July 8, 2011

Inside the West Valley squad

Kevin McCarthy
 

Al Grigsby, the former Cal great, coaches the West Valley Basketball Club which is located in the San Jose area.

Here is Grigsby’s description of his squad to date: "Initially, we had an up and down spring but we’re getting better. At the recent Cal team camp, I was really impressed with how the guys played. Our identity is that we like to play fast but we recognize what is and isn’t working for us so we can handle opponents who push the ball, walk it up or play a halfcourt game. The guys are buying into their roles and our veterans have been great in integrating the new guys into the team."

Here is the West Valley roster, accompanied by quotes from Grigsby:

• Jordan Bramlett, 5-foot-9, Redwood Junior High, 2015
  "Jordan will be attending St. Francis as an incoming 9th grader. We like to take a younger kid and have him practice and travel with the older guys to give them the experience that will benefit them down the road."
• Demarea Washington, 5-foot-8, Will C. Wood, 2012
  "Demarea is a point/two guard for us who is still learning the game -- he’s able to penetrate and finish around the basket."
• Advit Raghavan, 6-foot-0, Valley Christian, 2013
  "He recently became our starting point -- he can shoot and penetrate and is really fast with the basketball. Advit has the potential to really impact our team."
• Jordan Belton, 6-foot-0, San Benito, 2012
  "Jordan is probably the best player on our team, our leading scorer who can play the one and the two. He’s a great defender and a team leader."
• Conner Griffin, 6-foot-4, Dougherty Valley, 2011
  "Conner is another leader, a glue guy who plays the one, two and three and stabilizes the team. He’s a good three-point shooter."
• Arthur Caldwell, 6-foot-5, Salinas, 2012
  "Arthur is an ever-improving post player with a knack for scoring around the basket and scoring against taller players. He’s a good post defender."
• Daniel Vann-Vittorino, 6-foot-7, North Salinas, 2012
  "Daniel has been a pleasant surprise -- he’s learning the game and progressing to where we are starting him now. Daniel is one of our leading shotblockers."
• Pierce Levellee, 6-foot-3, Will C. Wood, 2012
  "He plays the two and three spots, has a good mid-range game -- 15 feet and in -- and is one of our better defenders and rebounders."
• Trevor Priest, 6-foot-5, Santa Teresa, 2012
  "He’s a really smart player who is very athletic and versatile -- he can shoot the three, has a mid-range shot and can finish around the basket."
• Justin Dueck, 6-foot-9, Leland, 2011
  "Justin is our center when we face a big post player -- he brings a physical presence as a shotblocker and rebounder."
• Derek King, 6-foot-3, Santa Teresa, 2012
  "Derek is originally from China and is physical, tough and a three-point shooting guy."
• Daniel Gunther, 6-foot-5, Santa Teresa, 2011
  "Daniel plays the three and four for us, he can score around the basket and is a great offensive rebounder who gets up and down the floor well. He’ll play at Foothill College next season."
• Clayton Jubran, 5-foot-10, Los Gatos, 2012
  "Another stabilizer at the point, he is a great on-the-ball defender who can hit the open shot."