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CCSF shooting guard/wing Austin McCullough has signed with the Fighting Camels of Campbell University, a member of the Big South Conference.

Ryan Blackmon: “I am blessed to say that I have officially committed to the Sacramento State🐝!! I want to thank my coach @SoleBrothersorg and Coach Walker as well as my family!! I want to thank everyone supported me throughout this journey!! Thanks @bmlaird and Coach Katz #StingersUp 🐝💚Chapt2″

Blackmon is a 6-foot guard out of the Southland.

and

Coach Brian Katz has also signed two other backcourters: “MEN’S BASKETBALL SIGNS GUARDS RICK BARROS III AND RAAZHEL WATKINS”

Raazhel Watkins:

and

Charles Jones, 6-foot-6, Los Medanos College, who averaged 13.8 points plus 6.7 boards this season has signed with Notre Dame de Namur. He shot 47%, 47% and 81% respectively this season.

DJ Burgess: “Visit to @HSUJacks This Friday🏀!!”

“Richard Washington Signs With San Jose State Men’s Basketball” SJSU athletics

No, he isn’t the son of the former UCLA great but he’ll help.

Hoop Dirt: “The search at DII Art U (CA) sounds like it’s wrapping up. I have heard from multiple sources that Dominican University (CA) associate head coach Scott Waterman is the leader here, and an official announcement could come early next week. Waterman has been at Dominican for the past two seasons, and has worked at the DI level at Dartmouth, Cal State Fullerton, and Long Beach State.”

Skylar Chavez to Pepperdine: “Led the state of California in scoring, was one of three state JC players of the year and made the all-state first team in 2019 … Co-player of the year in Northern California … Averaged 27.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists … Shot 53.2% from the field, 39.5% from beyond the three-point line and 86.9% on free throws … Had nine 30-point games and three 40-point games … Helped Santa Rosa win the Nor Cal Regional and reach the CCCAA state quarterfinals … Was the Big 8 Player of the Year as a 2017-18 freshman … Averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists … In 58 career games with Santa Rosa, averaged 23.6 points … Attended Drake High School in San Anselmo, Calif.

Romar says: “Skylar is a complete basketball player. In my 25 years of coaching at the Division I level, he’s probably one of the half-dozen best shooters that I will ever coach.”

Santa Rosa Junior College head coach Craig McMillan says: “Skylar has a tremendous work ethic and is a very humble person. Because of his work ethic and talent level, he improved a lot in his two years, and he will continue to improve. He’s a phenomenal shooter. It’s a big adjustment from a JC to the WCC’s level but he definitely has the talent, in my opinion, to make a smooth transition.”

6-foot-1 Santa Rosa Junior College ace three-point shooter Ryan (Petaluma High) Perez has signed with Montana State University Billings. He averaged 14.2 points per game this season.

“MSUB men’s basketball inks Perez for 2019-20 season” Montana State University VBillings athletics

Santa Rosa Junior College frontcourter Jayson (Cloverdale High) McMillan has signed with Southern Oregon University.

Out of the Temecula area, 6-foot-3 prep shooting guard Tej Johnson has committed to Sonoma State University.

“Cooper Returns to Helm Men’s Basketball Program” Notre Dame de Namur athletics

Ryan Cooper played at NDDN.

NBBA: “Congrats to Ethan Menzies (2019 F) at Cushing Academy (formerly Half Moon Bay HS graduate) for signing a scholarship with Colorado Mesa University (D2)! We are excited to see you play at the next level. Best of luck Ethan!”

Menzies graduated from Half Moon Bay High.

Cañada College Men’s Basketball: “Congrats to RJ Arciaga (@foreverarciaga) on his commitment to Pacific Union College (@PUCNow) in Napa Valley next year!”

The 5-foot-8 sophomore is out of Jefferson High.

Gavilan College MBB: “Congrats to 6’0” pure PG Mrad Abrha on picking up another offer from NDNU. Phenomenal young man who is going to bring a lot to any program at the next level.”

Check that.

Gavilan College MBB: “And just like that, it’s official. @GavilanMBB PG Mrad Abrha (@5__rad) has committed and signed his LOI to play at @NDNU for Head Coach Ryan Cooper. @ndnuathletics”

Jon Rothstein: “Source: San Francisco’s Todd Golden will hire Northern Colorado’s Vinnie McGhee as an assistant coach. Deep Oakland roots.”

McGhee played at Sacramento State and McClymonds High.

“Golden Adds Three in First Recruiting Class” USF athletics

The group includes Tracy High’s Isaiah Hawthorne who earlier committed to Pacific.

“Steadman ready to win with Montana” Griz athletics

Michael Steadman makes it official.

“Mark Fox Completes Coaching Staff  Golden Bears Boosted By Andrew Francis, Chris Harriman, Marty Wilson And Trent Johnson” Cal athletics

Chris Wriedt: “I am blessed to be saying I am committing to Southern Utah University I would like to thank my parents and coaches for always pushing me to be better this is a dream come true”

The 6-foot-10, 250 Wriedt is out of  Sheldon High and spent this season at Hargrave Academy in Virginia. Southern Utah is a member of the Big Sky Conference.

Cañada College Men’s Basketball: “Congrats to Sean Orr who will continue his academic and athletic career at San Francisco State University…”

The 6-foot-4 sophomore and First Team Coast Conference North honoree averaged 15.0 points and 8.7 boards while shooting 44.5% overall, 40.7% from long distance and 75.6% at the foul line this past season. He’s out of Westmoor High.

Kaden Bradley: “Repost! NEXT CHAPTER!!:

6-foot-5 Cañada College sophomore Kaden Bradley is headed to Cal State Dominguez Hills in southern California. Out of Chico High, he averaged 15.2 point and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 47.3% overall plus 70.9% on free throws.

“Montana, DeCuire agree to new 3-year contract” Griz athletics

“DAVID CUNNINGHAM’S JOURNEY TO BECOMING A FAN FAVORITE” Austin Paschke

A different route to D-1 basketball.

“2018-19 All-Napa County Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Swim finds his stroke on court” Cyril Penn

Verbal Commits II: “Metro State G Andrew Mörk (RS FR) is leaving the program. Three years to play.”

Mörk is a 6-foot-2 guard out of Freedom High.

“12th Annual City Championship at CCSF – May 17th–19th

For Elite 17U, 16U and 15U AAU Teams. Hosted by the Bay Area Warriors/Bay City Warriors in the state of the art CCSF gym and in nearby high school gyms. Last year we sold out with 94 teams and as always attracted a great field of teams including most of the top programs. All teams play in a single elimination bracket within their division to determine the City Champions. Past City Champions include: Oakland Soldiers EYBL, Team Arsenal, Team Lillard, Lakeshow, and Tyler Johnson Elite. $350 per team with 3 games guaranteed. Discounts are available for programs with multiple teams.

Randy Bessolo
415 418 4568
coachrandal@yahoo.com“

In 28 games, 26 starts and 28 minutes per game, 6-foot Aren (St. Mary’s High) Ulmer averaged 4.6 points as a senior for the University of West Georgia  (note: just 102 shots taken over the season). Where he excelled is producing a team-best 125 assists, nabbing a team-high 61 steals and grabbing 3.5 rebounds an outing.

In 25 games, 11 starts and just over 26 minutes a game this season, 6-foot-2 freshman guard Kai (Placer High) Huntsberry provided 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists for San Diego City College. He shot 43%, 36% and 83% respectively.

“MaxPreps 2018-19 California Boys Basketball All-State Teams” Kevin Askeland

Definitely southern California heavy.

REPORT ON 2019 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SENIOR SHOWCASE

“The tenth annual Southern California Senior Showcase was held Sunday, March 24th at Cerritos College. Approximately 280 players participated. Here is a report on the event.

*6’10 PF/C Jay Allen-Tovar of Valley Christian HS 2019 (Lakeshow #1)

– Big-bodied combo post with a solid skill set. Can score inside and outside fairly consistently. Pretty good rebounder. Needs to play with more consistent effort… LM+/M-

6’2” CG Miles Amos of Stuart Hall HS 2019 (Lakeshow #2)

– Bigger guard that was looking to get downhill and attack the rim on most offensive sequences. Lakeshow ran quite a few isolations for him where he was able to get to the rim with his explosiveness and finish through contact. Pushes the break consistently…NAIA/D2…”

Head here for more.

Background

Pajaro Valley High junior guard Christian Quintero was on a football track in his younger days thanks to a cousin enjoying success on the gridiron. Then Kory Chavez, a hoops coach at Rollings Hills Middle School in Watsonville, encouraged him to give basketball a shot with a “just try it” request. “I had no interest because I didn’t like it,” Quintero recalled. But dutifully, he gave it a shot.

“I immediately fell in love with the game,” he recalled, “and it just took over. Steph Curry was just blowing up and the Warriors were in their championship season.” He also keenly follows Russell Westbrook and James Harden. “Basketball is a lot different than other sports because it’s so fast-paced with five guys on the court and everybody on the same page.”

Family Ties

Fernando Olivarez, a heralded receiver and defensive back formerly at Watsonville High, is Quintero’s cousin and he continues to work out his former football protege. They are already back running the beach dunes in and around Watsonville even though the 2018-19 season ended just last month. “I want to get stronger and more explosive,” Quintero said of his goals.

“I went to Fernando’s games with my aunt. I loved the aggressiveness of football.” Back then, Quintero would also tag along when Olivarez would work out and eventually learned that continuous hard work is mandatory in order to get better. “It’s a mentality I got from him.”

Skill Set

The 6-foot-1, 175 backcourter was selected Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Cypress Division this season, a much-deserved honor considering he averaged 24.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals and 2.8 assists while shooting 43.4% overall—all this despite facing double-teaming and specially-designed defenses. He produced 46 points against Mills High in the D-III playoffs, shooting 7-10 from long distance. Quintero was previously honored as Freshman and then Sophomore of the Year.

Asked what he does best on the court, Quintero offered, “my decision making on the fast break and knowing when to slow the pace. I watch a lot of NBA games and I’ve learned when to speed up and when to slow down.” He upgraded creating off the dribble and making shots this past season and is looking to better those skills.

Pajaro Valley Coach Andre Bailey offered “as a student, Christian is better then most but not the best on the team. Pajaro Valley is not a school of sports. More kids at Watsonville High know of Christian and his accomplishments then students at our school. We have true superstar talents at Pajaro and they are unknown to us. It will be many years before this school will again have great athletes and the school needs to enjoy the moment now.”

Quintero will be playing for Seaside Select this spring and summer.

The NCAA D1 signing period for men’s basketball opens on Wednesday, April 17 and concludes on May 15.

Jeff Goodman: “Cal Poly head coach John Smith’s staff: Associate Head Coach Rodney Tention; Assistants – David Hanson and Justin Downer. DBO – Eric Perry”

Another link.

Congrats to Coach Tention—so who will be heading the Palo Alto High boys basketball program?

James Chun: “Blessed to say that I am 100% committed to Santa Monica College. I am excited to chase to basketball dreams and I feel like this will be the best place for me. Thankful for everyone in my corner, everyone that recruited me, and this whole process. Go Corsairs!”

The former Archbishop Riordan guard redshirted this past season at Chaminade.

Humboldt State Coach Steve Kinder is recruiting the D1 ranks like mad:

“Men’s Basketball Signs Division I Forward RaySean Scott Jr.”

“Jacks Add Another Division I Talent in Leland Green”

Plus, “Men’s Basketball Inks Standout Guard Isaiah Sampson”

“Olympiacos sign Will Cherry” Dario Skerletic

Cal Maritime’s Zavier (Rodriguez High) Lucero averaged 13.6 points (second on the team), 8.1 rebounds (tops on the team) and 1.7 blocks best on the team) for the Keelhaulers in this recently concluded season. The 6-foot-5 sophomore shot 48%, 43% and 78% respectively plus his 29 steals also placed him second in that category on Coach Brendan Rooney’s squad. Lucero was honored as a First Team California Pacific Conference selection.

“Where are the black basketball coaches in the Power 5 conferences? Big Ten and the Pac-12 don’t have an African American men’s head coach” William C. Rhoden

“LeBron James Opened a School That Was Considered an Experiment. It’s Showing Promise.  The inaugural class of third and fourth graders at the school has posted extraordinary results on its first set of test scores” Erica L. Green

“Marquise Walker’s story: Surviving an abusive, overbearing sports father” Michael O’Brien

“Seton Hall’s Mike Nzei Making Transition From Basketball Court To Wall Street” J.P. Pelsman

“How To Lose Everything And Get Some Of It Back” Casey Taylor

Jordan (Woodcreek High/Prolific Prep) Brown may or may not transfer. A redshirt year to beef up his body and upgrade his skills set would be beneficial but does he really want to sit out a year after playing little this season?

“Nevada’s Jordan Brown, in transfer portal, looking for ‘trust’ at next school” Chris Murray

6-foot guard Jaelen Ragsdale, out of Weston Ranch High and Cal State Stanislaus, is headed to Dominican University.

CCSF Men’s Basketball: “Sophomore @Ausmccullough11 adds another offer to his growing list from @RiverHawkMBB. UMass Lowell…”

His offers to date per Verbal Commits.

Jeff Goodman: “Cal 7-foot-3 freshman big man Connor Vanover and sophomore wing Juhwan Harris-Dyson will both transfer, source told @Stadium.”

“Flock of Oregon Ducks declare for the NBA Draft” John Canzano

On Kenny Wooten: “…Said one NBA scout, quoting Red Auerbach: ‘If you can’t command a double team, you’re just another guy.'”

Brandon Cole: “Former player of mine Will Pallesi is currently at UCSD has just received his release and is looking for a new home. Please reach out if interested! Has 4 years to play!

The 6-foot-3 guard is out of Selma High.

Jasson Smith/Brewster Academy Hoops: “Coaches told me the following guys ‘were NOT D1 players’: Chauncey Gilliam (1119 career pts); Robert Champion (1097 career pts); Joe Sherburne (1563 career pts). All received ONE D1 offer in the spring. Listen up…Brewster Academy guard Ben Baker-McCann (28 ACT) is a D1 player!”

Hoop Dirt: “On campus interviews at Idaho State are underway in this Fogler led search. The names that I’ve heard surrounding this one are:

Gus Argenal – Assistant Coach Nevada
Jared Phay – Head Coach College of Southern Idaho
Saul Phillips – Former Head Coach Ohio & North Dakota State
A current DII Head Coach who won 30+ games this season

I have also heard that Northern Colorado associate head coach Steve Smiley could be involved, but can’t confirm that he has interviewed (the four coaches above have interviewed)…”

“Bynum Returns to MSU Denver as Assistant Coach” Metro State athletics

Too often, the sentiment surrounding moving from the prep ranks to college hoops is that it’s go D-1 or surrender on the idea of ever playing significant basketball.

UC Santa Cruz senior forward Sam Gabbard is a powerful exhibit in turning this type of thinking on its head. In the midst of earning a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, he was recently named the Association of Division Three Independents Player of the Year as well as being selected one of 10 finalists for the Josten’s Trophy honoring Best of All DIII Players.

At 6-foot-4 out of Vacaville High, Gabbard averaged 21.3 points plus 10.6 rebounds and also led the Slugs in minutes played, overall shooting, three-point accuracy and assists.

However his exemplary college hoops tenure almost never came to be due to lack of opportunity. After participating with just his high school team during summers, no college coaches reached out. Gabbard took matters into his own hands as a senior and sent out emails making his case to numerous coaches. Just one coach replied—UC Santa Cruz Coach Ron DuBois and he invited Gabbard to attend a hoops camp on the UCSC campus.

“To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect,” Gabbard explained. “I didn’t know how much my skills would work (at the college level). So I drove to Santa Cruz on a Sunday and there were 15 other players there.”Afterwards, Gabbard was invited “to be part of what they were building.”

“Looking at coach’s background, the entire episode speaks to who he (DuBois) is,” Gabbard explained. “He (initially) walked on at Arizona State and became captain of his basketball team as a senior.”

The Slugs, a longtime non-competitive DIII program, won 17 games in 2017-18 (when Gabbard as a junior scored 17.5 points and grabbed 10.6 boards per game) and 14 this season. Every season since DuBois came aboard seven years ago has resulted in double figure victories.

Gabbard was named a captain as a sophomore. “Coach nominated me and every practice he challenged me to be vocal. I used words and action as I got older. Being vocal and backing it up got respect from my teammates.”Also credit Gabbard’s competitiveness and back-down-to-no-one zeal in this regard.

But injury struck coming off that sophomore year in which he averaged an impressive 11.7 points plus 7.8 boards. “I’ve always had a problem of overworking myself and I injured my back doing a dead lift. I had three injections in my lower back and the third one finally helped enough. For 13 months (including an entire season), I didn’t touch a basketball but I realized my love for the game.” Gabbard’s father is a physical therapist and became a vital cog in his son getting back on the court. “I also gained a lot of weight, going from 205 to 242 but eventually trimmed back to 230 pounds of solid muscle. It completely changed my game.”

He’ll complete his degree involving data science and data analytics in the fall. After that, “my ideal job would be analyzing data with a sports organization.” Gabbard has already attended the esteemed annual MIT Sloan Sports Analytic Conference founded in part by current Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey.

But the human element remains critical for Gabbard. “I lost six of my closest friends to graduation last year. We came in together. Getting to know teammates on a deeper level is so enjoyable.”

So what will be replacing the void coming with his absence from organized basketball? “I don’t know but it’s definitely a real thing. I’m a competitive guy and I go to open gym to play and have fun. But I’ll miss the grind with my teammates.”

So it’s Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin taking over in Westwood. The most fascinating aspect to watch for is how dogged and gritty his Bruin teams will be? Can he get ‘bluebloods’ to play physical? Also, does freshman Logan Johnson remain in The Queen City now that the coach he signed with has departed?

Here’s why Tony Bennett wouldn’t be a good fit in Westwood: his offensive style and pace. Sure, he could change how he employs his team but why hire someone who would immediately need to make such drastic a fundamental transformation? But not switching his philosophy would immediately reduce UCLA’s blue chip recruiting prowess. Bennett won at Washington State and now at Virginia with four-year players, not four and five star prospects. UCLA simply isn’t a good fit if, in fact, he was ever a candidate.

Verbal Commits: “Former South Dakota G Nathan Robinson is transferring to City College of San Francisco (JUCO).”

The 6-foot-4 sophomore out of Las Lomas High will be a sophomore.

Julian Vaughns of St. Joseph Notre Dame has committed to Chico State.

Monterey High’s Mohammed Adam has committed to Fresno City College.

Cali Rebels: “Congrats to 2019 6’10 Dean Keeler (Marina) has picked up an offer from Chico State”

“‘It hurts our area and our town.’ Prolific hoops coach resigns after 20 seasons” James Burns  Sierra High’s Scott Thomason has stepped aside.

“Mother’s tears help Boys Basketball Player of the Year turn toward success” James Burns Weston Ranch High’s Gavin Wilburn is honored

“Open Division, closed debate: Top boys teams dominate large-school All-Region” James Burns (comprised of players from the Central California Athletic League, Central California Conference, Tri-City Athletic League (Modesto Christian only), Valley Oak League and Western Athletic Conference)

“Privileged” Kyle Korver

Extremely insightful.

“Tony Bennett followed providential path to U.Va.” David Teal

Love background articles like this one.

Yes, it WAS a foul.

So is Gus Argenal the top choice for Nevada with Eric Musselman now moving to Arkansas? He is, according to the Wolf Pack players.

Caleb Martin: “To recruit outside the culture and risk rebuilding is sketch! No better person to keep things rolling then @CoachArgenal He knows exactly what to do to win here!

NO BRAINER‼️”

Maybe Travis DeCuire finally gets the call.

Jeff Goodman: “Montana has landed San Jose transfer Michael Steadman, source told @Stadium. Averaged 14 points and 8 boards this past season.”

Willing to bet Griz Associate Head Coach Chris Cobb was integral to this. Now Steadman will be part of a successful program, one that annually competes for the conference championship.

Cameron Salerno: “Former Sac High Star @JvoChristian (Christian Terrell) will transfer to Sac State for his senior season. He has played the last few years at UCSB and found success there, since his freshman year. Another hometown kid is coming back.”

5-foot-8 Jermaine Henderson, out of Sacramento High and American River College, is headed to Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma.

link

“UC Santa Cruz swept the Association of Division Three Independents ‘ajor awards for Men’s basketball for 2018-19 as announced by the Association Friday morning…Sam (Vacaville High) Gabbard made the AD3I First Team for the second straight year, along with center Will (Casa Grande High) Crain. Simon Mueller-Landsvik was named to the Second Team as were Tyler (Moreau Catholic High) Klingenbeck and Patrick (Mt. Eden High) Ramos.”

NBBA: “2019 F/C Ethan Menzies (@ethan_menzies12) formerly at @HMBHSAthletics and currently attending @CushingHoops is on an official visit this weekend to @CMUMavsMBB!”

That’s DII Colorado Mesa University for the 6-foot-7 Menzies.

“Sacramento high schoolers play nine hours of basketball in showcase for good cause” Joe Davidson

“Texas Tech’s Coach Taught His Team a Lost Art–And it Sent Them to the NCAA Final Four” Carmine Gallo

Myron Medcalf: “So many college basketball coaches entering the transfer portal this week. It’s an epidemic.”

Ever fertilized by truth, even tongue-in-cheek irony abounds.

Carlos Johnson is not necessarily remembered by many prep basketball fans in the Bay Area because he spent but one season here as a junior at El Cerrito High. As a Gaucho, he averaged 15.9 points plus 8.3 boards.

Johnson formally committed to UNLV but rescinded that agreement when a coaching change occurred and he eventually headed north to play for Coach Lorenzo Romar and the University of Washington. After averaging a solid 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds as a freshman, Johnson experienced Romar being let go in favor of Mike Hopkins. Playing time became scarce in Johnson’s sophomore season (16 minutes in Washington’s last 18 games) and he transferred to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

In 34 games/16 starts this season (he received a waiver to play right away), Johnson averaged 24 minutes and a team-best 14.3 points as well as 4.1 rebounds. He also provided a second-on-the-team 32 steals. Johnson finished shooting 49% overall, 33% from long distance and 78% at the foul line, earning a solid 155 attempts at the charity stripe.

He started the season strong, fell off and then tallied double figures in three straight mid-season games: 21, 26 and 20 points respectively versus UMKC, Cal Baptist and CSU Bakersfield. Again he cooled off before scoring in double figures in eight of his last 10 games. The latter streak was highlighted by 25 points versus Eastern New Mexico, 22 and then 31 in back-to-back matchups with Seattle and 35 markers in a pairing with Utah Valley.

But he closed out with nine points in 27 minutes versus New Mexico State in an 89-57 WAC tournament title game loss and then scored just two points in 14 minutes (he fouled out) against host West Virginia in a 77-63 College Basketball Invitational opener.

Johnson earned Second Team All-WAC honors for his play in conference.

Analysis: The PAC-12 was not a good initial hoops home for Johnson. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is more a banger than a sharpshooter and matching up against the high caliber of PAC-12 athletes was not in his favor. The level of the WAC is a much better setting for Johnson’s frame and primary skill set and his move to a lower level league proved to be fruitful. He has one more season of eligibility and his next step needs to be showing overall consistency in his production, especially against higher level WAC and non-WAC opponents.

Corey Evans: “Cal wing Justice Sueing has entered his name into the transfer portal, a source tells @Rivals. Sit one, play two. Averaged 14 points & six rebounds last year”

Will the Golden Bears win a game next season? It will be Paris Austin and who else taking the floor.

Verbal Commits: “UC Davis G Gio Nelson (RS FR) is leaving the program. Three years to play.”

Nelson played 33 minutes this season.

Verbal Commits: “Omaha G Elishja Duplechan (SO) is leaving the program.”

The 5-foot-11 former Sheldon High and Yuba College guard played just 82 minutes this season.

Kaden Bradley: “Very thankful to receive my first offer to California State Monterey Bay!”

The 6-foot-6 sophomore averaged 15.2 points plus 5.8 rebounds for Cañada College this season and earned First Team All Coast Conference North honors.

Emiliano Carchia: “Josh Akognon has signed a deal in Chinese NBL with Henan, a source told Sportando”

Oregon sophomore Kenny (Manteca High) Wooten is a purveyor of the spectacular. His extraordinary athleticism allows him to jam lob passes, grab an offensive rebound and dunk in the same motion and block shots most bigs cannot reach.

Can Wooten play in the NBA? Yes. Star in the NBA? That remains to be seen.’

His production

Listed at 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds (the latter figure seems inflated), he averaged 6.3 points and 4.8 boards in 24 minutes a game during the 2018-19 regular season with a team high 74 blocked shots in 34 contests. Wooten attempted but one long distance shot and shot 43-64 at the foul line. He suffered a broken jaw in December and returned wearing a safety mask in January. As a freshman in the 2017-18 season, Wooten also attempted but one three-pointer and went 38-64 on free throws in 20 minutes a contest.

In the PAC-12 tournament with 7-foot-2 teammate Bol Bol out due to injury (since late December), Wooten scored 4.5 points while grabbing 5.5 rebounds during four games and in 21 minutes per contest. He shot 9-13 overall and 0-2 at the foul line.

In Big Dance action again minus Bol, he provided 7.3 points and 6.3 boards with 12 blocked shots in three outings and played 35 minutes each contest. Wooten shot 10-14 overall and 2-4 on free throws.

What’s missing

Ball Skills: Wooten lacks offensive playmaking ability (passing plus the ability to maneuver for his own shot) and neither element currently shows signs of improvement.

Perimeter and beyond shooting: His free throw percentage increased slightly but, again, any face-the-basket offensive prowess remains absent.

The ability to draw his opponent into foul trouble: Due to his minimal offensive skills set, Wooten lacks the ability to get his opponent into foul trouble, a glaring minus for a big.

All three of these elements above are important for players of Wooten’s size in today’s NBA.

Looking into the future

With two years of college ball remaining, Wooten plus is his ability to defend away from the basket plus the knack for blocking shot attempts not directly in front of him. He needs rebounding consistency in order to have a greater effect on a game’s outcome. A summer of intensive effort focused on ballhandling and face-the-basket shooting is required to broaden his offensive threat.

If not much changes in two years, he’ll be an off-the-bench NBA role player at best which is an accomplishment but Wooten has the capacity to be so much more.

PHPS: “Committed. Greg Milton the 3rd, has officially committed to the University of Wyoming. Congrats lil G”

A 6-foot-2 freshman out of Cosumnes Oaks High, Milton enjoyed a fabulous season at Sacramento City College averaging 19.0, points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 45%, 40% and 75%.

Verbal Commits: “2019 Fresno City College (CA) G George Dancer has received an offer from Dixie State. DSU will join D1 in 2020.”

The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard is out of Beyer High and averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 boards while shooting 53%, 47% and 74%.

Kai Tease: “Blessed To Receive An Offer From Prairie View A&M”

A 6-foot-2 sophomore guard out of Antelope High, Tease is at Blinn College (TX) and averaged 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season while shooting 42%, 39% and 74%.

Victory Rock Basketball: “SIU-Edwardsville and UC-Davis have offered 2019 PG Kolton Mitchell.”

Mitchell is a 6-foot-3 point out of Florida.

Hoop Dirt: “I have heard from multiple sources that George Puou is no longer the head men’s basketball coach at DII Notre Dame de Namur University (CA). Word on the street is that he has moved to the women’s side and will take over as the Argonauts WBB coach.

Puou just finished his 12th season as the head coach at Notre Dame. His team finished this past year with a 2-26 record (2-10 PacWest).”

“Antelope Men’s Basketball Coach Rob Richards Steps Down After 10 Years” Cameron Salerno

“Steph Curry’s quiet leadership on full display this season: “He was tapped into the situation from the beginning”  No shade, no personal agendas — other than winning. Warriors’ star Curry and the art of leadership.” Duby Dub Dubbs

“Quiet leadership”—like that description.

Is UCLA waiting for Chris Beard and Texas Tech to finish in the NCAAs?

No, this is not an April Fool’s joke. Name someone better who would fit.

So will it be Lubbock or Los Angeles for Beard?

Transfers. Who wants these soft-minded, me-first whiners? Guys who usually went too high in the initial round of recruiting and with egos remaining over-inflated despite the reality of not being good enough to earn playing time. Okay, did I miss a negative?

Well, praise goes out to this transfer, someone who moved on to a better team and conference and became even more productive.

His name: Isaiah “I.P.” Pineiro, currently standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 215.

After a very solid senior season of 20 points and 10 rebounds a game at Placer High in Auburn, Pineiro removed himself from organized basketball for dual purposes: stopping the tick-tock of his recruiting clock and focusing on building his body and increasing his athletic prowess. How many youngsters demonstrate this level of sagacity and willpower? The following year, Pineiro officially got back on the court at Sierra Junior College in Rocklin and averaged 15.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest.

That level of production produced a call from Portland State of the Big Sky Conference  and Pineiro responded affirmatively. He played in all 31 games for the Vikings, totaling 19 starts and averaging of 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 76.3 percent from the free throw line. Pineiro cultivated three double-doubles: 24 points and 14 rebounds versus Rio Grande Valley, 13 and 11 against Nevada and 31 plus 12 in a matchup with Northern Arizona.

Not satisfied with his situation in Oregon, Pineiro transferred to San Diego of the West Coast Conference (a more promising situation, better academics and superior weather) and sat out the 2016-17 season. A long foundering program, the Toreros have posted a cumulative 23-15 record under second-year head coach Sam Scholl (21-14 this season, 2-1 the season before when he succeeded Lamont Smith). As a junior, Pineiro was named First Team All-WCC based on his 15.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. He shot 49% overall, 78% from the foul line with 10 games of 20 or more points in addition to 71 assists and 27 blocked shots.

This season as a senior, Pineiro followed up with 18.8 points plus 9.4 rebounds a contest, 49%, 34% and 82% shooting accuracy, plus 44 steals and 19 blocked shots. Again, his play produced his inclusion on the First Team All-WCC squad.

Maybe it’s time to not over-generalize about those changing schools and rather look at each transfer on a case-by-case basis.

And just where were the Nor Cal D-1 schools when Pineiro was available, twice?

“Mark Fox Named Men’s Basketball Coach” California athletics

Hoping it works well but… Fox was very successful at Nevada when he was best in the conference in recruiting but that won’t be the case with California in the PAC-12.

“Cal hires Mark Fox (well, that was fast … perhaps a little too fast)” Jon Wilner

Here’s a little different feature on Fox.

Verbal Commits: “2019 Findlay Prep (NV) C Raymond Hawkins has committed to Alabama.”

Congratulations to Hawkins. Don’t quite see the SEC for him but here’s hoping it works.

JUCO Recruiting: “AJ Bramah (6’7, G/F, 2019) of Sheridan College has committed to Robert Morris

Averaged 13.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg this season”

CalHiSports honors Jonas Honick.

plus:

DIVISION III Randy Bessolo (University, San Francisco)

“For guiding the Red Devils to the D3 state final when they began the season expected to be in the shadow of league rival Stuart Hall and for the work he’s done since 2005 building the program at University, Bessolo gets the nod for this division.

In his 15 seasons at University, Bessolo’s teams have won a share of 10 league championships and have won two NorCal titles. The first came in 2015 in Division V. This year’s title was earned with a 44-41 triumph over Monterey and was followed with a loss to La Jolla Country Day in the D3 state final.

Stuart Hall, which played in the CIF D4 state final last season, had defeated the Red Devils three times prior to the CIF North Coast Section D5 championship. In that game, however, University won 63-46 and then went on its run in the NorCal playoffs despite being moved up to D3.

Bessolo’s predecessor at University, Colin Jones, was selected as the D5 State Coach of the Year in 2002. There are others from San Francisco in various divisions, including 2017 State Coach of the Year Arnold Zelaya of public school Mission.

A San Francisco native who later moved to Ventura County and played at Thacher School in Ojai, Bessolo also may be the first Harvard Business School MBA graduate who’s been a state coach of the year. He went to Harvard after earning his undergraduate degree and playing basketball at Columbia University in New York. Bessolo began coaching nearly 20 years ago for Chicago area AAU programs and came back to San Francisco in 2005 where he took the University job and also founded the Bay Area Warriors AAU program. The Bay City Warriors has helped more than 100 kids go on to play in college.”

Randy Bessolo is another one of the most generous and caring individuals in both life and youth basketball. We are blessed to have him in the Bay Area.

“Washington State’s hiring of Kyle Smith suggests determination more than desperation” John Blanchette

“Analysis: Why Pat Chun and WSU already look smart with hire of basketball coach Kyle Smith” Jon Wilner

“Kyle Smith’s WSU staff: the cases for keeping a current Coug” Braden Johnson

Will KSmith keep Tim (St. Francis High) Marrion on board?

All of the Signal the Light Basketball northern California community college honorees in one place.

“David West Questions Everything—and His Sport and America Are Better for It” Robert Silverman

An individual worthy of everyone’s admiration.

“KYLE SMITH NAMED COUGAR BASKETBALL HEAD COACH” Washington State athletics

“WSU makes it official, agrees to six-year deal with Smith” Colton Clark

Did anyone ever have Kyle Smith entering the PAC-12 coaching ranks  before Randy Bennett?

and

“Todd Golden Named Head Men’s Basketball Coach” USF athletics

“USF Dons hire Todd Golden to replace Kyle Smith as head men’s basketball coach” Ryan Gorcey

“San Francisco hires Todd Golden as Dons new head coach” Janie Mccauley

Hoop Dirt: “Interviews have been scheduled at DII Academy of Art University (CA). The names that I’ve heard so far are Dominican U associate head coach Scott Waterman, former Cal State San Bernardino head coach Jeff Oliver, former College of Marin head coach Dave Granucci, Santa Margarita Catholic HS head coach Jeff Reinert (former HC at Utah Valley, and assistant at Fresno State and Oregon State) and current ART U assistant Anthony Lorenzo. There are also at least two current DII head coaches involved, and possibly 1 DI assistant.”

“‘This team can compete’: Cal Poly’s new men’s basketball head coach has lofty goal” Scott Middlecamp

John Smith is well-respected in southern California high school and community college ranks which should be a much-needed boost for Mustang recruiting although surprisingly just three Southlanders currently reside on the Fullerton roster.

PHPS: “Greg Milton the 3rd with offer from University of Wyoming”

He’s out of Cosumnes Oaks High and just finished his freshman season at Sacramento City College.

It’s down to Robert Morris and Loyola Marymount for AJ Bramah.

Bramah is out of San Leandro High and just completed his second season at Sheridan College (WY).

Brandon Cole: “ATTENTION ALL D1s! 2019 6’8 F Bryce Fitzgerald @brycethahooper is officially qualified! With schools waiting for him to qualify he will be highly sought after! He will play for @YBA916 this season. Feel free to contact me or @coach_rfields for more info”

Fitzgerald is at Monterey Trail High.

Dinos Trigonis: “Unsigned 6-8+ 2019 Elias King (IMG/FL) will be playing w/ Belmont Shore @ Pangos Easter Classic (April 18-20 @ Las Vegas) & Terrific 24 (Apr 26-28 @ Wheeler HS/Marietta GA) Mid-to-HM F prospect has put on 20 lbs since a yr ago. King has 3pt range & attacks basket with authority”

King graduated from Jesuit High.

Verbal Commits: “2019 Findlay Prep (NV) C Raymond Hawkins has received an offer from Alabama.”

Hawkins was offered earlier by Buffalo whose head coach just accepted the Bama job. He attended Bishop O’Dowd.

“Meet The Bee’s Boys Basketball Players of the Year: Sheldon’s Marcus Bagley, Justin Nguyen” Joe Davidson

“Wing stepped up game in postseason” Mitch Stephens

Branson’s Viktor Rajkovic honored as the Chronicle 2019 boys basketball Metro Player of the Year.

Now that Ernie Kent has been fired, a question worth exploring is why did Washington State, actually then Athletic Director Bill Moos, believe that Kent was the coach most capable of turning around the Cougar basketball fortunes?

Kent’s college head coaching career began in Moraga and he parlayed taking the Gaels to the Big Dance in 1996-1997 into being hired at Oregon of the Pac-12 Conference. This happened despite just two winning seasons out of six while at St. Mary’s:

• Saint Mary’s Gaels (West Coast Conference) (1991–1997)
• 1991–92 Saint Mary’s 13–17 4–10 6th
• 1992–93 Saint Mary’s 11–16 6–8 6th
• 1993–94 Saint Mary’s 13–14 5–9 7th
• 1994–95 Saint Mary’s 18–10 10–4 T–2nd
• 1995–96 Saint Mary’s 12–15 5–9 7th
• 1996–97 Saint Mary’s 23–8 10–4 T–1st NCAA Division I First Round
  Saint Mary’s: 90–80 (.529) 40–44 (.476)

In Eugene, Kent enjoyed a 13-year run with a pair of Elite Eight appearances plus three other entries into the Big Dance. But inconsistency remained a bugaboo and the Ducks finished underwater, 109-125, in league play during his tenure:

• 1997–98 Oregon 13–14 8–10 T–5th
• 1998–99 Oregon 19–13 8–10 T–5th NIT Semifinal
• 1999–00 Oregon 22–8 13–5 3rd NCAA Division I First Round
• 2000–01 Oregon 14–14 5–13 T–6th
• 2001–02 Oregon 26–9 14–4 1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
• 2002–03 Oregon 23–10 10–8 5th NCAA Division I First Round
• 2003–04 Oregon 18–13 9–9 T–4th NIT Semifinal
• 2004–05 Oregon 14–13 6–12 T–8th
• 2005–06 Oregon 15–18 7–11 T–7th
• 2006–07 Oregon 29–8 11–7 T–3rd NCAA Division I Elite Eight
• 2007–08 Oregon 18–14 9–9 T–5th NCAA Division I First Round
• 2008–09 Oregon 8–23 2–16 10th
• 2009–10 Oregon 16–16 7–11 T–8th
  Oregon: 235–173 (.576) 109–125 (.466)

The first ten of Kent’s seasons as the head coach of the Ducks occurred under the direction of then Athletic Director Bill Moos. Kent was let go (not by Moos) after a 16-16, 7-11 record in 2009-2010.

A few years later Kent was hired to turn the Cougar program around by Bill Moos who was then directing athletics at Washington State.

There’s no glossing over the fact that succeeding in Pullman is a difficult, if not impossible, task. For perspective, the much-lauded Dick Bennett finished 36–49 and 18–36 during his three seasons there. Tony Bennett, his son and successor, enjoyed greater success before jumping to Atlantic Coast Conference member University of Virginia:

• 2006–07 Washington State 26–8 13–5 2nd NCAA Division I Round of 32
• 2007–08 Washington State 26–9 11–7 3rd NCAA Division I Sweet 16
• 2008–09 Washington State 17–16 8–10 7th NIT First Round

Other coaches who gave it a shot:

Kelvin Sampson ran the program in Pullman from 1987 – 1994.

• 1987–88 Washington State 13–16 7–11 6th
• 1988–89 Washington State 10–19 4–14 8th
• 1989–90 Washington State 7–22 1–17 10th
• 1990–91 Washington State 16–12 8–10 T–5th
• 1991–92 Washington State 22–11 9–9 T–5th NIT Second Round
• 1992–93 Washington State 15–12 9–9 T–5th
• 1993–94 Washington State 20–11 10–8 4th NCAA Division I Round of 64

Even he struggled: 103–103 (.500) 48–78 (.381) yet parlayed his record into a 12-year tenure at Oklahoma, followed by two seasons at Indiana and now his current gig at Houston.

Going further back, Hall of Fame Coach George Raveling posted 167-136, 76-66 records alongside two Big Dance appearances when helming the Washington State program back in the early 70s and 80s. He jumped to Iowa of the Big Ten Conference after going 23-7, 14-4 in his final season.

So in Ernie Kent’s five years in Pullman, he finished:

• 2014–15 Washington State 13–18 7–11 T–8th
• 2015–16 Washington State 9–22 1–17 12th
• 2016–17 Washington State 13–18 6–12 T–10th
• 2017–18 Washington State 12–19 4–14 11th
• 2018–19 Washington State 11–21 4–14 11th
  Washington State: 58–98 (.372) 22–69 (.244)

He was unable to achieve a single winning season and was fired with three years remaining on his contract and WSU owing him $4.2 million.

With Moos as the then AD: “Throughout Kent’s WSU tenure, many Cougar fans took issue with Moos’ decision to enact a rollover provision in the coach’s contract three times, despite the coach’s inability to put a winning product on the court. Moos triggered the rollover clause after the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 basketball seasons — years that saw the Cougars win 35 games combined — which means the coach’s contract wouldn’t expire until the end of the 2021-22 basketball season.”

In the same article and to Kent’s credit, “The coach graduated 100 percent of the players who stayed with his program and had an All-Pac-12 first-team academic selection each of the last four years.”

But how can someone be expected to achieve success in Pullman (a much more difficult place to recruit) when he was unable to do so at far more better funded Oregon? To be fair, Phil Knight and Moos were squabbling over contributions but Eugene has and will always be perceived as much more attractive regarding recruiting. By the way, Moos left his AD job via a buyout in 2007 with the genesis of that departure appearing to be Kent remaining as head coach.

So Kent’s record at St. Mary’s was marred by inconsistency. The same with his time at Oregon where he was better early on with three 20+ win seasons. He simply failed to generate any momentum early or late at Washington State and it’s difficult to both understand why Moos decided Kent was the one and why he kept re-upping him.

One FYI note: Moos is currently the athletic director at Nebraska, having previously served in the same position at Montana, Oregon and then Washington State.

“Cal Basketball: AD Jim Knowlton’s Big Assignment – Who’s Next?” Jeff Faraudo

Russell Turner just disqualified himself.

“CHRIS HANSEN IS UC SAN DIEGO’S FIRST DIVISION II BASKETBALL ALL-AMERICAN” UC San Diego athletics

Verbal Commits: “2019 City College of San Francisco (CA) G Austin McCullough has received an offer from Albany.” Campbell offered earlier this week.

“Eastside Prep basketball coach Donovan Blythe leaving for China  Two-time state champion on girls side departing after 12 years on the job to run basketball academy overseas” Vytas Mazeika

John Bynum Jr: “Michael Hayes (Las Positas) has been named our 2018-2019 Signal The Light Basketball Northern California Freshman of the Year.”

John Bynum Jr: “Lance Coleman (Fullerton) has been named the Signal The Light Basketball Southern California Player of the Year.”

Checking in on the initial seasons of college freshman from northern California:

Guard James (Salesian Prep) Akinjo played in all 33 games (32 starts) for Georgetown and averaged a team best 31.6 minutes as well as 13.4 points a contest (second on the squad). He shot 37% overall, 39% on threes and 81% on free (a team high 165 attempts) throws. Akinjo’s 37 steals also was tops and he earned 173 assists (no teammate even reached triple figures) versus 99 turnovers.

Guard Jake (Bellarmine Prep) Wojcik started all 33 games for Richmond and averaged 30.0 minutes as well as 7.7 points a contest (fifth on the squad). He shot 35% overall, 36% on threes and 81% on free throws. 179 of his 221 shot attempts were from long distance. He grabbed 3,5 rebounds an outing with 40 steals (second on the team) plus 48 assists versus 24 turnovers.

Chuck Hayes Basketball: “CHB 16u Adidas Gold Gauntlet Team welcomes 2022 G Davion Wright (@davionwright211) of Franklin High. One of the best pure shooters in all of California, he averaged 15.5 PPG & 4 REB as he lead his team team to a deep playoff run. He’s ready to show everyone what he can do!”

Chuck Hayes Basketball: “16u Adidas Gold Gauntlet team welcomes two time Trac MVP 2021 G Cole Anderson (@Cole3Anderson) of @ClovisWestBask1 who averaged 21 PPG and lead his team to the @cifcs Division 1 Title. With four Division 1 offers, Cole will show why he’s one of the top players on the West Coast!”

“Three Reasons Why Eric Musselman Is Staying At Nevada” Michael Maciejewski

“Cal fires basketball coach Wyking Jones after two seasons  The Bears won just eight games in each of Jones’ seasons” Jeff Faraudo

Berkeley High grad Ben Baker-McCann, a 2019 prospect, played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire this season. The 6-foot-3 guard impressed as part of a squad that won the National Prep championship by defeating IMG Academy, Woodstock Academy,  Massanutten Military Academy and finally Scotland Campus.

On March 7, Zack Sandberg tweeted: “LM schools looking for a combo guard should be all over @BrewsterHoops post grad Ben Baker-McCann. Played huge minutes down the stretch thus far for Brewster as they lead by 19 with under 4 to go @PrepNational.”

About the post grad’s play in the semi-final pairing with Massanutten Military Academy, Adam Finkelstein wrote: “…Ben Baker-McCann provided a major spark off the bench in the second half…”

He enjoyed a team-high 17 points versus Rocky Hill back in December.

NCAA Big Dance (Sunday)

Oregon 73, UC Irvine 54—Aided by Kenny (Manteca High) Wooten’s 11 points, eight boards and seven blocked shots, Oregon expanded on a 35-23 halftime lead and handled the Anteaters of UC Irvine. For the latter, Jonathan (Salesian Prep) Galloway provided 11 rebounds and nine points. box

Duke 77, South Florida 76—Aubrey (Palo Alto High) Dawkins tallied 32 points but Central Florida still fell by one to Duke. Dawkins shot a very efficient 12-18, 5-7 and 3-3. box

NCAA Big Dance (Friday)

Oregon 72, Wisconsin 54—In 33 minutes, Kenny (Manteca High) Wooten produced an efficient nine points (4-5 shooting, three dunks), six boards and four blocked shots. box

Signal the Light Basketball: “Skylar Chavez (Santa Rosa) has been named the Signal The Light NorCal Player of the Year for the 2018-2019 season.

and

Signal the Light Basketball: “Justin Labaugh (San Francisco) has been named the Signal The Light Basketball NorCal Coach of the Year for the 2018-2019 season.”

“Las Positas Star Michael Hayes Soars To All-State Honor  Freshman guard out of West High-Tracy finished No. 3 in state scoring for Coast-North runner-up Hawks” Matt Schwab

“Meet the Bay Area News Group player of the year James Logan’s Brett Thompson got under opponents’ skin, led Colts to league, regional titles” Darren Sabedra

“Steve Compagno out as Redwood coach after 11 years  Longtime coach ‘was asked not to return’ after guiding Giants to Northern California playoffs” Danny Schmidt

“(Rusty) Smith announces retirement after eighteen seasons at the helm” Nick Giannandrea, COS athletics

“Sacramento Kings Sign Cody Demps to 10-Day deal” Dario Skerletic

Coaching Changes: “We are hearing SDSU’s Rod Palmer is the choice at Cal Poly. Rod is a good dude and I’m not aware of anyone who matters in SoCal that doesn’t like him”

If true, this seems like a good choice as the Cal Poly roster currently has zero players from the Southland.

“St. Martin’s hits a high water mark, reaching Sweet 16 of NCAA tourney” Dave Weber

An excerpt: “…Alex (Pribble) has put together the best Division II program in the Northwest,” he said. “He’s done it the right way, with kids who come in and graduate, good citizens, good representatives of the program. He’s re-energized the program. Not just on our campus but in our community…”

“Klay Thompson lobbies for USF’s Kyle Smith to get Washington State job” Connor Letourneau

Will Thompson throw some serious coin at WSU to help ‘facilitate’ the hire?

“Tom Izzo defended berating a player by saying he wasn’t doing his ‘job’  There’s one problem with Izzo’s defense of screaming at his player” Ricky O’Donnell

“Stop Excusing Tom Izzo’s Assholery” Drew Magary

I’m sure Izzo would be fine with it if his boss publicly reamed him out in such a manner. Right.

When you have to banshee scream and be held back by others, your emotional shortcomings are obvious.

2019 Nor Cal Spring Showcase

The 8th annual Nor Cal Spring Showcase will be held Saturday and Sunday March 30-31 at James Logan High School (Union City), Dublin High School, Foothill High School (Pleasanton), Amador Valley High School (Pleasanton), Livermore Community Center and Las Positas College (Livermore). The event will run from 9:00 an to 7:00 pm each day.

130+ teams will be entered in Northern California’s top event of the spring.

For more information, contact the tournament co-director, Gerry Freitas at 408-998-1327 or email: gerryfreitas@hotmail.com.

NCAA Big Dance (Thursday)

Villanova 61, St. Mary’s 57—The Gaels, who led by two at the half, shot 42% overall, 36% from three-point range and 3-6 at the foul line (although ‘Nova was just 5-9). box

Auburn 78, New Mexico State 77—JoJo Zamora hit a clutch three late to keep it close and Terrell Brown was fouled on a trey attempt at the end but made just 1-3 free throws. box

Michigan 74, Montana 55—Sayeed Pridgett led the Griz with 17 points. box

“Boys basketball: Meet all-Bay Area News Group team” Darren Sabedra

Brett Thompson is Player of the Year and Bill Mellis Coach of the Year.

One quibble: Ezra Manjon deserves a much higher placement.

California United: “Fresno City sophomore Ethan Richardson (Madera, Ca) has received a scholarship offer from the University of North Dakota. 6’10 versatile big man can play with his back to the basket or facing up, with range beyond the college 3.”

“Change made at ART U (CA)” Hoop Dirt

“Morgan State declines to renew basketball coach Todd Bozeman’s contract”

JuCo Recruiting: “6’6 G/F Rich Washington of Tallahassee CC has committed to San Jose State” At 6-foot-6, 195, he played in eight games as a freshman at Wake Forest and redshirted in 2017-18 due to injury before transferring. Washington averaged a team best 16.6 points and 8.1 boards as well as 3.1 assists at Tallahassee this season while shooting 46%, 36% and 72%. 3.7 free throw attempts a game indicates he is not a drive-the-ball-the-the-basket player.

“The F Word and High School: my basketball coaching husband lost his job” Nicole Phillips

Interesting but would like more depth.

Now Noah Baumann, junior-to-be shooting guard from Arizona, is leaving the San Jose State University basketball program. Already the school record holder for most threes made in a season, he was second in scoring this past season at 10.8 points per game. Combine Baumann’s departure with the earlier one of Michael Steadman and replicating this season’s 4-27, 1-17 record will be a major challenge. For the record, the Spartans also finished 4-26, 1-17 last season in the Mountain West Conference, Coach Jean Prioleau’s first at the helm. He signed a five year contract in August 2017.

If a coaching change isn’t made, it will be telling every Spartan fan that SJSU is forgetting about next year altogether.

Daily Dirt: “UMKC has been moving quickly with their search. I have heard that Nevada special assistant (and former San Francisco and Florida Atlantic head coach) Rex Walters is in the mix here as well as a big-time D2 head coach. This has already been narrowed down to a very small group (DHR running the search)…”

CCSF Men’s Basketball: “Sophomore guard Austin McCullough has received an offer from Campbell.” The Fighting Camels are members of the Big South Conference and finished 20-13 this season.

Verbal Commits D2: “Chico State, Regis and Texas A&M–Commerce offered 2019 Saint Joseph Notre Dame (CA) G Julian Vaughns.”

“Marin IJ boys basketball Player of the Year: Branson’s Viktor Rajkovic” Danny Schmidt

Jesús Cano: “Just got hit with some news. Hari Brown has been named the new Pittsburg varsity boys basketball head coach. Brown also serves as a math teacher at Pittsburg. He says he plans on raising the athletic and academic standards within the program.”

Brandon Cole: “I would like to welcome Josiah James @josiahDjames of Hanford West to the @YBA916 17u family. Averaging 21, 10 and 4 his jr year while being 1st team all league, Josiah is one of the most well rounded players on the team. He will have a huge impact on both ends of the court!”

and

Brandon Cole: “Next I’d like to introduce Jake Fink of @Whitney_Bball to our @YBA916 17u family! He is a 6’5 knock down shooter with NBA range. High academic kid with a great family. Coaches do NOT recruit this kid late. He WILL blow up during this season!”

and

Brandon Cole: “YBA ELITE 17u would like to welcome pg Jalen Patterson @jalen_yt of @_Hawk_Hoops to the family! Averaged 23, 6 and 5 as a Jr. MVP of his league while eclipsing over 2000 points in his career! All state as a Sophomore. This will be a huge spring and summer for him!”

6-foot-4 freshman Adam (Ponderosa High) Orr is leaving Metro State:

“Frankie Ferrari, USF Dons ready for one last dance” Ryan Gorcey

The CCCAA Final Four community college results for Saturday:

San Francisco City College 82, Citrus College 76 OT—It took a few extra minutes to decide this one as Malcolm Johnson led a furious comeback for the Rams with 15 points and 12 boards plus three steals.

• game report
• game box
• game video

Fullerton College 58, Fresno City College 49—Fresno City didn’t score until six plus minutes into the contest and Fullerton never allowed the Rams to get closer than a six point deficit.

• game report
• game box
• game video

On Sunday, Fullerton College won the state championship 85-79 over City College of San Francisco by jumping out to an early lead and maintaining it throughout the game. Freshman guard Dale (Sheldon High) Currie led the Rams with both 21 points and five assists, and added seven boards. Teammate Malcolm Johnson provided 13, 11 and four. For the Hornets, Lance (St. Mary’s High-Stockton) Coleman II scored 18 points (11-12 at the foul line) alongside nine rebounds and earned tournament most valuable player honors..

• game report
• game box
• game video

CCCAA Northern CA Players Of The Year

Malcolm Johnson – CCSF / Skylar Chavez – SRJC

Northern CA Coach of the Year – Justin Labagh CCSF

First Team All State Selections – Northern CA

• Georgie Dancer FCC So. 6’4 190 G Modesto, CA Beyer HS
• Trey Whitley Cabrillo So. 6’ 185 G Santa Cruz, CA Harbor HS
• Malcolm Johnson CCSF So. 6’5 220 F Bakersfield, CA Centennial HS
• Spencer Montiero SJDC So. 6’6 195 F Lodi, CA Lodi HS
• Eric Boose Butte So. 6’4 200 F Inglewood, CA Inglewood HS
• Skylar Chavez SRJC So 6’5 195 G San Anselmo, CA Drake HS
• Xander Bowers Gavilan So. 6’7 210 F Gilroy, CA Christopher HS
• Daylon Potts Gavilan So. 6’6 180 F Fresno, CA Edison HS
• Michael Hayes LPC Fr. 6’4 200 G Tracy, CA West HS
• Raazhel Watkins LMC So. 6’1 170 G Pleasant Hill, CA College Park HS
• Keshawn Gibbs COS So. 6’2 195 G Atlanta, GA Dracula HS

Honorable Mention – Northern CA

• Masie Mohammadi Skyline Fr. 6’1 170 G San Mateo, CA Serra HS
• Austin McCullough CCSF So. 6’5 215 G Birmingham, AL Portage Central HS

Fullerton’s Lance Coleman II, out of St. Mary’s High in Stockton, also earned State Player of the Year honors for the Southland.

NCAA Friday

Carlos (El Cerrito High) Johnson dominated with 35 points and added nine boards plus four assists as Grand Canyon University turned back Utah Valley University 78-74 in a Western Athletic Conference semi-final contest.

Terrell (Moreau Catholic/City College San Francisco) Brown scored 19 points as New Mexico State downed UT Rio Grande Valley 79-72 in a Western Athletic Conference semi-finals pairing.

UC San Diego bested Cal Poly Pomona 61-50 in a NCAA West Regional quarterfinal matchup on Friday. Freshman Tyrell (Woodcreek High) Roberts led the Tritons with 24 points.

• game report
• box

Luke (Drake High/College of Marin) Chavez totaled 18 points plus eight boards and BJ (St. Patrick-St. Vincent) Standley tallied 13 points as Saint Martin’s University bested Concordia (Irvine) 63-60 a NCAA West Regional quarterfinal pairing.

• game report
• box

NCAA Saturday

BJ (St. Patrick-St. Vincent) Standley led with 18 points as Saint Martin’s University topped Seattle Pacific 67-63.

• game report
• box

NCAA Selection Sunday

Freshman guard Logan (St. Francis High) Johnson will be in his initial Big Dance as #7 Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference tourney and plays #10 Iowa.

Senior frontcourter Jonathan (Salesian Prep) Galloway and UC Irvine #13 go up against #4 Kansas State in San Jose on Friday.

#11 St. Mary’s and junior guard Jordan (Folsom High) Ford face off with #6 Villanova.

Sophomore forward Kenny (Manteca High) Wooten and #12 Oregon will take to the floor versus #5 Wisconsin.

In a battle of acronyms, #9 UCF and junior Aubrey (Palo Alto High) Dawkins will challenge #8 VCU.

#5 Auburn will lace ’em up with New Mexico State and the latter features senior guard JoJo (Newark Memorial High) Zamora plus junior backcourter Terrell (Moreau Catholic) Brown.

Frosh guard Elijah (Bishop O’Dowd) Hardy and will enter his first NCAA tournament as #9 Washington matches up with #8 Utah State.

#2 Michigan will be challenged by #15 Montana and junior  Sayeed (El Cerrito High) Pridgett plus sophomore Timmy (Dublin High) Falls.

#7 Nevada, featuring freshman big  Jordan (Prolific Prep) Brown and senior guard David (Bella Vista High) Cunningham, will challenge #10 Florida.

Verbal Commits: “San Jose State C Michael Steadman (JR) is leaving the program.”

That means the Spartans are losing their top producer in scoring (13.2) and rebounding (8.5). Steadman will sit out next season (wherever he lands) and have one year of eligibility remaining.

“Next in line: A breakdown of 10 candidates to replace Ernie Kent as Washington State’s basketball coach” Theo Lawson

From Andrew Doughty’s “9 Candidates to Replace Ernie Kent at Washington State” comes: “… Also keep an eye on … several mid-major head coaches: Travis DeCuire (Montana), Craig Smith (Utah State), Russell Turner (UC Irvine), Leon Rice (Boise State), Kyle Smith (San Francisco).

My 2018-19 CCCMBCA All State Team North

Most Valuable Player: Skylar Chavez, Santa Rosa Junior College—27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 52.9 %, 39.4% and 86.7 shooting

All State North

• Eric Boose, Butte College—18.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 49.3% 43.8% and 69.6% shooting
• Parker Haven, American River College—16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 63.6% 44% and 71.4% shooting
• Michael Hayes, Las Positas College—23.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, shooting 59.5%, 30.8% and 68.3% shooting
• Malcolm Johnson, City College San Francisco—13.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.1 steals, 59.5%, 39.6% and 71.4% shooting
• Greg Milton III, Sacramento City College—19.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 44.7%, 40.2% and 75% shooting
• Spencer Montiero, San Joaquin Delta College—17.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 56.7%, 65% and 70.6% shooting
• Daylon Potts, Gavilan College—9.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 43.9%, 30.6% and 64% shooting
• Ajay Singh, DeAnza College—24.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 61.4%, 45.2% and 68.9% shooting
• Terren Storey-Way, Lassen College—19.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 55.8%, 36.1%  and 73.2% shooting
• Raazhel Watkins, Los Medanos College—21.3 points, 6.3 assists, 5.6 boards, 49.4%, 50.6% and 84.6% shooting
• Trey Whitley, Cabrillo College—17.4 points, 4.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 49.5%, 43.4% and 77.7% shooting

NCAA

Tuesday

Upset of the Season!!! On a night where Jordan (Folsom High) Ford shot 1-6 from long distance and 5-14 overall plus Malik Fitts played only 12 minutes due to early foul trouble, St. Mary’s shuts down Gonzaga 60-47 and earns a Big Dance bid. The Zags shot 18-48 on the game, just 2-17 from beyond the arc and their starting backcourt went 5-25 from the floor. 6-foot-8 Rui Hachimura, the West Coast Conference Most Valuable Player,  took just six shots.

“3 keys to the Gaels’ 60-47 victory over the Bulldogs” Jim Meehan

“Run never comes for Gonzaga as Saint Mary’s completes the upset in ‘Shock City’” Vince Grippi

Earlier in the tourney:

St. Mary’s 69, San Diego 62—On Monday, Jordan (Folsom High) Ford provided 21 points in aiding the Gaels victory over San Diego in a West Coast Conference semi-final pairing. Isaiah (Placer High/Sierra College) Pineiro provided 16 points and seven rebounds. Each team remarkably earned just four assists. game report

“Cal Poly Search update” Key paragraph: “…Some of the names that I have heard surrounding this one are Stanford associate head coach Adam Cohen, Nevada assistant coach Gus Argenal, UCSB assistant coach John Rille, Drexel assistant Paul Fortier, and at least two other big-time PAC-12 assistant coaches…”

“Cal Poly athletic director holds press conference” Nick Wilson

“It was ‘never taken for granted’: Joe Callero reflects on a decade as Poly basketball coach” Nick Wilson

“Field set for CCCAA Men’s Basketball State Championship Tournament”

“Eight games, eight survivors and the field is set for the 2019 CCCAA Men’s Basketball State Championship Tournament, set for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (Mar 14, 16-17) at Ventura. Play will begin with quarterfinal matchups on Thursday with the semifinals on Saturday and the championship on Sunday.

2019 CCCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
State Championship Schedule (Ventura)

Quarterfinals – Thu., Mar. 14

• (2S) Citrus (24-6) vs. (2N) College of the Sequoias (23-7), 1 p.m.
• (2N) Fresno City (27-3) vs. (3S) Chaffey (23-7), 3 p.m.
• (1N) City College of San Francisco (29-1) vs. (4S) Santa Monica (20-11), 5 p.m.
• (1S) Fullerton (27-3) vs. (4N) Santa Rosa (22-8), 7 p.m.”

“Santa Rosa Junior College men’s basketball team seeks another playoff upset” Kerry Benefield

“He stood out 4 years at Madera. Now he’s a standout for state final eight-bound Fresno City” Anthony Galaviz

“COS on a roll heading into state championships” Nick Giannandrea

Endigo Coleman: “Blessed to have received an offer to continue my Basketball Career. Thank Coach Jensen for a great visit, I really enjoyed the school Whittier College…”

Coleman is a 6-foot-3 2019 combo guard out of Newark Memorial High and Team Arsenal. He also recently officially visited Fresno Pacific.

Hornet Hoops: “Lance Coleman has been offered by UT Rio Grand Valley.” UTRGV is a member of the Western  Athletic Conference. Coleman is out of St. Mary’s High-Stockton.

Hornet Hoops: “Zeke Alley has been offered by Cal State Monterey Bay after visiting this past weekend” He is a 6-foot-1 guard out of Fullerton College.

Joe Davidson: “Josh Williams, one of region’s stellar people, coaches & champions, has stepped down as coach @_Hawk_Hoops – worn out & needing time w his young family.
Led 6 NorCal teams and won 174 games in 7 seasons w homegrown kids from Galt
Went 14-1 at home in @cifsjs & @CIFState playoffs”

“VOL ALL-LEAGUE

After helping his team go on a 30-game winning streak to claim a section title, Weston Ranch’s Gavin Wilburn has been named the Valley Oak League MVP.

Cougars teammates Donjae Lindsay and Devin Small were also named to the VOL First Team. Other selections include Kimball’s Kai Ballungay and Manteca’s Jorge Cedano and Domonick Victor.”

“James Akinjo Named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week”

SATURDAY

NCAA

In San Jose State University’s 121-81 loss to Fresno State, Michael (Logan High/CCSF) Steadman still showed up with 21 points and nine rebounds. Noah (Woodcreek High/Long Beach State) Blackwell scored 25 points (shooting 8-10, 7-8, 2-3) for the Bulldogs and dished out eight assists.

Bolstered by 25 points, five boards and five assists via James (Salesian Prep) Akinjo, Georgetown edged Marquette 86-84.

Receiving a near triple double — 22 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists — from Jesse (Drake High) Hunt, Eastern Washington nabbed an 80-77 road victory over Weber State.

New Mexico State topped Cal Baptist 75-63 despite the latter getting 18 points plus eight boards from De’jon (Oakland Tech) Davis.

Jonathan (Salesian Prep) Galloway scored but eight points (just five shot attempts) but contributed 11 rebounds and a pair of blocked shots in UC Irvine’s 86-74 defeat of Cal State Northridge.

Isaiah (Placer High/Sierra College) Pineiro enjoyed a 27 points, 12 board double-double as San Diego blasted BYU in a West Coast Conference semifinal pairing 80-57.

Montana handled Sacramento State 86-68 with Sayeed (El Cerrito High) Pridgett going for 17 points, six rebounds and four assists and teammate Timmy (Dublin High) Falls providing 16 points, five assists and four steals. Joshua (Sierra High) Patton led the Hornets with 20 points and added six rebounds and three blocked shots.

Carlos (El Cerrito High) Johnson continued his scoring surge of late with 22 points but Grand Canyon fell 83-76 to Seattle.

In Hayward, UC San Diego captured the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament title with a 71-62 victory versus Cal Poly Pomona. For the victorious Tritons, Tyrell (Woodcreek High) Roberts totaled 17 points and teammate Chris (Campolindo High) Hansen posted a 13 point, 13 rebound double-double.

Community College

Host City College San Francisco 83, Cañada College 67

“CCSF Rams punch ticket to Ventura with 83-67 win over Cañada” Patrick Cochran

Host Fresno City College 81, Yuba College 72—Ethan (Madera High) Richardson shot 11-11 on his way to a team bests 24 points and nine boards and Georgie (Beyer High) Dancer finished with 21 points plus five assists. The Rams shot 56% overall and 8-18 from three-point range. FCC box

Appeal-Democrat: “The Yuba College basketball playoff run came to an end on Saturday night as the 49ers lost to Fresno City College by a final score of 81-72.

Despite the tough season ending loss, Brandon Recek tallied 18 points while league MVP Cornell Greenwood scored 16 points.

“It was a great season, I can’t complain when I have a team that wins 25 games,” said Yuba head coach Doug Cornelius.”

Santa Rosa Junior College 68, host Gavilan College 66—Skylar (Drake High) Chavez led the Rams victory with 27 points and seven boards as SRJC shot 50% overall although just 8-26 from long distance and 6-12 from the foul line. full box

“Santa Rosa Junior College men upset Gavilan to reach state tournament” Albert Gregory

Gavilan Men’s Basketball: “I. Zaid 24 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, D. Burgess 14 pts, 4 reb, X. Bowers 11 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 3 blk, P. Fisher 8 pts, 5 ast, 3 reb, 2 stl, D. Potts 6 pts, 17 reb, 6 ast”

College of the Sequoias 85, host San Joaquin Delta College 77

“Delta … men fall to Sequoias” Scott Niendorf

High School

“Sierra Canyon quiets crowd to win back-to-back Open Division championships” Ethan Kassel

“Dunk you very much – Sierra Canyon has 12 dunks on Sheldon and looks the part of national No. 1 power” Joe Davidson

Campolindo 55, Colony 40—“Campolindo boys win first state championship
Baby Cougars get 19 points from both freshman Aidan Mahaney, sophomore Emmanuel Callas in D-II win” Darren Sabedra

“Campolindo rolls to Division II state championship” Ethan Kassel

Ribet 60, Immanuel 49—“Ribet rises late to top Immanuel” Ethan Kassel

“Fans behind them, but Immanuel Eagles fall under Frogs’ closing run in state final” Thomas Frey

Gerry Freitas: “After winning the Division IV state title Ribet Academy (first year) coach Reggie Howard was asked how you go from winning one game a year ago to a state championship. ‘We were able to go out and recruit some kids from all over the country. We were able to change things.'”

On Friday, William Jessup University defeated Vanguard 79-75 as Keith (Chabot College) Phillips led with 23 points and Teammate Tyas (Sheldon High/Humboldt State) Rattler Jr. contributed 18 in the Golden State Athletic Conference semi-final matchup.

On Saturday in the GSAC tournament final, The Master’s College downed William Jessup University 89-74. Keith (Chabot College) Phillips again came through with 19 points and 8 rebounds for WJU.

Jeff Goodman: “Underrated coaching job: Cal Baptist head coach and ex-St. Mary’s assistant Rick Croy has won 16 games in first season in transition to D-1 ranks. Cal Baptist, not eligible for WAC tourney due to transition, with 7 league wins heading into tomorrow’s game against New Mexico St.”

K.J. (Kennedy High/Sacramento City College) Duronslet earned First Team All Conference honors (his second such selection) and Derek (Redwood High/College of Marin) Morgan was awarded a spot on the league All-Academic team.

“Duronslet proved to be an all-around player for the Bulldogs as he posted 16.9 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game, and 62 assists. He logged 46 steals and 13 blocks and was third in the league in double-doubles with 11. Duronslet shot 54.3 percent from the field and was named the AAC Player of the Week three times.”

Morgan averaged 11.3 points per game.

6-foot-8 Jonathan (Heritage High) Ned is in his freshman season at Eastern Florida State and he is averaging 10.0 points, 4.8  boards and 1.1 assists while shooting 46%, 34% and 73%.

Gerry Freitas: “Nor Cal Spring Showcase is Sat-Sun March 30-31 at the new Cali Courts in Union City & other Bay Area sites. Open to teams from hi school & AAU programs in all hi school grades (includes seniors). $495.00/team. 3 or more team discount. 2 games each day. gerryfreitas@hotmail.com”

Big, big news:

“San Joaquin Memorial star Jalen Green is transferring to prep school in Bay Area” Anthony Galaviz

Pacific Prep is his next hoops destination.

High School State Championship games

La Jolla Country Day 67, University 39—“University boys fall in Division III state title game to La Jolla Country Day” Ryan Gorcey

Foothill-Bakersfield 78, Mt. Shasta 66—“Foothill’s long road ends with second state title in program history” Trevor Horn

Chino Hills 69, James Logan 63—“James Logan’s rally falls short; Chino Hills repeats as state D-I champ  In a foul-marred game, Logan cuts deficit to two in closing minutes but can’t get over the top” Darren Sabedra

“Boys BB: CIF Friday Finals” CalHiSports

NCAA

Pepperdine 68, Loyola Marymount 65—Jade Smith provided 16 points, five rebounds and three assists for the victors who face USF on Saturday evening. full box

San Diego 62, Santa Clara 45—Isaiah (Placer High) Pineiro posted a 15 point, nine rebound line as San Diego and the Southlanders now take on BYU on Saturday night. full box

UC San Diego 72, host Cal State East Bay 68—Juwan (Bishop O’Dowd) Anderson scored 23 points (5-7 shooting from long distance) and dished out six assists while teammate Ant (San Lorenzo High/Cañada College) Navarette contributed 19  (8-13 shooting). Tyrell (Woodcreek High) Roberts tallied 13 points and Chris Hansen grabbed 12 boards for the victorious Toreros who shot 14-31 on trey attempts. full box

Cal Poly Pomona 102, Cal State Los Angeles 99 four OTs—Phoenix (Vanden High) Shackelford totaled 18 points, three  boards and three assists as CPP edged Cal State Los Angeles in Hayward. It’s UC San Diego versus Pomona tonight for the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship. full box

Dinos Trigonis: “Happy Birthday to Basketball Writers Hall of Famer FrankieBur ! Frank is the pioneer of prep hoops basketball coverage since the 1970’s & serves on the McDonald’s AA Game, NBPA Camp & PangosAACamp selection committees. Follow him on Twitter & at http://burlisononbasketball.com”

He’s also a nice human being, very down to earth and accessible. Hope many more birthdays come Frank’s way.

Nor Cal basketball figures earned three of the top four California Collegiate Athletic Association honors according to the league coaches:

2018-19 CCAA Men’s Basketball Awards

• Player of the Year: Chris Hansen, UC San Diego
• Newcomer of the Year: Tyrell Roberts, UC San Diego
• Freshman of the Year: Alex Garcia, Cal State Dominguez Hills
• Coach of the Year: Bryan Rooney, Cal State East Bay

Plus:

All-CCAA First Team

• Juwan Anderson Sr. G Cal State East Bay Oakland
• Christian Bayne Sr. G UC San Diego Bakersfield
• William Christmas Jr. G Cal Poly Pomona Oceanside
• Justin Everett Sr. F Humboldt State Clovis
• Chris Hansen Jr. C UC San Diego Lafayette
• Colten Kresl So. G Cal State Dominguez Hills Scottsdale, Ariz.
• Jordan Ogundiran Sr. G Cal Poly Pomona Chatsworth
• Tyrell Roberts Fr. G UC San Diego Sacramento
• Jiday Ugbaja Gr. G San Francisco State San Francisco
• Evan Wardlow Sr. G Cal State East Bay Lake View Terrace

More (Second Team, Honorable Mention)

Kevin McPherson: “2019 junior college big man Shawn Stith (6-8, 255, power forward/center, Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, by way of Oakland, CA) has picked up a scholarship offer from Arkansas and is interested in the Hogs, his coach Andy Ground confirmed on Thursday.

“Shawn is very interested and waiting on (Arkansas) to set up a visit after (the Hogs’) season is over,” Ground said.

Arkansas associate head coach Melvin Watkins and assistant coach Scotty Thurman watched Stith play for the first time in person recently.

“Last week, they watched us play in the league championship,” Ground said. “Both (Watkins and Thurman) were at the game. Coach Thurman watched tape on him over the last two months.”

Stith, a sophomore who will have two years of playing eligibility at the NCAA Division 1 level beginning in 2019-20, has been recruited by a host of mid-major D1 schools in Long Beach State, Idaho, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Bakersfield, and Grand Canyon.

“(Stith) had a bunch that offered early but he did not take any visits,” Ground said. “He wanted to wait.”

Stith, a nimble-footed big who can play with his back to the basket and facing up, was recently named ’18-19 Orange Empire Conference Co-MVP. He averaged 15.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists for the Gauchos while shooting 61.4% from the field (including 28.6% from 3) and 77.7% free throws.”

Out of Fremont High in Oakland, Stith was the Orange Empire Conference Co-MVP this season.

“After Open loss, MC believes 2019-20 could be ‘shining, shimmering, splendid'” James Burns

“Bagley and the boys: Sheldon adds a 6-foot-8 star and gets the chemistry right” Joe Davidson

“PAST MEETS PRESENT: Ripon’s Olmo, coach Graham earn top TVL honors” Jonamar Jacinto

“Pajaro Valley junior Christian Quintero named MVP of Cypress Division” Jim Seimas

NCAA Thursday

Eastern Washington defeated Idaho State 91-62 as Jesse (Drake High) Hunt posted a 14 point, 16 rebound double-double.

Behind 16 boards (seven offensive) and 10 points from Joshua (Sierra High) Patton, Sacramento State edged Montana State 70-67.

Despite receiving 28 points from Sayeed (El Cerrito High) Pridgett, Montana fell 81-69 to Portland State.

Phil (Franklin High) Fayne finished with 17 points, 10 boards and three blocked shots as Illinois State topped Evansville 65-60.

Isaiah (Placer High/Sierra College) Pineiro’s 16 point, 10 rebound helped power San Diego to a 67-47 victory over Portland.

PacWest Conference Tournament

Erik (Marysville High/Yuba College) Scheive contributed 19 points plus five rebounds as Chaminade defeated Holy Names University 108-97 in a semi-finals matchup Thursday in San Rafael. full box

The California Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four is being held in Hayward and here are Friday’s pairings:

• UC San Diego versus Cal State East Bay
• Cal State Los Angeles versus Cal Poly Pomona

The Pioneers are the sole northern California team remaining but there are a number of Nor Cal talents sprinkled among the other teams.

“MUSTANGS AND GIANTS MEET IN SWEET 16” Signal The Light Basketball

“RAMS AND COLTS MEET FOR THIRD TIME THIS SEASON” Signal The Light Basketball

“FRESNO MEETS YUBA IN BATTLE OF CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS FOR PLACE IN VENTURA” Signal The Light Basketball

“Cañada one win from elite eight” Terry Bernal

“COS’ Rusty Smith a win away from becoming winningest coach in program history”

On Saturday:

• Yuba College @ Fresno City College
• Santa Rosa Junior College @ Gavilan College
• Canada College @ City College San Francisco
• College of the Sequoias @ San Joaquin Delta College

“How Logan reached Division I state final  Colts have not hopped off treadmill since Day 1, returning to state title game for second time in three seasons” Darren Sabedra

“Versatile University ready for state championship challenge” Ethan Kassel

High School State Championship Games (Sacramento)

Friday, March 8
12:00 p.m. Division V Boys – Mt. Shasta vs. Foothill, Bakersfield

4:00 p.m. Division III Boys – San Francisco University vs. La Jolla Country Day

8:00 p.m. Division I Boys – James Logan vs. Chino Hills

Saturday, March 9

12:00 p.m. Division IV Boys – Immanuel vs. Ribet Academy

4:00 p.m. Division II Boys – Campolindo vs. Colony

8:00 p.m. Open Division Boys – Sheldon vs. Sierra Canyon

Verbal Commits: “2019 Highland CC (IL) F/C Luka Barišić has received an offer from UC Davis”

Barisic is a 6-foot-9 sophomore out of Croatia and averaging 15.1 points per game. His best skill appears to be shooting the ball (53%, 40% and 77% accuracy). The Aggies need scoring out of the four and five spots.

“…Saint Martin’s saw its regular-season championship season rewarded with the selection of Alex Pribble as GNAC Coach of the Year…”

Pribble is out of Drake High and California. He’ll be back in California coaching collegiately sooner rather than later.

Plus:

2018-19 GNAC MEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

FIRST TEAM

• Adonis Arms Northwest Nazarene G 6-6 Jr. Milwaukee, Wis. (Mesa CC)
• Luke Chavez Saint Martin’s G 6-3 Sr. Woodacre, Calif. (South Puget Sound CC)
• Trevor Jasinsky Western Washington F 6-7 Jr. Camas, Wash. (Camas)
  Coleman Wooten Seattle Pacific F 6-5 Sr. Maple Valley, Wash. (Tahoma)
• Obi Megwa Northwest Nazarene G 6-0 Sr. Phoenix, Ariz. (Mesa CC)
• Tyler Brimhall Alaska Anchorage G/F 6-5 Jr. Logan, Utah (North Idaho JC)

SECOND TEAM

• Riley Hawken Western Oregon F 6-6 Jr. Vancouver, Wash. (Concordia Univ.)
• Gavin Long Seattle Pacific G 6-5 Jr. Wenatchee, Wash. (Wenatchee)
  Julian Roche Simon Fraser C 6-11 So. Saint John, N.B. (Santa Clara Univ.)
• EJ Boyce Saint Martin’s G 6-2 Sr. Boise, Idaho (San Jose State Univ.)
• Tyler Green Montana State Billings G 5-10 Jr. Redding, Calif. (Humboldt State Univ.)
• Chandler Redix Saint Martin’s G 6-2 Sr. Apple Valley, Calif.
  (Kentucky Wesleyan Univ.)

“Cal Poly men’s basketball coach fired after historically bad season” Nick Wilson

Who’s in the running as a replacement? Watch for former UCLA assistant Scott Garson who is currently assisting Herb Sendek at Santa Clara.

“Exclusive: Wiretap reveals LSU coach Will Wade discussed recruiting ‘offer’ with hoops scandal middleman” Pat Forde, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel

So what communication methods are now being employed to avoid FBI wiretap detection? It’s a whole different universe when the feds get involved.