Friday, March 31, 2017

All NorCal Games April 2 @ Las Positas College


A new event, the All NorCal Games, is happening Sunday, April 2 at Las Positas College. It features northern California high school and community college players facing off against their counterparts.

The schedule consists of five segments:

1:00 p.m. - Girls HS East vs West All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

2:30 p.m. - Boys HS Central Valley vs South Valley All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

4:15 p.m. - Boys HS Bay Area vs Sac All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

6:00 p.m. - All NorCal Dunk Contest participants

6:30 p.m. - Men's Junior College North vs South All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

Consider this to be the largest basketball all-star event ever in Northern California (and more than likely the West Coast. It's a version of the McDonald's All-American Games, except for Northern California student-athletes.

The Las Positas College gymnasium is located in the 2500 Building. Both Parking Lots P & E are nearest the main entrance for the general public. The address: 3000 Campus Hill Dr, Livermore, CA 94551.

Las Positas charges $2 for parking and visitors can pay at the parking stations.

GENERAL INFORMATION & ADMISSION

Admission is as follows (cash & credit accepted)

General - $12
High School & College Students w/ ID - $10
Kids K-8th, Military, Seniors - $8
Under 5 yrs - FREE
Media Guide - $5

FOOD ON SITE

Papa John's will be on location in the upper level for the day providing pizza for sale in the 'Watch Party' area. The game broadcast will be playing on a 10-foot screen in this area for those that want to grab a quick bite without leaving the campus. The NCAA Women's National Championship game will be televised in this area as well.

Smith graduating and leaving Northridge

Jeff Goodman: "Cal State Northridge guard Kendall Smith told ESPN he will be a grad transfer. Averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 assists this past season."

Zamora departing from the Utes

Junior guard JoJo Zamora is leaving the Utah program. He has a year of eligibility remaining. LINK

The Gauchos make their hire: Joe Pasternack

Mark Patton tweeted:

"Pasternack, who was also head coach at the University of New Orleans and a former Cal assistant, was one of two finalists for the UCSB job"

and

"USC asso. head coach Tony Bland was also a finalist for the UCSB basketball coaching job, but Joe Pasternack accepted UCSB's offer today."

O'Neal going with Lakeshow

Lakeshow Hoops: "Welcome to the Lakeshow family! @Trippy_tre_tre big time sophomore joining the show"

That's 6-foot Trevon O'Neal out of Freedom High.

Solid looks at each of the four squads

"The Blueprint for Each Final Four Coach to Guarantee His Team a National Title" -- Mark Titus

Article + five minute video

"Meet Kyree Walker, the Bay Area hoops prodigy you don’t know but should
Introducing a 6-foot-6 wing who is grabbing attention nationally as one of the country’s top freshmen" -- Courtney Cronin

Dauster pulls no punches

"Dana Altman, now in his first Final Four, should have been fired over Oregon’s rape case" -- Rob Dauster

Altman's ability with X's and O's is remarkable, that is indisputable. His judgment in other areas, well, is lacking.

Before we canonize...

"The blurred lines of the Final Four" -- Mark Ziegler

More NBA draft talk

"What Has the NCAA Tournament Taught Us About the 2017 NBA Draft?
Our resident draft experts revise their top fives, point out a few under-the-radar players, and take a look at some disappointing performances from top-tier lottery prospects" -- Kevin O'Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau

More on Cam Oliver

Chris Murray: "CAMERON OLIVER is an NBA-caliber player. Whether the Wolf Pack star decides to take his game to the NBA this season or next, he’s going to play in the league. But his decision – which ultimately is between making more memories in college or chasing the money in the pros, and neither is wrong – will play a huge role in determining Nevada’s ceiling next season. Oliver announced this week he would test the NBA draft waters without a hiring an agent, meaning he could still return to school for his junior season. Oliver did the same thing last season before ultimately coming back to Nevada, which was the obvious and correct decision. The odds of him returning to Reno after this flirtation with the pros this time around are much, much smaller..."

"... His shooting spaced the floor, his rim protection and defensive rebounding made up for teammates’ mistakes, his confidence brought the team a swagger and he always showed up for the big games. Scorers are easier to replace than guys who impact both ends of the court like Oliver, who led Nevada in box-score plus-minus by a healthy margin last season."

Tention and others honored

Dave Mendonca writes about the honorees in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s De Anza Division. Palo Alto's Miles Tention was named the Most Valuable Player.

George Ellegood honored

"Cupertino, Sunnyvale: Ellegood wins spot on all-league first team" -- Dave Mendonca

Saratoga with a trio of honorees

"Saratoga: Falcons Schneidmiller, Davey, Ramaswamy earns all-league first team berths" -- Dave Mendonca

The Morris' want to play ball

"20,000 pick-up basketball enthusiasts go mad for Sac State grads’ mobile app" -- Cathie Anderson

Thursday, March 30, 2017

All NorCal Games April 2 @ Las Positas College


A new event, the All NorCal Games, is happening Sunday, April 2 at Las Positas College. It features northern California high school and community college players facing off against their counterparts.

The schedule consists of five segments:

1:00 p.m. - Girls HS East vs West All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

2:30 p.m. - Boys HS Central Valley vs South Valley All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

4:15 p.m. - Boys HS Bay Area vs Sac All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

6:00 p.m. - All NorCal Dunk Contest participants

6:30 p.m. - Men's Junior College North vs South All-Stars (class of '17) rosters

Consider this to be the largest basketball all-star event ever in Northern California (and more than likely the West Coast. It's a version of the McDonald's All-American Games, except for Northern California student-athletes.

The Las Positas College gymnasium is located in the 2500 Building. Both Parking Lots P & E are nearest the main entrance for the general public. The address: 3000 Campus Hill Dr, Livermore, CA 94551.

Las Positas charges $2 for parking and visitors can pay at the parking stations.

GENERAL INFORMATION & ADMISSION

Admission is as follows (cash & credit accepted)

General - $12
High School & College Students w/ ID - $10
Kids K-8th, Military, Seniors - $8
Under 5 yrs - FREE
Media Guide - $5

FOOD ON SITE

Papa John's will be on location in the upper level for the day providing pizza for sale in the 'Watch Party' area. The game broadcast will be playing on a 10-foot screen in this area for those that want to grab a quick bite without leaving the campus. The NCAA Women's National Championship game will be televised in this area as well.

Personalized jerseys for Sunday

NorCal SportsTV: "Jerseys are in! Looking forward to the show this Sunday @ Las Positas"

Former Terra Nova/Skyline College/Notre Dame de Namur talent making it in the PBA

"The long journey continues for Simon Enciso" -- Jutt Sulit

The Tigers want a JC point

Lamar Bigby: "#Pacific and #LoyolaMaryMount of the #WCC has extended Offers to 6'4 JC Point Guard Deishuan Booker of CSI Will visit #CMichigan April 7-8th"

210 assists versus 94 turnovers this season plus a team best 55 steals.

Davis with two offers

Verbal Commits: "Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Southern offered 2017 College of Marin (CA) G Tyrian Davis."

Davis is a 6-foot-1 point out of Reno. He signed with San Francisco State last June.

And the NCAA refuses to call this a business...

"DID NORTHWESTERN BASKETBALL RUN OFF JOHNNIE VASSAR?" -- Kevin Trahan

Excerpt:

"Cherise says she wondered why the coaches who had compared her son to Kyrie Irving during his recruitment suddenly didn't want him anymore. She also says she wondered why they were told during recruitment that her son would be a starter, while Collins later told the media that he would be a "change-of-pace" guy.

Eventually, she says, she asked Gates if Northwestern basketball was running her son off.

"I said to Coach Gates, 'It sounds like you're forcing him out,'" she told VICE Sports. "And he said, 'Coach won't admit to it, but we are.' I said, 'Why didn't you play him?' He said, 'Coach didn't want a jiggerbug,'" meaning a frantic, flashy player like Vassar.

Cherise continued, "I said, 'You knew his of play when you recruited him, why did you recruit him?' He said, 'To be honest, Cherise, we just needed bodies at that time.'"

Norlander is right

"Oregon's run to 2017 Final Four has disturbing backdrop that can't be overlooked" -- Matt Norlander

The top Chuck Hayes squad

Chuck Hayes Basketball: "Our  #chb 17u is coming to a city near you"

April 8-9 Yellow Jackets Capital Classic Sacramento CA

White Large
Follow us on InstaGram @teamselect2009

April 8-9 Yellow Jackets Capital Classic
Sacramento CA


If anyone needs additional hotel rooms I have a block at the Arden Fair Double Tree at $129 per night + taxes.  THE CUT OFF DATE IS THIS FRIDAY 3/31.


Follow us on InstaGram @teamselect2009
"Foundation for Excellence; On the Court, In the Class Room, In Life" 

2017 AAU Chico Springtime Showcase 12th AAU Annual Basketball Invitational


AAU Girls & Boys

2017 AAU Chico Springtime Showcase
12th AAU Annual Basketball Invitational



Registration Deadline!! March 31,2017

AAU AGE GROUPS: 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th JV & Varsity

Register Now! @ showtiemhoops.com


Contact Mike Walker 530-591-5245 for multi-team pricing
Team Schedule Requests Email: brackets@showtimehoops.com

(Northern California) (Officials Association Referees)

AAU Girls & Boys Divisions 1 Division 2 Division 3

Register Now! @ showtiemhoops.com


Contact AAU Tournament Directors
Mike Walker mike@showtiemhoops.com 530-591-5245
Coachvee@showtiemhoops.com

April 8th & 9th 2017

2017 AAU Chico springtime Showcase Games Schedule:
Saturday, April 8th 8am-8:50pm Sunday, April 9th 8am-5:45pm

AAU Chico Springtime Showcase Tournament Directors:
MikeWalker 530.591.5245 mike@showtiemhoops.com


April 8th & 9th 2017
AAU Chico springtime Showcase Games Schedule:
Saturday, April 8th 8am-8:50pm Sunday, April 9th 8am-5:45pm

2016 110 AAU Girls & Boys Teams Participated

Date: April 8th-9th 2017

All AAU Team Schedule Request

Contact AAU Tournament Directors Mike Walker mike@showtiemhoops.com
Coachvee@showtiemhoops.com

AAU Girls & Boys

AAU AGE GROUPS: 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th JV & Varsity

AAU Girls & Boys Divisions ENTRY FEE:

$325.00 1 Team $300.00 2 Teams $275.00 3 or more

Register Now! @ showtiemhoops.com


TEAM ROSTERS ENTRY DEADLINE: March 31st 2017

AAU AWARDS:

1st & 2nd Place Trophies 3rd place medals

FORMAT: 3 Game minimum. Pool Play

Contact Mike Walker 530-591-5245

Contact AAU Tournament Directors Mike Walker mike@showtiemhoops.com
Coachvee@showtiemhoops.com

12th Annual AAU Chico Springtime Showcase presented by
Nor Cal Warriors-Showtime Basketball Academy
Chico Visitors Bureau on April 8th & 9th 2016.

The event will be hosted by 15 Basketball sites in the Chico Area

On Friday April 7th at 5pm Coaches Check in at the Ramada hotel.

Games Schedule 8am-9pm Saturday, April 8th Sunday, April 9th, 8am-5pm

AAU Chico springtime Showcases Northern California elite athletes

Tournament will showcase competitive Girls & Boys Basketball.

AAU Chico Springtime Showcase provides Northern California college coaches
a tremendous opportunity to scout the up-and-coming basketball Players.

AAU Tournament Registration

Deadline is March 31, 2017

Chico Hotels: (Please Book Early All Hotels will be Sold Out In Chico)

***Chico Hotels***

Motel 6 Hotel 800-544-4866

Heritage Inn Express 530-343-4527

Super 8 Hotel 530-345-2533 Rate

University Inn Hotel 530-895-1323

Americas Best Value Inn 530-343-3286

Best Western Inn 800-446-4291

Marriott Courtyard 530-894-6699

Residence Inn 530-894-5500

Ramada Hotel 530-345-2491

Oxford Suites 530-899-9090

All travel teams must Check in prior to start of first game for mandatory team roster registration sessions

begin at April 7th at 5pm-9pm, Ramada Inn

Saturday April 8th at 8am-1pm

All teams should make departing plans Sunday April 9th, after 6pm.

******No Refunds******

******For missing games due to team check in registration.******

Presentation & Coaches Certification Check-In

Friday, April 7, 2017 5pm-9pm Ramada Inn

Saturday session: April 8, 2017 8am-1pm

Coaches will receive official coaching badges

Official Brackets and Tournament info tournament Program

Coaches will receive 2 bands per team entered

Chico Springtime Showcase (Two coaches entry bands per team)

Coaches/Team Administrators Registration Location:

5pm-9pm Ramada Inn Chico CA

685 Manzanita Court Chico, CA 95926

Saturday Team Registration Location:

April 8, 2016 8am-1pm Ramada Inn Chico CA

685 Manzanita Court Chico, CA 95926

Contact AAU Tournament Directors Mike Walker mike@showtiemhoops.com
530.591.5245 Coachvee@showtiemhoops.com

Register Now! @ showtiemhoops.com

A shout out to Tom Crean for his humanity and humility

"Tom Crean off the court: Quiet, random acts of kindness" -- Zach Osterman

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

This is a surprise

"Rich Buckner is out as the @RiordanSports basketball coach." -- John Murphy

Riordan's James Chun

Lakeshow Hoops: "Another stud added to the Lakeshow 17's Elite backcourt. @jchickenstrips sleeper on the west coast! Excited for this spring!"

Interesting order

"Ranking the Pac-12 coaching jobs (Is Arizona a better gig than UCLA? How do Washington and Oregon compare?)" -- Jon Wilner

Give him time since next season will be painful

"Cal introduces basketball coach Wyking Jones: He nailed the interview; now the grind begins" -- Jon Wilner

Some of the CHH players

The Nor Cal Report: "Some guys rolling with @chuckhayeshoops 17u: Nate Kendricks, Tyler Williams, Gabe Murphy, Chris Wriedt, Germain Nutt. & more."

The Gaels and Dons checking out a transfer

Earl Watson Elite: "Malik Fitts 6 8 sf South Florida has received full release.  Northwestern, Rutgers, Clemson, St. Mary's, San Fran, Col. State, UNLV, T. Tech"

Interviewing Steve Nash

“In the Purest Sense of the Word, There Are Not a Lot of Point Guards” -- Bill Simmons

Excerpt:

Simmons: I don’t even know if we should necessarily use the word “point guard” anymore. James Harden’s not a point guard. He just creates stuff.

Nash: Playmakers. I think, in the purest sense of the word, there are not a lot of point guards, because the position’s changed. I don’t even think it’s worth arguing or saying, “You’re not a point guard.” Who cares? You’re a playmaker, you make plays, it doesn’t matter.

“A lot of players are quicker than me, infinitely stronger and can jump higher. But very few of them can guard me.”

"Newell’s camp reborn, for boys and girls" -- Bruce Jenkins

Opening at Bear River High

"Pistochini leaving Bear River" -- Mike Ray

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Beyond the cutting edge

"Welcome to The Cocoon  This is (not really) the future — where NBA players can rest, relax, and recreate, without ever leaving the watchful eye of their team. Step inside this brave new world and learn how the Warriors are changing the way players work … and play" -- Jason Concepcion

Not to be provincial but why here? Why the Bay Area? Coastal California?

Is this due to the proximity to Silicon Valley and high tech San Francisco? Or more because of the background of the Warrior brain trust?

Or a combination?

Clink remaining

"Clink staying at Chico State; coach says he withdrew his name from consideration for Portland State job" -- Joseph Shufelberger

A Tim Jordan update

6-foot-4 Tim (Freedom High) Jordan just completed his second season at Merritt College -- his numbers as a small forward for 2016-17:

* 24 games, 21 starts
* 11.2 points per game
* 4.8 rebounds

Jordan's sophomore season highlights.

Looking at Solomon Young

"Men's Basketball: Prohm reflects on 2016-17" -- Travis Hines

Excerpt: "I think if there's one 'What If' this season, and it's probably not that big of a big one in the grand scheme of the year, is Solomon Young, if he would have started or played more earlier.

I met with him on Monday. I kind of messed with him at the end. (First), we talked offensively, he's got to make some growth this summer, skill level and scoring around the basket but really just expanding his game. He can make threes, and he'll shoot them next year. (At the end), I said, 'Man, probably should have played you earlier,' and he just laughed.

The broken hand (Young suffered in November), I don't think people realize the setback that was. You come in as a freshman, and you knew he had the physical attributes to come in and play, but there's a lot more that goes into it than that, especially for a frontcourt guy. A guard, you're just playing and playing hard. A big guy, you've got so many different reads and ballscreen defense and sprinting to screen and boxing out.

The hand injury really set him back because you miss Gonzaga where he goes against (7-footer Przemek) Karnowski, Miami had great size. You look at Cincinnati, I held him out one more game for that where that would have been a big bonus having him there. And then, I went with those seniors a long time, especially those fifth-year guys to give them a chance. I learned this, and I knew it before, if you've got good freshmen, you've got to get them on the floor and they've got to play.

I think that's when we went to Texas (in early February), after that I was like, 'He's got to be on the floor. He's got to play. When we moved Merrill (Holden out of the starting lineup), we debated whether we were going to start (Darrell) Bowie or Solomon, and we were just like, I don't know if he's ready yet the night before the Drake game (in December).

What we found out, for what this team needed, Solomon was a really good fit at that spot for understanding what we needed from that position. Toughness, rebounding, a little bit of grit. You'll always look back. Maybe you win two more games, but you learn....

SP-SV still living and loving the reality

"St. Patrick-St. Vincent High boys basketball basking in glow of state title" -- Matt O'Donnell 

A Denzel Bellot senior summary

Denzel (Oakland Tech/Merritt College) Bellot finished his senior season with All Conference honors at Texas A&M International University. His numbers: 30 games, 30 starts, 31.5 minutes, 13.7 points, shooting 49%, 43% and 63% respectively, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

A Jabari Brown update

Brown is playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors: "...Jabari Brown, fresh off being named the D-League Player of the Week on Sunday, led Santa Cruz with 31 points and four assists..."

GT 76, Bakersfield 61

Georgia Tech defeated Cal State Bakersfield 76-61 on Tuesday in the NIT semifinals despite Shon (Heritage High/City College San Francisco) Briggs bringing 10 points plus six rebounds.

Box

Another gem from Marc J. Spears

"DUKE-BOUND GARY TRENT JR. HAS BEEN SCHOOLED BY HIS FATHER ON AND OFF THE COURT  Gary Trent Sr. learned to make crack cocaine from his mother, but the former NBA player made a better life for his children" -- Marc J. Spears

It's a fascinating phenomenon when you're 'greatest' achievements took place in your 20s

"From immortal to quite mortal, Kentucky's Unforgettables face midlife challenges 25 years after their greatest moment" -- Pat Forde

Less holes in his skill set than Ball

Seth Davis: "Was with an NBA GM last week. When we talked about the draft, he said, "All our guys have Fultz number one." So do I."

But ultimately, we're all guessing until the truth emerges three, four years from now.

Upcoming Hoop Review events

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:

*April 28-30: Nor Cal Spring Showcase at Jamtown, Oakland

May 27-29: Bay Area Memorial Day Classic at various sites

July 8: Nor Cal Summer Preview at San Francisco City College

*July 13: Nor Cal Junior College Jamboree at Skyline College

*July 14-15: Nor Cal Summer Tip Off at San Francisco City College

August 27: Nor Cal Clash All-Star Game at Contra Costa College

September 9: Bay Area Competition Clinic at Nor Cal Courts, Martinez

TBA: Nor Cal Fall Showcase at San Francisco City College

November 25: Nor Cal Tip Off Classic at Newark Memorial High School

*indicates NCAA sanctioned event.

For more info go to hoopreview.net or email hoopreview@yahoo.com

WINE COUNTRY CLASSIC April 29-30, 2017

WINE COUNTRY CLASSIC
April 29-30, 2017

Hosted by 
NORCAL ACADEMY

Girls Divisions
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, JV, Varsity
Division l & ll

$325 per Team
3 Game Guarantee
1st & 2nd Place Team Awards
Quality Sites w/ On-site Administrators
Posted Schedules in all gyms
High School Rules
Certified High School Referees
16 minute Stop Clock Halves

Gym Locations
Santa Rosa, Windsor


For Information contact: Greg Barsuglia (707)548-6551
Email: gregb@thenorcalacademy.org

Register / Information: www.thenorcalacademy.org

BullDawgs Basketball Spring Shoot Out II

BullDawgs Basketball
Spring Shoot Out II

  April 8th & 9th, 2017

Coaches, and Team Managers,
 BullDawgs Basketball Club
        Would like to invite you to our 2-Day Shootout

Boys Divisions
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
J.V. and Varsity

  • Early entry Discount $250.00 by 4/3
  • Multi Team Discounts
  • 4-6 teams per Division
  • Quality Sites w/ On-site Administrators
  • Certified High School/College Officials
  • Snack Bars
  • Posted Schedules in every gym
  • High School Rules


Location: Sequoia High School and neighboring Gyms

For Information contact:
Alfonso Joo    Cell 650-267-3678
Email at    alfonsojoo@yahoo.com         

Register and Info on www.Dawgsclub.com

Monday, March 27, 2017

Coaching at Cal apparently isn't what many of us thought

"On Cal hiring Wyking Jones, the search issues, and the perception problem" -- Jon Wilner

Gonzalez departing the Gaels

Verbal Commits: "Saint Mary's G Stefan Gonzalez (SO) is leaving the program."

He's not the biggest  -- probably 6-foot-1 -- but shot 40% from three-point range in limited minutes. Does he return to Idaho (his homestate)?

Hewitt exiting the Aggies

Verbal Commits: "UC Davis F Peter Hewitt (RS FR) is leaving the program."

He redshirted this season.

Anderson leaving the Dons

Shun Williams: "Chance Anderson @Im_justchance has been granted his release from the University of San Francisco"

He's a 6-foot-7 freshman out of Georgia who played 91 minutes this season.

Copeland with Pac-12 offer

CCSF Mens Basketball: "Colorado has offered sophomore Zach Copeland @Killacope and will take official visit in late April"

Cam Oliver is entering the NBA draft

"@SpaceCamm has a message for Wolf Pack Nation"LINK

Cal recruit heading elsewhere

Josh Gershon: "2017 Corona (CA) Roosevelt/Earl Watson Elite SG Jemarl Baker has asked out of his LOI with #Cal" LINK

Luke Maye doesn't 'look' like a Carolina starter

"LUKE MAYE'S SHOT HAS UNC WALKING ON AIR OUT OF MEMPHIS" -- Mike DeCourcey

I kept wondering who this guy was and why was he playing so much because he was no typical Carolina gazelle bouncing up and down the court. Little did I know...

Pascoe getting looked at

Julius V: "2018 Garrett Pascoe 6'3 PG Clayton Valley HS receiving interest from Davidson, San Fransisco, Santa Clara, Liberty, UMASS Lowell, UC Irvine"

Is it a Zag world?

"NCAA Tournament 2017: Which Final Four team has the best shot at the national championship?" -- Mike DeCourcey

My team has never had a one-and-done, so does that mean we have a chance next season?

"Meaning behind Final Four not featuring a single one-and-done player" -- Adam Zagoria

Post play on offense, or not

"Inside Look: Why working the ball through the post makes Gonzaga a title contender" -- Luke Winn

It begins: "The most celebrated press-conference­ rant of 2016–17 was not another baby-boomer coach railing against the entitlement of today’s youth but rather a recent convert to the church of analytics lashing out against strategic orthodoxy. This occurred after a nationally irrelevant game (Marshall’s 112–106 loss at Pitt on Dec. 28), and the question that triggered it was generic: “You guys take a lot of threes. Did you feel like there maybe wasn’t quite enough working the ball into the paint early on?” But the depth of Thundering Herd coach Dan D’Antoni’s answer—as well as analytics Twitter’s thirst for convention-challenging content­—helped it go nerd-viral.

“You’re old school, aren’t you?” D’Antoni, 69, asked the reporter. “Do you watch the NBA ever? You see those top three teams. Golden State—do they work it in? My brother [coach Mike D’Antoni] in Houston, the biggest turnaround in the league—do they work it in? You can go get any computer and run what the best shots are, and it will tell you the post-up is the worst shot in basketball.”

D’Antoni then listed shot options from best to worst, including their expected NBA point values: the clean layup (1.8), the shot that draws a foul (1.5), the corner three (1.3) ... all the way down to the post-up (0.78). He continued: “The last two championships have been Cleveland and Golden State. What do they do? They just spread that thing out and go. I changed a long time ago. I coached for 15 years like a dummy, running down there real hard so I can get it in there for the worst shot in basketball. I didn’t even know what I was doing. The short version of my answer is no.”

D’Antoni’s NBA references weren’t exaggerations. Only 8.3% of the Cavaliers’ possessions had ended on post-ups or passes out of the post at week’s end, according to Synergy Sports Technology, while the Warriors’ rate was just 6.6% and the Rockets’ a league-low 2.8%. Marshall worked the ball through the post even less (2.5%) than the Rockets, and while this strategy led to offensive improvement and a 20–15 finish for the Thundering Herd, there are teams around the nation shunning the post to even greater effect..."

Love the depth and background here

"The Power Struggle At Georgetown Goes Back To A Petty, 50-Year-Old D.C. High School Hoops Feud" -- Dave McKenna

Many ways to field a successful team

Mark Ziegler: "...You have one team (UNC) where nobody transfers in or out, that patiently grooms its players, that has a steady stream of five-star recruits and McDonald’s all-Americans but no one-and-dones in a decade, that starts three juniors and a senior.

You have one team (Gonzaga) that ranked 320th out of 351 Division I teams in continuity of minutes from last year, that starts three transfers plus a center who sat out most of last season, that brings a true freshman as the first guy off the bench.

You have one team (South Carolina) with players from Canada, Australia, Gabon, Senegal and Estonia and a head coach whose parents are Cuban exiles.

You have one team (Oregon) that has used all of the above, some high school recruits from L.A., some junior college transfers, a star forward from Canada, a backup center from England and a fifth-year senior transfer who is the oldest player in the tournament..."

Please do take a read

"Colin Kaepernick is called a distraction, but from what? The question of why the QB doesn’t yet have a team isn’t just about X’s and O’s either" -- Bomani Jones

It opens with: "It’s imperative to cut through the noise surrounding Colin Kaepernick’s current unemployment, and nothing is noisier than the idea that NFL teams will not sign Kaepernick because he is a “distraction.” It’s football’s laziest cliché, a catchall for anything or anyone a team might not like..."

"LUKE LAGUNA EARNS PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMIC HONOR"

"Cal Maritime's Luke Laguna (SR/Live Oak High/Morgan Hill, CA) was named an Academic American as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Monday that 175 Division II men's basketball student-athletes have been named 2016-17 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes.

In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Laguna, who is in his third year with the Keelhaulers, has had a tremendous career as a valuable guard who has consistently improved each year on the court.
  
More importantly, he has done stellar work in the classroom in earning Dean's List and President's List honors multiple times during his academic career.  Luke is also accomplishing a rare feat in higher education as he will be graduating from Cal Maritime in April after only three years.

Head Coach Bryan Rooney commented, "We are extremely proud of Luke for earning this tremendous honor.  He is a great example to everyone in our program about the value of hard work and working to our fullest potential.  While we will miss Luke a ton, we are also incredibly excited for the tremendous things he will accomplish in his future."

Luke continues an excellent tradition of academic success in the men's basketball program as he is the 11th Keelhaulers to reach Academic All American status and this marks fourth straight year a Cal Maritime men's basketball player has received the distinction."

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Inside the Foothill Owls

Foothill College finished 12-15 overall this season, 2-10 in the Coast Conference North, obviously not the records the Owls desired. But a rare element was achieved, something arguably more important and one that will carry over long after the 2016-17 basketball run fades.

That being human connection. Make that connections.

What the players and coaches developed, from Head Coach Matt Stanley down through the 13th man, was so much more than a four-month affiliation offered through team membership. It was an uncommon bond, an esprit de corps of fellowship and fraternity that will likely remain in effect for decades.

As Owl Associate Head Coach James Herrera candidly offered not with envy but rather respect, "in a lot of ways, I wish I could have been a player on this team."

Herrera downplays what he and Stanley set into motion. "We look for good guys to recruit. We want high character guys and we've been fortunate to get them."

But who is brought in is just part of the equation. Beyond basketball skills, what is taught and implemented in what atmosphere as well as what is stressed through daily demonstration and collaboration are all as equally important.

"We do a lot of team building," Herrera acknowledged. "Before the season and before conference, we ask the guys to write down and re-visit their goals. One player's goal was 'building strong relationships with my teammates' and another was 'getting help to becomes the best leader.' Those are pretty rare."

Unique but products of the Owl culture. "There are moments of truth throughout the season and we stayed bound together," said Herrera.

Another element Foothill utilizes is gathering the players together after every practice to offer truths. "It could be [acknowledging] a single play someone did or someone being relentless or energetic -- just recognizing good things your teammates do. It means a lot more coming from peers."

Herrera explained that Foothill received an unofficial bench warning every game simply based on the high energy emanating from the players not in the game at the time.

Let's allow some of the Owls to tell their own stories.
 
Vito Coppola, the sole sophomore and one of the captains of the team, got right to the point. "This is absolutely the closest team I've ever been on, all 13 guys, and the greatest group of guys I've known. In fact, it's been one of the best years of my life." In his mind, what helped was "taking a team-bonding trip to Big Sur. There was sand castle building, rafting and building a shelter -- a lot of competitions but a lot of laughing and love. Our personalities clicked." Later on, "we spent holidays together as players -- Halloween, New Year's and watching the Super Bowl. This impacted my life in so many ways. It's a tribute to our coaching staff." Asked about what is most important to him in his current recruiting process, he said, "I want to play for someone who has the same values as Coach Stanley and Coach Herrera. It doesn't matter to me what level."

Out of Homestead High, freshman DeAngelo Blackwell brought up role-modeling as a significant point. "The coaches are best friends and the players on the team became best friends. We would compete but it was like a love afterwards, bringing each other up."

Another freshman, Alex Gil-Fernandez of Gunn High, offered, "we became a very close group. Going to Big Sur allowed us to get to know everyone and the personalities clicked. Being all freshman except for one sophomore, we were sharing the same experience. Coming out of high school, we developed a bond. I'm pretty quiet and didn't know what to expect but this team hangs out together at the apartment of a couple of the players and we play video games, watch TV and do homework. We even get together there on holidays. The culture at Foothill is different to say the least -- everything is done as a team, there are no individuals. Even our losses [this season] drew us closer as a team. We were trying to figure out a fix. Vito's leadership was incredible. He would text all of us after a loss. getting us ready for the next game and showing us some love."

These young men will carry such relationships with them for the rest of their lives. In fact, Herrera and Stanley recently attended the wedding of one of their former players, Herrera as a groomsman -- that is how much the ties that bind carry beyond playing days at Foothill.

Avdalovic checking out the Bobcats

Coach James: "@EBAPharaohs shooting guard @lukeavdo9 on his official visit to UC Merced" 

That's Luke Avdalovic of Vista Del Lago High.

Beyer's Brian Perry honored

"All-District Boys Basketball Player turned Beyer into section finalist" -- James Burns

The top talents in and around Modesto this season

"The Modesto Bee’s 2016-17 All-District Boys Basketball teams" -- James Burns

The signing period is approaching

Here are the dates for the late signing period in basketball:

April 12, 2017 to May 17, 2017 for D1

August 1, 2017 is the end date for DII

It's not always going to happen even if the contract is greener tidbits

Inside CBB: "Coaches are starting to realize that taking a head job is not worth the risk when the athletic dept is dysfunctional: See Cal and Duquesne"

To a query asking if Randy Bennett interviewed for the Cal jon, Jon Wilner replied: "Yes. Absolutely. Terms were discussed."

More Jon Wilner: "1 fball 1 bowl in 5 yrs, fire HC
2 bball no NCAA Ws in 4 yrs, HC bolts
3 massive deficit
4 crushing debt service
5 spt cuts possble
rah rah?"

About the Archie Miller to North Carolina State certainty: “Yeah, everyone thought NC State, but I knew that wasn’t gonna happen,” John Miller, Archie's father, said to Tom Archdeacon of my Dayton Daily News. “He knows that place too well. You gotta have trust in the people above you that they’ll stand by you.”

Orr to head Hornets sports

Joe Davidson: "Mark Orr to be introduced as new Sac State AD on Monday. Grad of Christian Brothers & Cal a great pick. Has been longtime Saint Mary's AD..."   

Elliott Pitts

With the NCAA national-letter-of-intent period coming soon -- April 12 to May 17 for D1 -- where will Elliott Pitts end up? Does he stay in northern Caliornia? He has one year of eligibility remaining for certain, possibly two.

One more time

"Saturday Boys BB State Finals" -- Ronnie Flores

The D-League ain't rainbows and roses

"'Keep grinding': Four days behind scenes with D-League's Windy City Bulls" -- Teddy Greenstein

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Saturday: Bishop Montgomery 74, Woodcreek 67

"Slow start dooms Woodcreek in Open Division final loss to Bishop Montgomery" -- Joe Davidson

"Open Division title belongs to the Bishop Montgomery Knights" -- Eric Sondheimer

Jordan Brown brought 35 points plus 17 rebounds.


re: http://www.sacbee.com/sports/high-school/joe-davidson/article140863303.html#storylin"Open Division title belongs to the Bishop Montgomery Knights" -- Eric SondheimerJordan Brown brought 35 points plus 17 rebounds.

Saturday: St. Patrick-St. Vincent 59, Helix 46

"St. Patrick-St. Vincent High boys basketball team grabs state title" -- Matt O'Donnell

"St. Patrick’s-St. Vincent’s makes Vallejo proud in CIF win" -- Joe Davidson

Mitch Stephens: "Great balance for SPSV: Standley 16, Johnson 12, Mays 12, Henderson 12 and 10 rebounds"

Saturday: Esperanza 72, Moreau Catholic 65

"Moreau overcomes 17-point deficit but falls short of state title   Esperanza and Stanford-bound star Kezie Okpala win Division II state championship 72-65" -- Darren Sabedra

"KZ Okpala, Esperanza drop Hayward Moreau for Division II championship" -- Eric Sondheimer

"Esperanza 72, Moreau Catholic 65" -- Associated Press

Moreau Catholic's Kyree Walker scored 28 points with Damari Milstead totaling 22.

So who came through?

"10 players to watch at the CIF State Basketball Championships" -- Mitch Stephens

Mitch Stephens' Friday game reports

Game reports on the James Logan loss, the Mission victory and the defeat of St. Francis.
"Marin IJ boys basketball Player of the Year: Marin Catholic’s Joey Calcaterra" -- Danny Schmidt

Full list of MIJ's MCAL honorees


MVP: Joey Calcaterra, Marin Catholic

First team: Charlie Reis, Redwood; Jack Duboff, Tam; Jack Hogeboom, Marin Catholic; Inua Ramos Andrews, Drake; Will Jacobsen, Branson

Second team: Joe Malliaras, San Marin; Noah Bice, Drake; Jacob Moeller, Tam; Jordan Jackson, Tam; Roddy Marshall, Terra Linda

Honorable mention: Chris Kress, Redwood; Addison Holzkamp-Hadsell, Justin-Siena; Joey Reyff, San Marin; Dominic Martinez, Terra Linda; Dylan Joyce, Marin Catholic; Jonny Silva, San Rafael; Colin Farrell, Novato

Portland State making a wise move

"Chico State’s Clink the target for openings elsewhere for schools’ basketball head coach" -- Joseph Shufelberger

3-3 or 2-3, which will it be?

Ryan Silver: "Brian Shaw at UCSB. I am 2 for 2. Called Hopkins to Washington and Zo to Missouri. I am hearing Brian Shaw to UCSB"

The powers-that-be in GauchoLand better get something done soon or completely kiss off the 2017 recruiting class. The top talent who signed early has already gotten his release.

From Friday

"Mission makes history with CIF D3 boys title" -- Harold Abend

BullDawgs Basketball & Bay City Spring Shoot Out I April 1st & 2nd, 2017

BullDawgs Basketball & Bay City Spring Shoot Out I 
April 1st & 2nd, 2017

Coaches, and Team Managers,
Get ready for Pacific Qualifiers !!!

Boys & Girls Divisions
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
J.V. and Varsity

4-8 teams per Division
Quality Sites w/ On-site Administrators
Certified High School/College Officials
Snack Bars
Posted Schedules in every gym
High School Rules

 Location: City College of SF, Jefferson HS and surrounding gyms

 For Information contact:

Alfonso Joo - cell 650-267-3678
Email at: alfonsojoo@yahoo.com
Register and Info on www.Dawgsclub.com

Friday, March 24, 2017

Friday: Mission 82, Villa Park 76 OT

"State champs! Mission first San Francisco public school to win crown

Mission completes 35-1 season with an 82-75 victory in OT over Villa Park for Division III title" -- Darren Sabedra

"Mission becomes first SF public school to claim state title for boys’ basketball" -- Ethan Kassell

"San Francisco Mission outlasts Villa Park in OT" -- Eric Sondheimer

NorCalPreps: "Niamey Harris finishes with 31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks and 6 steals"

Friday: Rolling Hills Prep 47, St. Francis 46

"St. Francis falls short of first State Championship" -- Tony Nunez

"St. Francis suffers heartbreaking loss in final" -- Andrew Matheson

Friday: Roosevelt 54, Logan 45

"James Logan’s rally falls short in state Division I final" -- Darren Sabedra

Solid feature on Coach Walker

"Walker in middle of his best stretch guiding St. Patrick-St. Vincent High boys basketball" -- Thomas Gase

SP-SV with final game on Saturday

"St. Patrick-St. Vincent hopes to finish strong in state final" -- Michael Lerseth

Russell looking at a Big Sky program

JUCORecruitingdotcom: "6'9 Colin Russell of Casper CC is visiting Northern Arizona this weekend"

Copeland with another offer

Zach Copeland: "Blessed to have received another offer from Nebraska University! Big thanks to @CoachMiles! Go Huskers #big10"

Coach Tim Miles is well thought of but needs a good season in 2017-18 after going 12-19 overall, 6-12 in league plus Nebraska remains a football school. It's extremely tough to be successful in the Big 10 as the other members can draw recruits from their state's population. That's a rarity for Nebraska.

Another Cal departure

Verbal Commits: "California C Kameron Rooks (RS JR) is transferring. Will graduate & be eligible immediately."

"Garner Receives NAIA All-America Honor"

"Mid-America Christian University senior guard Olajuwon Garner has been selected as an NAIA All-America Honorable-Mention performer, the organization released today.

Garner's selection marks the seventh straight season the Evangels have had an NAIA All-America pick.

In his only season with the program, Garner put together the finest three-point shooting season in school history.

Garner made 109 threes and shot 45.6 percent (109-239) from beyond the arc, both setting all-time school records.

His sharp-shooting wasn't limited to the perimeter, as he also hit 91.9 percent (57-of-62) of his free-throw attempts while also leading the Evangels with 14.8 points per game this season.

"Olajuwon worked really hard on his jumper throughout the season and that showed," MACU head coach Josh Gamblin said.

"He came in a really good shooter and worked himself into a great shooter."

Out of Deer Valley High, Olajuwon averaged 14.8 points per game this season.

"Erik Kinney named NAIA Honorable Mention All-American"

"The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the 2016-17 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball All-America Teams on Thursday and Campbellsville's Erik Kinney was named Honorable Mention.

Kinney, a senior from Fairfield, Calif., finished second on the team by averaging 11.8 points per game and led the Tigers by grabbing 10.6 rebounds per game.

All of the selections are made by the All-America Committee and comprises a First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention Team. There are 10 members on each of the first three All-America teams.

Kinney is the first Tiger to end the season to average a double-double since Damontre Harris in 2014-15 (11.4/10.2) and Nestor Colmenares in 2009-10 (15.6/10.0)

He completed the season by scoring in double-figures in 11-of-the-last-15 games, including a season-high eight-straight double-doubles from Jan. 14 —Feb. 9.

"The coaching staff is very proud of this accomplishment for Erik," said coach Brent Vernon. "It is a great honor and he deserves this. He had a very good season for us with some big games and the work he put in throughout is being rewarded with this recognition from the NAIA."

Kinney finished the season by recording the second-most double-doubles in the Mid-South Conference (12). The highlight of the season was grabbing a 20-plus rebounds twice this past year (21 vs. Cumberlands and 22 vs. Georgetown). He is the first Tiger to grab 20-plus rebounds in a game since Steve Bugg on Jan. 15, 1983.

In his only season as a Tiger, Kinney scored 319 points and grabbed 287 rebounds..."

Imhoff honored as Third Team All-Amercian

Ryan (Napa High) Imhoff of Carroll College (MT) has grabbed a bigtime honor:

"...Imhoff was the Saints' leading scorer at 18.36 points and rebounder with 6.21 boards per game. He ranked in the NAIA Top-50 in seven statistical categories. His field goal percentage was 11th in the country at .545. 

Imhoff was an Honorable Mention All-American during his sophomore year."

Karczewski honored as HM AA

"...Jerry Karczewski received honorable mention recognition...

...Karczewski, a junior guard, graced the NAIA top-20 list in three statistical categories. He was 13th in 3-point field goal percentage at 45.9 (84 of 183), 15th in 3-point field goals made per game at 2.54 and 12th in free throw percentage at 85.0 (102 of 120).

"Jerry made a big step this year to become a complete player," said [Westmont Coach John] Moore. "His 3-point shooting has always been a strength but this year he added his ability to get to the free throw line and his ability to become a
playmaker.

"His growth as a player helped our team win 25 games and make it to the final 16 in the national tournament. It is great to know Jerry will lead our team for another year."

He is out of San Ramon Valley High.

Brackeen honored as HM AA

"The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the 2016-17 Division I Men's Basketball All-America Teams on Thursday. Peru State's senior guard Rashad Brackeen (Oakland, Calif.) was among those earning honorable mention recognition...

...Brackeen had previously been named to the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) First Team at the end of the regular season. This allowed him to be considered for the national honor.

At the end of the entire season, Brackeen was listed in the NAIA's Top Individual Rankings: first in three-point field goals made per game (3.613), second in total three-point field goals made (112), ninth in total scoring (625), 11th in points per game (20.161), and 50th in three-point field goal percentage (0.400)..."

Brackeen is out of Franklin High.

Liam Hunt with All-American honor

"HIU Athletics: "BREAKING: #HIUMBB has another @NAIA_News All-American on its books! Congratulations Liam, the awards keep rolling in this season!"

The alternate universe of LaVar Ball

Trying to stay away from a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g involving LaVar Ball and and his world (forget him going up against Michael Jordan, let's have Ball and Predator Trump in a steel cage match with the first person telling the truth declared the winner) but this struck me:

Then, on Monday, Ball was a guest on ESPN LA’s Morning Show with Keyshawn, Jorge and LZ, and the target of that morning’s conversation was Gilling. Ball gladly blamed Gilling for the season-ending loss.

“Man, we were supposed to go to Sacramento, but that coach is hard-headed,” Ball said. “He wanted to do things his way. If we would have gotten along, we would have been in the state title easy. But he’s trying to have a little resistance towards me. And I’m like, ‘Man, try and do it your way. That’s why you lost three games.’

“Because once he run and just play and when my son really wants to play for you, we’re gonna do good. But when you have any kind of resistance towards me, and you the head coach, it don’t work out that good. I already knew he was going to lose that game.”

Now, the transcripts are not available for that segment but did Keyshawn, Jorge and LZ address the actual elephant in the living room? That being Mr. Ball's unacceptable behavior on any level as detailed in the particular article (granted, all of which may not have been known prior to the publishing of this article on Thursday). Hopefully so. If not, then it's just a ratings ploy (which wouldn't be the first).