Other games at West Valley College on Sunday

College of the Redwoods led 33-30 after 20 minutes but Monterey Peninsula College took the second half and won 68-55.

MPC 6-foot-9 freshman Ivo Basor displayed nice range in his face-up game, repeatedly connected on jumpers from the top of the key. Basor also showed good hands in catching passes on the way to the hoop when his guards penetrated and kicked it to him for layups.

Sophomore guard Zen Maki is machine-like when catching-and-shooting from distance. Paired with a point who can penetrate and then look for him best utilizes Maki's skills.

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Diablo Valley College met tournament host West Valley College and it ended with the Vikings of the East Bay topping those of Santa Clara County, 71-62. It was 36-28 at the half.

How in the world was DVC's Mike Harris missed coming out of high school by D-I coaches? Opponents definitely want Harris shooting on the move because he's money catching-and-shooting. A quick shooting release aids his offensive prowess.

Also liked freshman point Jelani Hardaway -- long and with a touch to three-point range, it's easy to see him in D-I with continued improvement. Take it to the bank: Hardaway understands the term jumpstop after Sunday (you had to be there).

West Valley is the definition of scrappy. There's not a D-1 talent on Coach Scott Eitergeorge's roster but the Vikes will never be out-worked. They never backed down despite the odds. Standing 8-5 on the season is a testimony to what buy-in and effort can accomplish.

An MPC update

From John Devine: "Brandon Hanson has 16 points and nine rebounds in the Lobos 61-56 win over Canada. Zen Maki adds 13 points"
 
Hanson is a 6-foot-2 freshman out of Monterey High -- Maki a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Santa Cruz High.

MPC falls to Foothill

From the Monterey Herald: "The Monterey Peninsula College men's basketball team lost to Foothill 52-46 on Sunday in the San Jose Tipoff Classic. Zen (Santa Cruz High) Maki led MPC with 12 points, including three 3-point shots, and Brandon (Monterey High) Hanson had 10 points and three rebounds."

Former rivals pairing up to help MPC

David Greenberger writes about former high school opponents -- Shayne Perryman and Zen Maki -- now teaming up at Monterey Peninsula College.