Article 420: Smooth as Jadé

August 8, 2015

Prior to last year's 17-16 mark, St. Joseph Notre Dame had had six consecutive 24 plus win seasons. For the Pilots to return to that win total, they will need to be as smooth as Jade Smith.

The No. 4 ranked player in the NCP 2017 basketball class averaged 11.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in his sophomore campaign. Smith has been playing basketball since the 5th grade and has been a varsity contributor since his freshman year.

Smith is one of the top prospects in his Northern California class and can raise his visibility and stock on the national level while playing with Under Armour league member, Team Superstar, during the summer season.

Team Superstar Coach Grady Dodson says, "Jadé's strengths are his command of the game, ability to control the flow, and making his teammates better. He is like another coach on the floor."

As a sophomore, Smith's Pilot went 3-7 in the competitive Tri-County League. The 6-foot-3 and 172 pounds prospect has ideal point guard height, size, and quickness. On the court, he allows the game to flow naturally to him, as he does not force the issue. His size and length helps him to gather rebounds and to be disruptive on perimeter defense.

Coach Dodson's thoughts of him at the NCAA level, "He is going to be a high major player. Jadé is a complete player. He has a high Basketball IQ, has a driven motor, and is a true point guard who can score."

These strong basketball attributes have not gone unnoticed. Montana, Nevada, New Mexico State, and San Diego State have offered Smith while Cal, Fresno State, and San Jose State are on the radar.

Smith overcame a kneecap injury from February to play solidly on the Under Armour circuit with the Team Super 16U club this past summer. Smith currently has a 3.20 GPA and considers Science to be his best subject, as he wants to major in Sports Medicine.

Watch for the Pilots to be running smoothly in the fall with Smith in Alameda, Calif.

Article 419: Vegas champs crowned

July 27, 2015

Sunday was the conclusion of bracket play and the final summer evaluation period. The Lakeshow 16s Elite had one of the more impressive showings from Northern California as they won the Fab 48 16U Diamond Championship. Here are some players of note on Day 5:

Jade Smith 6-foot-2 PG Team Superstar 16 Elite (St Joseph Alameda) 2017: For his grade level, Smith has ideal point guard height and size. He played good on ball defense and has long arms to disrupt passing lanes. Per his club coach, he has nine offers with the most recent ones being Nevada, San Jose State, and San Diego State.

Darne Duckett 6-foot-0 PG Lakeshow 16s Elite (St Joseph Alameda) 2017: Duckett sees the floor well to make his passing effective. He displayed an accurate perimeter shot while not hesitant in taking the ball to the basket and being able to finish. He moves his feet well on perimeter defense. Weber State and San Diego have been in contact.

Jack Wilson 6-foot-11 Center Oakland Soldiers 15 Elite (Serra) 2018: Wilson playing in the 15U tournament is easily one of the biggest and tallest prospects. He labored running up and down the court as his conditioning may not be where it needs to be but he displayed soft hands and a soft touch in the paint. He will have the opportunity at Serra to compete against some challenging post players in the upcoming season.

Ben Kone 6-foot-10 PF Oakland Soldiers 17 Elite (Archbishop Mitty) 2016: Kone held his own during the week as he faced comparable size opponents. His trip to Peach Jam resulted in an offer from Auburn to bring his total offers to six. He probably will be one of the few 2016 prospects to have multiple BCS level offers to choose from with the possibility of being in the rotation as a college freshman due to his versatility as a power forward.

Austin Fadal 6-foot-3 SG Team Superstar 16 Elite (Monte Vista) 2017: For a guard, Fadal has good size and length that allows him to back down smaller defenders or shoot over them. Per his club coach, the most recent contact from colleges has been Montana, Nevada, and Portland.

Shamar Morrow 6-foot-2 Wing Oakland Soldiers 15 Elite (Country Day) 2020: The middle school prospect has advanced skills on both ends of the court. He runs the court well and positions himself well on the fast break or when going after rebounds. He has good length and athleticism that makes the game look more fluid for him.

BJ Standley 5-foot-10 PG Lakeshow 16s Elite (St Patrick St Vincent) 2017: Standley is a pass first point guard but also displayed a consistent shooting touch. He has plus quickness that helps him create space on offense while being disruptive on defense. Pacific is interested as he went to their summer camp.

Khalil Chatman 6-foot-6 F Oakland Soldiers 15 Elite (Franklin) 2018: Chatman showcased primarily post skills in his rebounding and shot blocking abilities. He is thin and wiry but has time to increase bulk and develop his overall skills. The sophomore should benefit from competing with the Soldiers and with Franklin in the Delta League.

Article 418: Vegas: Bracket play

July 26, 2015

Saturday started bracket play with losers going home and the winners extending their stay in Las Vegas into Sunday. Here is a breakdown of the action on Day 4:

Elishja Duplechan 5-foot-10 PG Team Superstar 16 Elite (Sheldon) 2017: In the opening bracket game, Duplechan looked for his shot as a point guard as he hit a few midrange jumpers and went to the foul line by initiating contact. He had a key 3-point make in the second half as he probably accounted for half the team's points. Per his club coach, Pacific has expressed interest.

Dejon Davis 6-foot-7 F Oakland Rebels 17 Red (Oakland Tech) 2016: Davis is slightly undersized to be a power forward. He has good foot movement and plays physical in the post. The Oakland Tech prospect displays a nice midrange game.

Cole Taira 5-foot-10 G E-Time Hoops 17U (Kennedy) 2016: Tiara has a non-stop motor as he plays hard on both ends. He displayed an accurate perimeter touch. Chico State, CSU East Bay, and Sonoma State have shown interest.

Peter Hamilton 6-foot-7 F Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue (Central Catholic) 2016: The Central Catholic prospect is a good face up shooter who moves well laterally. He rebounds well for his size. Per his club coach, Chaminade, CSU East Bay, and Point Loma are in contact.

Jordan Ratinho 6-foot-5 SF Lakeshow 17s Elite (De La Salle) 2016: Since Anaheim from last week, his club coach has stated that Oregon State and Utah have stepped it up in their recruiting interest. Ratinho is a versatile scorer but his perimeter shooting is his calling card. Along with teammate Nikhil Peters, De La Salle should be one of the top teams from Northern California in the upcoming season.

Sean Gilmore 6-foot-8 F Bay Area Warriors 17U (University) 2016: Gilmore was the team's most effective player as he filled up the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and blocked shots. He is versatile with his offense as he can score inside or on the perimeter. He has heard from schools like Army and Chico State but getting the most interest at the Division III level that includes Claremont, Pomona, and Whitman.

Connor O'Dea 6-foot-3 SG Greenline (De La Salle) 2017: O'Dea has good size and athleticism. He was aggressive in his rebounding and ran the court well. Per his head coach, interest from some Division II level schools has started.

Eric Galindo 5-foot-11 PG Bay Area Warriors 17U (Archbishop Riordan) 2016: Galindo is a quick and versatile guard. He displayed a fearless perimeter shot. Per his club coach, Galindo is recruited by Division III programs, which include Oberlin, Pomona, and Vassar.

David Menary 6-foot-6 F E-Time Hoops 17U (Nevada Union) 2016: Menary is an agile forward who can shoot, put the ball on the floor, and is a solid passer. He led his Nevada Union team with 18.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Per his club coach, he is getting interest from Chico State, Pacific, and several other Division II schools.

Nicholas Macarchuk 6-foot-7 W Greenline (De La Salle) 2016: Macarchuk is an outside shooter with length. He is not the most agile player but will be depended on for rebounding for De La Salle as he is the tallest player on the roster. His recruiting should benefit from playing alongside Peters and Ratinho.

Tavian Henderson 6-foot-4 Wing Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue (St Patrick St Vincent) 2017: The junior is a slashing wing who is a versatile scorer. He has good defensive attributes with his feet movement and long arms. Montana and Portland State have expressed early interest.

Austin Clarke 6-foot-6 SF Lakeshow 17s Elite (Campolindo) 2016: Injuries are a part of sports but Clarke has had some untimely injuries this past summer. He had a concussion on the opening day of the April evaluation period. Per his club coach, Clarke sprained his ankle in their opening game in Las Vegas and has sat out the rest of the weekend. Campolindo won 28 games last year and will need Clarke to be on the court to help them match those totals.

Some of the teams (with Northern California players) that will continue bracket play on Sunday (Team Name and tournament):
Lakeshow Elite 16U, Fab 48 16U Diamond
Oakland Soldiers Elite 15U, Las Vegas Classic 15U Platinum Elite
Oakland Soldiers Elite 17U, Las Vegas Classic 17U Platinum Elite
NorCal Pharaohs 17s, Fab 48 17U Platinum
Team Superstar 16U Elite, Fab 48 16U Invitational