Valley Crop is Bountiful

Kevin McCarthy
 

The Santa Clara Valley produces silicon chips. Prior to the paveover, it was fruits and vegetables. But there is no encyclopedia historical entry about the bearing of prep basketball prospects. A Drew Gordon pops up every so often but the discovery of gold is occurs often elsewhere in the Golden State. However, Piedmont High Coach Pete Simos says there is silver and bronze to be had if college recruiters look hard enough. Additionally, he offers up a pair of out-of-county names off teams he and his team have faced this season.

Here’s a listing of college prospects who Simos says are worth scouting and signing at various levels, along with his commentary:

• Justin Dueck, Leland High, 6-foot-8, 230, senior
  "A D-1 power forward if he had the exposure, he may need a year at a junior college." Dueck’s current numbers: 14.3 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game.
• Muktar Abdi, Willow Glen High, 6-foot-0, 160, senior
  "One of the best point guards I’ve seen in the Bay Area. There is no way he isn’t among the top six or seven point guards in northern California."
• Sohn Nijor, Leigh High, 6-foot-4, 185, senior
  "An athletic wing who can do it all." Nijor is putting up 17 points and 7 rebounds a contest.
• Andrew Gardner, Freedom (Oakley) High, 6-foot-3, senior (outside the Valley but Oakley played Piedmont Hills this season)
  "A strong penetrating wing who can also shoot it."
• Brenden Glapion, Washington High, 6-3, 165, senior (another one from outside the Valley but Washington played Piedmont Hills earlier this season)
  "A wing with a very smooth game." Scoring 22.4 points per game.
• EJ Floreal, Palo Alto High, 6-foot-4, 210, sophomore
  "A sophomore combination forward who is athletic and can really play."
• Colin Wan Archbishop Mitty, 5-foot-11, senior
  "Maybe the most underrated of this bunch, he would be a 17 points per game guy for most teams."
• Matt Redfield, Gunn High, 6-foot-7, senior
  "A big guy who is the son of a coach -- he is really underrated." Redfield’s numbers: 12.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 3.1 assists each time on the floor.
• Momir Gataric, Homestead High, 6-foot-4, senior
  "He is athletic, can do it all and way under the radar."

The Valley is rarely on the recruiting radar but catching these players in action just might pay off for a hungry assistant college coach looking to make a name.