Article 395: Vanderdoes elevates Hillmen

October 31, 2014

Placer had a 15-13 season that ended in an opening round playoff loss to East Union last season. But the future is bright for the Hillmen as they are led by forward Baylee Vanderdoes. The 6-foot-2 Vanderdoes has been a varsity starter since her freshman campaign as she averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist last season.

The 2016 prospect is a versatile scorer with a consistent perimeter game to go along with a deceptive drop step move in the post. During this past summer, she played for her JBS Basketball club where she worked on improving her perimeter skills to complement her post strength and skills.

Vanderdoes has had the benefit of a supportive family in her athletic endeavors. Her grandfather, Bernard Peat, has been her personal trainer since her 2nd grade. He played collegiately at Cal on the football team while playing basketball professionally in Switzerland 1978-1981, Giessen Germany 1981-1984, Ulm Germany 1985-1989, and Ulm Germany 1990-1994 (both player and coach) in Europe for seventeen years. In addition, Vanderdoes' older brother is Eddie Vanderdoes IV who is a defensive tackle for the UCLA Bruins.

Girls basketball does not have the variance in height and size as the boys game. As a result, being versatile and having multiple skills are highly desired in the girl's game. To no surprise, Vanderdoes has those traits and has been attracting college programs.

Arizona, Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Fresno State, Hawaii, Loyola Marymount, Oregon State, Portland, San Diego, San Diego State, San Francisco, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UNLV, and Yale have been in contact. Vanderdoes has had home visits from Cal State Northridge, Fresno State, Loyola Marymount, and San Diego State. She has received offers from Florida Atlantic, Hawaii, Loyola Marymount, San Diego State, San Francisco, and UNLV.

She has no favorites in her college selection process but would prefer a family atmosphere while a basketball program that can utilize her post skills and perimeter shooting. Vanderdoes lists Communications or History as her possible college majors.

Placer Head Coach Tony Camillucci sums up his key player, "Baylee has the unique ability to play inside and out. She has great post moves and can also hit the 3-ball with consistency. She can also handle the ball and has become a great a passer. She is becoming a good leader on the court and has a strong competitive attitude. Off the court, she is very funny and easy to be around. She loves to be goofy and laugh. I feel she can and will play at the next level and hope she can get a quality education and enjoy four years of basketball at the same time. Baylee has put in the hours in the off season to deserve the success she will have."

Vanderdoes wants to help Placer to win the Pioneer Valley League and make a run in the postseason. Watch for Vanderdoes in the upcoming season to break out in Auburn, Calif.

Article 394: Bessolo striving for No. 1

October 28, 2014

Valley Christian (Dublin) has gone 58-8 over the past two seasons while being undefeated in the Bay Area Counties (East) League as well. A big reason for the Lady Vikings success has been the play of their 2016 prospect Nina Bessolo.

The two-year varsity starter helped key last season's league tournament title and the team's run to the Northern California quarterfinals. Bessolo primarily plays as forward on her high school team but her 6-foot-0 and 140 pound frame projects her to be a college level wing. That versatility allowed her to average 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game last year.

During the previous decade, the Lady Vikings were consistent losers on the hardcourt. But this decade has been different, as the team has transitioned from Coach Scott Babinat to Coach Jeff Gadd. Babinat, who coached Bessolo during her first two years says, "Nina is a very good athlete with length. She reads the lanes well on the break and can either fill the lane or direct the break with good finishing skills. She is also able to play inside and outside. As her coach, I had to use her more in the post, but she is fully capable of hitting the outside shots and drive well from the wing, which will be more of her position in college. Her greatest strengths on defense are her rebounding and shot blocking ability - very good timing."

Height and size does not vary in the women's game as much as it does in the men's game. As a result, being versatile and having multiple skills are highly desired in the women's game. Bessolo models her game after Candice Wiggins because the former Stanford Cardinal was apt with her outside shooting and ability to drive to the basket. Similarly, Bessolo is trying to develop a versatile game by finishing with finesse or power.

These qualities in Bessolo have led her to being in contact with Colgate (Justin Paluch), Cornell, Portland (Brianna Chambers) and UC Davis (Jennifer Gross). Even though it is early for her recruiting, she had taken an unofficial visit to UC Davis and liked what she saw. She wants to play for a team where the coach can utilize her size and skills as a freshman. Bessolo sports a 3.25 GPA and is undecided about her college major.

Coach Babinat says, "I know she is getting looks since early last year. She has been playing out of position in high school for what she would play in college, but she is versatile enough to make this transition. She does need to get stronger physically for the college game. She definitely has the ability to compete well at the D-1 level on down."

During the past high school summers, this junior has been playing for her Palo Alto Midnight club where she honed her dribbling, ball-handling, and hesitation moves to help her be a greater offensive threat. In addition, she competes on the high school track and field team primarily in the middle distance running and in the long jump events. Bessolo has been playing basketball since the first grade and considers this sport to be her only college level goal.

Those efforts will slowly transition to her on the court performance as well. Babinat says, "Nina's on court demeanor is quiet. She has been surrounded by older players on the team. So, she has not had to be assertive verbally. As a junior, she could probably start to exercise more assertiveness there, but she has been able to dominate play on the court without being loud."

For many Bay Area, Chicago, and New York City basketball fans, the Bessolo name should sound familiar. Bessolo's uncle is Randy Bessolo who played high school basketball in Southern California for Thacher High, played collegiately at Columbia, coached the high school circuit in Chicago, and is currently coaching at University High in San Francisco.

In addition, Bessolo's parents competed at the collegiate level at Lewis and Clark College in Oregon. Her father, Jim, played basketball as a guard and forward while her mother, Nicole, competed in track. As a result, her parental influence has carried on in the sports that she competes currently in high school.

This Lady Viking wants to play harder and smarter while focusing on rebounding and boxing out during her junior season. She hopes all her efforts will help Valley Christian make a run to state. Watch for Bessolo to strive to be the best in the upcoming season in Dublin, Calif.

Article 393: Gators run to 6-0

October 18, 2014

Sacred Heart Prep and Terra Nova played to their strengths on Friday evening in Pacifica as the Gators ran for seven touchdowns while Tigers scored on four passing touchdowns. The Gators remain undefeated at 6-0 while Terra Nova drops to 2-4 after the Gators posted a 49-28 win.

Sacred Heart Prep jumped out to a 20-0 advantage with scoring runs by running back Lapitu Mahoni (five yards out), quarterback Mason Randall (29 yards out), and JR Hardy (14 yards out). Terra Nova finally scored in the second quarter on an Anthony Gordon to Eric Viana 10-yard pass to end the half with a 20-7 deficit.

Mahoni and Hardy would add second touchdown runs of five and 26 yards respectively in the third quarter to increase the lead to 35-7. The Tigers cut the lead to 35-28 with three straight possessions of passing scores to wide receiver Jordan Genato (29, 25, and 15 yards out) that included recovering an onside kick.

Ben Burr-Kirven made his season debut by scoring from 48 yards out to increase the Gator advantage to 42-28. Genato would return the ensuing kickoff to the Terra Nova 37 and then make two consecutive catches to the Gator 15. But the second reception dislocated his hip, which required paramedics to cart him off. The long delay was both a mental and physical drain on Terra Nova, as Gordon would throw his second interception to Mitchell Martella in the end zone. On the next offensive play, Burr-Kirven would race 80 yards to conclude the scoring.

The Gators were 5-0 without Burr-Kirven and look to be that much stronger with him. A tantalizing matchup with the other undefeated Peninsula Bay League member Burlingame (6-0 currently) in three weeks could decide the league title. The Gator passing game is suspect but it seems moot, as the running game is deep.

Terra Nova squares off against Burlingame next week in a must win game if they still aspire to win league. The defense has not been competitive all season and the offense has had to shoulder the burden.

Ben Burr-Kirven 6-foot-0, 200 pounds RB/LB Sacred Heart Prep (2015): The Washington commit made his season debut with 143 rushing yards. He quietly made sure-handed tackles in the first half but made his mark in the running game with the last two touchdown runs of 48 and 80 yards to put the game away.

Anthony Gordon 6-foot-3, 180 pounds QB Terra Nova (2015): Gordon ran the high pace passing attack well with 320 passing yards. He could make all the throws but was a bit inaccurate on some of the long passes that led to interceptions. He needs to add some bulk for the college level but could fit nicely in a pass friendly scheme.

Lapitu Mahoni, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds RB/LB Sacred Heart Prep (2016): Mahoni is a bruising back who was able to run up the middle for good yardage. The junior had two running scores in the victory.