Article 337: Preseason Boys BB Top 20

November 20, 2012

3          Sheldon           Sacramento      29-5     3

The Huskies return a senior laden team that is experienced and battle tested with Dakarai Allen, D'Erryl Williams II, Ryan Manning, Armani Hampton, Jalen Hicks, and Chris Haney. Add on Franklin transfer Darin Johnson in the new year when his transfer eligibility requirements are met and the Huskies have one of the deeper rotations in Northern California. Allen, Williams II, and Johnson are already Division I signees while the other seniors are getting serious collegiate looks. However, the team lacks a true post presence as small forward Ryan Manning handles most of the post duties. Despite that, Sheldon presents matchup problems for opposing teams and are the favorites for a section title and Open Division invite. They will travel plenty early in the season for major tournaments including the inaugural Tarkanian Las Vegas Invite, the ESPN Torrey Pines Classic in San Diego, and the All State Sugarbowl in New Orleans. In addition, the Huskies have non-league games against Archbishop Mitty, Bullard (Fresno), Deer Valley, and Salesian.

7          Newark Memorial       Newark           28-5     4

The Cougars return junior starters Joey Frenchwood and Damien Banford to lead the team. The other probable starters include last year's key reserve Sultan Siddiq, 6-foot-8 Matt Thomas, and senior transfer Josef Zamora from Serra. The bench will depend on senior guard Dwight Wilson and 6-foot-5 Chandler Rockwell inside. Newark Memorial will have tremendous quickness at the guard positions with Frenchwood and Zamora, who are both great on ball defenders that will put pressure on opposing ball handers. The Newark size in the front court will create size advantages as well. Newark could hit the 30 win mark but has winter tournaments in Gridley and the ESPN Torrey Pines Classic in San Diego. The Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament may result in a matchup with Salesian. Big non-league games include Dublin in December and Inglewood will make a trip up north to play Newark in December.

16        Castro Valley  Castro Valley  22-8     17

Castro Valley welcomes in new coach Senque Carey, a former Fresno State assistant coach. The early returns have been positive, which should keep the Trojans among the better teams in the Bay Area. Last year's team was supposed to be in a midst of rebuilding but leaned heavily on current juniors Jalen McFerren and Derrick Clayton. McFerren is a crafty point guard while Clayton is a versatile wing. Nate Moore is another point guard to add depth while Andrew Garcia will be called upon in the post. The team strength will be its tenacious defense while depth may still be a question for the Trojans.

Article 240: NCP Top 20 Football Team Preview

Week of August 5, 2011

Below are a few select teams being previewed

No. 20 Pittsburg

COACH: Victor Galli LAST SEASON: 5-6 FINAL 2010 RANKING: NR in NCP Top 20 KEEP AN EYE ON: Consistency. Last year, the team started the season with five straight non-league losses. The Pirates then went undefeated in five straight leagues games. And then they fell flat in their playoff game. Giving a consistent effort from practice to practice, from play to play, and from game to game is a must. The talent is there to make a serious run. STRENGTH: The defense as a unit can really play team defense. On the offense, the run game will set the tone for a prolific passing game for the scoring. If players had to be singled out, then Mister Marshall Cotton (running back and free safety) and Feao Vunipola (running back and linebacker) are dual threats. Cotton, who is a summer transfer, has corner speed and hits like a linebacker will be forcing wide receiver opponents to address him by his first name and honorific title, "Mr." Vunipola can switch it into another gear on the ground game while he was a leading tackler for the defense last season. STAR OF THE SHOW: Quarterback Malik Watson. Run. Throw. Lead. Fill the water bottles. Clean the used jock straps. You name it and Watson will get it done for the team. The quarterback role is often the most scrutinized in football. But in the case of the Pirates, how Watson fares will be a good thermometer of the team's success. DON'T OVERLOOK: September 16 matchup against Monte Vista and September 29 matchup against Granite Bay. Monte Vista quarterback Jeff Lockie and Granite Bay quarterback Brendan Keeney are highly touted. These two non-league games will measure the Pirates consistency in addition to seeing these quarterback battles.

No. 18 Buhach Colony

COACH: Kevin Swartwood LAST SEASON: 12-1 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 9 in NCP Top 20 KEEP AN EYE ON: Offensive skill positions. Coach Swartwood commented on how his offense lost all five skills position players from last year. As a result, this year's team may go as far as the level of skill that the skills position players bring to the field. STRENGTH: Lineman. On the other hand, the offensive and defensive line returns most of the starters. If football is won in the trenches, then this is a good sign for the Thunder. STAR OF THE SHOW: Aziz Shittu and Matt Cochran. The colleges that get either of these linemen can probably pencil them for significant playing time as a freshman. Shittu and Cochran will anchor the defensive and offensive lines respectively in another run at an undefeated regular season. DON'T OVERLOOK: Juniors Joe Marquez and Roger Klauser. Marquez will be key as a wide receiver on offense while as a safety on defense. Klauser plays strong safety and tight end but will need to be a key outlet for quarterback Nick Datray. Cochran's baby brother is offensive tackle Aaron Cochran who is a "petite" 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds.

No. 10 Serra

COACH: Patrick Walsh LAST SEASON:6-4-1 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 14 in NCP Top 20 FINDING A SIGNAL CALLER: Quarterback position is an unknown as the Padres are breaking in a new quarterback this year. Coach Walsh has this assessment of his quarterback situation. "Anytime a team goes into a season with an unproven quarterback, it can create some uneasiness. But I am confident in the group of kids vying for the top spot." Zack Kazakoff and Joseph Erdie are the likely quarterback candidates. STRENGTH: Coach Walsh assesses his team's strengths. "The strength of our team so far, is our team work ethic and camaraderie. The team has really come together well this season. I am excited about watching these kids perform this year. Erich Wilson should be a top runner in our league and Luke Longinotti will be a top lineman candidate." RUNNING AWAY: Wilson had 972 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns last year. This 2012 prospect will be called upon even more as the passing game will be a surprise in terms of its production. Wilson is speed burner but is strong enough to go up the middle. EARLY IMPACT PLAYERS: Running back Eric Redwood and defensive back Justin Reyes. Redwood saw duty as a sophomore last year backing up Wilson. Redwood and Wilson as running backs can be compared to the Justin Forsett and Jahvid Best year's in Berkeley. Reyes is a lean, fast and shut down cover guy in the secondary.

No. 7 Valley Christian-San Jose

COACH: Mike Machado LAST SEASON: 11-2 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 8 in NCP Top 20 NEW WARRIOR: Quarterback Jay MacIntyre. MacIntyre is only a sophomore but has the benefit of getting some personal coaching from his father, who is San Jose State head coach Mike MacIntyre. Breaking in a sophomore quarterback may be asking a lot but the team has a star running back in Byron Marshall that MacIntyre can hand the ball to. WARRIOR BATTLE CRY: Junior middle linebacker Ryan Severson along with senior defensive lineman Theodore King will be key defensive players as Jamaal Rose graduated. Senior Jarrod Lawson doubles as linebacker and Marshall's wing partner. The Warriors will be explosive on offense and they can fly to the ball on defense. TOP WARRIOR: Marshall ran for 1360 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He is a threat every time that he touches the ball. With a new quarterback, the running game will be the focus on the offense. WARRIOR EFFORT NEEDED: October 7 matchup against Bellarmine. This could basically decide the WCAL champion. Last year, Valley Christian's suffocating defense was the difference. Can the Warriors use a run control game and stifling defense to duplicate last year's effort?

No. 3 Bellarmine

COACH: Mike Janda LAST SEASON: 9-3 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 12 in NCP Top 20 LISTEN FOR THE FOLLOWING BELLS: The Bells return six All-League performers from last year. Three players who had big seasons last year will emerge as game changers in their senior year. Fullback Justin Taliaferro (first team WCAL), defensive lineman Epie Sona, and tight end Alex Manigo (second team WCAL) will be difference makers. Quarterback Travis McHugh returns for another year where his leadership will be needed. In addition, the depth chart is just that - deep. LOUDEST BELL ON THE FIELD: Joe Gigantino is a 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds linebacker who is a three year letterman, three year starter, first team WCAL for the past two years, and has some west coast colleges interested in him that include Boise State, Cal Poly, San Jose State, and Washington. He is extremely physical and is probably the hardest hitter in the WCAL. This middle linebacker is the anchor of the defense and will ring the bell every game. STRENGTH: Experience, especially the linebacker core. 18 starters return from last year's squad. The linebackers include Gigantino, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds Brad Kuh, 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds Manigo, incoming junior Kenneth Olugbode (who follows his two brothers), 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds Justin Taliaferro, and 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds Brennan Ronald. This group will fly to the ball, cover leaking running backs or tight ends, and attack the opponent's back field. Penn State is considered Linebacker University but this Bell squad should see many single digit scores from the opponents this season. SOUNDS THE SAME: If Pleasant Grove gets upset by Monterey Trail in the previous week, then the September 2 matchup at De La Salle could be a rare 1 vs. 2 matchup. Bellarmine and De La Salle are basically identical teams in the season opener for both teams. They both have experienced coaching staffs. They both have ball control quarterbacks who make good decisions. Both teams have solid defenses anchored by the linebacker core. De La Salle has had a long run in Northern California, but this Bellarmine team has the defense to keep the game in the teens. A defensive slugfest would be expected at this Concord battle. A Bell win could ring in a run to state.

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 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.