A correction

Brian Brinkerhoff offers a correction to our twining the offenses of Boyd Grant's Fresno State teams of yore and that of Frank Allocco's De La Salle squads. 

one small note -

i take issue with your comparison of DLS and Fresno State when you wrote-

"DLS's offense is very similar to that of Boyd Grant during his late 70's - early 80's tenure at Fresno State -- run time off the clock, frustrate defenders and then get a good look through a bevy of fundamental maneuvers."

having worked with Boyd Grant on a project about defense, I can tell you that a breakdown of old game tape from that era actually proved quite the opposite - Fresno State actually shot the ball faster than their opponents did on an average possession in the half court

FSU averaged a shot within 17 seconds per possession per game, whereas their opponents averaged a shot within 19 seconds per possession game-

this was due to FSU's defense approach which forced teams to burn clock in an effort to get something going on

it still frosts Boyd and Ron Adams to this day that people say they held the ball - they didn't- it was actually their opponents who burned more clock.

Brian Brinkerhoff

We stand corrected and thank Brian for reaching out. Please do so if anything appearing here deserves challenging.

Max Pitts back in the Bay Area

Max Pitts is attending Las Positas College and working out with the team but it appears he still needs to do more rehab work before being ready to compete. We're pulling for the young man to get back on the court.

Here's a January 2009 article by Will McCullouch detailing Pitts' physical trials and travails.

Former DLS basketballer Jose Rivera gets featured

Basketball player shoots, scores award
Dustin Call
Citrus College Clarion
June 2, 2010

When Jose Rivera came to Citrus College from Northern California, he never expected to accomplish as much as he has. His accomplishment include helping his team make it to the California Community College Athletic Association Championships for the third consecutive year, being named the Western State Conference MVP, and being named to the men’s basketball First Team All-State.

Now Rivera has another honor to add to his list: Citrus College male athlete of the year...

Go here for the remainder.

A Johnny McArthur feature

Credit goes to Ben Enos for a solid feature on a solid young man:

De La Salle High's senior center John McArthur re-establishes himself as inside presence
Ben Enos
Contra Costa Times
1/25/2010

John McArthur has had the bull's-eye on his back for a while now.

Now in his fourth varsity season with the De La Salle basketball team, the Santa Clara-bound center has been the focus of opposing defenses ever since he emerged as a low-post force in 2006.

When this season began, though, teams clamped down on McArthur even more. With an inexperienced group of guards, the Spartans thrived the most on offense when McArthur had space to work...

Go here for the remainder.

Darius Jones gets his wish

Darius Jones will receive his wish -- to be a De La Salle player:

De La Salle student who died after playing basketball to be buried in Spartan uniform he yearned to wear at his new school
Theresa Harrington
Contra Costa Times
10/17/2009

Darius Jones' dream of wearing a Spartan basketball uniform is coming true.

The 15-year-old De La Salle freshman from Pittsburg who died after playing basketball Oct. 11 yearned to represent his new school on its home court. He had planned to try out for the team in November, but never got the chance.

Moments after doctors told Darius' mother they were unable to save him, Beverly Bradley asked De La Salle head basketball coach Frank Allocco if her son could wear Spartan green when he is laid to rest.

"It was very humbling," Allocco recalled. "I walked into the room and she had just lost her son. We hugged and cried together and she said, 'I want to ask you a favor. I'd like him to be buried in a De La Salle uniform. It would have meant the world for him to play for you.' Of course, I said it would be an honor for us to have that done..."

Go here for the remainder.

Another Argenal enters the coaching ranks

Gus Argenal has been in the coaching ranks for a while, having assisted at Arizona State, UC Davis and University Texas San Antonio after attending De La Salle High. Currently, he is at Chico State and part of the staff that in producing a renaissance at the D-2 school north of here. Go here for a profile on him.

Now, his brother, Justin Argenal, has entered the coaching fraternity. The Chico State all time leader in assists and steals, Justin is a graduate assistant on the staff at Mississippi. Go here for the feature.