Article 205: Memorial Day Classic Day 2

May 30, 2011

Day 2 of the Memorial Day Classic was moving day as the losers in single elimination bracket started their Memorial Day BBQs early. The surviving teams advanced to Monday's quarterfinals.

The cavernous Dream Courts utilized two of its warehouses to play fourteen games simultaneously for most of the day. Despite the distraction of unending whistles and bouncing basketballs, two Northern California programs not from the East Bay made an impression. Coach Ernest Taubado's E-Time Hoops program from Sacramento boasts a group of overachievers while Coach Curtis Haggins' Roadrunners from the Peninsula can run a track meet with any of his teams.

E-Time Hoops Elite, which was down to only six players, defeated a much bigger Oakland Rebels 17U team but fell to an even bigger ICAN All-Stars from Los Angeles. Roadrunners Varsity features a host of athletes, including Aubrey Dawkins, son of the Stanford Basketball head coach. Interestingly, Johnny Dawkins attended with camcorder in hand to get game film on the Roadrunners.

Aubrey Dawkins 6-foot-3 G Palo Alto (Roadrunners Varsity) 2013: For those who remember how his father played at Duke and in the NBA, Aubrey is eerily similar. Long, lanky, but right handed. Dawkins is very fluid with his movement. Not surprisingly, he has solid fundamentals in terms of shooting form, dribbling, and passing. He is transferring to Palo Alto for his next season.

Gabor Somogyi 6-foot-9 W Woodside Priory (Roadrunners Elite) 2012: Somogyi came to America only recently from Hungary. According to Coach Haggins, Somogyi plays the European way which is a big man with perimeter skills - think Dirk Nowitzki. Somogyi was comfortable handling the ball and was very capable in hitting outside shots. Older brother is Greg who is kind of tall at 7-foot-3 and plays for UC Santa Barbara currently.

Matt Ennis 6-foot-2 SG Woodside (Roadrunners Elite) 2012: To be blunt, Ennis is a gamer and a scorer. He can hit the outside shot and take the ball to the rime. Really reminds one of former Kentucky Wildcat Rex Chapman in his scoring and athleticism.

Christopher Smith 6-foot-3 SG Center (E-Time Hoops Elite 17) 2012: Smith can flat out score by any method. Good jumper and athletic.

Gabriel Bealer 6-foot-5 F Antelope (E-Time Hoops Elite 17) 2013: Bealer is really athletic and versatile. His day ended short with a foot injury. But with his size and skill set, he can project into a major college prospect.

Jud Salisbery 5-foot-10 G Orland (E-Time Hoops Elite 17) 2013: At first glance, does not pass the eye test for a high potential prospect. But Salisbery can shoot and is really crafty with the ball. Does not get flustered and seems to be able to slow the game down with his dribbling and passing.

Ray Gonzalvo 5-foot-10 PG Consumnes Oaks (Play Hard Play Smart 16U) 2013: Point guard who ran the offense well and plays solid man to man defense. He has a respectable perimeter shot to keep defense honest.

David Straughter 6-foot-4 W Burbank (Play Hard Play Smart 16U) 2013: A very intriguing prospect if his size and length can get to above 6-foot-8. Straughter rebounds well, plays solid defense, hustles, and has nice post moves.

Chris Haney 6-foot-1 G Sheldon (Play Hard Play Smart 16U) 2013: Haney is a lockdown defender against the perimeter. He looks fluid with his dribble and movement to the basket. With more playing time next year at Sheldon, his exposure should really take off.

Markel Leonard 5-foot-11 PG Salesian (Norcal Supreme 16) 2013: Leonard would easily be the starter at point guard for any program aside from Salesian where Dominic Artis is ahead of him. Leonard goes strong to the basket and makes very catchable and well positioned passes to his teammates.

Dylan Jammes-Cavanaugh 6-foot-3 F Piedmont (Norcal Supreme 16) 2013: Jammes-Cavanaugh is a knock down perimeter shooter. Helps open up driving lanes as defenses will need to cheat on his side.

Jeffrey Parker 6-foot-6 F Salesian (Lakeshow 17s White) 2012: Another Salesian kid who would be easily starting but is behind Jabari Bird. Parker hit a few spot up three point shots and then has a really nice turnaround shot in the lane. With his height and length, defending his release point would be difficult.

Ian Carr 6-foot-9 F Berkeley (Dream Courts Black) 2012: After sitting out for personal reasons last season, Carr confirmed that he will be back on the Berkeley High team. He will be competing for the starting position. Berkeley's lack of interior size probably cost them a few games. But Carr looks prime to make a difference both for his high school and his recruiting.

Rae Jackson 6-foot-2 G Rodriguez (Bay Area Magic 16s) 2013: Instant offense. Jackson is a slasher and high energy player. He had a few breakaway dunks and breakaway steals. He reminds one of Georgetown star Allen Iverson but bigger in size. If Jackson can develop a consistent outside shot, he has the size and strength to overpower smaller guards and challenge interior players.

Justyce Keys 5-foot-10 G Berkeley (Bay Area Magic 16s) 2013: Plays in the same vein as his Magic teammate Rae Jackson. Berkeley High will have some interesting decisions in terms of their guard play next year but will have several options.

Cody Sheldon 6-foot-10 C Irvington (Bay Area Rush 17) 2014: Sheldon is really an intriguing prospect because he is a freshman on a 17U team and he is tall and big as a freshman. He is still very raw but has no hesitancy in mixing it up in the interior. If he can develop his basketball skills and conditioning, he can easily get college looks. He fits in the Greg Osterag and Scot Pollard mode from Kansas.

Kenny Anigbogu 6-foot-6 F Gateway (Bay Area Warriors) 2013: Anigbogu is long and mobile. Good shot blocker and interior defender. Relative unknown playing in San Francisco but should get good exposure on his club team this summer.

Recruiting UpdatesTreaven Duffy 6-foot-1 G Las Lomas (Lakeshow Black 17) 2011: Duffy will be attending Cushing Academy in New Hampshire. He wants to develop his point guard skills and get more exposure on the east coast.

Chris Mullin Jr 6-foot-3 G De La Salle (Team 94) 2012: Mullin too is packing his bags to attend an east coast prep school.

Article 204: Rumble tips off summer hoops

May 29, 2011

The 10th Annual Patrick Dennehy Rumble in the Bay Basketball Tournament tipped off at Cupertino High on Saturday. The event features 40 teams in two divisions. Pool play concludes on Sunday morning while the playoffs begin in the afternoon. The final rounds of playoffs will crown the respective division title winners on Monday.

Little Reg Shooting Stars' Coach Reggie Vaughn is the uncle of former Sacramento High Travon Abraham. He confirmed that Abraham is leaving Rice and transferring back to the west coast.

Team Jennings Black is sponsored by Brandon Jennings and coached by former Syracuse guard Jason Hart. The club normally features 2013 prospect Isaac Hamilton of Crenshaw High (Los Angeles) but he was playing with the Oakland Soldiers this weekend. However, Skylar Spencer of Price (Los Angeles) was in attendance and the 6-foot-8 interior player has a good wingspan and ran the court well for his size.

Here is a list of the top performers we saw:

Thomas Peterson 6-foot-7 PF St. Francis (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2012: Big body and not afraid to mix it up in the paint. Rebounding, shot blocking, and defense will be his calling card. Peterson can complement Drew Dickey and could return the Lancers in a position to challenge Mitty's size. According to Coach Washington, Peterson is still raw and very new to the game as he was mostly a baseball player. But Washington believes Peterson can be a low Division 1 or Division 2 prospect.

Jayland Hicks 6-foot-1 PG Sheldon (Lil Reg Shooting Stars) 2013: Hicks was often overshadowed by the Sheldon varsity players and the other 2013 prospects. Watching him in a primary showed that he is a long, lanky point guard who can take the ball to the basket and disrupt passing lanes. If Sheldon plays a multi guard set, Hicks could thrive in that setting.

Kelan Cameron 5-foot-9 PG Sacramento (Lil Reg Shooting Stars) 2013: Cameron is the cousin of fellow Dragon Aaron Cameron. Kelan is a solid leader and can get to the basket easily. The Dragon backcourt looks to be set for the next few years in Sacramento.

Andy Simanek 6-foot-4 PF Half Moon Bay (NP Force) 2012: Bruiser and interior physical play. Against a bigger Team Jennings, Simanek held his own and was fearless in challenging them on both ends.

Anthony Castillo 6-foot-0 SG Riordan (NP Force) 2012: Hit several open three point shots against Team Jennings to keep his team in the game. He is very pure on his open, spot up perimeter shots.

Nick Wang 6-foot-1 CG Mountain View (Bay Area Ballers 16U) 2013: Good floor leader and runs the team well.

Brian Raenter 6-foot-5 PF Mountain View (Bay Area Ballers 16U) 2013: Solid rebounder and has good mid-range shots. He has been primarily a volleyball player up till now. Mountain View could be an under the radar team for next season.

Alex Roa 5-foot-10 PG Serra (Mosley's Mavericks 15U) 2014: Good dribble drive and able to hit perimeter shots. He will help in Connor Mcgrath's departure if he makes varsity.

Ken Opamuratawongse 6-foot-0 PG Mitty (Mosley's Mavericks 15U) 2014: Mitty loses their backcourt to matriculation. Opamuratawongse is a left-handed guard who is very shifty. Only a freshman, he has good size - think of a taller left-handed Colin Wan. Expect him to compete for minutes in the rotation in the Mitty backcourt.

Nick Callazo 6-foot-3 SF Sacred Heart Prep (Mosley's Mavericks 15U) 2014: Sacred Heart loses the McConnell twins to Division I. Callazo plays tight end on the football team. He is raw in basketball but the physical toughness to play inside is there.

Deion Ellis 6-foot-3 F Skyline (Norcal Panthers) 2014: Ellis is probably transferring to San Leandro. His wing span and athleticism key his defense. He is still raw on the offensive end as he only started playing in the seventh grade. If he gets taller and polishes his skills, then he could be an interesting prospect.

Tyrone Gaines 6-foot-0 G Fremont Oakland (Norcal Panthers) 2014: Gaines is a good scorer and shooter. He may need to slow the game down sometimes in his decision making. But the raw skills, size, and potential are there.

Ryan Nguyen 5-foot-5 PG Leland (Norcal Panthers) 2014: Nguyen has a good perimeter game and can dribble well. He seemed very compose with his dribble and in keeping it alive.

Kamron Nafarieh 5-foot-8 PG Sequoia (Hawks) 2013: Consistent outside game that sets up his dribble drive game. Has good ball control and efficient in his play.

Markus Robinson 5-foot-11 PG Terra Linda (NBBA) 2012: Robinson is the team leader. He can go strong to the basket and take contact while still having a respectable perimeter game.

Matt Davis 6-foot-3 PF Terra Linda (NBBA) 2012: Good outside shot for an interior player and his shot blocking ability is also very good. Davis is a hustle and scrapper type of player. With Michael Best graduating, their 2012 players will need to fill in for his production.

Recruiting updates
Lydell Cardwell 6-foot-2 G Mid-Peninsula (Blythe) 2011: Cardwell confirmed that he took visits and has offers from both Azusa and Concordia. He is spending the summer playing for the eponymously Blythe club team that is run by the Eastside Prep girl's basketball coach. Cardwell showed no rust as he was comfortable pulling up on perimeter shots and taking the ball to the basket

Neil Vranicar 6-foot-5 F Archbishop Mitty (Bay Area Tar Heels) 2012: Vranicar has been invited to the Pangos event in Los Angeles next week. On his mostly Mitty laden Tar Heel club team, he displayed his inside and outside game. He will have to complement Aaron Gordon's play well in order for Mitty to repeat this past season's run. Vranicar is getting looks from west coast schools in Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, UC Davis, and University of San Diego.

Max Schmarzo 6-foot-3 SG Palo Alto (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2011: Schmarzo still has not lost the shooting touch as he was able to hit open, spot up looks. The Palo Alto guard will be heading to Division III Coe College in Iowa.

Momir Gataric 6-foot-4 SG Homestead (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2011: Gataric has now gotten serious contact from Cal State Northridge and Fresno State. With a solid summer showing, these contacts may turn into offers. Gataric showed a very complete game. With his size and fearlessness of going inside, he scored in bunches for his team.

Gokul Natesan 6-foot-4 SG Cupertino (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2012: Natesan also displayed his scoring propensity. He has a very clean perimeter shot and follow through. He looks to be working on his dribble drive game as well. Occidental has been in contact with him.

Article 203: Time to be fearing McFerren

May 26, 2011

The Castro Valley Trojans went 31-2 this past season on their way to the Northern California title game. A big reason was their senior leadership led by point guard Roderick Bobbitt. Replacing him would seem to be a tall order, but the Trojans will bring in freshman point guard Jalen McFerren.

At 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, McFerren is a slashing player with finesse who can play physical and aggressive. His best move is the in and out crossover which allows him to get to the basket to finish or distribute. He considers his game to be similar to Tony Parker because he is athletic with a respectable outside shot but also the ability to drive under control and finish.

During this summer, McFerren is trying to prepare mentally for the role as the team's point guard. He will be weight training with coach Anthony Eggleton at Ants Mind and Body to get stronger. In addition, he will be playing with his Oakland Rebels 15U club team.

"Jalen is a gym rat who loves to be in the gym," says Rebel Coach Ray Young. "As a basketball player, Jalen's strengths are his quickness and his ability to score. He is converting over to be a pure point guard. His IQ, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn are helping him transform rather quickly. As Jalen matures and gets stronger, he will defiantly be a division one caliber point guard. Jalen is a great young man and a joy to coach."

McFerren sports a 3.6 GPA as Math is his best subject, is a member of the California Scholastic Federation, and would like to major in Electrical Engineering. He wants to attend a program with strong academics, diverse enrollment, and strong athletic department. His goal is to lead the Trojans to the HAAL title and make it back to state in consecutive years.

As a freshman this past year, he was brought up to varsity two thirds into the season, which allowed him to practice against varsity teammates Bobbit and Dawson Johnson.

McFerren says about the experience, "When you show up at the gym and look around and see the two year HAAL MVP and returning all first team league players and division I recruits all over the court, it can be pretty intimidating. I felt if I could compete with the top players in the Bay Area every day in practice, it would only sharpen my skills. 'As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.' If I want to be the best, I have to be able to compete against the best. I am very excited about next year at Castro Valley. Many people are calling it a rebuilding year, but don't count us out so fast."

In the near future, he wants to be involved with a community service program and mentor some younger kids with the same goals for education and sports. McFerren believes that it is important to remain teachable in all areas of life and to share that knowledge. If McFerren has learned anything by practicing with the Trojan varsity squad, then opponents should start fearing McFerren in the upcoming season at Castro Valley.

Article 202: Smith has heart of a Lion

May 24, 2011

At the recent City Championship Tourney at City College of San Francisco, Leo Smith of the Oakland Rebels was an attention-grabber. Despite his diminuitive stature, the 5-foot-8 and 140 pound floor general played with flair and toughness which will make him an intriguing 2013 point guard prospect.

Smith has this innate ability to anticipate where his teammates are going and was able to deliver many bounce passes that led his teammates to the basket on pick and roll or transition offense. Despite being undersized, he was also fearless in going to the basket and drawing contact. As a varsity starter this past year, he helped his Oakland Tech Bulldogs to an 18-9 record while averaging 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 9.3 assists.

Before joining the Oakland Rebels, Smith was with the cross town Oakland Soldiers program. "Leo's strengths are his quickness and his penetration ability," said Soldiers' Coach Ray Thomas. "He puts much pressure on the defense to have to account for him. He also is a high level passer with that unique ability to set up his team mates. He is a natural and vocal leader. Leo has a chance to be the best point guard in the 2013 class in NorCal. As for college, even at 5-foot-7 Leo will intrigue alot of colleges with his ability as a pure point guard."

Smith's ability to setup his teammates is very Bob Cousy or John Stockton in similarity. And Smith's toughness and fearlessness is comparable to contemporary Derrick Rose. He likes to use his in and out move to drive pass his defenders and plans on working on his jump shot, ball handling, and weights during the summer.

Smith hopes that his efforts will allow him to be one of the top players in the OAL while leading his team to a deep playoff run. Oakland Tech Coach Karega Hart says, "Leo has several strengths on and off the court. On the court, he is a tenacious defender who welcomes all challenges. Offensively, he has great quickness and balance, excellent handles, and knows how to get to the free throw line. He was third in our league behind Jabari Brown and Gary Williams getting to the free throw line. He is an explosive scorer that is able to knock down shots amongst the trees or from the perimeter. Most of all, Leo also has great vision and is capable of getting double digits in assists every night. He is a true point guard. Leo has the heart of a Lion, and the Spirit of a Champion."

The recruiting process is early but Smith has heard from the Washington State Cougars. He would like to stay on the west coast to be closer to home. Smith sports a 3.33 GPA and considers math his best subject while he would like to play for a program that pushes the ball.

"Leo is very outgoing and he is always smiling. He always seems to make people laugh with his youthful spirit," continues Hart. "He is loving and caring with his family and friends and is always willing to help people. He has managed to bring his grades up during his sophomore year and has developed some good study habits and is really working hard to make himself a college prospect on and off the court. Leo could be a great point guard at the division 1 or 2 level. Most of all, we are working on him becoming a qualifier so that he can get a free education. We expect him to get great education and impact the lives of the kids here in Oakland in a positive way."

With the exodus of several senior guards in the OAL 2011 class, Smith could be a top player to watch for this upcoming season. Watch for Smith to lead Oakland Tech to the top of the pride. And then watch for this lionhearted prospect in college in 2013.

Article 201: PHPS heats up CCSF tourney

May 22, 2011

The 4th Annual City Championship Tourney at City College of San Francisco (CCSF) took place on a bright, sunny San Francisco Saturday. Randy Bessolo, coach of the Bay Area Warriors and University High, has been running this event since its inception and believes it was a success again this year.

According to Bessolo, the City Championship attampts to attract as competitive of a field as possible. In addition, he does not separate the teams by age. Hence, one can conceivably see a talented 15U team play against and defeat an older 17U team. Bessolo had several teams denied participation as he capped this year's event to 33 teams. The top eight teams that went unscathed in pool play would advance to the top Gold bracket.

One of the brighter teams that performed was Play Hard Play Smart Elite which suited up in Velveeta Yellow and Hot Tamales Red uniforms. PHPS limited its first opponent to 20 total points and won both its games by close to 30 points each. This PHPS team features a stable of interchangeable athletes who all seem to be able to get up and down, play pressing defense, and have the ability to finish at the rim.

One PHPS player of note is Shawn Smith of McClatchy High. The 6-foot-6 2011 player showed versatility from all aspects of the game. He runs well, has good leaping and blocking ability, and was physical in the paint. Like former PHPS alum Charles Standifer, Smith is planning to attend Bridgton in Connecticut. Smith could be a proverbial hidden gem waiting to be discovered from the Sacramento area.

In addition to PHPS Elite advancing to the Gold bracket, the other seven teams include Bessolo's Bay Area Warriors 16U, Lakeshow Black 17, North Coast Express 1, Team 94, Oakland Soldiers Blue 17U, E-Time Hoops Elite, and Oakland Rebels 17s. The team that can win three straight games Sunday will take the title. Separate Silver and Bronze brackets exist for teams that were not able to go undefeated.

Players to Watch
Mike Pickney II 5-foot-4 PG St. Mary's Berkeley (Bay Area Warriors) 2014: Pickney's play has shown consistent improvement at each major tournament. He plays with savvy that is beyond a freshman. University of Portland is the first school to contact his high school coach about this floor general.

Parth Radia 6-foot-1 G Dougherty Valley (Bay Area Warriors) 2013: Multifaceted scorer. He was able to hit several three point shots in addition to taking the ball to the rim. Radia could be an interesting find for the evolving Dougherty Valley program.

Jehiah Genraro 6-foot-3 W Freedom (Blue Devils 16) 2012: Has a good game going to the basket. He has the on the floor leadership presence for this team.

Tim Jordan 6-foot-3 F Freedom (Blue Devils 16) 2013: Made plays in spurts. Is a work in progress. But has a high ceiling.

Jose Flores 6-foot-3 F Rodriguez (707 Finest) 2014: Plays more mature than his freshman status. If he gets the sufficient height, a very good forward prospect in the making. Plays defense and has a good mid-range to inside the paint game.

Maurice Trotter 6-foot-3 C Fairfield (707 Finest) 2014: Another freshman who plays beyond his current age and also could be something special if he gets enough height. Trotter rebounds well and takes physical contact well as he was able to get a couple "and 1" baskets.

Ryan Imhoff 6-foot-2 SG Napa (707 Finest) 2014: All-around perimeter game. A good mid-range shooter. He sees the floor well. Defends the perimeter well.

Joey Frenchwood 6-foot-0 PG Newark Memorial (Oakland Rebels 15) 2014: All-around point guard prospect. With enough height, he can fit the desired prototypical big point guard

Jalen McFerren 5-foot-10 PG Castro Valley (Oakland Rebels 15) 2014: Same as Frenchwood. Good point guard prospect. Will be replacing Roderick Bobbitt for Castro Valley next year and will see if he can fill those shoes.

Sam Greenwall 6-foot-2 F Head Royce (Oakland Rebels 15) 2014: Greenwall plays with hustle and intensity. Not afraid to be physical.

David Andoh 6-foot-7 F St. Mary's Berkeley (Team 94) 2012: Can put the ball on the floor well and is a good athlete with a mid-range touch. Team 94 Coach Phil Handy, who played for the Golden State Warriors and coaches the NBA D-League Reno franchise, says that Andoh reminds him of former NBA player Cedric Ceballos.

Chukwuemeka Iroegbu 6-foot-4 F Franklin (Team 94) 2011: Strong forward with power and athleticism. Has good hands and moves feet well.

Drew Dickey 6-foot-8 F St. Francis (KWA Pride) 2012: Very aggressive interior play and does not back down.

Michael Bryson 6-foot-4 G Foothill (PHPS Elite) 2012: Very complete player. Explosive jumper. Has a perimeter game that will demand some respect from the defender.

D'Erryl Williams II 6-foot-3 PG Sheldon (PHPS Elite) 2013: has good size and lateral movement. Nice up and under move to score inside. Has quick hands for a guard.

Stevie Oliviera 6-foot-1 G Monte Vista (Lakeshow Black 17's) 2013: Oliviera showed his smarts as a guard who lead many fast breaks successfully. He was aggressive to the basket and hit many mid-range jump shots. He was able to guard all five positions.

James O'Neal 6-foot-1 G Freedom (Lakeshow Black 17's) 2013: His first step is really quick and can get by defenders. He scored off the dribble consistently and could finish in transition. He used his long arms to get in the passing lanes on defense.

Andrew Brinson PG Wood (Lakeshow White 17's) 2012: Brinson has a good perimeter shot and could handle the ball well.

Jeffrey Parker 6-foot-5 F Salesian (Lakeshow White 17's) 2012: Parker has a good all around game. The summer could be very important as he may be overlooked on his own Salesian team. Parker has good length and jumping for a possible interior player.

TJ Daniel 6-foot-6 F Bishop O'Dowd (Lakeshow Black 17's) 2012: Posts double digit rebounds easily. Just a very big body inside that takes up space. Reminds one of a Glen Davis type interior player.

Michael Lazarus 6-foot-2 F Berkeley (Oakland Soldiers 15U) 2014: Another rebounding machine that has a high ceiling. Berkeley's lack of interior play this past year could be alleviated with Lazarus' addition to varsity.

Trevor Dunbar 5-foot9 PG St. Ignatius (Oakland Soldiers 15U) 2014: A solid point guard - especially in transition. Made the right pass often and early on the break. Dunbar could make for an interesting St. Ignatius team with the interior play of Stephen Domingo.

Ivan Rabb 6-foot-7 C Montera Middle School (Oakland Soldiers 15U) 2015: Middle school player who will be attending Bishop O'Dowd next year. If he grows an inch a year, he should reach close to seven foot by his senior year. Still learning how to play with his height but the ceiling is literally higher for him.

Miguel French 6-foot-5 W Lindhurst High (PHPS) 2012: He is a high flyer as he had a few demonstrative dunks. Plays with full effort. He is long, fast, and athletic.

Leroy Abraham 6-foot-3 G Natomas (PHPS) 2012: Solid mid-range shooter. All-around game as he can defend, pass, and go to the basket. Physical guard who does not back down.

Recruiting Updates
Trevor Priest 6-foot-6 SF Santa Teresa (West Valley) 2012: The versatile forward is in contact with UC Davis, Montana, Northern Colorado, Pepperdine, Portland, San Jose State, St. Mary's, and UC Santa Barbara.

David Andoh 6-foot-7 F St. Mary's Berkeley (Team 94): Penn has offered

Chukwuemeka Iroegbu 6-foot-4 F Franklin (Team 94): Iroegbu has a walk on opportunity with Washington State. He also confirmed that youngers brothers Ikenna and Uchenna will be transferring to Oak Hill Academy and Capital Christian respectively.

Article 200: Cougars parlez-vous Frenchwood?

May 19, 2011

The Newark Memorial Cougars were unable to make as deep a playoff run this past season when compared to their state title run in 2010. But the next three years look really promising at the point guard position. As a 2014 freshman point guard, Joey Frenchwood was a key starter and played with the poise that should keep the Cougar backcourt stable for the next few years.

The 5-foot-11 and 155 pound point guard only averaged 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists but his development and potential during his freshman year will pay off in spades during his next few years. Frenchwood helped the Cougars to a 22-7 record and a chance to play in the postseason. He can run 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash, bench press 160 pounds, squat 320 pounds, and has a vertical of 35 inches.

Newark Memorial Coach Craig Ashmore comments about Frenchwood's freshman campaign, "Joey handled his duties with great poise and had the ability to look very comfortable on the floor. His first game was against Oakland High School and we had our starting point guard out with a broken hand. Joey had 8 assists 9 points and only two turnovers. He also impressed me with his work ethic."

Frenchwood models his game after UCLA Bruin Russell Westbrook. Frenchwood has the potential to grow into a larger point guard who is also explosive similar to Westbrook. Frenchwood considers his ball handling and perimeter shots to be his strengths.

Ashmore adds, "In my 22 years at Newark, we have been lucky to have a hand full of freshman play varsity, but Joey handled the long hours of practice and demands of a major program like a veteran. Joey is a great player! I expect Joey to become more of an offensive threat. He will need to get to the hole and increase his scoring. I am excited to watch his development in the next three years. Joey does not remind me of any players of the past, but I think he has a chance to be one of the best guards we ever had."

During the offseason, Frenchwood plans on lifting weights and playing for his Oakland Rebels team. He hopes his efforts will pay off in his individual numbers but more importantly in Newark Memorial's playoff longevity.

Oakland Rebels Coach Raymond Young says about Frenchwood, "Joey has a great work ethic. Joey shoots the three ball well and has a strong ball handling skill set. He plays with a lot of confidence and is a competitor on the court. Joey can play either guard spot and he can make a play for himself or his teammates. Joey leads by example through his work ethic as he also carries a 3.0 GPA. In the class of 2014, look for Joey to be one of the top available point guards on the west coast."

If both Frenchwood's high school and AAU coaches are correct about his work ethic and potential, more people will be speaking about Frenchwood. The fans in Newark will not be asking "Parlez-vous français?" or "do you speak French?" Instead, they will be asking "Parlez-vous Frenchwood?" or "do you speak Frenchwood?" as will the college coaches.

Article 199: Thomas at tip of the iceberg

May 18, 2011

One of the next dominant interior players may come from the 2014 class. At 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds, Nathan Thomas of the Bellarmine Bells is just at the proverbial tip of his basketball potential iceberg. In a recent club event in Hayward, Thomas displayed his versatility for the Oakland Soldiers 15U team.

Joe Griggs is the Soldiers' 15U head coach. "Nate is tall for a young age. He has a huge passion for basketball and a strong desire to get better and work at getting better," said Griggs. "Nate has been working on his post moves and I have seen him really working on an up under move in practice. He is active around the basket. He gets his hand on the ball a lot, but need to improve on being able to corral the ball. Most of that comes from his lack of strength so far. I believe Nate has spent most of his basketball life so far playing against guys that were much shorter and much less athletic than he is. Therefore, he has never HAD to really work to get the ball because he was just so much bigger than everyone else. But now, he is learning that he has to start using that size and skill to compete at a high level."

Thomas considers himself to be finesse player because his length allows him to utilize moves such as an up-and-under and a jump hook to either get a foul or a good shot. He uses his jump hook to take advantage of his height and to not get blocked. He models his game after former Oakland Soldier Kyle Wiltjer because he is able to score inside the paint and also outside.

During this summer, Thomas will be working on his midrange jumper for the Soldiers but also will try to get some college exposure. He wants to play for a team that has outside shooting so that the court is spread out and that would put him in a great scoring position using post moves. He carries a 3.80 GPA and would like to major in engineering at a strong academic institution in a mild climate region of the United States.

"I believe Nate has the chance to play at the NCAA level," continued Griggs. "The one thing that stands in his way right now is how hard he is willing to work to get bigger and stronger. I believe Nate is a kid that if he puts his mind to something he is gonna stalk down that goal and blast past it."

Thomas hopes that his hard work will earn him a spot on the varsity team next year for Bellarmine. His team goals are to go undefeated in WCAL play and make a deep run in the playoffs. His older brother, Zac, is also a promising post player in the 2012 class who is still recovering from knee surgery that kept him out last year. Thomas would like to play with his older brother on varsity if possible. As of now, Thomas does not know his status on varsity for next year yet.

Griggs offers this about his protégé's non-basketball background: "Nate is a really nice guy. That may sound like a generic way of describing someone, but it's really the truth. He is just a flat out nice guy. I joke with him that he is too nice because it follows him onto the court where he needs to have a bit of a nasty streak to be a dominant big man. But for all of that he does work hard off the court. He is in the gym and he is working on his game. And that and only that is what is gonna get him and any other high school player better. Nate is a great student from what I know. He goes to one of the best academic schools in the bay area and I know his family strongly values his academic performance."

Regardless if Thomas is on varsity or not this upcoming year, he is just at the tip of the iceberg in terms of reaching his potential. Watch for Thomas to make that journey in San Jose this upcoming season for the Bells.

Article 198: University Getz to reload

May 18, 2011

University High of San Francisco will be losing Columbia commit Noah Springwater and Zio Enriquez this upcoming season. Aside from the senior leadership, both were key contributors on both offense and defense. But the Red Devils' proverbial cupboard is not bare as they still have 2013 guard Harold Getz.
At 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, Getz played a great deal off the bench this past season but was a key contributor in the rotation as he averaged 5.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists for a Red Devil team that finished 28-7 and were runner ups to St. Joseph in the Northern California playoffs. Getz is quite versatile as he can play any position but expects to play guard mostly.

Getz plays for his club team, the Bay Area Warriors and plans to work on his perimeter shot to increase his driving and passing lanes.

Randy Bessolo who coaches Getz in both high school and on the club circuit says, "Harold has great ball-handling and agility for a player of his size which allows him to get to the rim where he can finish or distribute. He has the chance to be a big point guard and a match-up problem if he can continue to develop his versatility. Harold is one of the more creative players I have coached and he always seems to enjoy himself and the competition while playing."

Getz compares himself to former Michigan State star Magic Johnson because he was versatile due to his ability to drive by the bigger defender while he was able to post up the smaller defender. Getz tries to emulate the former Spartan's tactics as well. Similarly, Getz would be characterized as a slasher who can get to the rim to create offense or a power player if he has the opportunity to post against a smaller defender.

Getz has a 3.30 GPA and would like to major in Economics, English, or Psychology. He has no geographical preference for college as his goal is to attend an academically strong school where he has the chance to play basketball.

Coach Bessolo says about Getz's college prospects, "Harold is a very intelligent young man and is a very good teammate given his thoughtfulness in regards to others. Harold has tantalizing potential and should be able to at least play at the D3 level. If he can develop a deadly jumper from 3-point range and become more tenacious on defense, he will become a great prospect for D1 teams from the Ivy and Patriot Leagues."

Getz has been on varsity for one year. He wants to step up as a scorer and a leader to help compensate for the loss of University's top three scorers from this past season. Getz played varsity soccer and lacrosse as a freshman but dropped both of those sports to focus on basketball this past year.

Coach Bessolo comments on his expectation of Getz, "With Noah and Zio graduating, we have some big shoes to fill and Harold will be a good candidate to replace some of our lost production. Similar to Noah and Zio, Harold needs to do it on the defensive side of the ball, including grabbing rebounds. Harold is very coachable and motivated to get better. If he can sustain this he will be successful in basketball and whatever pursuits he attempts."

Watch for Getz to have a breakout junior year in this upcoming season. If all goes to plan, University will not have to rebuild. Instead, University Getz to reload on the hard court.

Article 197: Yussuf is heir apparent

May 16, 2011

The St. Joseph Notre Dame Pilots were able to cap a 27-9 season with a state title. A main reason for that was due to 6-foot-10 senior Brendan Keane who will be heading to Northern Colorado. Replacing that size will not be easy, but the Pilots will look to 6-foot-5 and 195 pound Temidayo Yussuf.

This 2014 wing is a diverse player who can do a variety of things on the court. Depending on how tall he grows, he can either be an interior or exterior player. He models his game after Amar'e Stoudemire because he is agile and strong and can do anything within 20 feet of the basket.

During this summer, he will be playing with his Oakland Rebels club team. He plans on working on his guard skills and quickness to be a more complete player.

Rebels Coach Raymond Young says about Yussuf's development, "Temidayo's strengths on the court are his ability to play multiple positions and his leadership. Tim understands that hard work will get him where he wants to be, and is willing to do the work. At practice and in games, he is a hard worker and plays hard all the time. Off the court he gets along well with his peers and teammates. He is a humble guy."

Yussuf spoke to his Pilot coach Don Lippi about his role next season. Yussuf says, "Coach Lippi told me that I'm gonna play in and out. So, it's like if I get a rebound, then I can just push it down the court and I can also run the offense myself. And if I get a few more inches, I will also play the post."

His plans for next year are to go back to state and repeat as title winners for the Pilots. He wants to attend a college that is a championship contender and also a school that can use his skills instead of leaving him on the bench. He wants a college that has a family atmosphere and that does things together on and off the court.

Coach Young says about Yussuf's college potential, "With continued hard work, the sky is the limit for Temidayo. He is currently weight training with coach Eggleton at Ants Mind & Body to get stronger and working on his fundamentals in the gym. Tim has the ability to finish around the rim, take guys off the dribble, or hit the mid range shot. Most importantly, Temidayo holds a 3.2 GPA. Tim will make some division one program very happy in the future."

Temidayo, name in the Nigerian Yoruban dialect, means to bring joy to others. If Yussuf lives up to his name, then he will definitely bring much joy to his Pilot fan base in Alameda. And then after high school, he should bring much joy to his future college suitor.

Article 196: 'Big D' versatility burns defenders

May 13, 2011

At the recent Drew Gooden Soldiers Extravaganza in Hayward, the Oakland Soldiers 17U Blue team featured point guard Darin Johnson from Franklin High. When asked how his recruiting was faring, Johnson's answer was more of an embarrassment of riches than anything else as it was a lengthy reply.

This 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds point guard said, "The entire Pac-10 is in contact with me. The whole Big Ten is looking at me too. Cal, USC, San Diego, and Washington came to my school. Arizona, Boise State, and Colorado and have called while Alabama, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Georgetown, LSU, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech have been recruiting me as well. I plan on taking unofficial visits to Texas, Arkansas, Memphis, and Colorado for now. Texas is my current favorite but my choices aren't narrowed yet. I do not want to be close to home."

This laundry list of close to 30 colleges for the NCP 2013 No. 13 player is no surprise. Johnson is lean and athletic while already possessing fairly polished basketball skills. Despite being listed as a wing, he feels that his best position would be point guard at the next level.

He models his game after Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant because Johnson has the size and ball handling ability of Westbrook while also possessing a long frame to score in various ways like Durant. Like these Thunder, Johnson is a slasher who can put the ball in the basket. As a point guard, he would have a significant size advantage while possessing skills that would be hard to defend by either an opposing guard or forward.

When asked what his best basketball skill is and what he is working on the most, Johnson said, "My best move is the behind the back crossover, because my handle is tight and quick enough to keep the defenders off and freeze them for a hot second. I work on my jump shot and strength. My jumper is a tad streaky but needs to change to take my game to the highest level. And I have room to get a lot bigger and stronger."

Big D (what his teammates call him) has been a varsity starter for one year at Franklin. During this summer, Johnson will be showcasing his skills for the Oakland Soldiers, has a 3.0 GPA and would like to major in Sports Medicine. He wants to play for a high tempo school and form a tight relationship with the coaching staff.

Oakland Soldiers 17U Blue Coach Ray Thomas about this 2013 prospect: "Darin's strength is his quickness and explosiveness. Darin is a high flyer type athlete with a picture perfect jump shot. On the court, he is an aggressive scorer whether it is in transition or half court. He is a high motor player. Off the court, he is a quiet but funny kid. He is showing to be a great teammate with his new Soldiers' teammates. Darin has a chance to be high major player as long as he continues the hard work and gym rat mentality that he has now."

Franklin returns Ikenna Iroegbu and Theo Johnson to form a strong nucleus for the Wildcats. Johnson wants to see his Wildcats make a deep run in playoffs and limit the team losses to no more than three. Keep your eyes open for Big D or you may miss him in a hot second in Elk Grove in the upcoming season.

Article 195: Jaylin 'Smoove' on the court

May 11, 2011

The Urban Dictionary defines smoove as being cool, slick, without stress with a whole lot of game. Jaylin McQuillon is a combination guard who embodies those characteristics on the hardwood for his John F. Kennedy Cougars of the Metro League. J-Smoove, what his teammates call him, averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists as his Cougars went 16-10 this past season.

At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, McQuillon has been a varsity starter since his sophomore year. He will be working hard on his jump shot and dribbling as he feels that he needs to take those skills to a higher level for the next level. This 2012 guard will be also playing for his E-Time Hoops club team during the summer.

E-Time Hoops Coach Ernest Taubodo says about his guard, "Jaylin is a tough minded player who is battle tested. He never backs down from an opponent offensively or defensively. His aggressive nature and knack for the ball gives him an advantage during competition. You always know what you're going to get when Jaylin is on the floor. He follows instructions and loves to be coached. Jaylin thrives in the open court and uses his athleticism to attack the rim."

This Cougar considers himself to be an all around player with slashing abilities. He plays both ends of the floor and is explosive with the ball but can also distribute and control the tempo of the game. He has a consistent jump shot that provides driving and passing lanes. He models his game after former UCLA Bruin Jrue Holiday because he is an all around player with the ideal traits of a point guard who has both offensive versatility and defensive prowess.

Despite his well rounded ability, McQuillon is only in contact with Army from a recruiting perspective. He wants to play in an up-tempo basketball program, carries a 3.7 GPA and would like to major in Architectural Engineering.

Taubodo says about Jaylin's college prospect, "Jaylin has great potential and will have an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. His work ethic and desire will help him achieve his goal as a post high school student-athlete. Jaylin's relentless pursuit to succeed separates him from others. He also balances athletic passion with a warm personality and strong academic standing."

McQuillon hopes his efforts will garner him first team in Metro League while en route to a deep run in playoffs in his senior season. In addition, he would like to get some additional recruiting contact before deciding on which college. Regardless, watch for McQuillon's smoove basketball skills for his Cougars in Sacramento during this upcoming season.

Article 194: Pickney half way there

May 10, 2011

The NBA regulation rim height is exactly 10 feet tall. Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol of the former Washington Bullets were 7-foot-7 and could basically touch the rim flat footed at more than three quarters to the top. At 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds, Mike Pickney II is just more than half way to the top of the rim.

Pickney's lack of size is more than compensated by his desire and smarts on the hardwood. As a junior varsity starter for the St. Mary's Panthers, he averaged 18 points and 6 assists. He was called up to the varsity squad for the post season and will be a critical piece on the varsity squad next season.

Panthers Head Coach Manny Nodar says about bringing up his JV star, "Mike had a great JV season and we wanted to give him an opportunity to get a varsity preview before next season. The six weeks he spent with us has helped him to understand what varsity level is all about."

The Panthers went 23-12 last season and lost to Salesian in the Northern California finals. They have a solid backcourt with Isaiah Taylor and Glenn Baral. Nodar says about where his 2014 guard will figure in the rotation, "Mike will play a lot at both guard spots. With him on the floor we will be able to have another ballhandler and scorer. Mike has the potential to be a great guard. He has basketball knowledge and understands how to play the game. He can run a team. He can handle the ball and what makes him dangerous is that he can shoot the ball."

Pickney models his game after Chris Paul because of his IQ, tenacity, ability to distribute, and scoring versatility. At an AAU event in Hayward recently, Pickney showed his savvy, pass first ability for his Bay Area Warriors 16's team. His ball handling skills were like local star Steve Nash as Pickney was very calm with his dribble around bigger and taller players. Surprisingly, Pickney had a deceptively quick jumper release that would open driving lanes and passing lanes for him.

In addition to playing for the Bay Area Warriors, Pickney will work on his strength, conditioning, and jumper. Bay Area Warriors Coach Randy Bessolo says, "Mike has terrific offensive skills handling the ball and shooting. He is a true point guard with a nice feel for the game. He can distribute but also has the ability to score in bunches. Mike is a fierce competitor and is fearless."

Pickney has a 3.4 GPA and is open to all regions for college but would like academics to be a priority. Coach Bessolo says, "Mike has great skills and feel for the game which make him a college prospect. He is going to grow bigger and the question is how big he will get. With enough size he could be a D1 guy, but he will make a great point guard for some college at some level. The fact that Mike is small now will make him a better player in the future. He has to work harder and learn the game better now to compensate for his current lack of size. When he gets bigger, look out for Mike Pickney. Regardless of how big he gets, he is a player we love having on our team."

Lil Mike, what his teammates call him, is definitely a 2014 prospect of note. Pickney hopes to be a core contributor for the Panthers run to state. Watch for Pickney in Berkeley as he is more than half way there already.

Article 193: CPC athletes learn from NFLers

May 8, 2011

Contra Costa College in San Pablo was the setting on Saturday morning for the first NorCalPreps.com College Prospect Football Combine. Close to 50 Northern California high school football prospects received guidance and training from professional trainers in the morning while current and former NFL players taught the prospects specific positional skills during the afternoon.

After the morning registration, the prospects were taught proper stretching and warm up exercises. They then underwent testing in the 40 Yard Dash, 3 cone shuttle, Pro Shuttle, Broad Jump, Vertical Jump, and Bench Press.

Anthony Eggleton is Director of Sports Training at Ants Body and Mind. "Many of the kids need to be prepared both in terms of conditioning and technique for such combines," said Eggleton. These techniques include good running technique in the 40 yard dash or proper handling of the weights during the bench press.

"You can tell that some of the kids here today have been away from football for an extended period of time and need to be better prepared," continued Eggleton who was positive about the combine's ability assist prospects to prepare and train for higher level performance.

Todd Leachman, former high performing college athlete and current coach with the National Football Academy, manned the 40-yard dash testing station and spoke to the prospects about such topics as breathing techniques and proper shoes. He observed how some of them had foot pronation and how to correct the condition. In addition, Leachman reviewed proper starting techniques when running and stressed the importance of combines dictate that prospects attend them in game shape.

Justin Landry of Hollywood Athletics observed how the attendees pushed each other to succeed and provided encouraging vibes during the sessions. Landry, a former track star at Langston University and Cal State East Bay, was also impressed how the coaches and professional trainers taught key fundamentals and techniques. In addition, Landry stressed the importance of stretching and warming up properly to avoid injury.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (Oakland Tech class of 2004) and former McClymonds High standout, Derrick Hill, were in attendance as spectators. Hill, a nose tackle at California and the No. 48 rated prospect in the Rivals100 2006 class, commented how such combines are more important than ever. During his high school years, Hill attended a Nike combine where Division I college coaches were in attendance. With the recent evaluation period changes, college coaches are more restricted in their attendance. As a result, Hill stated, "These prospective athletes need to get these numbers to the college coaches. And this training will be more important to prospective collegiate athletes in improving their numbers."

Dr. Dermont Spell, team doctor for the Contra Costa College football program, reiterated how the prospects in attendance would all gain something of value. Spell who specializes in chiropractics observed the prospects' biomechanics in the various drills. When he saw poor technique that could cause injury, he quickly offered corrective instruction. Spell also commented on how the coaches and professional trainers were a wealth of knowledge and that there were no egos among the prospects to make the combine a positive experience for all involved.

During lunch, the attendees gathered for a question and answer session with the trainers and five current or former NFL players, Terrell Roberts (DB Oregon State/Cincinnati Bengals), Lamont Thompson (DB Washington State/Tennessee Titans), Clarence Martin (DB Fresno State/Angeles Rams), Julian Jenkins (DL Stanford/Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Courtney Anderson (TE San Jose State/Oakland Raiders), and Josh Johnson (QB University of San Diego/Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

Jenkins mused how having specialists at each station was important. For example, the L-drill, also known as the 3-cone drill measures quickness and speed and is a more accurate measure of game time ability. The athletes were shown the fundamentals and proper techniques for such a standard football combine test. As a result, they got more value out of the drill.

Anderson, who played at Richmond High and Contra Costa College, felt the combine was an excellent experience for the young men, who were able to get different coaching experiences and techniques. "This combine will help prepare the kids for the drills that they need to work on during the summer," said Anderson. "And the working atmosphere between the staff and the prospects has been a great way to give back to the community and help these prospects be closer in reaching a four year program."

Former El Cerrito High standout, Roberts, was responsible for defensive back drills as he starred at that position for the Bengals. He explained the importance of hand placement, foot work, vision on the field, and other tangibles needed to be a good secondary player. When Roberts was in high school, he recalled how the Nike Camp allowed him to measure himself against other prospects. He felt the NCP combine emphasized the fundamentals of each position.

Oakland Tech alum Josh Johnson was responsible for the quarterback drills and helped run the 7-on-7 drills. Johnson said, "There is only so much a person can learn in a day. I've been pointing out minor adjustments and have been impressed with how the kids have retained them during the drills." Being able to make minor adjustments are key according to Johnson as those are real game time skills that are needed for a quarterback. He also went over feet placement, timing, shoulder placement, field vision, and mechanics with the signal callers. He was also impressed by how the quarterbacks were able to perform during the 7-on-7 drills as these quarterbacks were working with new receivers and play calling.

All in all, the feedback was positive from day 1 of the NorCalPreps.com College Prospect Football Combine. Day 2 on Sunday will be the same format but with middle school prospects.

Article 192: Pass first Johnson paces DLS

May 6, 2011

The rule of thumb in basketball is that taller and bigger is more advantageous. However, exceptions always exist. At 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, 2013 point guard George Johnson Jr. plays with a lot of heart and intensity that does not compare to his current size.

Johnson will be a key part of the De La Salle Spartans' run for a repeat state title appearance in 2012. In addition, he will see more playing time after backing up star guard Amadi Udenyi this past season.

Udenyi says about his high potential underclassman teammate, "George and I will be running the back court together. His role is to be a true point guard and get clutch baskets when we need it. Also, George has a great handle and jump shot and should be a huge impact to the team this year."

At the recent Oakland Soldiers Extravaganza in Hayward, Johnson was showcasing his skills for his Oakland Soldiers 17U Blue team. Johnson displayed good point guard fundamentals as his head was always looking up while he kept his dribble alive. In addition, his passing was crisp and decisive.

Johnson, No. 32 on the NCP Top 40 2013 list, considers himself to be a finesse player but also has the ability to turn on another gear to separate from a defender. He considers his best move to be the in and out crossover move to get the defense off balance. Overall, he models his game after former Wake Forest star Chris Paul because he has the ability to both score and pass exceptionally well.

Oakland Soldiers Coach Ray Thomas believes that Johnson has a high ceiling. Thomas says, "George is a pass first point guard. He will get everybody involved before looking for his own shot. He is a leader who is always talking to his teammates and picking guys up. That translates well for a budding point guard. He is a heady guard who understands the game and rarely makes mistakes."

Nicknamed JuJu (short for Junior) by his little brother, 5 year old Chase, Johnson has been playing organized basketball since 2nd grade CYO. He spent a week this past spring break working for Coach Frank Allocco at the Excel basketball camp as a counselor, working with the younger kids. He works on developing Chase's handles and shooting on the weekends as well. So, becoming a coach may be in his future when his playing days are over.

The recruiting process is still early for this junior to be. He has been in contact with the University of Denver. Johnson would like to be on the west coast and play for a fast pace basketball program. He has 3.00 GPA and would like to attend a strong academic school and major in Business.

Coach Thomas reflects on Johnson's recruiting, "George has a shot at the D1 level. He has to get bigger and stronger. As a smaller guard, you have to be a physical rock. He has a good shot to get better. He will be tested this summer which will determine a lot about George's college future."

During this upcoming summer offseason, Johnson plans to spend a lot of time lifting weights and shooting as many jump shots as possible, working on extending his 3pt range. Along with these workouts, he will be playing with both Greenline (De La Salle's summer program) and the Oakland Soldiers. He has a very busy summer schedule ahead of him.

This past year at De La Salle, Johnson saw limited duty on the varsity as a sophomore. He says, "It was frustrating at times. I just kept working hard, and kept trying to learn. We had a very good team. I had to learn patience." In addition, Johnson endured the death of his grandmother at a young age.

Despite these setbacks, Johnson has persevered. Expect Johnson to help pace the Spartans in the upcoming season in Concord.

Article 191: Jabari Bird Fireside Chat

May 4, 2011

Jabari Bird is a 5-star recruit and the No. 2 ranked 2013 prospect in Northern California according to NorCalPreps.com. The Salesian High sophomore led his Pride to a 26-12 forfeited record or 36-2 on the court, while averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds as Salesian advanced to the Division IV state title game.

At 6-foot-6 and 175 pounds, Bird is a national prospect that is being sought after by Arizona, California, Florida International, Oregon, Washington, and Washington State.

As a nationally recruited prospect, Bird has had some initial thoughts about these schools and their conferences.

Pac-12 (Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, and Washington State): Bird says, "I definitely have a lot of respect for those schools and it would be honor to go to any of them. As of now, Washington and Arizona are recruiting me the hardest."

Bird is also being recruited by Florida International, which is coached by former Indiana Hoosier, Isiah Thomas. Bird had these comments about FIU's coach and its program, "It is a real honor to be recruited by an NBA hall of famer and getting that type of attention is real exciting."

For this upcoming summer, Bird plans to work on getting stronger and improving his ball handling. He feels that his overall game always has room for improvement. He will be playing for his Oakland Soldiers 17U Black team.

Oakland Soldiers Coach Ray Thomas says, "Jabari is a scoring machine. He is long and athletic which allows him to score over anyone. He has a great midrange pull up and can shoot a great 3 ball. Off the court, Jabari is a quiet, mild manner, thoughtful kid. He does not have an ego or sense of entitlement. Jabari is a high major talent. He has a chance to be a 5-star top 20 nationally ranked kid by the end of the summer."

Bird's body and basketball skills provide that unique and desired hybrid interior and exterior skill set. He has that Kevin Durant, Lebron James, or Paul Pierce mix of size and ability to ball control. Bird has a good mid-range and pull up game but can also play with his back to the basket.

Bird has much praise for these dominant players. "I view Durant and Pierce as elite scorers who can do it off the dribble from anywhere and pull up or attack the rim," said Bird. "I see James as a do it all guy that just gets it done on both ends. I resemble those players a little when I'm on the top of my game."

The Oakland Soldiers have been part of the Elite Youth Basketball League that is sponsored by Nike. After trips to Virginia and Texas, the Soldiers are 9-1 with an upcoming trip to Los Angeles that will determine if they get invited to Peach Jam in South Carolina later in the summer.

Bird has been a key in the Soldiers hot start with his scoring, rebounding, and defense. With a solid showing in the rest of the summer league events, expect Bird to really be on the national recruiting scene. And then watch for Bird help his Pride make another return trip back to the state title game.

Article 190: El expects to excel

May 4, 2011

Being tall as a freshman in high school usually makes one a default candidate to be on the basketball team. In the case of 6-foot-5, 160 pound Elliott Smith of Freedom High, he welcomed that opportunity with open arms. As a freshman this past year, Smith averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists for the varsity team.

This 2014 small forward will be a varsity starter next year as the Falcons look to improve on a 14-12 season that ended with a first round loss to Newark Memorial in the NCS playoffs. El, what his teammates call him, has the physical build to be an effective slasher. As a result, he models his game after Lebron James because he can drive, shoot, and attack the boards. In addition, he can also play the point if needed and can take a game over at any time if needed.

During this summer, Smith will play for his Oakland Soldiers 15U team to work on his shooting and his off hand. Oakland Soldiers 15U Coach Joe Griggs says, "Elliot is one of those players who have a HUGE upside. Both his parents are 6 foot +, and he himself is already 6'4. Elliot is long, very athletic, and aggressive with the ball. On the court, he is a very sly player who seems to always slip right into the right spot at the right time. He is aggressive from the wing. He needs to work more on his post up game and being able to handle the ball in the open court. Also needs to become a much harder worker. Tends to jog and not give 100% all the time. Takes plays off, instead of being the best player he can be, and trust me he can really be a great player if he chooses too."

Smith wants to average a double double in his second year on varsity in this upcoming season. He hopes to lead his Falcons to a deep run in the playoffs.

The recruiting process is still early for this freshman. Smith has a 3.00 GPA and would like to major in Business in college. He can play in a fast pace tempo or a half court offensive set.

"I think if he fills out and works on his game, he could be a very good NCAA level player," said Griggs. "I think he could go to a major college. For sure, PAC-12 will want him. He would fit in great at a place like Washington where they have lots of long athletic guys who get out in the open court. However, grades need to come up for most major colleges to eventually look at him. Great overall - funny, witty, very likeable."

At the recent Drew Gooden Extravaganza in Hayward, Smith showcased his skills. As the summer season progresses, he will stand out in the 15U tournaments as his height and length are noticeable. His movements on the court are fluid and natural, as he looks comfortable on the court. Smith's father played at the DII level in Texas. Depending on how much taller Smith gets, he can play any of the guard or forward positions. His frame will allow him to bulk up to handle the punishment of college play as well.

"Off the court, he is funny, a great kid, and a great teammate," continued Griggs. "There was a point this last tournament where I gave Elliot the opportunity to go back in the game, and seeing that he would have to take out one of his teammates who had not gotten a lot of playing time, he chose to sit out and let the other kid play. Real stand up kid."

The 2014 class is still early to grade out. But Smith looks to be one 2014 member who has a high ceiling. Expect El to excel in Oakley for the next few years.

Article 189: Biggins to be Big for Serra

May 3, 2011

For Serra High of the WCAL, the past few seasons saw their basketball team led by point guard Connor Mcgrath. With his departure to Chico State, the Padres will now depend on 2013 combination guard Jacqui Biggins to fill that void.

At 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, Biggins averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists for the junior varsity team this past season. He was called up to the varsity squad for the post season. This upcoming season, he will be a critical guard in the backcourt success of the Padres.

During this offseason, Biggins will be working on his footwork and dribbling abilities. He will be playing for his club team, the Bay Area Warriors.

Bay Area Warriors Coach Randy Bessolo says, "Jacqui has god-like speed and quickness that he combines with very good ball-handling and shooting skills. Jacqui is a tough competitor who is willing to be a leader and take charge on the court. He is a classic combo guard who can run a team as the point guard or move over to the shooting guard position and catch and shoot 3s."

Biggins tries to emulate some of the best point guards in the game such as Deron Williams or Jason Kidd. Biggins uses his skills and agility to beat his defender. He also incorporates a solid post game on smaller guards to make scoring easier. He is also apt at setting screens and flashing to spots to be effective without the ball and create more scoring opportunities for himself and his team.

The college process is still early for Biggins but he is looking for a program that plays solid half-court defense and uses defense to lead to transition offense. He also likes a program that runs well schemed offensive sets.

Coach Randy Bessolo says, "Jacqui has good priorities and values that have contributed to his continual improvement. Jacqui has the ability and talent to be a college player. The question now is what level will that be, D1, D2, or D3. Regardless, I see Jacqui using his basketball talents to help himself get a quality education from a school of higher learning. Jacqui has a great work ethic and is committed to getting better. I have already seen a lot of improvement in his game and expect the improvement to continue over the next two years."

The biggest sport related adversity that Biggins has dealt with is injuries. Since he is such a fierce competitor, he felt that he let his teammates and coaches down. However, the encouragement from his coaches and family kept him focused to persevere through the injuries.

His individual goals for next year are to become a better defender and a more proficient scorer which means minimizing turnovers and having the ability to score points while keeping his team involved with assists and rebounds. With the burden of replacing Mcgrath, Biggins will need to have a big season should Serra want to make a deep playoff run. Watch for Biggins to be big for his Padres in San Mateo this upcoming season.

Article 188: Gataric seeks location, timing

April 29, 2011

"Location, location, location" and "timing is everything." These hackneyed expressions are most often associated with the superfluous real estate industry. However, they are also applicable to the college sports recruiting process.

In the case of Momir Gataric, these expressions are particularly appropriate. Last year, right before the club season started, he broke his ankle that sidelined him for about two months and then prevented him from playing to his potential when he initially returned. This 2011 shooting guard plays for Homestead High of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, which is not one of the more prominent teams or leagues in the Northern California region.

Gataric's club coach, Bay Area Baller's Nelson Washington, says, "Momir is a D-I player without a doubt. If he was playing in Southern California, he would have had several scholarship offers already. Momir is a great kid, who wants to get better and he isn't afraid of hard work. He is by far one of the most underrated players in Northern California. He's a good student as well."

As a result, the timing of Gataric's ankle injury was bad as it was right before the critical offseason before his junior year when college coaches assess the potential of rising seniors. In addition, Gataric played for a Homestead Mustang team that finished a respectable 17-10 record but lost in the first round of the CCS playoffs to Serra High. Without a deep run during his senior year of playoffs, his exposure was limited in spotlight games.

At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Gataric is the also overused expression "hidden gem." As a senior for the Mustangs, he average 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Gataric has a versatile and balanced game. He can shoot from the mid-range perimeter but also has the size and speed to take the ball to the basket.

He compares his game to two former Pac-10 stars, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. He looks at Westbrook's combination of speed and strength, which is almost unstoppable at his position and also likes Westbrook's intensity and tenacity at which he attacks the basket with. Gataric likes Harden due to his ability to score from anywhere on the court whether it is a hard drive or three pointer while he also uses his body very well to keep defenders away on drives to the basket.

This varsity starter since his sophomore year considers himself to be a slasher type of a player. He uses his jab step to free himself up in the paint. During this offseason, he is increasing his strength through weight training. From a basketball perspective, he works on his shooting and ball handling to open his half court game even more.

Coach Washington says, "Momir's strengths are his ability to get into the lane and he can score from anywhere on the floor. On the court, he's very calm. Off the court, he's quiet and laid back."

As his senior year closes, Gataric is looking at the junior college route with hopes of transferring after one year to a Division I program. His academics are strong as he has a 3.30 GPA with a 1750 SAT. He would easily get into four year college programs on the basis of his academics alone, but Gataric wants to continue his basketball even if he has to take the junior college route.

He wants to play for a fast paced team that runs a lot and plays in the open court because that fits his strengths well. He would like the college possess strong academics and he is open to playing anywhere in the United States. At this point, Canada, Foothill, and Ohlone are the JUCO programs that are in contact with him.

Gataric is playing for the Bay Area Ballers this summer to get some additional exposure and some work on his game. He hopes for a late four year college offer. If that does not pan out, then Gataric will play at the junior college level and transfer accordingly thereafter to showcase his skills at the Division I level.

Article 187: Johnson twins ready to battle

April 28, 2011

The St. Francis Lancers will have the services of Khalid and Khalil Johnson, 2013 twins who both play the guard position. During this past year, Khalid was on varsity while Khalil will join varsity in his junior year. Both Johnsons are also speed merchants on the track and field team.

At 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, Khalid Johnson is primarily a point guard who models his game after Duke star Kyrie Irving because of the way he creates opportunities for himself and his teammates while also playing solid defense. Khalid is a finesse player who utilizes his speed and quickness to create assist opportunities.

At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Khalil Johnson is a slasher who likes to get to the basket and play above the rim. He has a quick, first step that allows him to get into the lane quickly. As a result, he patterns his game after Rudy Gay.

During this summer, the Johnsons will be playing for their Roadrunners club team. Khalid plans to work on his pull up jump shot and his three point shooting because he wants his perimeter shot to complement his ability to get to the basket. Khalil will work on his shooting and defense.

Roadrunners Head Coach Curtis Haggins says about Khalid, "His strengths are his overall ability to run a team, speed, toughness, and passing ability. He can also finish at the basket and make open shots. On the court, he hates to lose and plays fearless. He's a hard worker." Coach Haggins says about Khalil, "His strengths are his overall athletic ability and speed. He has the ability to finish and to make open shots. On the court, he's a fierce competitor that loves competition."

Both brothers are also track and field standouts. They are both open to going to college in either basketball or track and field. Khalid runs the 100 meter in 11.01 seconds and can long jump 20 feet and 11 inches. Khalil runs the 100 meter in 11.28 seconds and can long jump 22 feet and 8 inches.

The recruiting process is early for these two. But on the basis of just pure athletic ability, both of them should start to garner more attention for either basketball or track and field. In addition, the Lancers will have a much more seasoned team next year to challenge in both the WCAL and the state playoffs.

Coach Haggins says about Khalid, "I think he's a D1 point guard and he just needs to make jumpers consistently and hopefully he grows some more too. He runs track right now at St. Francis. Academically, he's doing well at St. Francis too." Coach Haggins says about Khalil, "I think if he continues to develop his shot and ball handling skills that he can play college ball somewhere just because of his athletic ability. Also, he runs track and is currently 12th in the state in the long jump."

The brothers were not on the same basketball team during their first two years. So, their junior year will be the first time at St. Francis that they will lace it up together. Aside from being twin brothers, the Johnsons feed off of each other's energy.

Both want to play in an up tempo program on the west coast with a strong academic program. Both want to have a breakout junior year and a deep run in the playoffs. Expect the Johnson twins to be double the trouble for opposing WCAL opponents in Mountain View in this upcoming season.

Article 186: Akachi Okugo Fireside Chat

April 27, 2011

Akachi Okugo is the No. 24 ranked prospect in the class of 2012 according to NorCalPreps.com. The Jesuit High junior led his Marauders to a 22-10 record and the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I finals, while averaging 14 points and eight assists.

At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Okugo is a national prospect that is being sought after by Denver, Nevada, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Pennsylvania, Portland, Princeton, UC Davis, Washington State, and Yale.

As a nationally recruited prospect, Okugo has some initial thoughts about these schools and their conferences.

Big East (Notre Dame): Okugo says, "Big East basketball is no joke. Every team is athletic and it is one of the best conferences in the country. Notre Dame is a school that had high interest in me as a sophomore, and will be at a lot of my AAU events this summer. It is a beautiful campus and I'd love to take an unofficial there, and hopefully an official in the near future. Coach Mike Brey is a great guy."

Big West (UC Davis): "The UC Davis coaching staff is very nice and they treat you with respect and tell you how you will fit into their program upfront."

Ivy League (Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale): "Ivy League is an up and coming league," said Okugo. "Princeton, Penn, and Cornell have been on me hard this past year. Princeton is a real good school and had a good year."

Mountain West (Nevada): Okugo says, "It is a very strong conference with teams like BYU, SDSU, New Mexico, and Nevada. Nevada has reached out to me a few times and is looking to come to a lot of my games this summer."

Pac-12 (Oregon State and Washington State): "It would be a dream of mine to play in the Pac-12. Every team has its good year and there is no drop off with any team. Anyone can beat anyone on a good night. Oregon State and Washington State have contacted me lately and I'll be attending Washington State's camp this summer."

WAC (Denver joins 2012): Okugo says, "Denver is a really good school academically, and their coaching staff has reached out to me through phone calls over the past year. So I am looking into that program."

West Coast Conference (Portland): Okugo says, "This conference is the second best conference on the west coast. It has Cinderella teams that can beat a top team at any given moment. Portland is really interested in me, and I am interested in them back. They are high on my list, and I plan to take multiple visits there. I am going to their elite camp July 1-2. LMU is also a great school with a beautiful campus. Their assistant coach was a fellow Jesuit alumni, so we've became closer."

For this upcoming summer, Okugo will be playing with Team Superstars as he plans on working on getting stronger and his perimeter shooting during the off season. In addition, he trains with his personal trainer, Guss Armstead. Armstead's two sons are Armond (current USC DT) and Arik (one of the top rated basketball and football prospects from Pleasant Grove).

Armstead says about Okugo, "Akachi has a high basketball IQ and is a pure point guard. His strengths include his leadership, understanding of the game, and his on the ball/team defense. Akachi is like a sponge and is ambitious in improving his game. He gets in the lane well, puts pressure on the defense, and makes the right read."

Okugo has been family friends with Arik Armstead since the 5th grade and has trained with Armstead early on. His older brother, Amobi Okugo of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, is family friends with Armond Armstead of USC. Akachi Okugo had a meniscus injury last summer that caused him to miss the exposure of the summer club events.

As a result, Okugo wants to be able to showcase his healed knee and his basketball arsenal on the summer circuit. Point guards are supposed to be leaders and strong passers. Chris Paul, Rajon Rando, and Deron Williams are usually on that list.

Okugo says about Chris Paul's game, "Chris Paul is my favorite player and has everything a team would want in a point guard. He is only 5'11 but gets the job done. His ball handling is amazing and is a master of passing off the dribble."

Okugo says about Rajon Rando's game, "Rajon Rondo is a great point guard who has a natural feel for the game. I think we are similar in the way of knowing how to find the open person in transition."

Okugo says about Deron Williams' game, "Deron Williams is a big stocky guard who uses the pull up very consistently and has a knack for finishing strong at the rim."

The summer circuit will be big for Okugo to showcase himself to the college coaches. Expect big returns for the point guard if all goes well. And then expect Okugo to lead his Marauders in the SJS league in Carmichael.

Article 185: More than 'Slim' chance at DI

April 26, 2011

At Pleasant Grove High, Cody Demps is nicknamed "Slim" because of his slight build. But make no mistake about his college chances as Demps is a big-time prospect. He does double-duty as both quarterback on the gridiron and guard for the Eagles' basketball squad.

As a junior this past year, Demps quarterbacked Pleasant Grove to a 13-1 record. On the basketball hard court, Demps was critical in helping his Eagles to an 18-10 record that ended in a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff loss to Franklin 57-56.

At 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds, Demps has good size and adequate wingspan to play either guard position. As a quarterback, he is tall enough to see over the line to read the coverage. And overall, he has the athleticism to play either sport effectively.

Team 94 Coach Phil Handy, former University of Hawaii star and Golden State Warrior, says, "Cody's biggest strength is his ability to play multiple positions. Can play the 1, 2 or 3 positions very effectively! He is a long and athletic wing who can score in a variety of ways. Shoots the ball very well out to the 3 and has a very good mid range game! Has a nice understanding of the game. He plays with a lot of energy and works extremely hard. He is an unselfish player who makes players around him better and is very coachable and willing!"

Demps considers himself to be a finesse and slasher type of player due to his good body control and length. He likes to attack and get to the basketball and is also apt at getting to the free throw line. During this summer, he will play for his club team of Team 94 and will work on his perimeter game.

This No. 36 ranked prospect in the NCP 2012 Top 40 started playing basketball in the first grade. Demps models his game after former Cal star Jason Kidd because he is bigger than most guards, has good court vision, has a good basketball IQ, and is able to involve many other players.

Demps considers his basketball skills to be superior to his football skills and will most likely play basketball in college. He has a 4.00 GPA and has not taken the SATs yet. Cal Poly, Penn University, Santa Clara, Stanford, and Yale have been in contact with Demps.

Coach Handy says, "Off the court, he is a very mild mannered kid. Has a great personality and sets a nice example for his younger brother. Great student and has a strong supportive family! He is a mid major player. Can fit in nicely in the WCC, Big West, Mountain West type of conference. His size and versatility will make him intriguing to many college coaches. He is relatively unknown kid coming from the Elk Grove Area. This should be a nice break out summer for him."

Playing both basketball and quarterback in football has helped groom him as a natural leader. His football team touts talented running back Mark Jenkins, defensive back Desmond Lewis, and lineman Arik Armstead. The Eagles should have a formidable returning football team for Demps' senior year.

Demps hopes that this summer will really put him on the radar for more college programs. In his senior year, he would like to win All-State individual honors while leading his basketball team to a deep run in the playoffs. Expect Demps to give Pleasant Grove more than a Slim chance of succeeding in both basketball and football this upcoming season.