Jeff Faraudo with a great article on prep schools

A tip o' the hat to Jeff Faraudo for this piece:

Prep schools aren't slam dunk for everyone
Jeff Faraudo
Oakland Tribune
3/29/2010

For Saint Mary's College guard Wayne Hunter, the prep school experience was cold, distant and lonely.

"I went to the other side of the country. I was in the middle of nowhere. And I'd never been in the snow, so I was wearing big coats and three sweaters," Hunter said of his year at Bridgton Prep in Maine. "But I wouldn't trade it for the world."

By the time Cal's Jorge Gutierrez made his way to Findlay Prep outside Las Vegas, he already had survived the much bigger move from his hometown of Chihuahua, Mexico, to high school in Colorado.

"It was faster, bigger players ... almost like college," Gutierrez said. "It was great."

The experience was more complicated — and much briefer — for Jabari Brown, who is now at Oakland High...

Go here for the remainder.

Tyler Goslinga receives an honor

Ripon Christian 'big' Tyler Goslinga has received an award:

Center of attention
RC rode post presence to deep playoff run
Jagada Chambers
Manteca Bulletin
March 29, 2010

Four years ago, Tyler Goslinga knew that he wanted to become a better basketball player.
Sure Ripon Christian has always been a fixture for having a dominant big-man, but Goslinga wanted to be more. He wanted the titles, the points, the rebounds, the awards and of course a Sac-Joaquin Section championship. After years of putting in the work to substantiate being the best, the fruition was evident during his season-long brilliance for the section runner-up Knights.

Goslinga, The Bulletin’s All-Area Boys Basketball MVP, led Ripon Christian to a 22-8 record and a berth into the California Interscholastic Federation State boys Championships. The towering Ripon Christian post-presence averaged a double-double, scoring 20.4 points per game and pulling down 11 rebounds...

Go here for the remainder.

Your Saturday state championship games links

Here is Mitch Stephens on the Newark falling to Westchester matchup.

Stephens also offers game writeups on the BOD and Branson losses.

Jimmy Durkins provides a lengthy game report on the Newark Memorial loss.

Ben Enos is ditto with the Bishop O'Dowd - Serra contest.

Eric Sondheimer/Los Angeles Times got the workout yesterday with articles on Westchester - Newark Memorial, Serra over BOD and LaVerne Luteran vs. Branson.

A couple more state championship links

CalHiSports has some good writeups on yesterday's state championship games. Go here.

Here is the Price - St. Mary's game report from the Los Angeles Times.

St. Francis falls to Lincoln

St. Francis can't stop fast Lincoln, falls in state final
Dennis Knight
Mercury News
3/26/2010

BAKERSFIELD — The St. Francis basketball team made a name for itself this year playing a game defined by speed and skill, but its season ended Friday night against a Lincoln-San Diego team with athleticism and quickness that the Lancers couldn't match.

Lincoln rolled to a 74-59 win in the Division II state championship game at Rabobank Arena after jumping out to an early lead and never looking back...

Go here for the remainder.

St. Mary's falls to Price

St. Mary's High boys fall to Los Angeles' Price in Division IV state final
Ben Enos
Oakland Tribune
3/26/2010

St. Mary's High boys basaketball coach Manny Nodar couldn't help but crack a small smile when asked about the impact Price-Los Angeles forward Richard Solomon had in Friday's California Interscholastic Federation Division IV state title game.

"I chuckle because people told me he didn't like to play in the post," Nodar said.

The Cal-bound post player scored 22 points and dominated the interior, helping the Knights pick up a 69-51 win over the Panthers in the first game of the day at Bakersfield's Rabobank Arena...

Go here for the remainder.

Newark Memorial faces its biggest challenge

Will Westchester know where Newark is after the game?

Defense and effort keys for Newark Memorial
Mitch Stephens, Special to The Chronicle
March 26, 2010

Folks around Los Angeles - where Westchester High School boys basketball players call home - aren't exactly familiar with the city of Newark, where their state finals Division I opponent Newark Memorial is located.

"We know it's in the Bay Area somewhere," said Westchester senior guard Jordin Mayes.

The Cougars, who take on Westchester at Robobank Arena on Saturday, play as if they're from Newark, N.J...

Go here for the remainder.

St. Mary's has become more than the Lees

Coach Manny Nodar has always been able to count on Dominique and Demetrius Lee and now Justin Pollard plus Glenn Baral have also stepped up. Let's hope the norcal bunch can bring the trophy home.

St. Mary's boys basketball team in state final today against Price
Ben Enos
Oakland Tribune
3/25/2010

For St. Mary's High boys basketball coach Manny Nodar, the defining moment came in the fourth quarter of a win against Cloverdale on Feb. 27. Trailing by two with just over two minutes to play, the Panthers rallied for a 64-60 win in front of a partisan Eagles crowd.

"Up to that game, as a coach our biggest concern was we wouldn't be able to hold our composure offensively. We'd take quick shots and panic," Nodar said. "In those last two minutes, it was perfection from a coach's perspective. There were certain signs where this team was coming together."

Nobody's questioning St. Mary's (26-9) now, as it gets set to play Price-Los Angeles for the California Interscholastic Federation Division IV state title today at 1:30 p.m. at Bakersfield's Rabobank Arena. Two wins over rival Salesian have given the Panthers both the North Coast Section and CIF Northern regional crowns, and now they'll try their luck at securing the state's biggest prize.

One big reason for St. Mary's postseason prowess is the emergence of Glenn Baral and Justin Pollard...

Go here for the remainder.

Kendall Andrews, Newark Memorial get some love

State-final trips are old hat to Newark Memorial's Kendall Andrews
Carl Steward
Oakland Tribune
3/24/2010

Kendall Andrews has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. That was apparent a year ago when his close-range bank shot with two-tenths of a second left gave Salesian High its first state basketball title.

But now, Andrews qualifies as a certified good-luck charm. Even though he is just a junior, the 6-foot-4 forward is making his second consecutive trip to a state championship game. If that isn't rare enough, this time he's doing it at a different school — Newark Memorial, which plays Westchester-Los Angeles on Saturday night for the Division I boys title in Bakersfield.

Andrews grew up in the Fremont area, and after two years of making the tough daily commute to Salesian in Richmond, he decided it was time to stay close to home to go to school. In the fall, just before the start of the school year, he enrolled at Newark to play football and basketball...

Go here for the remainder.

A local feature on the St. Francis win over Woodcreek

St. Francis reaches Division II state final in dramatic style
Dennis Knight
Mercury News
3/20/2010

SACRAMENTO — St. Francis senior Patrick Crowley watched the ball carom off the rim with time running out. Seeing the Lancers' season flash before his eyes, he grabbed the rebound, but Woodcreek's 6-foot-11 Mike Kurtz stood in his way.

Crowley's pump fake earned an open look, and he swished a 7-footer at the buzzer to give the Lancers a heart-stopping 48-47 victory in the Northern California Division II final at Arco Arena on Saturday.

St. Francis (30-3) will play in its first state final since 2002 when the Lancers face Lincoln-San Diego at 8 p.m. Friday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield...

Go here for the remainder.

A feature on the Sac Dragons program

Bright future casts light on dreary day for Sac High coach
Ailene Voisin
Sacramento Bee
March 21, 2010

Derek Swafford is sleep deprived as it is. As the dean of students at Sacramento High School, a counselor and teacher at Sacramento City College, and coach of the Dragons' boys basketball team that came within two minutes of reaching the CIF Division III state championship, he doesn't have time to count sheep.

He counts layups, rebounds, free throws.

He tracks grades and attendance.

He even maintains a list of colleges pursuing highly regarded junior Josiah Turner, the latest in an expanding list of talented past and present prospects from Sac High, including San Diego State's Chase Tapley...

Go here for the remainder.

St. Mary's over Salesian

Was this an upset? We think so even though it makes two in a row for the Panthers but, of course, that doesn't matter because this was for the NorCal marbles:

St. Mary's now holds upper hand over Salesian
Jimmy Durkin
Oakland Tribune
3/20/2010

FOLSOM — The first win wasn't a fluke.

St. Mary's High proved that Saturday by beating Salesian 54-50 in overtime to capture the California Interscholastic Federation Division IV Northern regional boys basketball title at Folsom High. The victory was the second for the Panthers over their chief rival after nearly two years of playing second fiddle to the defending state champions.

St. Mary's beat Salesian 52-49 to win the North Coast Section championship game March 6...

Go here for the remainder.

It's Newark Memorial over DLS

Newark Memorial just grinds up opponents, despite not having a D-1 talent on the roster:

Newark Memorial is NorCal Division I king
Ben Enos
Oakland Tribune
3/20/2010

SACRAMENTO — Once the California Interscholastic Federation Northern regional Division I playoffs started, the Newark Memorial High boys basketball team recommitted itself to playing the kind of defense that wins titles.

Saturday, it brought the Cougars that crown they've been looking for all season.

A prolific third quarter of defensive play gave the Cougars enough of a cushion to withstand a furious late charge by De La Salle and send Newark Memorial to the CIF state title game with a 58-49 win at Arco Arena in Sacramento...

Go here for the remainder.

St. Francis over Woodcreek 48-47

A last second shot did the trick:

St. Francis buzzer-beater beats Woodcreek in NorCal D-II title game
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 20, 2010

The magical run of Woodcreek's "Cardiac Kids" came to an end today at Arco Arena.

Patrick Crowley's 7-footer at the buzzer lifted second-seeded St. Francis of Mountain View (30-3) to a 48-47 win over the fourth-seeded Timberwolves (28-6) in the CIF Northern Regional Division II boys championship game...

Go here for the remainder.

Here are a series of Sac Bee game photos, including one just after the conclusion.

BOD over Sacramento 57-50

It was the Dragons versus the Dragons and the Bay Area firebreathers finished ahead at the end:

Bishop O'Dowd overcomes turnovers, shooting woes to beat Sacramento, win NorCal Division III boys title
Jimmy Durkin
Oakland Tribune
3/20/2010

SACRAMENTO — Early foul trouble for Brandon Ashley, poor free throw shooting and 25 turnovers isn't typically a good sign for the Bishop O'Dowd High boys basketball team.

A dominant effort on the glass was the great equalizer though as O'Dowd beat Sacramento 57-50 Saturday in the California Interscholastic Federation Division III Northern regional championship game.

"You try not to take it for granted because it's a hard thing to do," O'Dowd coach Doug Vierra said of his team's 57-28 rebounding advantage. "For us to win that battle, it's huge. It's the difference in the game..."

Go here for the remainder.

Here's Bill Paterson/Sacramento Bee with his early game report.

Here are a number of game photos from the Sacramento Bee.

A Chris McNealy/San Ramon Valley basketball feature

Here you go with an article on one of the most consistently winning programs in Contra Costa County:

Wolves basketball a special team
Kyle Bonagura
Contra Costa Times
3/18/2010

When Chris McNealy was in eighth grade, he stopped by San Ramon Valley High School to play pickup basketball during an open-gym night the school was hosting.

The Wolves' boys basketball coach, John Raynor, noticed McNealy and asked his name.

"I told him my name and he said 'Come with me, I have something to show you,' " McNealy said. "He told me he coached my dad (at San Jose State) and showed me a picture of him from then. Ever since then, we've had a really good bond..."

Go here for the remainder.

A feature on Woodcreek High hoops

He and his players have done a remarkable job this season so it's good to see some press come their way:

Woodcreek boys coach ready for heart-stopping game for D-II title
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 20, 2010

Woodcreek High School boys basketball coach Burnel Pinkerton has started calling his guys the "Cardiac Kids."

"They're killing me," Pinkerton said. "I don't think I can take too many more blasts to the ticker..."

Go here for the remainder.

Inside Derek Swafford

Derek Swafford is one of the most fascinating coaches in the high school ranks with an inspiring backstory, some of it told here.

Sac High boys play, win by coaches' rules on and off court
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 19, 2010

They didn't realize they were creating a basketball monster.

Sacramento High School head coach Derek Swafford and his key assistant Earl Allen took over the boys program in the 2000-01 season. It was wracked by turmoil, "with no schedule, no uniforms, no money and no discipline," Swafford said. It won nine of 26 games. Four players were booted off the team for behavior problems.

Since then, Swafford and Allen have engineered Sac High's metamorphosis into a perennial power. Now excellence is not just expected but demanded by their ever-growing fan base...

Go here for the remainder.

A Travon Abraham feature

Sac High point Travon Abraham in interviewed in the following:

Senior guard Travon Abraham expounds on Sac High basketball
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 19, 2010

Sacramento High's Travon Abraham is a four-year varsity player and the leader of a Dragons team that is trying to reach the CIF state boys basketball championship game for the second time in three years.

In less than 24 hours (noon Saturday) at Arco Arena, Abraham and his teammates will play Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland for the Northern California Division III championship.

Abraham, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, averages 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Next season he will play for former Cal basketball coach Ben Braun at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Here are some of his thoughts during an impromptu question and answer session on Thursday...

Go here for the remainder.

A great Orlando Johnson read

Orlando Johnson is the best of the Big West
Sophomore forward leads UC Santa Barbara into the NCAA tournament, but it wasn't an easy journey
Chris Foster
Los Angeles Times
March 18, 2010

This was an impromptu family reunion for Orlando Johnson.

UC Santa Barbara had just outlasted Long Beach State to win the Big West Conference championship and qualify for the NCAA tournament and the celebration grew considerably as Johnson's family joined in.

"It was just my brothers and sister and her mom and stepdad," said Johnson, a sophomore forward. "And all my nieces and nephews, my uncle and his wife and her mom and her kids … oh, and my cousins."

An entire family helping to raise the roof...

Go here for the remainder.

Remi Barry is back on the court

Remi Barry's story has been covered very well by both the Sacramento Bee and Auburn Journal. Here's a good article from the Bee. Here's a lengthy background piece from the Journal.

Now he is getting back on the court as club team basketball is warming up:

Barry Makes Local Basketball Debut
Christian Hendricks - chendricks@cifwatchdog.com
Auburn Journal
3/18/2010

LOOMIS, California - Remi Barry, the French national transfer student denied eligibility to play high school basketball by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), will finally hit the floor Saturday when the YBA Dawgs open up the Spring AAU competitive basketball season at Hardwood Palace in Rocklin. The 6’7” Del Oro High School transfer student will play alongside a lineup of Sierra Foothills League (SFL) star players from Nevada Union, Rocklin, Granite Bay and Del Oro. Also included on the roster is 6’9” Yuba City star Zack Nelson. Other key players from Colfax and Vista Del Lago are likely to join the squad...

Go here for the remainder.

The Sac Bee features Josiah Turner

A video greet, meet and chat with Sacramento High School's Josiah Turner
Joe Davidson
Sacramento Bee
March 15, 2010

We stopped by practice at Sacramento High School to catch up to coach Derek Swafford and the Dragons, including standout junior guard and national recruit Josiah Turner...

Go here.

By the way, here is the NorCal basketball championship schedule.

St. Francis over Oakmont / Woodcreek over Mitty

St. Francis boys defeat Oakmont
Dennis Knight
Mercury News
3/13/2010

The St. Francis boys basketball team earned a return trip to the Northern California Division II championship game with a 53-39 win over visiting Oakmont.

The second-seeded Lancers (29-3) will face Woodcreek, which rallied to beat host Mitty in overtime 91-83 in the other NorCal semifinal...

Go here for the remainder.

Here are all sort of more scores and reports as compiled by Mitch Stephens.

Here is a ton more from Ben Enos at the Inside Bay Area group.

Joe Davidson/Sacramento Bee provides his Newark Memorial - Sheldon game report.

Bill Paterson/Sacramento Bee offers his Sac High - Center High game report.

Kwame Vaughn to leave USF

Anyone know is his plan is to stay local/regional?

USF Sophomore Guard Kwame Vaughn to Transfer
Oakland Product Played in 60 Games for the Dons
March 12, 2010

Sophomore guard Kwame Vaughn (Oakland, CA/Skyline) has elected to leave the men's basketball program at the University of San Francisco as announced today by head coach Rex Walters. Vaughn has been granted his release and is expected to transfer to a yet to be determined school.

"Kwame has decided that he would like to pursue other opportunities as a Student-Athlete," Walters said. "We support him on this and wish him nothing but the best of luck in the future. Kwame accomplished some great things here on the Hilltop and we appreciate his hard work and effort."

Vaughn appeared in 60 games with 39 starts and averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. As a sophomore, Vaughn scored 11.7 points to go along with 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

Bay Area bias?

We will soon find out who is the best and settle all the speculation -- except that the 'home court advantage' factor will still be available for use.

Woodcreek boys feel seeding snub in NorCal playoffs
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 13, 2010

Make no mistake: Woodcreek High School boys basketball coach Burnel Pinkerton is pleased that his team has reached tonight's California Interscholastic Federation Northern California Regional Division II semifinal.

But Pinkerton is puzzled why his fourth-seeded Timberwolves (27-5) aren't playing in Roseville. Instead, they'll be in San Jose facing an Archbishop Mitty team that has nine losses yet is seeded No. 1.

He has the backing of Rocklin coach Steve Taylor...

Go here for the remainder.

Woodcreek tops Chico / Sacramento over Miramonte

Depth on bench helps Woodcreek overcome Chico
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 12, 2010

There may be Academy Awards for supporting actors in film, but there are no Oscars for role players in high school boys basketball.

But if Woodcreek High School coach Burnel Pinkerton had any golden hardware to give out, he'd break it into at least 10 pieces.

Woodcreek's big three of seniors Nik Milani, Mike Kurtz and Ryan Milat – the Timberwolves' top three scorers – certainly would each get their piece...

Go here for the remainder.

and

Sac High girls, boys win in NorCal playoffs
Joe Davidson
Sacramento Bee
March 10, 2010

Sacramento boys 87, Miramonte 84 – Not to be completely outdone by his cousin Brittany Shine, Josiah Turner keyed a fourth-quarter rally to hold off the Matadors of Orinda in a second-round game.

A nationally recruited 6-foot-3 junior guard, Turner scored seven of his 37 points in a fourth-quarter run that put the Dragons (25-6) ahead to stay. He had a steal and layup, a three-pointer and another steal and score to make it 85-78 as second-seeded Sac High withstood the play of forwards Chris Hatfield (28 points) and Ross Anderson (20)...

Go here for the remainder.

Jimmy Durkin with a boys basketball bonanza

Jimmy Durkin has every score and report you could possibly want on boys basketball from last night's games:

Newark Memorial turns back Castlemont boys in NorCal basketball
Jimmy Durkin
Oakland Tribune
3/11/2010

Newark Memorial High survived Thursday, and that's just fine with the Cougars after their 48-39 win over Castlemont in this California Interscholastic Federation Northern Region Division I quarterfinal.

"We gutted it out," Newark coach Craig Ashmore said. "This time of year you've just got to survive."

The third-seeded Cougars (28-4) will host unseeded Sheldon-Sacramento, a 59-57 upset winner over No. 2 Bellarmine, on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Go here for much, much more.

Johnny Mac

It was Johnny Mac night last night:

Senior scores 40 in win for Spartans
Mitch Stephens, Special to The Chronicle
March 12, 2010

Before John McArthur could make it to the bench, De La Salle coach Frank Allocco met him at the scorer's table and wrapped his arms around his neck.

"You are a warrior," Allocco exclaimed. It was the first time Allocco bear-hugged his 6-foot-9 senior post. Twice after big buckets and three-point plays McArthur thumped his chest numerous times and celebrated along the bench...

Go here for the remainder and a host of other scores from last night

Justin Standley at Western Nebraska

Former McClymonds backcourter Justin Standley started out this school year at New Mexico State as a walk-on with the basketball team.

Now he has transferred to Western Nebraska Community College and is redshirting. The WNCC coach is Russ Beck who previously assisted at Dixie State College, Salt Lake Community College, and the College of Southern Idaho.

Davion Berry named CCCA Frosh of the Year

Congrats to former Hayward High star Davion Berry:

Berry Named CCAA Freshman of the Year
March 2, 2010

Cal State Monterey Bay guard Davion Berry was named All-CCAA second team and Freshman of the Year, the California Collegiate Athletic Association announced today.

Berry, a freshman from Oakland, averaged 12.9 points and 1.8 assists per game.
He was ninth in the conference in scoring and steals (1.3).

In the first week of conference play, Berry was named CCAA Player of the Week after scoring 30 points against the Chico State Wildcats on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Kelp Bed.

He nabbed his first double-double on Feb. 19 against the Pioneers of Cal State East Bay, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

“I cannot be more pleased for Davion,” said head coach Rob Bishop. “He was one of the best players in the league and I am excited that he was recognized as such. We are going young and trying to build a program the community can be proud of and Davion is a great example of what we are trying to accomplish on and off the court. He is a special player who will be fun to watch for the rest of career.”

Orlando Johnson named Big West POY

Former West Valley Basketball Club member Orlando Johnson, now in his second season at UC Santa Barbara (he redshirted last year), was recently named Player of the Year in the Big West Conference.

From the Santa Barbara basketball site:

"...A transfer from Loyola Marymount, Johnson enters the Big West Tournament leading UCSB and the conference in scoring at 18.0 points per game. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 48.5% overall and 39.6% from 3-point range. A two-time Big West Player of the Week, Johnson is the first Gaucho since 1996-97 to score in double-figures in every regular season game. In addition, the 6-foot-5 native of Seaside, Calif., has scored 20 or more points nine times and he has two double-doubles..."

Castro Valley falls to Sheldon

Darius Nelson went for 49 points -- go here for the Inside Bay Area account.

Here is a bit more from the Sacramento Bee, plus a lengthy look at Sac area struggles against their Bay Area brethren.

San Ramon Valley shuts down Merced

Merced boys fall to San Ramon Valley
Shawn Jansen
Merced Sun Star
March 10, 2010

DANVILLE — In time, Tyrone Bowie and his Merced teammates will look back on this basketball season fondly.

They'll remember winning two thrillers against Turlock, winning a fourth straight Central California Conference championship and playing at Arco Arena.


One by one, the Merced players filed out of the locker room at Monte Vista High doing their best to hide tears.

Coming to grips with the fact that their season was over after a 65-53 loss to San Ramon Valley in the first round of the NorCal Division 1 playoffs was just too much too take...

Go here for the remainder.

Castlemont goes Green

John Green (left), Travis Souza (right)*

Castlemont surprises Turlock with shooting
Brian VanderBeek
Modesto Bee
March 10, 2010

OAKLAND — After Turlock High found out on Sunday that its first-round regional playoff game would be against Castlemont, the Bulldogs had exactly one practice session to prepare a game plan based on whatever scouting report they could muster.

So Turlock worked Monday on its zone defenses, expecting the usual from tall, athletic teams — an attack based on penetration and power.

On Tuesday, it took a very short time to realize not only that the scouting report was only half-right, but that the Bulldogs weren't physically able to do much about stopping the Knights — the champions of the Oakland Section...

Go here for the remainder.

* John Green and Travis Souza were opponents Tuesday night but teammates during the spring and summer on the Bay Area Hoosiers club basketball team.

Zach Nelson hits BYU and Utah State

Yuba City's Zach Nelson has been hitting the road a bit lately, specifically Logan, Utah. But he is also talking with BYU and visited Salt Lake City this past summer:

BYU basketball prospect scores 56 in a game
Darnell Dickson
Daily Herald
March 1, 2010

I read a story by Talo Steves on totalbluesports.com about a kid BYU basketball is recruiting. His name is Zach Nelson (he's 6-foot-8) and he plays at Yuba City (Calif.) High School. So I searched for some stories on him online. He averages about 25 points and 15 rebounds a game. And it turns out that in February, he scored 56 points against Natomas.

Wow.

The most amazing thing about the performance? He got the 56 points in just 20 shots. He made 18 of 20 from the field and rebounded his two misses, scoring on putbacks.

Go here for the remainder.

Here's the Talo Steves article referenced above -- a Scout sub is required.

and

Recruits soak in Spectrum
Jared Eborn
Deseret News
March 7, 2010

When it comes to convincing a potential Aggie that Utah State is the place to be, Stew Morrill has 4,000 of the best salesmen he could hope for -- the USU student section.

During Saturday's regular season finale, Utah State had a pair of potential Aggies in the building and the ear-splitting, heart-pounding atmosphere made a big impression on at least one of them.

Zach Nelson, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound senior from northern California's Yuba City High was on an unofficial visit to USU with his father, Brad. Nelson is an explosive scorer who led the Honkers (yes, that's the real mascot for Yuba City) all season and had a monster game of 56 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots recently...

Go here for the remainder.

Tri-County Athletic League honors

MVP: Chris Benavente, Palma High

Most Oustanding Player: Jonathan Sosa, Alisal High and Greg Hamik, Gilroy High.

Freshman of the Year: Noah Allen, Palma High

Sophomore of the Year: Jordan Belton, San Benito High

TCAL First Team: Chris Benavente, Palma High - Michael Cahalan, Palma High - Austin Duke, Palma High - Jonathan Sosa, Alisal High - Gus Angulo, Alisal High - Jordan Gomez, Alvarez High - Andrel Gaines, Gilroy High - Greg Hamik, Gilroy High - Kyle Vasher, Salinas High - Frankie Rogers, Salinas High

EBAL honors

Here's the all-EBAL squad:

Co-MVP

John McArthur (De La Salle)
Chris McNealy (San Ramon Valley)

First Team

Dylan Heath (California)
Carlos Monroy (DLS)
Nate Appel (DLS)
Lance Willoughby (Foothill)
Tad Fisher (SRV)

Second Team

Brett Botelho (C)
Chris O'Neill (F)
Connor Beeman (Monte Vista)
Jordan Tappin (SRV)
Jordan Giusti (SRV)
Mark Tollefsen (SRV)

Sheldon over Franklin

Nelson's 29 points leads Sheldon to D-I section boys title
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 6, 2010

The wide smile on the face of Darius Nelson told the whole story.

The Sheldon High School junior did tonight what his more celebrated older brother, DeMarcus, couldn't do - lead his team to a Sac-Joaquin Section championship.

The 6-foot-6 forward scored 29 points in leading sixth-seeded Sheldon to a 78-72 win over top-seeded Franklin of Elk Grove in the Division I boys final...

Go here for the remainder.

Joe Davidson has his game report here.

Woodcreek over Oakmont

Woodcreek holds off rival Oakmont in spirited D-II title game at Arco Arena
Joe Davidson
Sacramento Bee
March 6, 2010

It's never easy to beat a rival once in a single season, or twice. Or three times, even.

How about four?

That was the daunting task at hand for second-seeded Woodcreek High School as it faced cross-town Roseville rival and No. 4 Oakmont tonight in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title game at Arco Arena...

Go here for the remainder.

Here is Bill Paterson's game report.

St. Mary's breaks the streak -- takes down Salesian

St. Mary's boys basketball team upsets Salesian
Chace Bryson
Oakland Tribune
3/06/2010

In a different situation, St. Mary's High boys basketball coach Manny Nodar may have used his last timeout to design a way to get a different player the ball. But on Saturday, it was Justin Pollard. It had to be.

With the rest of the Panthers combining to go just 5-for-19 at the foul line, Pollard made seven of nine fourth-quarter free throws to help St. Mary's upset rival Salesian 52-49 in the North Coast Section Division IV championship game at Saint Mary's College...

Go here for the remainder.

Bellarmine tops Serra

Bellarmine wins this thriller from Serra when it counts most
Dennis Knight
Mercury News
3/06/2010

Bellarmine College Prep and Serra's boys basketball rivalry has reached epic proportions in recent years.

Saturday night the Bells won the latest installment and earned a Central Coast Section championship with a classic 58-57 victory in the Division I title game at the Leavey Center...

Go here for the remainder.

Will Davis gets some love

Unsung senior's monster game helps Sac High repeat as D-III boys champion
Bill Paterson
Sacramento Bee
March 6, 2010

Will Davis admits he sometimes feels forgotten.

That's easy to understand, even though the Sacramento High senior forward is 6-foot-9.

Davis plays in the long shadow of teammates Josiah Turner and Travon Abraham, two of the area's best scoring guards.

Already an intimidating defender and superb rebounder, Davis has started to assert himself on the offensive end now that the perennial power is making another deep playoff push.

Davis scored a career-high 22 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots in top-seeded Sac High's 65-55 win over second-seeded Vista del Lago in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship game Friday night at Arco Arena...

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Damian Lillard named MVP

We repeat: how did he get out of the Bay Area/northern California without an offer? Was it groupthink, the idea that if so-and-so isn't recruiting this kid, then why should we? There was debate over whether Lillard was a 1 or a 2 but there should have been no doubt that he is a baller, period.

Wildcats' Damian Lillard named league MVP
Deseret News
March 3, 2010

OGDEN — A season after earning the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year Award, Weber State's Damian Lillard is the league's men's basketball Most Valuable Player.

The 6-foot-2 sophomore guard from Oakland, Calif., was unanimously selected by the conference coaches as the league MVP and member of the All-Conference First Team.

"This is a tremendous honor for Damian and our team," said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. "Damian has worked extremely hard on and off the court to improve his game, become a better player and a better teammate. He's certainly worthy of the recognition..."

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BOD over Miramonte

Bishop O'Dowd beats Miramonte in NCS Division III boys basketball final
Chace Bryson
Oakland Tribune
3/06/2010

When it comes to big-man tandems, there may not be a better pair than Brandon Ashley and Richard Longrus for the Bishop O'Dowd High boys basketball team.

But on Friday, it was the play of the Dragons' guards that sealed the program's first North Coast Section Division III championship since 2004 with a 60-50 victory over Miramonte at Saint Mary's College. It was the 13th NCS title O'Dowd has won in 32 seasons...

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The Mittys triumph

Before he is done in high school, Aaron Gordon is going to surpass brother Drew as a baller. Please note this is not a knock at the latter but simply praise for the former.

Archbishop Mitty wins CCS Division II boys, girls titles
Dennis Knight
Mercury News
3/06/2010

It was a banner night at the Leavey Center for the Archbishop Mitty basketball teams Friday as the boys upset red-hot St. Francis 56-50 to win the Central Coast Section Division II championship after watching the girls roll to a 53-37 victory over Presentation to win their 22nd CCS title.

The boys ended the Lancers' 19-game winning streak. St. Francis (27-3) had run the table during West Catholic Athletic League play and then won the league tournament. The Lancers had beaten Mitty in three previous meetings, but the Monarchs came through with their best game of the season to win their sixth CCS title in school history.

Freshman Aaron Gordon and senior Stephen Meade delivered big time performances for Mitty (20-9), which took an 11-10 lead midway through the second quarter and never trailed again...

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John Green shines

John Green's double-double led Castlemont past Mack:

Castlemont's John Green leads Knights past McClymonds
Jimmy Durkin
Oakland Tribune
3/04/2010

It had all the electricity that was expected, and host Castlemont High thrived as the Knights advanced to the Oakland Section boys basketball title game with a 68-53 win over three-time defending section champion McClymonds on Thursday.

There was plenty of buildup to this game after Tuesday's ruling by the section that made former Mack player Gary Williams eligible to suit up for the Knights. Warriors coach Brandon Brooks decided against following through with his threat to pull his team off the court and watched Williams score 16 points in the victory...

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Not about a player but a coach

We've never met or spoken with John Gastineau and it sounds like that is our loss:

Lessons in losing
Eric Branch
Santa Rosa Press-Democrat
March 1, 2010

For the past two years, I’ve seen Cloverdale’s final game of the season.

Last year, the Eagles lost to St. Joseph Notre Dame, the eventual state runner-up, on a last-second shot in the North Coast Section Division V semifinals. On Saturday, they lost another gut-wrencher, falling to third-seeded St. Mary’s, 64-60, in the Division IV quarterfinals.

On both occasions, I interviewed Cloverdale coach John Gastineau after the game. Each time, he invited me into the locker room, set up folding chairs so we could talk and answered my questions...

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