More press for Bird & Gordon

Mitch Stephens focuses on Jabari Bird and Aaron Gordon but also details other talents to watch in the Friday and Saturday games.

Josh Gershon lauds some 2013 Nor Cal ballers

In this Josh Gershon piece on the top prep players for 2013, northern California is repped by Aaron Gordon and Jabari Bird with Stephen Domingo and Ikenna Iroegbu mentioned as possible future inclusions.

More hardware for Aaron Gordon

Alex Pavlovic writes about a familial and local connection to a certain state basketball award.

This is confounding but informative

We don't subscribe to the adage that all publicity is good publicity (Donald Trump, are you listening? Of course not) but here's an article which includes writeups on some Bay Area talents (Oakland Soldiers in particular) but something went a bit haywire in the posting. So forget the high schools listed for the players plus Dom Artis' bit is also messed up.

It's from Phil Kasiecki at the Hoopville site and about the northern CA locals he watched play in the recent Nike EYBL in Virginia:

* Dominic Artis (6’5″ Jr. SF, Vallejo (CA) Bob Jones HS) A fine wing player who flew a little under the radar on a loaded team, he attacked often and also did a nice job passing the ball as he had good assist totals. He’s athletic and got to the basket often and helped his team go 5-0 here.

* Brandon Ashley (6’8″ Jr. PF, Dublin (CA) Sumter HS) In a Saturday game, he wasn’t the biggest factor in the first half, but looked more like himself in the second as he got out in transition and was very aggressive on the boards. He scored off stickbacks and showed an improving perimeter game, and his body is maturing as well. Big-time prospect.

* Jabari Bird (6’6″ Jr. SF, Vallejo (CA) Prattville HS) Athletic wing started out well on Friday with a 20-point outing on 7-9 shooting, and he got to the free throw line a fair amount over the weekend. On Saturday, we didn’t see him have his best game, as he struggled shooting and had six turnovers. More of a scorer than a shooter, he finished well, and as his body isn’t there yet, he certainly has good potential.

* Aaron Gordon (6’9″ Jr. PF, San Jose (CA) Russellville HS) A live body, he was very active and a big factor in a Saturday win for his team. He was a big presence on the glass, as he tied for third in rebounding, and also blocked some shots. As if that’s not enough, he also led the fast break a couple of times and has above-average ball skills for his position to go with some length, and his body isn’t there yet. High-major prospect.

* Richard Longrus (6’5″ Jr. SG-SF, Fremont (CA) Central Park HS) Athletic wing has a good body and had a nice weekend here. He scored well, reaching double figures several times, and rebounded well from the wing, finishing with a nice double-double of 17 points (on 7-9 shooting) and 10 rebounds in the last game. He hit from long range, but more often from driving, and he also drew contact well when he got in the lane.

A HS and a JC note

Joe Davidson reports that Sierra College big Casey Arent has given a verbal to Oklahoma. Sam Duren covers the same territory.

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ESPN RISE has named its prep players of the year, with two northern California players -- junior Brandon Ashley and sophomore Aaron Gordon -- receiving honors.

All sorts of basketball items and notes

Rivals' Jerry Meyers just posted this on Archbishop Mitty/Oakland Soldier Aaron Gordon:

"We knew this five-star prospect was good, but we didn't know he was this good. A high level athlete, Gordon is a rebounder and inside scoring threat but also much more. His ball-handling was outstanding and he continually made positive plays in the open court. The ceiling for Gordon as a prospect is extremely high."

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Jon Gold covers the UCLA signing of CCSF's De'End Parker.

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Scott Wolf covers the USC signing of Eureka High's Greg Allen, who is finishing up at Navarro College in Texas.

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From Gerry Freitas' recent 2011 So Cal Hoops review, comes these northern CA names (it's a partial list so go here for more):

Mike Best 6’10” C 2011 Terra Linda HS (Lakeshow Black) An athletic post that scores the ball and blocks a lot of shots. Needs physical strength.

Jalen Dupree 6’0” PG 2012 Vallejo HS (Davis Wildcats) Athletic point guard that penetrates and creates for others. Sees the floor well.

Mike Harris 6’4” SF/PF 2011 Monte Vista HS (Lakeshow Seniors) A strong left handed combo forward that can inside and outside. He is strong and can drive it and shoot it and is a solid rebounder.

Bobby Johnson 6’8” C/PF 2011 Castlemont HS (NorCal Pump N Run 17) Strong, physical post.  Plays through contact, and draws a lot of fouls.  Ok athlete with deceptive quickness. Showed the ability to drive from high post.  Good rebounder.

Tajai Johnson 6’2” SG/SF 2012 Vallejo HS (Team Superstar 17) Real athletic wing with a nice burst of speed. Makes plays in transition, good driver, real good rebounder, shot is improving.

Theo Johnson 6’6” PF/SF 2012 Franklin HS (Team Superstar 17) Very athletic combo forward, nice one-bounce drive, capable post up player, solid rebounder. Really stepped it up in this event.

Erik Kenny 6’3” SF 2012 Sacramento HS (Play Hard Play Smart Elite) Big time athlete that is always at the rim. Can handle and pass, shoots it ok and is a real good rebounder.

March 30 -- your northern California high school/junior college basketball report

To the surprise of nobody, Aaron Gordon is the Mercury News Player of the Year.

Alex Pavlovic also supplies the rest of the South Bay basketball honorees, kids who are relatively unknown due to geographic location.

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We missed this: Kendall Jackson and Brendan Keane being selected among the Bay Area Athletes of the Week.

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Dave Allen writes about Brett Tovani's departure from Dominican which has left a number of former Bay Area and northern California players on the current roster up in the air.

The Thursday northern California high school basketball report

Joseph Shufelberger has the scoop on Chico High's Sterling Smith pouring in 48 points on Senior Night versus Foothill.

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Cardinal Newman was "Sharp" in the victory over Lick Wilmerding as Michael Coit reports. Here is some game video.

Howard Senzel has the take on Marin Catholic's romp over Healdsburg. John Dugan also offers his perspective.

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Mariposa got "Herrin-ized" as Ripon High had no trouble in the win -- read James Burns' game writeup.

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Jose San Mateo writes that Robbie Herndon paced the St. Patrick - St. Vincent win over St. Helena.

Bethel High got Will C. Wood-ed per Thomas Gase.

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Alex Pavlovic has selected Mitty's Aaron Gordon as athlete of the week in Santa Clara County.

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Bill Paterson has collected a bevy of scores and player highlights of games up Sacto way.

The Bay Area News Group has done the same for that geographical territory.

Sunday's northern California high school basketball report

Mitty just got by Serra as Alex Pavlovic reports.

Archbishop Mitty 46, Serra 45

AM -- Aaron Gordon 7-1-15, Brandon White 3-6-12

S -- Connor McGrath 6-4-17, Dalyn Pacheco 3-1-8

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Mitch Stephens covers the Mitty - Serra matchup as well as a number of other games.

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Jimmy Durkin has the details the Salesian rolling of St. Patrick - St. Vincent.

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Ernest Stone fills us in on University's triumph over Stuart Hall up San Francisco way.

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Per John Dugan, San Marin is the MCAL champ.

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It's Casa Grande High over Windsor High in the Sonoma County League championship game.

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Santa Cruz High topped Aptos High to win the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championship -- read Ryan Moses' game report.

Ryan also has a farewell feature as Mike Gruber is leaving the Harbor High head coaching position after 28 years.

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Piedmont Hills High won the Blossom Valley League championship with a 59-40 win over Leigh.

Saturday morning's northern California high school basketball roundup

Jeremy Balan reports on Serra steamrollering Sacred Heart Cathedral.

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Jimmy Durkin reports that Newark Memorial is tops again. Plus a Jabari Brown-less Oak High, led by T.J. Taylor, just got by Mack and San Ramon Valley squeaked past Monte Vista.

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Mitch Stephens offers game report on the Oakland High - McClymonds matchup and the Serra - SHC pairing.

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John Dugan has the details of Drake beating Marin Catholic -- San Marin is next in the championship contest.

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Jose San Mateo is all over Hogan's win over Vallejo.

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Phil Barber writes it was the X-man leading Cardinal Newman over Ukiah for the championship.

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George Watkins tell us Palma is still a formidable foe despite not winning league this season.

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Here are a couple of box scores:

Sheldon 54, Folsom 45

SH -- Darius Nelson 20, Dakarai Allen 11

FO -–Richard Olpin 15, Justin Woody 11

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Archbishop Mitty High 63, Bellarmine College Prep 44

AM -- Aaron Gordon 7-5-19, Brent Younger 5-2-12

BCP -- Kristoffer Olugbode 2-7-11

All high school information today (Friday)

This article from Phil Barber is a shocker.

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John Gase reports on Vallejo's win over Rodriguez. Plus, the Vallejo Times-Herald has the Bethel topping Hogan story.

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Jimmy Durkin covers the St. Mary's win over St. Joseph Notre Dame, plus news about appeals by Marcelous Clay and Salesian High.

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Archbishop Mitty 65, Valley Christian 44

AM -- Aaron Gordon 10-1-21, Colin Wan 5-2-13

VC -- Zayn Kirkendoll 6-1-14, Jonny Parker 5-1-13

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Bellarmine College Prep 53, St. Francis High 48

BCP -- Alex Chapman 4-2-11, Kristoffer Olugbode 3-3-11

SF -- Ivan Margaretic 5-1-12, Thomas Petersen 5-0-10. Totals 19-5-48.

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Berkeley High 74, Richmond High 60

Berkeley -- B.T. Shabazz 7 1-2 15, Josh Amey 6 3-3 15, Langston Morris-Walker 6 2-2 14

Richmond -- Isiah Brown 8 7-11 25, Demariye Williams 6 0-0 15

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St. Mary's 69, St. Joseph Notre Dame 62

SM -- Isaiah Taylor 9 0-2 20, Glenn Baral 7 2-2 20, David Andoh 7 2-2 16

SJND -- Brendan Keane 12 4-9 28, Dom Lippi 5 0-0 13

High school articles, notes and scores

Jimmy Durkin reports that Salesian's Jabari Bird is back on the court and a short time after the announcement, the Richmond-based team routed St. Mary's.

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Will Olsem (El Camino High) is the centerpiece in this Sonoma Stat basketball feature. 

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Host St. Ignatius just got by Bellarmine -- Ernest Stone provides the details.

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Ray Hacke offers the scoop of the Aaron Gordon-powered Archbishop Mitty win over host Serra.

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Archbishop Mitty 61, Serra 53

Archbishop Mitty -- Aaron Gordon 8-6-22, Kyle Toth 4-3-13, Neil Vranicar 4-0-11

Serra -- Connor McGrath 5-11-22, Jason Barsocchini 5-1-12

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St. Francis 54, Riordan 51

Archbishop Riordan -- Anthony Castillo 4-6-17 (three treys), Aaron Anderson 6-3-15

St. Francis -- Sean Dawkins 6-2-19 (five treys), Ivan Margaretic 3-3-9

The Cal Hi Sports basketball stat stars

Cal Hi Sports has posted its state star as of 12/16 and here are the northern California prepsters listed:

* Mike Davis, Kelseyville (Kelseyville, Calif.)
 
He was the one in shining armor for the Knights, after connecting for 32 points in a 76-48 victory over Lower Lake. 

* Max Fuji, Analy (Sebastopol, Calif.)

The speedy 5-foot-9 sharpshooting guard had 24 points in a 52-46 victory over host Drake of San Anselmo at the 45th Annual Carl “Red” Brown tourney, then came back to solidify the tournament’s MVP, with 31 points in a 69-54 title-game victory over Kennedy of Fremont. 

* Aaron Gordon, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)

He showed some spark last year as a freshman, but the sophomore 6-foot-7, 200-pound little brother of Drew Gordon is the new Monarch force down low in a 5-1 start, and he showed it in a 79-70 victory over San Leandro in Mitty’s South Bay Classic, finishing with a game-high 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. 

* Colin Gruber, Harbor (Santa Cruz, Calif.)
 
The 6-foot-3 senior had three huge double-doubles in three Pirates’ wins last week. In a 64-41 win over North Salinas, he dropped in 29 points with 15 rebounds, seven steals and five blocks. Two nights later in a 53-49 victory over Watsonville, he dropped in 29 again with 10 rebounds, four steals, four blocks and three assists. Against Scotts Valley, Gruber grubbed up 36 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and four blocks. The next night in the Dad’s Club tourney title game, he had 20 points seven rebound and four assists, but his team fell 61-53 to Salinas.  

* Tajai Johnson, Vallejo (Vallejo, Calif.)

The junior guard led the Apaches past Vintage of Napa 80-68 in the title game of the Wine Valley Classic. He scored 36 points and also had 11 rebounds and seven assists. Johnson is averaging more than 26 ppg.

* Matt Mareno, Redwood (Larkspur, Calif.)

This 6-foot-5 junior is making a name for himself. Last week, he tossed in 41 points with seven rebounds but the defending NCS Division II champion Giants lost 77-73 to Pittsburg. Two weeks ago,  in a 57-44 win over Dougherty Valley of San Ramon, Mareno had 31 points. 

* Brandon Wilhite, Woodside Priory (Portola Valley, Calif.)

After going for 30 points and 10 rebounds in a 49-30 win over St. Lawrence of Santa Clara last Saturday, the small school star came back Monday night to duplicate the effort in a 65-55 win over Mid-Peninsula of Menlo Park. 

Prep scores from Friday night

We noticed that Franklin High beat Granite Bay 74-68 last night and that Chico's Sterling Smith put in 30 points in a 69-57 win over Antelope.

Im the Father Barry Classic in Sacramento, St. Ignatius topped Colorado-Regis 60-57 behind Johnny Mrlik's 22 points, plus 18 from Stephen Domingo. The game was tied after three quarters.

Jesuit won over Loyola (Los Angeles) 82-78 paced by Akachi Okugo's 25 points and 18 from Parker Uu.

Archbishop Mitty was 16 points better than Bishop O'Dowd at 66-50. Aaron Gordon scored 15 points for the winners while Richard Longrus paced BOD with 13.

Aaron Gordon

It appears right now that the 'Beast of the Bay' in the very, very near future), will come down to Mitty's Aaron Gordon and Bishop O'Dowd's Brandon Ashley.

Here's the Ball Is Life crew raving about Gordon:

* Hit their Twitter account here. 

* A brief tape involving a play nearing the end of a game.

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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