St. Mary's gets by Cloverdale

Robby Rowland and Company almost pulled it off. Here are a couple of game reports:

Rowland's ride comes to an end
Record-setting forward has 26 points, 14 rebounds, but third-seeded St. Mary's edges No. 6 Eagles
Eric Branch
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
February 27, 2010

CLOVERDALE – The Cloverdale boys' basketball team's memorable season and the historic career of Robby Rowland ended here Saturday night thanks to an opponent that in the end was quicker, fresher and two baskets better.

The sixth-seeded Eagles, the smallest public school among the North Coast Section's 24 Division IV teams, fell to No. 3 St. Mary's, 64-60, in the NCS quarterfinals. Cloverdale led 30-27 at halftime and was tied at 56 with three minutes left, but the Eagles (27-3) missed five of their final six shots and their upset bid fell short. The Panthers (21-9), winners of two NCS titles in the past three years, escaped despite making just 7 of 18 second-half free throws. St. Mary's helped offset their free-throw woes by corralling four missed foul shots...

Go here for the remainder.

and

St. Mary's Rebounds To End Cloverdale's Season
Joe Pasquini
YSN365.com
Sunday, 28 February 2010

Cloverdale met a team that was quicker, bigger and stronger in a game that was called to that teams advantage. But in the end, one of the most basic things in basketball, getting a rebound when the other team is shooting free throws, cost them a epic upset as St. Mary's pulled out a 64-60 win.

The loss not only ended Cloverdale's hope for the school's first Nor Cal berth since the mid 80's, but ended the great high school career of Robby Rowland. Rowland scored a game high 26 points, so his Sonoma County scoring career scoring record target will sit at 2,548 points, which unofficially is 26th All-Time in the State...

Go here for the remainder.

Rocklin takes down Yuba City

Zach Nelson and Yuba City tried but couldn't prevail:

Rocked by Rocklin
Fans enthusiastic, but Honkers fall
Ashley Gebb
Appeal-Democrat
February 27, 2010

A collective heartbreak echoed through the Honkers gymnasium Friday night when the Yuba City boy's basketball team was dealt a 77—70 blow by Rocklin in overtime.

The loss — which many proclaimed was unfair — was not from a lack of energy and enthusiasm. Honker fans hemorrhaged brown and gold through the last seconds of the clock as they cheered on the team in its third and still-unsuccessful bid to reach the semifinals...

Go here for the remainder.

Here's more of a game report.

Manteca falls short to Vista del Lago

Kiwi Gardner and Ernie Pimental notwithstanding, Vista del Lago triumphs:

Buffaloes Bounced
Manteca’s upset bid falls short to Vista del Lago
Jagada Chambers
Manteca Bulletin
February 27, 2010

FOLSOM – Ernie Pimentel nailed a 3-pointer with 15.8 remaining to pull Manteca High within six, but that would be as close as the Buffaloes would come in its 68-62 Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Championship loss to Vista del Lago Friday...

Go here for the remainder.

Center High tops Del Oro

Center High is continuing its march for more respect:

Cougars hope victories quiet their doubters
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
February 27, 2010

Center High School stars Connor Haysbert and Elliot Herald know they have a lot to prove.

There are plenty who are skeptical of who they have played and if they are truly deserving of being The Bee's top-ranked team. They also understand why they got a No. 6 seed in the 16-team Sac-Joaquin Section Division III field, even though they don't agree with it.

Center may have won over some of the doubters Friday night in Loomis...

Go here for the remainder.

NCL honors

Eric Branch has posted the NCAL boys basketball honorees:

Most Valuable Player: Robby Rowland, Cloverdale, Sr.

First team

Jerod Domenichelli, Cloverdale, Sr.
Beau Gastineau, Cloverdale, Jr.
Michael Meiswinkel, St. Vincent, Jr.
Ryan Richardson, Clear Lake, Sr.
Will Saladin, St. Helena, Sr.

The OAL honors

Jimmy Durkin has posted the honorees of the Oakland Athletic League:

MVP

T.J. Taylor (Oakland) Jr.

First team

Jabari Brown (Oakland) Jr.
John Green (Castlemont) Sr.
Alfred Thomas (Fremont) Sr.
Tobias Royal (Fremont) Sr.
DiAndre Campbell (Oakland Tech) Sr.

The West Catholic Athletic League honors

Here you go with the West Catholic league honors:

WCAL All-League Player of the Year:

Tyler Johnson - St. Francis

First Team

Jordan Reudy - Serra
Ryan Tana - Serra
Connor McGrath -Serra
Madu Cole - Bellarmine,
Freddie Eberhardt - Bellarmine
Stephen Meade - Archbishop Mitty
Ivan Dorsey - Riordan
Patrick Crowley - St. Francis
Spencer Britschgi - St. Francis

Second Team

Aaron Gordon - Archbishop Mitty
Matt Carroll - Valley Christian
Aaron Anderson - Riordan
Johnny Mrlik - St. Ignatius
Taylor Johns - Sacred Heart Cathedral

Attention: Southbay basketballers

Here's a heads up to you ballers in the Southbay and surrounding areas:

2010 SPRING Skills Camp

Days: Sundays, March 7th to June 6th. 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Place: De Anza College Main Gym
Contact: Phone (650) 451-8141
Email: bigdogwvbc@sbcglobal.net
Cost: $480.00 (entire Spring) or $40.00 per session.

Team Rates are available as well for schools.

This elite camp consists of skill work in ALL areas of Basketball.

This camp is designed to make a difference. Players of all ages -- boy’s and girl’s -- will have an opportunity to LEARN THE GAME as they will be taught the art of footwork, ballhandling, shooting, creating shots off the catch and dribble, spacing, defensive stance, footwork and position while receiving instruction from some of the most experienced coaches in the Northern California. This includes former Cal great Al Grigsby, Tom (Mr. Shot Science) Curtiss and Bob Bramlett.

You will be able to use the Spring to work on your skill level, and prep for Summer Leagues, Traveling Teams and next year’s school season.

Every Sunday will be dedicated to working on different skill, while continuing your progress towards becoming a COMPLETE BASKETBALL PLAYER.

As a special bonus, each player will be able to correspond directly with a staff member on a weekly basis for individual guidance. We will be able to answer questions and assist with weekly training regimens

More love for Kiwi

Here you go:

Kiwi's sweet game
Manteca junior turning heads with flashy play
Jason Anderson
Stockton Record
February 22, 2010

MANTECA - Kiwi Gardner has a unique name, a unique game and a reputation that precedes him with referees.

The 5-foot-7 guard can dunk, make imaginative passes and dribble circles around defenders, sometimes going between his legs, sometimes going between theirs. Already a mild YouTube sensation, the Manteca High School junior is featured in no fewer than 15 videos with more than 130,000 views.

One video shows him taking one stride inside the free-throw line and launching himself toward the rim for a left-handed jam, creating a roar and an air of astonishment at East Union's Dalben Center. Another highlights his 52-point game against Pitman.

"People like to watch his style of play," East Union coach Brett Lewis said. "He's flashy. Getting after it, dunking, shooting long 3s - he's very tough to guard. You can't double team him and you can't put a box-and-one on him because he's so creative he'll skewer you with his passing..."

Go here for the remainder.

Josh Akognon is in...Estonia

Life is an adventure and sometimes basketball too. Former Casa Grande star Josh Akognon is combining both with a jump into adventureland:

Josh Akognon's basket-Baltic adventure
Phil Barber
The Press Democrat
February 16, 2010

Soon after Josh Akognon signed his first pro basketball contract, the former Casa Grande star was hanging out with his family and his new wife, Ariana, when they decided it would be a good idea to pull out a globe and locate the young couple's destination.

They couldn't find it.

“Ya'll going somewhere that ain't on the map,” Josh's mother, Alfreda, exclaimed, shaking her head. “Oh Lord, help us...”

Go here for the remainder.

Most Valuable Player Joe Slocum

Vallejo's Slocum MVP
Times-Herald staff report
2/23/2010

Vallejo High basketball star Joseph Slocum beat out Frankie Johnson and the rest of his rivals in the Solano County Athletic Conference to capture the MVP award Monday when coaches voted on the all-league teams.

Slocum finished the regular season second in scoring in the SCAC with 18 points per game, just behind Vanden's Johnson, according to Maxpreps.com.

Go here for the remainder.

A Kyle Odister feature

Former Rio Americano backcourter Kyle Odister is updated here:

Unorthodox move worked for Odister
Joe Davidson
Sacramento Bee
February. 23, 2010

A year ago, Kyle Odister was on the East Coast, ankle deep in snow, a continent away from the comforts of home.

To get there, he did something you just don't see in high school sports, particularly in this region. Odister transferred in midseason out of Rio Americano, where the point guard was the leading talent of a playoff-bound bunch, and headed to the great unknown...

Go here for the remainder.

A column on Kiwi Gardner

Here is a column we should all read and take to heart and mind:

The Kiwi Gardner Syndrome
jcampbell
Manteca Bulletin
February 20, 2010

Its no secret: Kiwi Gardner -- the Manteca High junior standout that can make defenders fall on the floor while trying to cover him -- has attained SuperStar status.

But I'm not talking about the bling-laden, luxury car driving, club hopping superstars that command the ridiculous salaries that we're all responsible for (ticket sales and merchandise are what covers the cost of that Cristal.) I'm talking about how people either already love him or hate him even though they've never actually spoken to the young man. He has become, as a high school junior, the savior to some and the devil to others -- all for just being able to dribble a basketball a little bit better than the next guy.

Now this season there was an incident that made Kiwi Gardner a household name for Valley Oak League basketball fans, and some have chosen to take that incident (with no video proof) as a sign that he's a bad kid and he doesn't deserve the enormous amount of respect he earns...

Go here for the remainder.

Here's an amazing story

This one is impossible to top for grit and determination:

Gunderson amputee Derek Norris 'like any other kid on team'
Dennis Knight
Mercury News
2/16/2010

Statistics — seven points, two rebounds and one assist this season — fail to tell the story of Gunderson junior Derek Norris.

Those numbers can't measure the heart of the 17-year-old basketball player, who had his right leg amputated above the knee at age 6...

Go here for the remainder.

Tyler Johnson and St. Francis

Here is a kid and a school not receiving that much attention:

Start to finish, top to bottom, St. Francis is a title contender
Mitch Stephens, Special to The Chronicle
February 19, 2010

St. Francis boys basketball coach Mike Motil often tells the story of how his team's lone Division I-bound player, Tyler Johnson, missed a layup in his first game on the freshman team.

And how he cried.

"Real tears ... on the bench," said Motil, who was then the freshman coach. "I told him if he didn't stop crying I couldn't put him back in. Ever."

Motil likes telling the tale of Johnson's humble beginning, not to embarrass the 6-foot-2 guard, who will play at Fresno State next season, but to illustrate two points:

One, Johnson is a tremendously passionate player.

And two, at St. Francis, it's not about where you start, but where you finish...

Go here for the remainder.

A David Gurganious and El Cerrito update

Here's the latest:

El Cerrito player recovering after collapse
Mitch Stephens, Special to The Chronicle
February 12, 2010

With a new coach and 13 first-year varsity players, El Cerrito's 22-2 season has been deemed remarkable, if not nearly miraculous.

And the team's sparkling record has little to do with it.

On Feb. 2, the Gauchos and about 300 fans watched in horror as sophomore forward David Gurganious very nearly succumbed to cardiac arrest.

In the closing minutes of a lopsided home victory over Richmond, Gurganious, resting on the bench after playing most of the game, collapsed from a yet-to-be-diagnosed heart ailment...

Go here for the remainder.

Growing up

Here's a youngster down Fresno way who is getting 'it' and blossoming:

Central's 'Rocky,' his coach reflect on ride
Andy Boogaard
The Fresno Bee
February 15, 2010

A basketball is also referred to as a "rock," and because Rakim Brown often was seen with one at a young age, he earned the nickname "Rocky."

Now it brings multiple meanings, for there is no other way to describe the Central High star's three-year relationship with coach Loren LeBeau.

"Quite honestly," Brown says, "after some games when he'd yell at me, get in my face and sit me, I'd go home and say, 'Mom, I don't want to play anymore; it's not fun...'"

Go here for the remainder.

The Brothers Nunnally

Here's a game report and a human interest feature:

Nunnally brothers reunited
Younger sibling explodes for 19 in homecoming
Jagada Chambers
Manteca Bulletin
February 5, 2010

STOCKTON — They have played basketball at the park, in the church and on the driveway.

Both earned multiple Valley Oak League championships for different Manteca Unified high schools.

And Thursday evening their basketball careers crossed paths for possibly the final time at Spanos Center where sophomore James Nunnally and UC Santa Barbara got the better of big brother Michael Nunnally’s Pacific Tigers 61-48 for the second time in Big West Conference play...

Go here for the remainder.

Kiwi Gardner's state honor

CalHiSports has honored Manteca High's Kiwi Gardner as its boys state player of the week:

Kiwi Gardner: State Boys Athlete of the Week
Harold Abend, Special to CalHiSports.com
February 13, 2010

When the nomination came in for this week's ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com Boys State Athlete of the Week, Manteca High's Kiwi Gardner, it contained some unusual language.

"Hopefully he's learned his lesson from a recent suspension for contact with a referee,” wrote his nominator, ESPN RISE Deputy Editor and CalHiSports.com Executive Editor Mark Tennis.

The committee making the choice for each week's winners, like most of the rest of modern society, is willing to give boys and girls a second chance, but not without verifying the facts. Gardner's stats on the court speak for themselves...

Go here for the remainder.

Thomas Frye

His team may not be all that successful but Thomas Frye of Kennedy High (Richmond) is sure putting together a solid season.

Try of late (per the Contra Costa Times):

* 22 points and 18 rebounds versus John Swett

* 18 points and 12 rebounds versus St. Patrick-St. Vincent

* 34 points and 13 rebounds versus Encinal.

An Alex Harris update

El Cerrito's Alex Harris disregarded Horace Greeley's famous phrase and headed east to Bridgton (Maine) Prep instead and certainly has found his fortune.

Here's an New England Recruiting Report (NERR) excerpt from a February 7 tournament:

"...Alexander Harris continued to be the centerpiece of the Bridgton attack as he has developed into one of the better long distance marksmen around while also using his length and athleticism to make plays on both ends of the floor..."

and

This is an excerpt from a February 4 New England's Notable Performances:

"Player of the Week – Alexander Harris, Bridgton Academy: The California native tied a school record when he connected on nine three-pointers in a single game as Bridgton fell to St. Thomas More 95-87. He came back and scored 21 points the next day to lead the Wolverines to a 64-51 win over MCI...

and

On January 5, the New England Scouting Report listed the top talents in Maine:

"...Bridgton Academy’s Alexander Harris checks in at number three, although in terms of sheer production so far this year he is probably at the top of the charts. The California native has been as steady as he has been versatile for Bridgton, playing either of the guard positions, making athletic plays on both ends of the floor, and showing both a consistent dribble drive game and dependable perimeter stroke..."

The New England Recruiting Report can be accessed here.

It's the end of the line for Remi Barry

The court says it's over and the season is drawing to a close for Remi Barry:

Del Oro player loses legal bid to join basketball team
Sacramento Bee
Feruary. 10, 2010

A Placer County judge rejected today a request by Del Oro High School transfer student Remi Barry to set aside another judge's ruling denying the French native a stay of a California Interscholastic Federation decision that found him ineligible for violating its bylaws...

Go here for the remainder.

Zach Nelson gets noticed

Joe Davidson offers a feature on a kid who receives no statewide recognition, but should:

For one night, Yuba City player was can't-miss kid
Joe Davidson
Sacramento Bee
February 11, 2010

It was one thing to try to ward off a swarm of athletic defenders who fronted him, backed him, growled and even hissed.

And there was the added element of proud pop in the seats with his eyebrows raised and jaw dropped. Or buddies nearby flashing signals, forming 44 or 52 with their fingers. Not plays, mind you. How many points Zach Nelson had to that moment for the Yuba City High School boys basketball team. When it was mercifully over Feb. 3, when the Natomas defenders were reduced to heavy breathing, bent over and tugging their shorts, Nelson was in a similar state of disbelief.

Fifty-six points...

Go here for the remainder.

The Brothers Haysbert

Here's a short but nice little feature on two kids who don't receive much pub:

Haysbert brothers are impact players for No. 2 Center boys hoops
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
February 9, 2010

Connor and Chad Haysbert, with their combination of size and skill, are a huge reason why Center High School is 20-2 overall and ranked No. 2 by The Bee.

But as talented as they are - both also are excellent students - they are completely different personalities...

Go here for the remainder.

A great read on recruiting

Here's a fascinating piece by one of the best investigative reporters around, George Dohrmann. Like just about everything in life, there's the "above surface story" and the "submerged" one. College recruiting is just example #79542 of this.

It's endearing when a fan posts on a message board that "our coach ought to go after so-and-so" because "so-and-so" is often spoken for long before any official letter-of-intent can be signed. It's a prospect/parent-uncle-brother/high school coach/club team coach/family advisor/in-between "runner" equation. Did we leave anyone out?

Story behind NCAA violations in Arizona basketball program
George Dohrmann
Sports Illustrated
February 9, 2010

At first glance, the inaugural Cactus Classic in May 2006 appeared to be like any other grassroots basketball tournament. There were 32 teams in Tucson, Ariz., for the three-day event. Games were played on the campus of the University of Arizona, split between three courts in the McKale Center and three in the school's intramural gym. Teams were grouped into pools of four and played three games within their pool.

The size, setting and format of the tournament were like any other, but the Cactus Classic was no ordinary grassroots event. It was not staged or sponsored by Nike, Adidas or Reebok, like most big tournaments. The organizer was a 28-year-old Tucson resident who had never held a major basketball tournament before. Also, the tournament was in the middle of an NCAA dead period, meaning no college coaches could attend. All the usual enticements that get teams to a tournament -- allegiance to a sponsor, a connected organizer, a chance to be scouted by college coaches -- were missing, yet the 32 teams were among the best in the country. With the exception of the big shoe-company events in Las Vegas in July, there was not a better assemblage of talent west of the Mississippi that year.

The Cactus Classic was special, and during its three-year run, which ended in 2008, it was the most talked about youth basketball tournament in America -- by college recruiters, AAU coaches, and later, NCAA investigators. Yet few people know the story of how the tournament came to be, how members of the Arizona coaching staff devised a plan to gain an edge in recruiting, and then brazenly toed -- and at times may have crossed -- NCAA boundaries to implement it...

Go here for the remainder.

Good news

Fund established to help pay medical costs for El Cerrito High hoops player who collapsed
Staff will receive training on defibrillators as student recovers in hospital
Shelly Meron
Contra Costa Times
2/08/2010

Administrators at El Cerrito High School are mobilizing to train staff on using defibrillators after a student athlete collapsed at a basketball game last week from an apparent heart condition.

El Cerrito Principal Jason Reimann said he is working with local police and fire officials to teach his employees how to use automatic external defibrillators in case of a future emergency.

Sophomore David Gurganious, 15, remained hospitalized Monday but is recovering...

Go here for the remainder.

Sac Bee footage of Turner & Babineaux

Joe Davidson at the Sacramento Bee offers some footage of a couple of juniors -- Josiah Turner and Kori Babineaux -- who are stars up in SacTown. Go here.

Shayne Perryman enjoying a fine senior season

6-foot-4 St. Francis senior Shayne Perryman is upping the ante in his final go-around. Here is the latest:

Santa Cruz Sentinel
2-7-2010

Shayne Perryman scored 31 points to lead St. Francis High's boys basketball team over host Scott's Valley 65-41 to clinch no worse than a share of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title Saturday.

It's the Sharks' first SCCAL boys basketball regular season title.

Perryman scored 14 points in the third quarter on his way to 23 in the second half after the Sharks entered halftime trailing 25-20.

and

Here is a feature on Perryman:

Perryman thriving at St. Francis after coming back from brain surgery
Ryan Moses
Santa Cruz Sentinel
2/07/2009

Standing at 6-foot-4 with a crooked scar running across the top of his head, Shayne Perryman is an intimidating figure when he takes the court for St. Francis Central Coast Catholic boys basketball team. That's even before he turns around to reveal a tattoo peaking over the top of his jersey just below his neck.

Not many high school kids sport ink. Then again, not many people have been through what Perryman has experienced in his 16 years.

The tattoo is of a picture of his father framed by a cross, with the letters RIP written above. It represents mortality, both his dad's -- who died of a heart attack in 2004 -- and Perryman's own. Both his older brothers have similar tributes carved into their skin. Perryman's mother, Kristi Perryman-Oliveira, allowed Shayne to get his tattoo last year, after his own brush with death.

So many kids are told video games will rot their brains, but, in a round-about way, one may have saved Perryman's...

Go here for the remainder.

Jordan Richardson sets a scoring record

He has been at West High but one basketball season yet Jordan Richardson has set the single season scoring record:

Richardson sets Wolf Pack record; Rams still win at West
Bob Brownne
Tracy Press
Feb 5, 2010

West High’s Jordan Richardson had mixed feelings about Friday’s home game against St. Mary’s of Stockton.

The senior guard now holds the new record for most points scored in a season by any West High boys basketball player, but his accomplishment came as the Rams claimed a 75-58 win at West, putting St. Mary’s at 7-0 in league and 17-7 overall, with a solid grasp on first place in the Tri-City Athletic League...

Go here for the remainder.

Robby Rowland does it!

You knew it was coming but that doesn't detract one bit from a marvelous personal achievement -- congrats to Robby Rowland for all the time and hard work he put in to make this happen:

Cloverdale's Rowland new scoring king
Eric Branch
The Press Democrat
February 5, 2010

CLOVERDALE -- The sports-obsessed kid who has slept with a basketball and baseball for as long as his mom can remember went to bed Friday night with something else that he'll cherish: The title as the most prolific scorer in Empire boys' basketball history.

Cloverdale High's Robby Rowland, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, made a 3-pointer with 2:51 left in the first quarter of the Eagles' 78-42 win against St. Helena on Friday night to break the 13-year-old record of 2,389 points held by Rincon Valley Christian's Rich Waller, who watched from the stands...

Go here for the remainder.

Zach Nelson score 56

It doesn't matter at what level -- 56 points is a load!

When Zach attacks
Senior standout scores 56 points to lead Yuba City to win
Ryan Klocke
Appeal-Democrat
February 4, 2010

Zach Nelson stood at midcourt in his street clothes and tried to make sense of what he just did. He was pleased but dumbfounded, making it hard for him to find the words to describe one of the most dominant performances in Yuba City High history.

"I don't know," he said. "The ball kept on going in the basket."

Did it ever.

Nelson scored an almost unfathomable 56 points on Wednesday in the Honkers boys basketball team's 87-78 victory over visiting Natomas. He went 17-of-18 from the field, drained 19 free throws and set what athletic director John Ithurburn is sure to be a school record in the process, though it could not be confirmed by press time...

Go here for the remainder.

Sad news

El Sobrante school mourns student who died during basketball game; cause of death still unknown
Shelly Meron
Contra Costa Times
2/01/2010

Further testing is needed to learn exactly how a 17-year-old El Sobrante boy died after collapsing at a school basketball game in Richmond on Friday...

Go here for the remainder.

and

El Cerrito player who collapsed in 'guarded' condition
Roman Gokhman
Contra Costa Times
2/03/2010

EL CERRITO — A varsity basketball player remains hospitalized today after collapsing during a high school game Tuesday evening.

The 15-year-old boy, whose identity has not been released, was rushed to a hospital, where he is in guarded condition, said Cmdr. Mike Regan...

Go here for the remainder.

Shot Science featured again

The Shot Science staff also recently received full-length coverage in the local newspaper:

Curtiss family teaching science of shooting on YouTube
Ryan Moses
Santa Cruz Sentinel
1/30/2010

When I have a question, I often turn to YouTube. The internet video site has taught me everything from guitar chords to how to make the world's best scrambled eggs. I've also learned that a goat is capable of walking across a tight rope with a monkey on its head [sometimes I ask some strange questions].

So when I started playing basketball again for the first time since middle school, I turned to my internet teacher for a lesson on how to improve my severely rusty jumper. I soon found that a lot of people have a lot of different tips on the "right" way to put the ball in the hoop. A search for "jump shot" yielded 57,600 results.

It was a bit overwhelming. Luckily, somebody told me a local basketball coach had released a series of YouTube videos with lessons on shooting fundamentals and other basketball skills.

The series is called Shot Science, and it's produced by Soquel High boys assistant coach Tom Curtiss and his sons, Chase and Casey. Tom has been coaching football and basketball since 1961, including more than 25 years courtside, and has been teaching individual and group clinics on his backyard court since 2002. He has quietly helped develop some of the best players to come through the county in recent years, including 2007 Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League MVP Scott Krueger of San Lorenzo Valley High and current standouts Shayne Perryman and Robby Gibbs of St. Francis, Mitch Postle of Harbor, and Zen Maki and Taylor Kientzel of Santa Cruz...

Go here for the remainder.

A note on Del Oro's Spencer Butterfield

Del Oro High's Spencer Butterfield won't be signing a fooball letter-of-intent because he wants to play college hoops:

Del Oro football standout holds out for hoops
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
February 2, 2010

Del Oro High School's Spencer Butterfield is considered one of the area's top football prospects. But the Bee All-Metro first-team wide receiver says he will not sign an NCAA national letter of intent Wednesday.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior is committed to playing basketball in college, even though he has gotten a lot less recruiting attention in that sport...

Go here for the remainder.

Jeremy Lin is featured in Sports Illustrated

Former Palo Alto High star Jeremy Lin -- now at Harvard -- receives the SI treatment.

Harvard School of Basketball
Pablo S. Torre
SI
February 1, 2010

What's most surprising? The possibility that he might become the first Asian-American draft pick in NBA history? The bigoted jeers he regularly hears at games (everything from "wonton soup" to "Open your eyes!")? The number of microphones and cameras of Chinese and Taiwanese outlets—five covered Harvard-Dartmouth on Jan. 9—that broadcast Crimson highlight packages, including interviews with his coach, Tommy Amaker?

Or is it the hysterically proud new fans, the ones filling gyms from Cambridge, Mass., to Santa Clara, Calif., toting signs and wearing customized T-shirts (WE LOVE YOU JEREMY!) more befitting a Jonas brother than a Taiwanese-American Ivy League point guard?

"The most surprising part," Jeremy Lin concludes, shaking his head and exhaling, "is pretty much everything."

It's a mid-January afternoon, and the senior econ major driving the unlikeliest revival in college basketball sits in his fourth-floor dorm room overlooking a frozen Charles River. He's surrounded by photos of family and friends back in Palo Alto, Calif., a poster of Warriors-era Chris Webber and an Xbox in disrepair. Nothing suggests Lin's status as the first finalist in more than a decade for the Wooden award and first for the Cousy award (nation's top point guard) to come from the scholarship-devoid Ivies.

"I never could have predicted any of this," says Lin. "To have people talk about you like that? I'm not really used to it..."

Go here for the remainder.