Mike Singletary on greatness

Gotta love this:

Mike Singletary Explains Greatness
Brian McCormick
September 30, 2009

The September 28 Sports Illustrated profiles San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary in “Be Like Mike!” In the article, Singletary explains greatness:

“Greatness is not about someone who has the ability to be great…Greatness shows up when someone might not have the ability but finds a way to succeed. They outwork their opponents, they outhit their opponents, they outfight their opponents. They want it more. Don’t give me the guy who’s supposed to be all-world and you’ve got to try and talk him into something. Give me the guy who has maybe just enough talent to be on the field but thinks he’s great, and who’s willing to do whatever he can do to contribute, to make the team better. That’s what I want…”

Eagles to fly with Frye?

With Salesian and St. Mary's in the role of Bay Shore League boys basketball big brothers and St. Joseph's also a tough opponent, the Kennedy (Richmond) High Eagles (16-13 overall, 6-6 in league) always seem to face a set of formidable conference brethren. The task of challenging these goliaths in 2009-2010 will fall primarily upon the shoulders of senior Thomas Frye -- it's a plus they are broad and powerful.

Frye is one of those anomalies in that he is a high schooler already possessing a college-ready body -- he stands 6-foot-4, muscular and athletic, so the physical assets are in place for the next level.

He is also confident about his basketball skills, listing "my dribbling, passing and shooting" as his best talents.

But is the so-called intangibles he supplies from which Frye derives the greatest pleasure. "My leadership skills have ticked up so much since my freshman year," Frye said. "I understand about taking charge and being a role model. Plus, when we [the Bay Area Hoosiers] were in a tournament [the Take 5ive Classic] in Cincinnati this summer, I saw how many kids were trying to get to the next level and it hit me how work ethic plays such a big factor."

Frye must have took that to heart because he exploded for 28 points in a game against the powerful Baltimore Select squad. This in addition to his always strong defensive play and everpresent high motor.

There's also another factor that drives Frye. When his grandmother passed (she helped raise him), there was a short period of confusion. "I got lost for a minute," Frye said.

But the loss eventually made him stronger.

His best basketball moment is also quite telling. He explained, "It was in the eighth grade up against older players and I scored 23 points. That was the last time my grandmother was able to come see me play."

Frye's most persistent recruiting suitors are Texas Christian, UC Riverside, Portland, Portland State and Eastern Washington. "I am looking for somewhere I can go to get a good education in a good environment where I fit in." His father, Tommy Frye Sr., has offered his son this advice: "I want him to love where he will be going to school because he might end up living there. It doesn't need to be close to home. It's no problem if I have to come visit him."

He added about his son, "I always knew he had a certain drive, that there was something special, different about him."

Frye Sr. also has high praise for the Hoosiers organization and Philippe Doherty in particular. "Coach D is a nice guy and really focuses on skill development. His workouts are intense and he teaches you how to get better and be prepared for the game which translates into being ready for life."

The younger Frye is looking to major in the medical field but isn't quite sure of a specific position. "But I would like it to be one working with kids," according to Frye.

He specifically included "God, my Dad, my brother Alantae, my grandmother, Uncles Boo, Jugg and E Dub plus all my other uncles" as people he wanted to thank for helping him become who he is today.

His goals for the coming season: "I want me and my team to get better and go further."

Maybe for this season, Frye and the Eagles can change their nickname to "David and the Slingshots."

Two Sacramento area players heading north

Two of Coach Doug Cornelius' players at Yuba College will be heading to the Emerald City to play for Cameron Dollar. Bobby Evans (Sacramento High) and Tyler Monroe (Inderkum High) are planning on sitting out this year and then transferring to Seattle University.

Coach Cornelius continues his run of getting players to the next level.

A brief Jabari Brown profile

Former Richmond High star Jabari Brown recently participated in a basketball event in Las Vegas and received this writeup:

Las Vegas Fall Showcase Recap
Evan Daniels
Scout Recruiting Analyst
September 24, 2009

...Jabari Brown, SG – A strongly built 6-foot-4 guard, Brown hunted jumpers from mid to long range, but also used his strength inside, as he posted up defenders on a few occasions. According to the Findlay Prep coaches, Brown is one of, if not the best, shooters they’ve had come through the program, and he certainly had it working from 15 to 18 feet during the showcase games...

Ben Estes at Bethany

Former Lincoln High (Stockton) basketball star Ben Estes is now a member of the Bethany University men's basketball team -- something we forgot to note some time back.

Here's the official school announcement:

Bethany University Signs Four Players For Upcoming Season
July 6, 2009

Bethany University men's basketball (California Pacific Conference) announced the signing of four student-athletes Monday...including Ben Estes, a 6-4 guard from Stockton, Calif...

Estes started for Coach Gary Greeno at Lincoln High School of Stockton. The Trojans finished with a record of 17-11 in the 08-09 campaign. During his senior season, Estes averaged 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the two-time San Joaquin League Champions. Estes was named to the 2009 All-San Joaquin League First Team. As a junior, Estes helped the Trojans to a 24-5 record. "The improvement that Ben made between his junior year and senior is a testament to how hard he wanted to be apart of another championship season." Coach Greeno stated about Estes...

Here's Bethany Coach Drew Snelgrove on Estes:

"Ben is an ideal fit for how we play. He is a long, crafty and skilled shooter. He has the ability to shoot from deep and score off the drive. With experience, his transition from playing close to the basket to playing on the wing will be seamless. He handles the ball and sees the floor well. Ben is a very unselfish player. He has a very high basketball IQ. Off the court he will add value to our program and the University."

Tyree McCrary at San Jose City College

Former Oak Grove High star Tyree McCrary played at Pasadena City College last season but is now with Percy Carr and San Jose City College in 2009-2010. McCrary had some sort of surgery a while back but is expected to be able to play for the Jaguars this season.

Here's a video from his high school days.

Jack Fertig's "The Play of the Year"

Talk about a teachable moment. Every coach of every sport in America should be requesting this piece of tape.

What Coaches Live For: THE PLAY To Show Their Players How the Game Should Be Played
Jack Fertig
September 20, 2009

...THE PLAY was a simple running play that Boise chose, I believe, because following the TD pass, the noise level, momentum and atmosphere in the stadium was such that they just needed to run a play, get tackled and huddle for the next one, allowing the crowd to settle down - even just a little bit...

...Instead, the Bronco running back broke free and was heading for the end zone!

...And then it happened! An honest-to-goodness miracle! The defensive back from Fresno chasing the Bronco back (actually, there were two of them) somehow got a hand on the ball just before the Boise State player was to cross the goal line … and he fumbled! The ball popped out and was heading for the back of the end zone. As soon as it rolled out, the 74-yard run would be nullified and turned into a mere touchback, just as if Boise State had punted the ball out of the end zone. Bulldogs ball, on their own twenty...

...But WAIT! Out of nowhere - and when you stop to think about it, for no reason, Titus Young, he of the kickoff return that gave the Broncos the ball on the 12-yard line after Fresno’s field goal, pounced on the ball - just before it was to exit the end zone. Touchdown, Boise State. Teaching point: to every football player who would ever buckled a chin strap. As a matter of fact, THE PLAY ought to be shown - and explained to every athlete, male or female, who plays a team sport.

Come on now. That’s a little bit of an exaggeration, no? Absolutely not - and here’s why. Here’s a play where the back from Boise State had broken loose and was being chased by defenders. From where Young started, there was no way he could get ahead of those defenders to throw a block, and watching the play, Boise’s running back didn’t need a block. He was either going to outrun his pursuers or they were going to tackle him just short of the goalline, setting up a first and goal for Boise with ten and a half minutes to go in the third quarter. There was no need, nor would any coach ever criticize him for not following the play. I don’t think there was another person in the stadium or watching on television who would have felt any other way.

No person other than Titus Young. What would possess a player to full-out sprint when there was no reason to do so - except celebrate with your teammate when he scored. Or dive on the ball he might fumble before he crossed the goal line. The change in attitude of the team and the crowd was noticeable. Had FSU taken over at its 20 following a touchback, the mood would have been, “Boy, did we dodge a bullet there. Let’s get on with business and score again.” A score that would have put them ahead. Big favorites don’t like playing from behind. On the road. Even if it’s early in the second half...

Go here for the entire column.

A report on Gerry Freitas' Bay Area Competition Clinic

Gerry Freitas' Bay Area Competition Clinic took place at Las Positas College in Livermore on September 12 with 125 or so prospects ranging from the 2010 class to those of 2013. The efforts were strong and the competition fierce with a number of players sorting themselves out from the others.

Alphabetically, they included:

Richard Azure, 5-foot-5, Lincoln High (San Jose), 2010: The diminutive Junior of the Year in the West Valley League (he also earned Sophomore of the Year honors the previous season), Azure is an assured point who proved unflappable versus a series of games and opponents Saturday. He set up his teammates time and time again passing and dribbling at just the right time.

Glenn Baral, 6-foot-2, St. Mary's High, 2012: Baral didn't score a lot but right now his offensive assignment is primarily backing down defenders and the Bay Area Competition Clinic wasn't the right setup to fully play to that strength. His body is solid and will get better and also look for him to demonstrate shooting range as he moves into his sophomore season.

Kendall Jackson, 5-foot-7, Bishop O'Dowd High, 2012: He played on the junior varsity squad last season at BOD but look for him to add ballhandling and quickness to the varsity while feeding Dragon bigs Jordan Barton, Richard Longruss and Brandon Ashley in the upcoming season.

Marcus Lee, 6-foot-4, Deer Valley High, 2013: He's just a freshman right now but he showed enough promise to make the must-mention list.

Robbie Lemons, 6-foot-3, Sacramento Country Day High, 2010: Lemons didn't get the opportunity to demonstrate his long-range shooting talent as he was the second tallest player on his team but his ballhandling, passing and basketball IQ were amply displayed. Selfishly, here's hoping he stays out west so what he accomplishes in college can hopefully be witnessed.

Chijoke Nwuzi, 6-foot-4, Silver Creek High (San Jose), 2010: He doesn't play in the greatest league or a contending team but Nwuzi averaged a double-double last season -- 18.9 points per game, 11.3 rebounds a contest -- and was honored as Junior of the Year. He put down three dunks in one game Saturday while showing good hands and quick jumping ability. How his skills set translates to the next level will be dependent on his shooting range and ballhandling skills since his height translates to more of a wing position. Nwuzi also participates in a number of track and field events.

Khion Sankey, 6-foot-4, Newark Memorial, 2010: With a body seemingly made by U.S. Steel, Sankey is known for his tough and physical play in the paint and Saturday was no different. But he also demonstrated quality ballhandling ability going through traffic down the court. He will also be facing a transition to the wing at the next level.

Joseph Slocum, 6-foot-3, Vallejo, 2010: Showing the range to score inside and outside, Slocum also tossed some nifty passes throughout the games. He possesses a college-ready body.

Isaiah Taylor, 5-foot-8, St. Mary's High, 2012: Taylor is quick on quick and provided a view of his solid ballhandling skills. He definitely needs to add weight and strength but the time is there to do so.

6-foot-6 David Andoh was listed but apparently not present. His new school is Santa Teresa of the Mount Hamilton League in San Jose.

Damon Powell update

this Damon Powell photo courtesy of Dave Keefer, California Preps

Just confirmed with Los Medanos College Coach Derek Domenichelli that McClymonds High star and Fresno State recruit Damon Powell is attending Los Medanos which is in Pittsburgh, CA.

We don't know the specifics here but typically if a player is a non-qualifier then he or she must earn their A.A. degree before transferring to a D-1 college.

Since 2001, Los Medanos men's basketball has a 100% graduation rate of second year student-athletes so that certainly bodes well for Powell. Domenichelli's squad went 24-10 last season, 12-4 in the Bay Valley Conference.

A Drew Gordon NBA analysis

It's so very early and there's no hint of former Mitty star Drew Gordon even considering a leap to the NBA but we always find the analysis at DraftExpress to be an interesting read.

Drew Gordon, 6-9, Sophomore, PF, UCLA
Scott Nadler
Draft Express
September 16, 2009

Playing for a team going for their 4th straight Final Four appearance last season, Drew Gordon was expected to step in and help get the Bruins back for another tournament run. Upon his arrival however, Gordon figured out quickly that life under Ben Howland was not going to be easy, playing less than 11 minutes a game in a season filled with plenty of ups and downs.

Gordon averaged only 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds after piling up double doubles on a nightly basis at Archbishop Mitty (CA) a season earlier. With the departures of seniors Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya, Gordon will be called upon to help fill their void and should be given a chance to show why he was once a highly touted high school player.

On the two occasions DraftExpress planned on evaluating Drew Gordon, once at the Hoop Hall Classic (Springfield, MA) in early 2008 and this past summer at the U-19 USA Team Trials in Colorado, he was injured and barred us the opportunity to assess his talent level. Even though Gordon’s injury, a partially torn right patellar tendon, was less severe than initially reported, his durability is something to keep an eye on during the upcoming season...

Go here for the remainder.

Transfers

We have mixed feelings on this subject. While certainly believing in loyalty and such, we also understand that youth sports is no different than any other element in society and why should we expect any different? Some transfers take place for 'legitimate' family reasons. Others are because of friendships made during the spring and summer. Some coaches 'encourage' such movement. This all mirrors current society which is no surprise. Even within the collegiate basketball world, coaches move on, some up, student-athletes do the same. Greater money, exposure, playing time, etc. factor into this. The same obviously goes for the pros. So why should it be any different on the prep level, other than we have the dream that such is purer?

Transfer of players is ruining basketball
Eric Sondheimer
Los Angeles Times
September 15, 2009

Professional sports have their free-agent periods, and now high school basketball has one too. It's called the late spring and summer, when top prospects review their options while playing for club teams.

It wasn't until last week, when most schools finally opened and college coaches started making the rounds, that everyone revealed their true intentions. And what a surprise: several top players had changed schools.

This is what high school basketball has sadly become, a venue for players, parents and coaches to manipulate the system in the name of gaining exposure, landing scholarships and winning championships...

Go here for the remainder.

Not Bay Area/Nor Cal related but a great read

The following is a story about a young man who has faced more obstacles/problems in his 18 or so years than most of us will encounter in a lifetime. But he's heading to college on a hoops scholarship in spite of what has knocked him down.

Demtris "Cleveland" Smith Commits to Lamar
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Texas Basketball Inc.

Folks, in the world of collegiate athletics there are many stories that are "feel good" and sadly many more that reinforce negative stereotypes of athletes. Today, I am pleased to announce the commitment of Texas D-1 Ambassadors-Chip player Demetris "Cleveland" Smith who has recently decided to end his recruitment early and commit to play basketball at Lamar University of the Southland Conference.

Smith, a 2010 WG 6'4" is a big part of the Central Texas basketball juggernaut under Coach Mike Murphy at Pflugerville High School, bordering Austin, TX. He was being recruited by Texas State, Stephen F Austin and Sam Houston State as well as others out of State but ended his recruitment in part to join two of his 2009 Pflugerville & ex-D-1 Ambassadors team mates (PG Jonathan Garza & P Osas Ebomwonyi) with the Lamar Cardinals.

Here's where the story gets particularly interesting. Sure, he has a much better than average perimeter shot, rebounds like a demon and has an unyielding will to win. Mnay kids have that. However, his will is not just to win on the court, but to win at the Game of Life. Family is important to Smith, the energetic buzz saw who originally hails from the inner city of Cleveland, OH. That might seem like an obvious statement to most, however Cleveland tragically lost both of his parents within a short time of each other. After having no place to stay in Ohio, he ended up in Texas mid semester almost exactly 2 years ago because an aunt lived in Pflugerville and he came to live with her...

Go here for the remainder.

Rob Collins back to Richmond

Former Richmond High coach Rob Collins has moved back there from his psotion at Acalanes High:

Richmond hires Collins as new boys hoops coach
Ben Enos
Contra Costa Times
September 9, 2009

Richmond High is turning to a familiar face to front its boys basketball program this season, as former coach Rob Collins has accepted an offer to once again coach the Oilers, the longtime coach said Wednesday...

Go here for the remainder.

Remember Cory Higgins?

Cory Higgins played for Coach Bill Powers and Monte Vista High (Danville) before leaving California for Texas. The Draft Express site (our choice for the best analysis on NBA prospects) has a feature on Higgins vis-a-vis his draft status.

Top NBA Draft Prospects in the Big 12 (Part Three: #11-15)
Joey Whelan
Draft Express
September 10, 2009

Generally it’s a difficult task to get noticed as a basketball player at the University of Colorado, especially coming off a season where the Buffalos went 1-15 in the Big 12 and won just nine games overall. Despite the teams floundering play, rising junior Cory Higgins emerged as one of the bright young stars in the conference after a breakout sophomore season. Logging a tremendous number of minutes for the second consecutive year, the lightly recruited shooting guard more than doubled his offensive production to 17.4 points, while also increasing his numbers in every other statistical category as well.

Heading into his third year in Boulder now, Higgins will have more eyes on him both from opposing defenses and from pro scouts, looking to see if the junior can continue to increase his production on the floor – something he will be expected to do with an offense geared towards his strengths...

Go here for the remainder.

A Kevin Galloway update

Former Sacramento High star Kevin Galloway has accumulated a number of college addresses, the last being Kentucky. But John Calipari arrived in Lexington and apparently indicated that expected playing time would not be available to Galloway.

So he elected to transfer.

He's now at Texas Southern, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and sitting out this season. The school is located in Houston.

Article on UC Santa Barbara with a ton of norcal ballers mentioned

The Gauchos are loaded with players from northern California so read on about Justin Joyner, Will Brew, Chris Brew, James Nunnally, Lucas Devenny, Orlando Johnson, Jesse Byrd, Greg Somogyi, et al.

Double Trouble : Joyner still has the right - and left - stuff
Joyner enjoying a newfound skill: driving left.
Mark Patton
Santa Barbara News-Press
Aug. 31, 2009

The basketball sprang loose - and far downcourt, Justin Joyner's head shot up, like a predator sensing new prey.

Paul Roemer lunged over the end-line to save the ball under his own basket, then twisted it midair to find a teammate.

And there was Joyner, that familiar bounce to his step, dashing straight for him. Roemer's old De La Salle High School running mate. His old UCSB running mate.

After a year lost to a broken right wrist, J.J. was back at the Thunderdome, as though he'd never been gone.

"It's amazing," Joyner would say only a few moments later, still panting from the play that ended Thursday's pickup session. "It's amazing that it doesn't feel like it's been so long.

"I mean, it's just good to be back and competing at full speed again."

Go here for the remainder.

A Q-and-A on how to improve basketball overall

We found this fascinating -- an entry about how to improve basketball (and sorry for the All CAPS but that's the way it was posted).

Great questions and answers about college basketball and how to help the game overall!
Don Casey
The Temple of Zones
September 4, 2009

A good friend of mine Dan Peterson dropped 10 'loaded' questions on a college administrator. They call these 'tendentious' questions in Italian, which means there is no perfectly correct answer and any answer you give is fraught with trouble. Here goes:

1. Could NCAA schools go to a 60-game regular season schedule?

PROBABLY NOT. UNLIKE THE PROFESSIONAL RANKS, ON CAMPUSES AND IN COMMUNITIES, THE OVERLAP WITH FOOTBALL AT THE FRONT END AND BASEBALL AT THE BACK END CAN HURT ALL SPORTS INVOLVED. THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY FANS IN EACH COMMUNITY THAT WILL SUPPORT SPORTS. MANY ARE DEVOTED TO THEIR LOCAL COLLEGE AND ATTEMPT TO SUPPORT THE HIGH VISIBILITY TEAMS. WITH THE 60 GAME SCHEDULE BEGINNING GAMES ON OCTOBER 15, A LOT OF FOOTBALL IS YET TO BE PLAYED AND WILL IMPACT FAN SUPPORT AT BASKETBALL. THE SAME WILL OCCUR FOR BASEBALL DURING THE LAST 1/3 OF THE BASKETBALL SEASON. LIKE YOU, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ACADEMICS WILL SUFFER AS A RESULT. AS A BASKETBALL NUT, I WOULD LOVE THE 60 GAME SEASON. ON CAMPUS, THE EXPANSION TO 60 GAMES WOULD RUN YOUR STAFFS CRAZY, AGAIN DUE TO THE OVERLAP AND MEDIA RELATIONS, SPORTS MEDICINE, GAME MANAGEMENT, ETC. STAFFS WOULD BE WORN MORE THAN INCREDIBLY THIN. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE AT THE MID-MAJOR LEVEL.

2. Could NCAA schools go to a 48' game and 24" clock?

I DON’T KNOW IF THE QUALITY OF PLAY WOULD SUFFER IN A 48’ GAME. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT IS DOABLE. CERTAINLY TEAM DEPTH WOULD BECOME A GREATER FACTOR THAN IS ALREADY THE CASE. I WOULD ABSOLUTELY FIGHT THE 24’ CLOCK. THE GAME IS ALREADY STEREOTYPED TOO MUCH AND THE LIMITED CLOCK WOULD ENSURE MORE OF THE SAME. THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY MIKE D’ANTONI’S OUT THERE WHO RUN A DIFFERENT TEMPO AND ARE UNINFLUENCED BY THE CLOCK. I BELIEVE THAT THE 24’ CLOCK SENDS THE GAME INTO THE HIGH (OR SIDE) SCREEN AND ROLL 2/3 OF THE TIME AND TAKES AWAY FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLAYS AND SYSTEMS THAT ARE INDIGENOUS TO TEAMS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF THE NCAA. SINCE THE NCAA HAS LITTLE TO NO IMPACT ON THE OLYMPIC LEVEL, USE OF THESE RULES AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THAT LEVEL OF PLAY BECOMES MOOT IN THIS DISCUSSION...

Go here for the remainder.

Here's Joel Francisco on the NorCalClash

For those who weren't there (and we're taking away your bonafides as a fan of high school basketball if you were elsewhere), here's a writeup and some player analysis on Sunday's Nor Cal Clash:

Gardner, Turner stay in attack mode
Joel Francisco
Scouts Inc.

SAN PABLO, Calif. -- The first annual Nor Cal Clash, organized by Gerry Freitas, provided a nice preview of things to come in terms of high school basketball in the Bay Area. The event was a showcase game between the region's top juniors and seniors. Although the Class of 2010 came out strong to take a comfortable 32-17 lead, it would be the sensational junior backcourt of 6-foot-2 Josiah Turner (Sacramento, Calif.) and 5-7 Kiwi Gardner (Manteca, Calif.) who led the 2011 prospects to a 105-99 victory.

Turner's pull-up game and Gardner's athletic ability in the transition game would be the difference; the 2010 team's defense got shredded to ribbons on a consistent basis. In addition to the aforementioned dynamic duo, the 2011 squad also received strong performances by 6-6 J.T. Adenrele (Roseville, Calif./Oakmont), 6-5 Darius Nelson (Sacramento, Calif./Sheldon), and 6-2 Roderick Bobbitt (Castro Valley, Calif.).

Standout players

Kiwi Gardner (5-7, 150) PG
2011, Manteca, Calif.
Gardner doesn't possess ideal size for a Division I point guard, but he has many other physical attributes, such as speed and quickness, that will attract coaches from that particular level. Gardner has an exceptional burst off the dribble. He gets in the lane whenever he wants with a blow-by or a crossover. He has great bounce and can finish much of the time in traffic. However, at the next level, his game will have to slow down because his decision-making, at times, will result in costly turnovers. He has a tendency to overpenetrate and leave his feet in traffic while passing. He is a true point guard who can knock down the 3-point shot and his shot overall looks solid with a smooth release. Gardner will need to learn to manage the game and not play at such a fast pace, but there is no question his talent will be recognized among Division I coaches...

Go here for the remainder.

A Garry Hill-Thomas update

Hopefully, some still remember Oakland basketballer Garry Hill-Thomas, who played his college hoops at Nevada. Well, he has just landed a new job:

Hill-Thomas named North Valleys coach
Chris Gabel
Reno Gazette-Journal
9/1/2009

Former Nevada Wolf Pack player Garry Hill-Thomas has been hired as varsity boys basketball coach at North Valleys, athletic administrator Dr. Craig Hill said Tuesday.

Hill-Thomas, who played at Nevada from 2001-04, will be formally introduced at a press conference at the school Wednesday morning...

Go here for the remainder.