Article 409: City Championship report

May 17, 2015

The 8th Annual City Championship Tournament at City College of San Francisco features bracket play that culminates on Sunday. A middle school prospect and two African natives stood out on Saturday, which completed pool play games. Here are some player updates:

Riley Grigsby 6-foot-4 Wing West Valley Basketball 17U (Archbishop Mitty) 2018: Grigsby just finished his freshman campaign with Mitty. He has a good perimeter touch and was able to create some nice mid-range shot opportunities. He plays for his father, Cal alum Al Grigsby, on the West Valley club. The younger Grigsby already has received inquiries from San Jose State and Stanford.

Peter Hewitt 6-foot-10 PF Lakeshow 17s Elite (St Francis) 2016: The St Francis product is rounding into a solid mid-major recruit. Hewitt has recently added San Jose State and UC Davis offers that included ones from Pacific and Southern Utah. Hewitt will likely be a back to the basket player in college. He needs some more consistency in finishing near the basket and in developing a consistent mid-range jump shot.

Mamoudou Diarra 6-foot-9 PF Oakland Soldiers 16 Elite (Prolific Prep) 2017: The Mali (country on the western side of the African continent) native just finished his first year of American basketball at Prolific Prep. Diarra is long and active but could add bulk and more perimeter skills development. He was not shy about pulling up from the arc but is more effective in the paint as he did show some ability with finishing with his off hand (left).

Sean Gilmore 6-foot-8 F Bay Area Warriors 17U (University) 2016: The University product was accurate when left open for spot up 3-point shots. His lateral movement is average but has enough size to be a lower division prospect. Chico State has been expressing some interest.

Amadou Sow 6-foot-8 Post Oakland Soldiers 16 Elite (Prolific Prep) 2018: The freshman teammate of Diarra is also from Mali and also finished his first year at Prolific Prep. Sow is a back to the basket post player. He has raw size and athleticism and has the time to develop into a Division I prospect.

Sandor Rodriguez 5-foot-9 PG West Valley Basketball 17U (Saint Francis Watsonville) 2017: Rodriguez has a good dribble and was able to navigate through the press. He is undersized but found his teammates with accurate passing. His Saint Francis team had 22 wins as he led the team in assists with 8.3 points and 5.4 assists per game.

Shamar Morrow 6-foot-2 Wing Oakland Soldiers 15s (Sacramento Country Day) 2020: Just finishing the seventh grade, Morrow has athleticism and skills beyond his age group. He finished a few times above the rim with ease, runs the court well, and uses his length effectively on defense. The left-hander also has a quick release and should be rising on the recruiting radar.

Alfred Hollins 6-foot-6 Wing Oakland Soldiers 16 Elite (Sacred Heart Cathedral) 2017: Early on, Hollins was labeled as having the size and athleticism to be an elite prospect but his skills development was trailing. On Saturday, Hollins had an accurate 3-point shot as he hit several shots when left open. The early signs from the summer season look promising in Hollins' skills development.

Robert Colton 6-foot-5 SF Bay Area Warriors 17U (Archbishop Riordan) 2015: Colton is still trying to make up for his lost senior season due to transfer rules. He plays strong with his moves in the post and has consistent perimeter release. Colton has gotten some partial offers but may take the junior college route if a full offer does not materialize.

Austin Henderson 6-foot-3 SG Lakeshow 17s White (San Ramon Valley) 2016: Henderson will be one of the senior-to-be called upon to help San Ramon Valley repeat their state title run. The 2016 prospect displays an accurate perimeter shot but will need more versatility with his dribbling skills. Henderson has gotten some Division II interest.

Ken Williams 5-foot-8 PG Top Flight Elite 17U (Leigh High) 2017: Williams is a stocky, athletic guard who handles the ball well. He broke the press well and sees the open court for good passing opportunities.

Jess Spivey 6-foot-5 SF Central Valley Warriors 17U (Sierra High) 2016: Spivey is lanky but was effective in scoring from both inside and outside. He is accurate when left open and was able to create space for his shots in the paint. The Sierra High prospect will need to add strength and more dribbling skills to increase his recruiting.

Spencer Lashells 6-foot-9 PF Lakeshow 17s White (Monte Vista) 2016: Monte Vista had a 27-win season and will have a solid foundation to build on next season with Lashells. He is a back to the basket player who has been getting interest from primarily Division II programs including Point Loma and Sonoma State. Improvements in his perimeter shot and ball handling would help spur Division I interest.

Jake Killingsworth 6-foot-5 Wing Lakeshow 17s Elite (Serra) 2016: Killingsworth has good size, as he is an effective rebounder for a wing player. To increase his recruiting, he needs a more consistent perimeter shot and has to be more comfortable with his ball handling. Navy has expressed interest in the Serra product.

Nate Robinson 6-foot-1 PG Oakland Soldiers 15s (Sacred Heart Cathedral) 2018: The 2018 prospect runs the offense well and attacks the basket. He has an accurate spot up jump shot. With Alfred Hollins and Ramzi Carter returning, Sacred Heart Cathedral will have a solid point guard running the team in the upcoming season.

Article 408: Spring Showcase Day 1

April 25, 2015

On Friday, the Fourth Annual Nor Cal Spring Showcase at Jamtown off of highway 880 in Oakland kicked off the first day of the current NCAA certified viewing period. The first evening of action had five games on each of the four courts. Day 2 starts at 8am on Saturday with 15 games apiece.

Here are some players of note on Day 1:

Brandon McGee 6-foot-3 G Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue (Salesian) 2016: A guard with good size, ball handling, and scoring abilities, McGee was effective finishing in the paint several times. McGee will be the senior leader next year for Salesian as he is drawing interest from Pacific, Portland, UC Santa Barbara, and Weber State.

Robert Colton 6-foot-5 SF Bay Area Warriors 17U (Archbishop Riordan) 2015: The Australian native has good size and plays big in the paint. He has a good release and is comfortable with initiating contact. Despite being ineligible this past season due to his transfer, the senior has drawn interest from Denver and UT San Antonio.

Connor Rubattino 6-foot-2 PG Lakeshow 17s White (Cardinal Newman) 2016: Rubattino is a burly point guard that takes contact when going to the basket. He directs his team's offense well and plays strong defense. Eastern Washington and Sacramento State have expressed interest.

Eddie Ionescu 6-foot-5 SG Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue (Miramonte) 2016: Ionescu had the shooter's touch, as his perimeter offense is his calling card. With good size for a guard, the junior is getting inquiries from Pepperdine, San Francisco, St Mary's, and Westmont (Santa Barbara).

Jordan Ratinho 6-foot-5 SF Lakeshow 17s Elite (De La Salle) 2016: Offense has always come naturally to Ratinho, but he was playing with more intensity and physicality on the defensive end. The De La Salle product has added more size during the past year. Ratinho holds offers from Denver, Montana, Pacific, San Francisco, and UC Santa Barbara while Weber State is interested.

George Dancer 6-foot-3 G Revolution Basketball Club (Beyer) 2016: Dancer has an accurate perimeter shot as he hit several three-point baskets in both games. He also was the focal point on offense as he directed his Revolution club that is made up entirely of the Beyer High team. Beyer finished runner up to Modesto Christian in league play but Dancer is a legitimate scoring threat.

Will Emery 6-foot-8 F Bay Area Warriors 17U (St Ignatius) 2016: Emery is a lanky prospect but plays tougher than his size. He ran the floor well and is versatile in his scoring methods. The St Ignatius product has gotten feelers from Brown, Columbia, and Princeton.

Joey Calcaterra 6-foot-0 SG Lakeshow 16s Elite (Marin Catholic) 2017: The sophomore product can flat out shoot from the perimeter. He has a wiry frame but was not afraid of taking the ball to the basket. His perimeter skills have already drawn inquiries from Cal, Eastern Washington, Portland, and San Francisco.

Sean Gilmore 6-foot-8 F Bay Area Warriors 17U (University) 2016: The junior battles hard inside against bulkier opponents. Gilmore looks comfortable spotting up from beyond the arc and is more likely a face up player. He currently has interest Division III programs like Trinity and Tufts.

Alec Andrews 6-foot-3 SG Earl Watson Elite High Academic 17U (Folsom) 2016: The Folsom product is playing for the Southern California based Earl Watson club. Andrews is often overshadowed by playing alongside Jordan Ford at Folsom, but he showcased a very similar offensive game as he hit several three point shots and was able to create his own offense by going to the basket. By being a primary offensive option on this club during the summer should help in his recruiting.

Nick Peters 6-foot-3 SG Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue (De La Salle) 2016: Peters has missed the beginning of the spring season the past two years due to injuries but is healthy starting this one. Peters has good size for a guard and is a versatile scorer at the high school level. Pacific, Santa Clara, UC Santa Barbara, and Weber State are in the mix for the junior.

Darne Duckett 6-foot-1 PG Lakeshow 16s Elite (St Joseph's) 2017: The St Joseph's prospect has a good feel of running the offense but his scoring prowess was on display on Friday. Duckett scored from the perimeter, made a few pull up jumpers, and was able to take the ball to the basket and finish strong. He has a good frame for a sophomore and his offensive versatility have drawn interest from Loyola Marymount and San Diego.

Peter Hewitt 6-foot-10 PF Lakeshow 17s Elite (St Francis) 2016: Hewitt has added size and bulk to his frame in the past year. The St Francis product is continuing to improve on his rebounding, post moves, and passing. Hewitt has offers from Pacific and Southern Utah while San Francisco, Santa Clara, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, and Weber State are interested.

Notes

Pacific (Ron Verlin), Santa Clara (Assistant Brandon Rosenthal), Southern Utah (Assistant Drew Allen), St Mary's (Assistant Marty Clarke), UC Davis (Jim Les), and Weber State were some of the Division I coaches that attended on Day 1. Several lower division and junior college coaches were also in attendance.

Osi Nwachuk 6-foot-6 F Lakeshow 17s Black (San Leandro) 2015: Interest and visit (Master's College)

JT Jarret Branch 6-foot-6 F Lakeshow 17s White (Antioch) 2015: Interest and visit (Regis-Denver)

Kevin Crosno 6-foot-6 F Lakeshow 17s White (College Park) 2015: Interest and visit (Dominican)

Kyle Roach 6-foot-2 G Lakeshow 17s White (Marin Academy) 2015: Committed (Wittman)

Other commitments are Ben Wood to Cal Baptist and Wilson LaShells to William Jessup.

Article 407: The next Cougar standout

April 7, 2015

Capital Christian has been churning out 25+ win seasons for the past four years. The next few years also look bright for the Cougars as freshman Zachary Chappell was a key contributor in the state title game where they lost to Crespi. The 2018 prospect averaged 10.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest.

The 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds prospect has been part of the Visalia based Team Superstar program and will play a level up on the 16U club this upcoming summer. Team Superstar Program Director Lerohn Dodson says, "Zach is a big, strong, physical athletic guard. He has a great feel for the game on court. He is a high major guard. He has a John Wall type game with great size and is very explosive. Sky is the limit for Zach. I believe he's the one of the best PG in the country for his class."

Capital Christian has been churning out Division I level prospects the past few years that have included Nifae Lealao, DJ Wilson, and Justice Shelton-Mosley. Chappell will be the returning leading 3-point shooter for the Cougars. Chappell uses an effective crossover to create space for his perimeter shots or to take the ball to the basket.

The 2018 prospect has been playing organized basketball for over ten years and was a freshman starter on this past year's Cougar program. Chappell also competes in soccer but expects basketball to be his sport on the next level. Chappell will team with his older brother, 2016 wing Ryan Chappell, for another year to make another run at state.

During the upcoming season, Chappell plans on working on his jump shot. His Team Superstar 16U club will be participating in the Under Armour Association, which will have stops in New Orleans, Louisville, New York, and Atlanta.

Team Superstar Coach Grady Dodson says, "Zach has a good feel for the game has good basketball IQ and an understanding of offense and defense of sets Zach can finish at the rim along with knocking down the mid range and three point shot. With that athletic frame and ability, Zach has all the potential to be a high major kid."

Capital Christian had another great season finishing runner up in state. Watch for the Cougars to be on the prowl in the fall with Chappell leading them in Sacramento, Calif.