Congrats to Brandon Smith

Smith is a leader nonpariel

We offer a hearty congratulations to Brandon Smith of De La Salle High and the Bay Area Hoosiers because of the news that a Cal basketball scholarship has opened up and Coach Mike Montgomery was able to hand it to Brandon for the 2009-2010 season.

Jerome Randle enjoyed his best season by far as a Bear in 2008-2009 and major factors for his improvement were his not having to try and create something every time down the floor, plus a lesser quarterbacking load. With Brandon Smith, Randle will have to be concerned even less about getting the ball up the court and running the offense. The same for soph-to-be Jorge Gutierrez. Additionally, the PAC-10 is loaded with smallish backcourters so Smith's defensive prowess will also come in handy.

He is a fine young man who comes from a great family and has worked so hard to achieve his dream.

All-East Bay Boys Basketball Team

Chris Brew on his letter-of-intent signing day

Here's the Contra Costa Times with the best players in the East Bay:

All-East Bay Boys Basketball Team
Conta Costa Times
4/18/09

Brian Barbour
SCHOOL: Monte Vista
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Guard
THIS SEASON: Barbour, a 6-foot-1 guard, guided Monte Vista to the NCS Division I title and the NorCal final — the finest season in school history. He averaged 19.7 points per game, including 27 in the NCS quarterfinals against Castro Valley that included a buzzer-beater that sent the game to overtime, and 25 in a 52-43 NCS championship win against Newark Memorial.

Chris Brew
SCHOOL: St. Mary's
YEAR: Senior
POSITION: Guard
THIS SEASON: The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 18 points per game in a 28-6 season. Brew, a first-team All-Bay Shore Athletic League choice, was the go-to player on a talented Panthers team who provided production at both ends of the court. He'll join his brother, Will, at UC Santa Barbara next season.

Go here for the remainder.