries. As a result, junior Langston Morris-Walker and he have had to man the interior. Despite being a combination guard, Eppenger has had to be a Swiss Army Knife type of player for the Yellowjackets.

The versatility has definitely caught the attention of colleges. Cal Poly SLO, Chico State, Metro State, Nevada, Oregon State, Pennsylvania, Pepperdine, San Francisco State, Sonoma State, UC Davis, UC Irving, UC Riverside, and San Diego have been in contact with Eppenger. His preference is to be on the west coast as he would like to be close to home but not too close.

Eppenger wants to play for a winning program where he can contribute immediately. He wants the program to have strong academics as he is academically qualified. He plans to major in Business or Sports Management.

The Yellowjackets will be hungry as they return to playoff action. Expect Eppenger to pull out his Swiss Army Knife set of skills to drive these Yellowjackets. And watch for Eppenger on the next level in the fall.

Article 149: NCP Boys Basketball Top 20

2/21/2011

Ranking Team City Record Pvs.

1 Castro Valley Castro Valley 25-1 1
The Trojans defeated Mt. Eden and Bishop O’Dowd in league play this past week. Guard Roderick Bobbitt scored 28 points in the win over the Dragons to cap a perfect league season. The Trojans get a bye in the first round of the NCS DI playoffs as they await the winner of Antioch/College Park on Friday.

2 Archbishop Mitty San Jose 25-2 2
Mitty won the WCAL playoffs with wins over Valley Christian, Bellarmine, and Serra. The championship game against Serra was a close one as they won 46-45. The Monarchs now prepare for the CCS playoffs.

3 De La Salle Concord 22-4 3
Stifling defense was the key to easy wins against league opponents Amador Valley and California. The Spartans match last year’s 13-1 league record and will attempt another run in the post season. De La Salle gets a bye in the first round of the NCS DI playoffs as they await the winner of San Leandro/Heritage on Friday.

4 Sheldon Sacramento 19-7 4
Sheldon finished an undefeated league record with a win against Folsom and is the top seed in the SJS DI playoffs looking for a trip to Arco Arena. The Huskies await a play in opponent from the first round.

5 Salesian Richmond 18-11 6
Salesian won the BSAL title with wins against Swett, St. Mary’s (Berkeley), and St. Patrick St. Vincent. They host Cloverdale in the first round on Wednesday of the NCS DIV playoffs. A rematch looms as they will play the winner of Mckinleyville/Swett on Saturday.

6 Bishop O'Dowd Oakland 20-5 5
The Dragons split against Hayward and Castro Valley to finish second in league. Nevertheless, they are seeded No. 1 in the NCS DIII field and get a bye in the first round.

7 San Ramon Valley Danville 23-2 7
Up and down week for SRV who won easily against California but squeaked by Monte Vista 56-55. Finishing runner up to De La Salle forces the Wolves to play a first round game against James Logan who they easily defeated 56-37 in December and a win will have the Wolves playing against the winner of Deer Valley/Amador Valley, both of whom they defeated in the regular season. If the seeding goes as plan, San Ramon Valley will face De La Salle for a deciding third game.

8 Granite Bay Granite Bay 24-3 8
The Grizzlies won their last two league games against Rocklin and Del Oro and host Kennedy in the first round of the SJS DI playoffs. A win will set them up to play the winner of Mcnair/Oak Ridge on Friday.

9 Woodcreek Roseville 23-4 11
Winning their final league games against Nevada Union and Roseville earned Woodcreek the top seed in the SJS DII playoffs and host Los Banos on Wednesday. A win will setup a Friday game against the winner of Bethel/Wood.

10 Luther Burbank Senior Sacramento 22-4 13
The Titans claimed the Metro League title to earn the sixth seed in the SJS DI playoffs where they will play Davis in the first round on Wednesday. A Friday rematch against Jesuit who they lost to earlier in the season looms.

11 Sacramento Sacramento 22-5 14
The Dragons concluded th regular season with wins against McClatchy and Kennedy. The top seed in the SJS DIII playoffs, Sac will host Hogan on Wednesday. A win will have them playing on Friday against the winner of Lindhurst/Sierra.

12 Chico Senior Chico 24-1 15
Chico is still undefeated in league play as they defeated Oroville and Shasta. The Panthers nurse a 17 game winning streak as they finish league play against Foothill on Tuesday. They will play Red Bluff on Friday in the Northern Section playoffs.

13 Franklin Elk Grove 22-5 17
The Wildcats went undefeated in league with wins against Davis and Laguna Creek and await a play in opponent for the first round of the SJS DI playoffs. If the seeding goes to plan, they could face Sheldon in a rematch from last year’s finals.

14 El Cerrito El Cerrito 20-6 9
A loss to Pinole Valley drops the Gauchos to No. 14. El Cerrito still won the Alameda Contra Costa League and gets a bye in the first round of the NCS DIII playoffs as host of a Friday game against the winner of the Sir Francis Drake/San Rafael matchup.

15 Berkeley Berkeley 20-4 12
The Yellowjackets took care of De Anza to finish second in the ACCAL but were hurt by El Cerrito's loss. A win may in the first round of the playoffs may setup an intriguing matchup against Newark Memorial on Friday.

16 Salinas Salinas 23-1 18
On a 16-game win streak, the Tri County League champs draw the No. 3 seed in the CCS Division I playoffs.

17 Junipero Serra San Mateo 19-8 20
The Padres were runners up in the WCAL playoffs defeating St. Francis and Sacred Heart Cathedral bsfore losing to Mitty for the third time this season. The Padres are the No. 2 seed in CCS DI.

18 Montgomery Santa Rosa 24-3 10
The top seed in the NCS DII playoffs, Montgomery will host Concord in the first round on Tuesday. A win will draw the winner of Maria Carrillo/Dublin on Friday.

19 Newark Memorial Newark 20-6 NR
The Cougars' win against Kennedy-Fremont avenges the only league loss of the season that ended their lengthy MVAL winning streak. Newark hosts Freedom in the first round of the NCS DI playoffs on Tuesday.

20 El Dorado Placerville 26-2 NR
Capping an undefeated league record, El Dorado defeated Union Mine and River City. The Cougars ride a 20-game winning streak as they host Sonora in the first round of the SJS DIII playoffs on Wednesday.

Article 148: Salesian cruises to BSAL title

February 20, 2011

The probability of defeating the same team three times in one season is 12.5 percent. Salesian accomplished the feat against St. Patrick/St. Vincent on Saturday. St. Pat's held an early second quarter lead but the Pride's defensive pressure allowed them to cruise to a 78-38 win and the Bay Shore Athletic League title.

In the first quarter, St. Pat's had several second shot attempts as it was able to obtain several offensive rebounds. The Bruins had a 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, which was their highest scoring quarter of the game.

St. Pat's scored the first basket of the second quarter to hold its biggest lead of the game at 14-11. The Bruins would then go through a scoring drought that ended with free throws at the 2:51 mark. By then, Salesian had built a 24-16 margin in route to a 31-19 halftime score.

The Pride took advantage of sloppy ball handling to score the first 10 points of the third quarter to lead 41-19. The Bruins would finally score at the 5:06 mark to cut the deficit to 41-22. Salesian would close the quarter with a 51-30

The Pride kept the pressure on as they scored 27 points in the fourth quarter. Conversely, the offensive struggles of the Bruins continued as they could only tally 8 points in the quarter. The final score had Salesian winning 78-38 for the title.

How this game was won: Sophomore guard Markel Leonard stressed how the Pride turned up the defensive pressure and rebounding in the second half. Salesian used a full court press and also employed on the ball pressure in the half court to cause several turnovers. In addition, the Salesian length in the interior gave it the rebounding advantage.

Turning Point: After taking their biggest lead at 14-11 in the second quarter, the Bruins' offense dried up as Salesian took a 24-14 lead. At that point, the Pride cruised through the half and the rest of the game.

St. Patrick/St. Vincent analysis: Senior Robbie Herndon and freshman Demoriaye Hart-Spikes each had 8 points for the Bruins. Facing a bigger Salesian team, the Bruins had to have solid perimeter shooting but were only able to make one 3-point shot for the game. Facing a high octane Salesian offense, the Bruins needed more scorers but only Herndon and Hart-Spikes scored more than 3 points in the game.

Salesian analysis: A balanced scoring attack as six players had more than 8 points with sophomores Jabari Bird and Mario Dunn leading with 15 and 11 points respectively. The Pride depended on layups and interior scoring as they only hit three 3-point shots. Dunn stated how the defense allowed the Pride to convert on the fast break offense.

What is next for St. Pat's: The Bruins are now 23-7 and will await the seeding process in NCS. The Bruins and the Pride are both in Division 4 and could possibly see each other for a fourth time. The chances of defeating a team four consecutive times are 6.125 percent.

What is next for Salesian: Salesian is now 18-11 and will look to win NCS. Coach Bill Mellis stated how the team handled the mid-season off court distractions well and with maturity. His assessment of his team was that they played well in the preseason, hit a plateau for three weeks, and are now peaking at the end of the season and going into playoffs.

Article 147: 'St.' John's of the Fightin' Irish

February 19, 2011

The title of this profile piece has nothing to do with the Big East Conference nor two of its member schools, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the St. John's Red Storm. Rather, its about Taylor Johns who is a starting forward for the Sacred Heart Cathedral Fightin' Irish. Johns plays a very physical interior game that would probably disqualify him from ever being canonized to sainthood.

Off the court, Johns is actually quite easy to get along with according to his coach. Fighting Irish Coach Darrell Barbour says, "Taylor is very easy to coach. He is willing to try different things to improve his game. He is very outgoing and likes to have fun with his friends."

At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Johns can run 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 185 pounds, and squat 235 pounds. As a sophomore, his Fighting Irish finished the season at 14-15 with a one-point playoff loss to El Cerrito. Johns has performed at a high level to earn him the No. 13 ranked player in the NCP 2012 boys basketball rankings.

As a junior starter, Johns has averaged 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists per game as the Fighting Irish are 20-5 and going to challenge for CCS champions and then make a run at state. Johns considers himself to be a power player who is not afraid to throw his body around. But he also likes to slash to the basket and finish strong at the rim.

As a result, he compares himself to former St. Johns Red Storm Ron Artest because of his physical play. Johns cites his leaping and ability to finish at the rim to be his strengths. During the offseason, he works on his ball handling so he can create more shots for himself.

Johns attended Eastside Prep during his freshman year before transferring to Sacred Heart Cathedral as a sophomore. He has been on varsity basketball since his freshman year and has become a full time starter in the current season. In addition, he played on the football team but has decided to give that up to focus on basketball.

Currently, the Portland Pilots is the only program that is in contact. Johns does not care about the geography of his college destination but would like the program to have a strong engineering program as he has a 3.00 GPA and considers Math as his best subject. He would like the basketball program to be run with some level of freedom on the court for the players.

Coach Barbour says, "Taylor strengths are he is a very good athlete and he can play inside or outside. I believe he can play in college, some level of Division I. He will keep getting better because he will spend the time and work on his game."

Johns is physically tough as he played varsity football for two years. But he is also mentally tough as his father passed away when he was young and has had his mother to support him during his upbringing.

This toughness will prove to be handy as Sacred Heart Cathedral looks to challenge for the CCS crown. As the Fighting Irish go deeper into the playoffs, expect Johns to mentally and physically wear down his opponents. These results will likely give this San Francisco treat the opportunity at the next level in 2012.

Article 146: Stafford is a gutsy performer

February 18, 2011

In an ideal situation, an athlete will never get hurt and will always be able to compete at optimal health. However, the reality is that injuries and playing at less than 100 percent are commonplace. Kevin Stafford of the Las Lomas Knights is a prime example of one who has performed at a high level despite injuries.

As junior last year, Stafford was limited in his game time. In the second game of the season, his hand collided with an opponent's knee and broke it. He had surgery and missed most of the season. Despite not being able to contribute in games, Stafford went to practice every day working on his left hand and staying in shape. He also helped his team with coaching tips from the sideline.

Las Lomas Coach Jeff Loving says, "Although, Kevin is not the most physically imposing kid, he is one of the toughest kids I have coached. He will play sick or hurt - impossible to keep him down. If ever one of his teammates was in trouble he'd be the first guy there for him to help him out!"

At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, Stafford can run 4.80 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 175 pounds, squat 185 pounds, and has a 25 inch vertical. He has been playing basketball for over ten years and is in his year as a varsity starter. Stafford models his game after Santa Clara star Steve Nash because of the way that he distributes and creates shots for himself and others out of the pick and roll and on the fast break.

Stafford considers himself to be a finesse player as he uses his shot as a threat to always keep the defender off balanced. Stafford's best move is his step-back jumper as it is hard for the defender to guard and close the distance. During the offseason, Stafford was part of his Lakeshow club team where he worked intensely on his ability to attack the rim.

Coach Loving says, "Kevin is super intelligent, knows the game very well, can play any position, and is like another coach on the floor. He is fiery, competitive, cares only about winning and making sure we are doing what we are supposed to, to win the game."

Biola, Chico State (Gus Argenal), Columbia (Kyle Smith), Denver, Lewis and Clark (Foreman), Northwest Nazarene, and Westmont College (Rob Goodrow) have been in contact with Stafford. Stafford has not decided on which college but made the following comments on Chico State and Westmont. Chico state has a great college town and is familiar with the guys who are playing in the program. He likes Westmont's style of offense and is in a great location in Santa Barbara. Stafford has a 3.39 GPA with an 1810 SAT score as his best subject is Math and he would like to major in Business.

Coach Loving says, "He is very laid back, respectful, good personality, and the kind of kid you look forward to seeing every day. He is such a hard worker and has improved so much each year. He will make someone's team better out there and by the time he is done, he will have had a nice college career."

Stafford is currently averaging 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists for the Knights. The team has won the regular season in the Diablo Foothill League and will look to make a run in the post season. Stafford teams with talented backcourt mate Treaven Duffy in making the Knights a legit playoff contender.

Stafford had a disappointing 12-14 junior year that was cut short due to his injury. As the playoff season begins during his senior year, watch for Stafford to give a gutty performance in Walnut Creek. After the season ends, expect Stafford to take his game to the next level in the fall of 2011.

Article 145: Toth: Pure shooter and all business

February 16, 2011

The Archbishop Mitty Monarchs go into the 2011 WCAL playoffs with only one league loss. Most teams have keyed on sophomore Aaron Gordon by double teaming and collapsing on him in the zone. As a result, this has forced the Mitty guards to step up in their perimeter play.

Senior guard Kyle Toth has taken this challenge to heart. As a junior last year, Toth averaged 8.3 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds per game as the Monarchs went 21-10 and lost in the Northern California semi-finals. In his senior year, Toth has been key in hitting perimeter shots, breaking down presses, and delivering the ball to the Monarch interior.

Mitty Coach Tim Kennedy says, "Kyle is a pure shooter. He has great form and has developed his shooting ability where he can not only catch and shoot but can shoot it off the dribble as well. He has a great basketball IQ and understands the smaller nuances of the game. Kyle has also gotten stronger and has put in the time in the weight room. Kyle is all-business on the court. He is constantly on the move and keeps defenders chasing him because he only needs a little daylight to get off his shot."

At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Toth possesses a 30 inch vertical. Toth has been playing basketball since he was five years old and has been on the Monarch varsity team since his sophomore year. He has been the varsity starting shooting guard for two years now.

Teammate Neil Vranicar says, "I think that Kyle is a great leader by example. He isn't the type of guy who is going to get up in your face and yell at you. He is the guy who will encourage you after a mistake. For me, he is always there to pick me up after a turnover or a missed shot. On the court, he is a lights out shooter. It's so fun to play with him because the other team can't make a run when Kyle can just make a jump shot every possession. He shoots it so well. It's fun to play with someone like that."

Toth considers himself to be a finesse and calm player because he plays under control and makes very deliberate decisions on the court. He tries not to force anything in the game and lets the game come to him. In preparation for the college game, Toth has been working hard on improving his strength during his downtime.

Toth has received contact from the Army and Cal State East Bay. Coach Kennedy says, "Kyle has a great opportunity to play at the next level. There is always room for shooters and the way he has developed over the summer and into this season, he will have a chance to play at the next level." Look for Toth to be "money" from the perimeter in the upcoming playoffs for the Monarchs.

Article 144: Vranicar next Monarch in line

February 10, 2011

Archbishop Mitty has a senior laden basketball team with guards Kyle Toth Colin Wan, and forward Brandon White. But junior forward Neil Vranicar is also a force on the hard court. At 6-foot-5 and 175 pounds, Vranicar has the size to be an interior presence to complement sophomore star forward Aaron Gordon while he also has the shooting touch to be a threat from the perimeter.

As a junior starter, Vranicar has averaged 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game as the Monarchs have only lost two games and wrapped up the WCAL regular season title. He compares his game to Golden State Warrior Dorrell Wright because he is a good shooter with good height and reach.

Vranicar has been playing organized basketball for nine years as he considers his best move to be his step back jumper that creates space to allow him to have open perimeter looks. During the offseason, he works on shooting off of the dribble in transition as well as set shots as he wants to be an elite shooter that can stretch the defense.

Mitty Coach Tim Kennedy says, "Neil's best attribute is his work ethic. He has put in the time necessary over the summer to make himself the player he is now. He was constantly in the gym working on his shot and it has paid off by starting every game this season and shooting a high percentage. He is also an intelligent player. As a coach, I only have to tell him something one time and he goes out and does it. Neil is focused and driven on the court."

Army, UC Davis (Assistant Coach Brandon Laird), and San Diego are currently the colleges looking at Vranicar. He wants to play for a Princeton style offense and for a man to man defense. Vranicar has 4.23 weighted GPA and would like to major in business or marketing.

Coach Kennedy says, "Neil is focused and driven in the classroom but is also quick to crack a joke when you least expect it. Neil will definitely have a chance to play at the next level. His ability to shoot and his attention to detail has already caught the eye of many college recruiters. He will need to get stronger but he is dedicated to making himself a player so the sky is the limit for his improvement."

Vranicar broke his finger during last year's preseason that set him back. However, he dealt with it by shooting free throws every practice and running sprints while the team practiced normally. He missed part of that season, but the experienced helped him to persevere and to be mentally tough. In addition, he has seen his grandmother's health deteriorate due to a stroke, which also shaped him mentally.

Aside from playing basketball and baseball at Mitty, Vranicar also plays the piano and the saxophone. However, he expects to be playing basketball at the college level. Watch for Vranicar to be the next Monarch to ascend on the hard court in San Jose.

Article 143: The Mustangs' Rae of hope

February 9, 2011

In the recent NCP 2013 Boys Basketball Top 40, Rae Jackson of Rodriguez High was ranked No. 14. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Jackson has both the strength and speed to be an effective guard. The Mustangs are currently 16-7 and undefeated in league as Jackson has averaged 10 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds that included a game winning shot against league rival Bethel.

Jackson has that desired combination of speed and strength as he can run 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 185 pounds, squat 350 pounds, and has a vertical of 40 inches. He considers his game to be a blend of finesse slashing with the ability to go strong to the basket.

Jackson tries to combine the aspects of three NBA players to his game. He likes former Cal star Jason Kidd for his defense, vision of the court, and leadership. He models himself after Milwaukee Buck Brandon Jennings for his ability to create his own shot and scoring ability. He emulates Chicago Bull Derek Rose for his explosiveness to the bucket.

Jackson's best move is his transition from a cross over to the spin move that creates space to drive the lane or to take the jump shot. The move also causes the defender to be off guard. During his off time, he works on his dribbling, shooting, and conditioning. During this past summer, he worked hard on his defense as he wants to be a complete basketball player.

Jackson started playing basketball in the first grade in the CYO league at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Oakland. He was with Benicia High last year before transferring to Rodriguez High. Jackson has been a starter for the past two years.

Rodriguez High Coach Al Attles says, "Rae is an outstanding athlete with super physical abilities. He thrives on his ability to make plays attacking the basketball hoop. His size and strength allow him to make most of his shot attempts at a high percentage. In games, his shooting range extends past college 3pt line, but his midrange pull up is his best weapon when not finishing at the rim. Rae is a student of the game with a high basketball IQ. As well as finishing himself, he is a willing passer with great court vision. Rae is a high risk, high reward player. He is fearless and a competitor. He plays off his emotions and hates to lose. His natural position is a scoring guard, but he will take ball handling duties when needed."

Only a sophomore, Jackson has not had any official contact with any college. He likes the Pac-10 and west coast schools as he would like to stay in a warm climate area close to home. He can play in any basketball system but prefers to play in an up tempo transitional type offense. He wants the school to have a good support system for student athletes. During his free time, Jackson likes to cook and listen to music.

Coach Attles says, "Rae is quiet with a great sense of humor. He studies NBA players and works hard to hone his skills. He is a proverbial "gym rat." His favorite player is Monte Ellis. Rae is rated as the 10th best sophomore in NCAL by most rating services. I fully expect Rae to be offered a DI Scholarship. With growth and maturation, I see no limits to his potential."

As an athlete, Jackson knows what it means to go through serious injury. He had a serious elbow injury from football three years ago that required to have pins placed in it. He worked hard to rehabilitate his arm for basketball that year. In addition, he had an uncle who was murdered when Jackson was young. After overcoming that emotional obstacle, he has become a role model for his uncle's two sons who are Jackson's cousins.

Despite being only a sophomore, Jackson has the physical attributes and mental fortitude to be a major college prospect. He hopes that he can improve as an individual annually while leading his Mustangs in the playoffs. Rodriguez High looks to shine as it will benefit from its Rae of hope.

Article 142: Barton to help DLS reconquer

February 7, 2011

When an athlete reaches the end of a competitive season, the hope is that his team has won the championship. But the effort and preparation both in mental and physical terms starts several months beforehand. For De La Salle Spartan Michael Barton, he is already beginning that journey.

As a junior this past season, the Spartan linebacker was critical in leading his team to a 14-0 season that ended with a dominating performance against Servite 48-8 in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state title game. The defense gave up only 139 points over those 14 games that resulted in 10 points per game allowed average. Barton led the team with 72 tackles and added 3 sacks for the season.

Barton attended the US Army All-American event in San Antonio in January. He says, "The San Antonio Army combine was a great experience. I along with Bart Houston attended the combine and it was a great experience to see all of the talent across the country as well as meet kids like myself who loved to compete. As far as the game for next year, I would love to participate, but I'm not too worried about if I do get to play or not, even though it would be a great honor."

After San Antonio, Barton has already been preparing himself mentally and physically for his senior season. Barton says, "As far as mentally next year, how I am preparing is by listing my goals on what I want to accomplish as a player this year and as a team and listing all the ways I will either aid or accomplish these goals. As far as physically, I am lifting every morning before school because I have track practice after school. On weekends, I train for speed and foot quickness."

Next year's team will have to replace Dylan Wynn, Blake Renaud, and Antoine Pickett as they head on to the college level. Barton says of the task of replacing these graduating seniors, "It is going to be tough to replace guys like Wynn, Renaud, and Pickett. Not only for their skills and domination on the field, but more importantly for the intangibles they had such as leadership, effort, and determination. Those guys really sought out a goal at the beginning of the year, and their intangibles are what brought the team together as we all followed their personalities. But I believe that guys like Bart Houston, Justin Walker, and Jeff Houd along with me have adopted the mindsets of last year's captains and are ready to fill in their shoes and have another successful season. We will be working very hard this off-season to reach our ultimate goal which is to win a third straight state title. Whether it is lifting, running, or footwork, we know next year will be tough so every day counts. We also have a few young guys who I am sure will be willing to step up and contribute next year."

With respect to working on becoming a team captain for the Spartans, Barton says, "Next year, I would like to become a captain because it will be my senior year and I have been on varsity for the past two years. I had great captains in the past such as Terron Ward and Chris Lawrence during my sophomore year and Wynn, Renaud, and Simeona during my junior year. Those guys were all great leaders and always gave their best effort in everything they did and made a huge contribution to the team. I'm prepared to do the same next season for my team"

At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Barton was measured in San Antonio to run 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.21 seconds, can bench press 265 pounds, squat 417 pounds, and has a vertical of 34 inches. He expects underclassmen Michael Hutchings, Austin Hooper, and Sumner Houston to step up on the defense. Barton plans to attend a junior camp at Cal in March and maybe a Stanford Invitational later this spring.

With his size and strength, Barton can play linebacker or safety. When one plays for a team that has won the state title for two straight years, college programs tend to notice the team. Barton is in contact with Air Force, Boise State, Cal, LSU, Oregon, Nebraska, Nevada-Reno, Oregon State, UCLA, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Stanford, Utah State, and Washington.

For De La Salle to three-peat, Barton the Spartan will have to raise his game to another level in his senior year. But he seems to be laying the foundation already for the Spartans to conquer again in Concord.

Article 141: McHugh has the right stuff

February 6, 2011

The evolution of the quarterback position has seen the shift from the traditional pocket passer to the dual threat athlete. The reasons could be that offenses want to run a spread offense or a run and gun offense to the fact that a quarterback who can both run and throw will cause more matchup problems for opposing defenses. Philadelphia Eagle Michael Vick's resurrection was based on both his arm and legs as he led all quarterbacks in rushing this past year. Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers is most well known for his passing arm. However, he was the third leading quarterback rusher this past year.

These empirical examples in the past NFL season exemplify how the quarterback is now expected to be a playmaker both with their throwing arm and their running legs. For the Bellarmine Bells, they go into next season with such a dual threat quarterback in Travis McHugh. McHugh had 40 completions in 80 attempts for 719 yards with 6 touchdowns and no interceptions while he ran 124 times for 555 yards and 8 touchdowns in a 9-3 season that ended in a playoff loss to Palo Alto.

At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, McHugh can run 4.67 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.17 seconds, squat 290 pounds, has a vertical of 29 inches, and a long throw of 56 yards. As a junior, he earned First Team All League WCAL and Offensive MVP.

McHugh compares his game to former Florida Gator Tim Tebow because he has that dual threat capability. Bellarmine runs an option offense that does not throw the ball excessively. McHugh became a varsity starter during his junior year as he first started playing football at seven years old.

During the offseason, McHugh works on his quarterback mechanics and speed training. In addition, he spends his own time with his quarterback coach, Tom Martinez. Martinez, who works with many of the WCAL quarterbacks, has been a personal quarterback coach with McHugh for over two years. Martinez also was Tom Brady's personal quarterback coach during Brady's Serra High years.

Martinez says, "Travis reminds me of Tom. Like Tom, Travis will obtain information and be hard at work in mastering it. Travis is everything a coach would want in a quarterback. He is intelligent, committed, and works very hard."

McHugh currently has no serious contact with any colleges. He is interested in Division I programs and is not limited by geography. McHugh has a 4.17 GPA while his best subject is physics. He wants to major in computer science, business/economics, or medicine.

Coach Martinez made the point that some high school quarterbacks play in systems that allow the quarterback to put up gaudy numbers but the quarterback is just a gunslinger with poor fundamentals or mechanics to be built upon on the college level. Martinez pointed out that McHugh has all the tools to succeed on the next level and would probably be able to put up similar gaudy numbers if he were to play in a more pass-oriented offense.

However, McHugh is not about numbers as he is more interested in winning. Martinez also noted how that was another similarity about McHugh with respect to Tom Brady. Martinez also coached former Bellarmine quarterback, Austyn Carta-Samuels. Carta-Samuels never put up the eye-opening numbers while playing in the WCAL. However, he was 22-3 in his two years as a starter for Bellarmine and also had a fairly impressive freshman year for the Wyoming Cowboys in the 2009-2010 season.

McHugh has all the football physical traits and intangibles to play at the college level. The question will be if colleges will penalize him for not putting up the 300 yard passing games.

In addition, McHugh has the mental fortitude and leadership to be a quarterback at the next level. When McHugh was six years old, he was in a serious car accident. He was both mentally and physically hurt in the crash. He cites that as a turning point in his life as he had to overcome those hardships at a young age.

McHugh is aiming for a run at WCAL, CCS, and then at state in Carson. If he keeps on winning, colleges will have to be in contact with him then. Watch for McHugh in San Jose as he has all the right ingredients to be a college level quarterback.

Article 140: 'Steady' as Otis goes

February 5, 2011

For any basketball team to be successful, it needs to "glue" players, those who do a little of everything. They score when needed, box out to get key rebounds, play defense, hustle, and basically do whatever is needed to help their team win. The glue guy for the McClymonds High Warriors is combination guard Lawrence "Steady" Otis, who is the No. 8 ranked player in the NCP 2012 boys basketball rankings.

As a sophomore last year, Otis was part of a very young Warriors team of the Oakland Athletic League (OAL) that finished 13-15 with a first round playoff loss to Castlemont 68-53. In the current season, Otis is teamed with talented junior teammates Dulani Robinson and Jamaree Strickland. However, Strickland was out for over the first half of the season as the team struggled early.

McClymonds High Coach Brandon Brooks says, "Lawrence's strengths on the basketball court are his vision and his creativity. He makes the game easy for his teammates but can score when he has to. I think he will be one of the best big guards in California who will be a major Division I player in the future. Lawrence is a student athlete who has a 3.0 core GPA and he is the team's comedian. At the NCAA level, he could be a great point guard if he works on the mental side of the game. Physically, he has the talent and is built like a linebacker. With the work ethic and the talent he has, he will make any college coach happy to have him on the team."

At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Otis started playing organized basketball ten years ago. His older brother is Frank "Mook" Otis who was a 2008 McClymonds High forward and was at SMU before transferring to Weber State.

During the summer, Otis works on his defense and athleticism. In addition, he plays for his Drew Gooden Soldiers club team. Carl Foster, who was previously a Soldiers' coach, says about Otis, "Lawrence is a strong, powerful guard who is explosive off the dribble, with a competent jump shot, with a keen ability to draw fouls. He has a body that is already "collegiate" in size. He is a tough defender of both shooting guards and wings. He can rebound on both ends of the floor exceptionally well because of his size."

The recruiting process is early for Otis but Utah State and Washington State have been in contact with him. Foster says, "Lawrence profiles to be a High Mid Major Conference player at the shooting guard position. His biggest weakness is overall consistency. When he performs at his best, he is the best shooting guard prospect in the class of 2012."

With Strickland slowly getting back to full strength, McClymonds expects to challenge Oakland High for the OAL title. When Strickland returns to full strength, Otis will be able to roam the court more, pick up loose balls, break on transition, help out on defense, follow up on offensive rebound put backs, and anything else needed by the team. Otis will be able to be the glue that puts everything together for the Warriors on the basketball court in Oakland.

Article 139: Mitty avenges lone WCAL loss

February 5, 2011

The Archbishop Mitty Monarchs hosted the St. Ignatius Wildcats in an attempt to avenge their only league loss. The first three and half quarters were closely contested, however Mitty was able to take control in the last half of the fourth quarter to win 63-52.

In the first quarter, the teams were evenly matched up as St. Ignatius had an 11-9 lead with less than a minute left. But a Monarch dunk by Aaron Gordon tied the score. A bad Wildcat turnover and an intentional foul allowed the Monarchs to take a 15-11 first quarter lead.

St. Ignatius had too many turnovers early in the second quarter to trail 23-15. After a timeout, the Wildcats were able to run off 9 straight points to take a 24-23 lead. Mitty would score the remaining four points and go in the half up 27-24.

The Wildcats came out in the third quarter aggressive and were able to grab a 33-29 lead that would be their largest advantage of the game. Mitty would score the next 10 points to be up 39-33. The Wildcats would trail 43-38 at the end of the third quarter.

St. Ignatius was able to stay as close as 51-48 midway into the fourth quarter. Monarch Colin Wan would score 10 points in the quarter as he was able to attack the paint for layups and shooting fouls. The final points were scored on a breakaway dunk by Gordon to give Mitty the 63-52 victory.

Notes

How this game was won: Mitty Coach Tim Kennedy felt that the guard play of Wan was the difference. Wan had 14 points and 7 assists as the Wildcats were often double teaming Gordon who had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. As a result, Wan was able to get to the basket several times to create shots for himself or his teammates.

Turning point: After taking a 33-29 lead, the Wildcats went stagnant on offense and also had some bad turnovers. Mitty was able to score 10 straight points to take a 39-33 margin. The Monarchs were able to hold the lead the rest of the way.

Mitty analysis: Forward Neil Vranicar felt that the team had to come out and play aggressive to avenge the loss. He also said Mitty rebounded well and prevented St. Ignatius from getting offensive rebounds. Opponents that key on Gordon will have to deal with the Monarch guard play. In this game, the guards were aggressive which resulted in 24 free throw attempts with 18 made. The only blemish was that the Monarchs made one 3-point shot in 13 attempts.

St. Ignatius analysis: Stephen Domingo and Johnny Mrlik had 35 of the 52 points. They made seven 3-point shots in 11 attempts. However, the team committed too many fouls and had several turnovers. Still, Coach John DeBenedetti was pleased that his team competed and played hard against a very talented Mitty team. Domingo felt that the team did not execute at the end. He said it was tough environment to play but the team is going to be ready for playoffs.

What is next for Mitty: Mitty is now 19-2 overall and 10-1 in league with a seven game winning streak. Their next game will be against Sacred Heart Cathedral that will determine first place in league. University of San Diego commit Brandon White sat this game out due to the flu but will return to play by playoffs.

What is next for St. Ignatius: St. Ignatius is now 14-7 overall and 6-5 in league with consecutive losses. Their next game will be against St. Francis that will have an impact on third place in the league standings. The Wildcats will try to pick up some momentum going into playoffs.

Sophomore showdown: Gordon and Domingo displayed why they both are national level prospects. Gordon had five offensive rebounds as his second jump is so much quicker than the opponent's attempts at grabbing the defensive rebound. For a post player, Gordon can dribble the ball adequately and was comfortable shooting from the perimeter. However, he would be better served posting up to take advantage of his size or to find open teammates on double teams. Domingo is more comfortable face up on the offensive end and has a fluid perimeter shot. However, he shot no free throws in this game. He could use his height advantage by posting up or taking the ball to the basket for more free throw opportunities. Regardless, both Gordon and Domingo will garner even more BCS level college interest as they reach their senior years.

Article 138: Gauchos pull off dramatic win

February 4, 2011

A battle for first place in the ACCAL between El Cerrito and Berkeley took place before a raucous crowd at Donahue Gymnasium in Berkeley on Thursday night. The first three quarters saw each team make big runs against each other while the largest fourth quarter lead was no more than four points. In addition, the fourth quarter had a serious injury that delayed the game in the waning seconds that had Gaucho Justin Johnson making an offensive rebound put back to win the game 66-65.

The Jackets came out more aggressive and took the ball to the basket despite being undersized. The first quarter was highlighted by a Langston Morris-Walker breakaway dunk as Berkeley was up 16-10 at the end of the quarter. The Jackets won the first quarter decisively.

Both teams were shooting the penalty bonus within the first two minutes of the second quarter. El Cerrito was able to break the Berkeley press to tie the game at 20-20 with 5:00 left. The Gauchos took a 24-22 lead with 4:14 left as Berkeley was having a difficult time executing their offense. Marcellus Pippins accounted for 13 points in the quarter for El Cerrito. Conversely, the Gauchos stifling defense limited Berkeley to 12 points as they took a 37-28 lead into the half. The Gauchos won the second quarter decisively.

El Cerrito scored the first field to take a 39-28 margin to start the third quarter. But Berkeley asserted its aggressiveness as they took back the lead at 42-41 with 4:02 remaining in the quarter. The Jackets won the third quarter decisively to cut the deficit to 52-51.

The fourth quarter saw five lead changes and a max lead of four points. Morris-Walker scored the last eight points for the Jackets as they held a 65-64 lead with 21 seconds left. During the timeout break, an El Cerrito cheerleader fell on her head in a failed routine that delayed the game for close to 15 minutes as paramedics had to cart the conscious, injured cheerleader off the court.

Johnson was able to make a key offensive rebound and put back to give the Gauchos a 66-65 lead. Berkeley had less than five seconds to run their final play. However, a turn-around attempt in the paint rimmed out to prevent the victory for the Jackets.

Notes

How this game was won: Both teams made runs against each other in the first three quarters. Berkeley Coach Damion McNeil felt that his team had made critical defensive matchup mistakes and that the team settled for too many perimeter shots. With that said, El Cerrito took advantage of their opportunities and was able to attack an undersized Berkeley team and get key offensive rebounds including the game winner.

Turning Point: The game was decided on the last few possessions and was closely contested after midway into the third quarter. So, no turning point really existed but the time delay due to the injured cheerleader allowed both teams to plan for the final 21 seconds. Johnson said that he wanted to redeem himself for his missed free throws and Coach Michael Booker told his team to go aggressively for the offensive rebound.

Berkeley analysis: Morris-Walker had 23 points with three 3-pointers, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead all scorers. Guards BT Shabazz and Jalil Eppenger had 16 and 9 points respectively. The Jackets are undersized as Morris-Walker and Eppenger are playing the post with Akil Johnson lost for the year most likely. But the team plays gritty and does not lack in effort. Coach McNeil felt the team had too many turnovers and allowed too many offensive rebounds. He recognizes how his team is undersized, was proud of how they battled, and acknowledged the coaching and play of the Gauchos.

El Cerrito analysis: Coach Booker wanted his team to attack the basket and get the Jackets in foul trouble. He felt his team could not stop the dribble drive and also allowed too many open perimeter looks. Pippins had 20 points while senior guard Bobby Sylvanthong had 16 points. Syvanthong felt that the team played cohesively both on defense and offense and was thrilled that the Gauchos are prime to win league. The Gauchos had only six players score but all six scored more than six points. The team has a good rotation of inside and outside players.

What is next for Berkeley High: At 16-4 overall and 6-2 in league, Berkeley will look to hold onto second place in the league. They will look to improve their seeding going into playoffs. Despite being undersized, the Jackets should be a tough matchup for their future playoff opponent.

What is next for El Cerrito: At 16-5 overall and 7-0 in league, El Cerrito will look to go undefeated as they try to repeat as league champs. They are looking to improve on their seeding going into playoffs. A tough non-league schedule looks to have prepared the Gauchos for league and playoff competition.

Article 137: King to stay close to home

February 3, 2011

Terrence King, the three sport star at Bishop O'Dowd, has decided to play football at the UC Davis Aggies. King plays wide receiver and defensive back for football while he is a forward for basketball and he also runs track. He had 55 catches for 1143 yards with 16 touchdowns on offense while he also logged 60 tackles and 4 interceptions on defense

Dragon Football Coach Hardy Nickerson says, "TJ's strengths are his total body strength, his athleticism, and his ability to attack the football when the ball is in the air. On the field TJ is the ultimate competitor. He makes the plays when his team needs them most."

At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, King will play wide receiver for the Aggies. King is a fast runner with leaping skills developed on the basketball courts. His athleticism should allow him to be a playmaker for the Aggie offense.

Dragon Basketball Coach Doug Vierra says, "I think it's a great decision on his part, both academically and athletically. UC Davis also will not know till about a year or 2 from now how truly lucky they are that he wasn't more highly recruited and that they got him.
It's tough to pass up an Ivy League education but TJ has his personal reasons for wanting to stay closer to home."

Cal Poly, Columbia, Cornell, Holy Cross, Idaho, Oregon, Penn, UCLA, USC, Utah, Utah State, and Washington were the other programs that were in contact with King. Cornell was a close second in his decision. Staying close to home will allow King to watch his younger brother, Kevin King, who will be the next King to make an impact on varsity for the Dragons.

Coach Nickerson says, "Off the field TJ King is the epitome of the ideal student/athlete. He's a well respected leader within the school, is a model student and a role model for the entire student body. I think TJ has the potential to be a great player. His competitiveness and his drive will be the things that set him apart. I think the sky's the limit for TJ King."

The UC Davis football program will be going to the Big Sky conference in 2012. The added competition will allow King to showcase his talents. Indeed, the sky is the limit for this playmaker King.

Article 136: Irish win WCAL rematch

February 3, 2011

In the rematch between the Sacred Heart Cathedral Fighting Irish and the St. Ignatius Wildcats, the Irish came out fighting. The Wildcats clawed their way back in the early third quarter. But in the end, Sacred Heart was able to avenge their Bruce Mahoney loss and win handily 53-36.

The Irish scored the game's first 11 points before St. Ignatius scored with 5:30 left in the first quarter. Wildcat Johnny Mrlik had two 3-point baskets in the quarter. However, the Irish had four 3-point baskets to take a 20-12 lead.

The second quarter was a display of poorly executed offense, careless turnovers, and pressure defense. St. Ignatius scored the first field goal with 5:20 left while the Irish's first basket came with 3:10 remaining. St. Ignatius tallied 9 points in the quarter while the Irish was good for two field goals as their lead was cut to 24-21 at the half.

The Wildcats came out in the third quarter on a 5-1 run as a 3-point shot by sophomore Stephen Domingo gave them their only lead of the entire game at 26-25. The Irish would then put the clamps on defense as the teams became a bit feistier with the fouls. Sacred Heart went on a 12-2 run to lead 37-28 at the end of the third quarter.

Sacred Heart would maximize their lead at 19 points with a 48-29 fourth quarter lead. By the middle of the quarter, the benches from each team started to enter the game. The Irish would go on to win 53-36.

Notes

How this game was won: The Irish 11-0 run to start the game and the overall Irish team defense. St. Ignatius Coach John DeBenedetti cited how his Wildcats had to spend an inordinate amount of energy fighting back from that early deficit. And then in the second half, the Irish stepped up defensively when they trailed briefly in the game.

Turning Point: After trailing the Wildcats 26-25 at the 6:14 mark in the third quarter, the Irish allowed the Wildcats only two points for the rest of the quarter. Irish Josh Fox said that the team was talking to each other and rotating correctly on defense. Coach DeBenedetti also noted that the Irish defense played well and caused difficult shots.

Sacred Heart Cathedral analysis: Sacred Heart is a balanced offensive team. Taylor Johns led the Irish with 10 points but six Irish players in total had more than 6 points. The diverse scoring options both inside and outside will cause matchup problems for opponents. Johns said that the team came out and played its game against the Wildcats. And when they play their style, Johns feels that the team is a tough matchup. The Irish also made 7 of 12 on their 3-point shots.

St Ignatius analysis: Mrlik and Domingo had 24 of the 36 total points. The next highest scorer was at 3 points. These two can be prolific scorers but it is not a surprise when defenses key on them. In this game, the Wildcats made 3 of 17 on their 3-point shots. When the Wildcats top two scorers are not scoring, then the team will need other players to contribute. And shooting 3 of 17 from beyond the arc will not get it done for them.

What is next for Sacred Heart Cathedral: The Irish go to 16-4 overall and 8-2 in league. The WCAL is having a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday. When asked about the Archbishop Mitty game on Saturday, Coach Darrell Barbour was adamant that the team is focused on practice tomorrow and then St. Francis on Friday. He looks at it from a practice to practice and game to game mentality. He was not looking ahead to the possible first place matchup with Mitty.

What is next for St Ignatius: At 14-6 overall and 6-4 in league, the Wildcats will be battling to finish third in league. They just happen to have to play Mitty on Friday who will try to avenge their only league loss of the year. Sweeping Mitty would provide a big boost in confidence finishing the season and going into the playoffs for these Wildcats.

Article 135: Abdi: From Africa to San Jose

February 1, 2011

Playing basketball was just a plus for Muktar Abdi when he moved to San Jose from his native Djibouti in Northeast Africa. Abdi moved to America when he was seven years old and has gradually adjusted to the American lifestyle. A senior combination guard for Willow Glen, he averaged 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists last season in helping the Rams go 15-11 as the season ended in the playoffs to Sacred Heart Cathedral 70-61.

At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Abdi can run 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 195 pounds, squat 200 pounds, and has a 35 inch vertical. He has been playing organized basketball since he was in 6th grade and has been a varsity starter since his freshman year. He played as a freshman at William C. Overfelt High before transferring to Willow Glen.

Abdi considers himself to be finesse and slashing type of player as he uses his crossover dribble to create space for a pull up jumper. He model's his game after former Wake Forest star Chris Paul and Georgetown star Allen Iverson because of their ability to control a game with their passing and scoring.

During the offseason, he plays for his Bay Area Heat club team where he works on his ball control and shooting. He hopes his efforts will help the Rams to league and division titles while getting him more recruiting attention. Abdi has been averaging close to 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists during this current season.

Despite his scoring abilities, no colleges have been in contact with Abdi. He would like to play for a program that has a run and gun style of play because he likes to play in an up tempo offense. Abdi would like to be close to home. He has a 3.40 GPA with a 1350 SAT score and plans to major in Business.

When Abdi first came to America in 2000, he struggled to learn English. He grew up in the countryside of Djibouti and never saw a basketball hoop until he came to America. In addition, his move to San Jose was like a time travel experience as he never saw technologies such as computers or video games previously. More importantly, his new home had basic infrastructure such as electricity and running water while he felt safe as he did not have to deal with the political instability of the country that was going through civil wars.

Abdi's biggest basketball hardship pales in comparison to his upbringing in Djibouti and his transition to America. He considers his sophomore CCS playoff game against Valley Christian when he had a poor game that cost his team the game to be a turning point. He questioned his ability but stayed motivated to develop his basketball skills.

Abdi is a scorer who can definitely provide a spark to any team's offensive scheme. Look for this Ram to charge through on the college level.

Article 134: Gordon paces Mitty

January 30, 2011

Aaron Gordon lived up to his billing as one of the top 2013 basketball prospects in the country in RivalsHigh 100 No. 68-ranked San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty's 61-53 victory against league rival, San Mateo (Calif.) Serra. Gordon had a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. More impressively, he had two acrobatic dunks that even got a rise out of Padres fans.

The first quarter was a defensive struggle as the Monarchs scored first to take a 3-0 lead. Serra would score its only field goal of the quarter in the first minute of the quarter to trail 3-2. The Padres would trail 10-2 before scoring one free throw with 2 seconds left to trail at the end of the quarter 10-3.

Serra was able to make a run in the second quarter to tie the game at 14-14 with 4:15 left in the quarter. Gordon took a half court lob for the first of his two acrobatic dunks but picked up his third personal foul with 1:30 left. Mitty took a 25-22 lead into the half as Serra was able to keep it close due to Mitty being in the penalty early in the quarter.

The Padres scored the first two field goals to take their only lead of the game at 26-25 with 6:11 in the third quarter. Neil Vranicar and Kyle Toth of Mitty each hit two 3-point goals in the quarter. The Monarchs were able to increase the margin to 44-37 at the end of the quarter.

Serra was able to cut the deficit to 4 points at 51-47 in the fourth quarter. The Padres had a few open looks on possessions that could have trimmed the lead to a one possession game but could not convert. The highlight of the quarter was a lob from the 3-point line that Gordon dunked with his left hand as Mitty would go on to win 61-53.

Notes

How this game was won: The Monarch defense limited the Padres to 2-for-15 in 3-point shooting and 37 percent overall. Conversely, the Monarchs went 6-for-9 in 3-point shooting and shot 48 percent overall for the game.

Turning Point: After Serra took a brief 26-25 lead in the third quarter, Mitty started hitting its 3-point shots to put some distance from the Padres.

Mitty analysis: Gordon expected the game to be physical as the first meeting was physical. He felt that the defensive effort had to pick up in this game for the Monarchs to be successful. Mitty has an eight player rotation that has a good blend of interior and exterior players. Even when Gordon was on the bench, Vranicar and Brandon White brought some size. Toth and Colin Wan bring a stable back court. The only blemish was the 10 for 22 free throw shooting.

Serra analysis: Coach Chuck Rapp felt that his team had many open shots that they could not hit. He also said that the defense gave too many points as the team has to play at a lower scoring pace. Gordon was disruptive to any Serra interior scoring, which resulted in the Padres depending on their perimeter game that was only 37 percent overall.

Up next for Mitty: Mitty moves to 17-2 with an 8-1 league mark. A win next Saturday against league 2nd place San Francisco (Calif.) Sacred Heart Cathedral could wrap up the league regular season for Mitty. The Monarchs look to be league favorites still.

Up next for Serra: Serra drops to 14-5 with a 5-4 league mark and consecutive losses. Sacred Heart Cathedral is its toughest league game in the final five games. Serra looks to finish in the top half of the league and could get a third chance against Mitty in the playoffs.