John Dickson shines for Sac State

It was just an exhibition and the first contest of the season but freshman John Dickson (formerly of Fairfield High) produced quite the statistical line against Menlo:

* 16 points
* five rebounds
* two assists
* two steals
* two blocked shots

(photo courtesy of Sacramento State athletics)

Fall Basketball Skills Clinics for players of all ages

For those basketballers in need of further refinement and development (isn't that like 100%), here is some help. Obviously, former Cal Hall of Famer Al Grigsby will be one of the instructors as will Tom Curtiss, aka the Shot Doctor, both instructors with the West Valley Basketball Club:

Dates: Sundays
Times: 9am to 11am
Place: De Anza College Main Gym, Cupertino, California
Contact bigdogwvbc@sbcglobal.net or algrigsby44@yahoo.com

Summer is over and Winter Hoops is here. If you are a BASKETBALL PLAYER who takes your skill development seriously, then this is the place for you. Focus on offensive scoring skill sets, both perimeter and interior taught by a nationally recognized staff. Players will learn to create shots off the dribble, preparing for the shot prior to the catch and finishing strong. You will also be provided a set of drills and instruction to continue a workout during the week. If you are committed and focused, you will see results. Players are required to bring basketball attire and drink. The cost is $40.00 per session.

Robbie Lemons to Stanford

Sacramento Country Day backcourter Robbie Lemons has agreed to become a recruited walk-on at Stanford.

The 6-foot-3 Lemons led the Sacramento area in scoring last season and his basketball skills combined with his academics caught more than the attention of the Cardinal.

He is one of the underrated players in northern California, with marvelous shooting skills and the type of basketball IQ that goes over the head of the average fan watching him play.

Congrats to Robbie for quite the achievement and we look forward to watching him play for the Cardinal.

Shawn Grant's college opener

Shawn Grant, the team leader for St. Francis High and the Mercury News Player of the Year last season, is on basketball scholarship at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (America East Conference).

In his first college action, Grant produced eight points (4-6 from the floor) two rebounds, two assists and two steals in a scrimmage against Mount St. Mary's.

Damian Lillard en fuego

Sure, it was just an exhibition game but how many teams make 13 three-pointers in a row anytime or anywhere? Who can do that even in practice? Plus, Oaklander Damian Lillard looks like he is ready to pick up right where he left off last season at Weber State.

Wildcats knock down 19 three-pointers In 110-58 exhibition win

November 2nd, 2009

Weber State hit 19 three-pointers, 13 of them without a miss in the first half, defeating the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 110-58 Monday night in the first exhibition game of the season for the Wildcats.

The trey barrage began at the 17:08 mark of the first half with the 'Cats leading 6-5. Nick Hansen's trey made it 12-5, followed by three-pointers from Damian Lillard, Hansen and Lillard again making it a 21-7 game. WSU newcomer Franklin Session then had a break away slam at 14:25 and added a three-pointer 21 seconds later to give WSU a 26-7 lead. Lillard followed with the third of his game high six treys at 12:48 giving WSU a 29-9 advantage.

The Wildcats were 13-13 from the three-point line until freshman forward Byron Fulton missed with 1:52 remaining in the first half and the 'Cats led 58-31 at the break behind 20 points from Lillard. WSU ended the first half 13-16 from the arc (.813) and made 6-10 in the second half to end the game 19-26 (.731). Those 19 would have been a WSU school record by four had it been a regular season game counter..

...Lillard, a sophomore from Oakland, California and last year's Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, had a near perfect night hitting 8-8 from the field including 6-6 from the arc, and was 5-6 from the free throw line scoring 27 points and dishing out seven assists as well..

Another Kevin Laue article

The pride of Amador Valley High keeps on keeping on. What's that line about NYC -- "...if I can make it there, I can make it anywhere...":

6'11' one-armed hoopster Kevin Laue aims to inspire, motivate far beyond Manhattan College campus
Oren Yaniv
New York Daily News
November 1, 2009

Manhattan College basketball player Kevin Laue has a killer one-handed dunk.

And he couldn't have it any other way.

The freshman center - at 6'11", he's the tallest player on the team - was born without a left arm below his elbow. He overcame his disability, and the rejection of all but one coach, to earn a Division I basketball scholarship.

"I'm having the time of my life," said the 19-year-old Laue...

Go here for the remainder.

A Josh Akognon update

Here's some news on former Casa Grande basketball star Josh Akognon, courtesy of Bob Padecky's blog:

Josh Akognon to play in Europe
Bob Padecky
Santa Rosa Press-Democrat
October 22, 2009

Former Casa Grande star Josh Akognon will be flying Friday to Estonia to begin an 8-month stint for the professional basketball team in the city of Kalev-Cramo.

Akognon, who starred for Cal State Fullerton, went undrafted but had tryouts with five NBA teams: Warriors, Lakers, Kings, Spurs and Trail Blazers.

“I was told that I was an NBA player but that I needed some more experience,” said Akognon, a 5-foot-11 guard. “I also was told that the team in Estonia is one of the top European teams and playing well there would really help me.”

Akognon was not sure what his salary would be but that, at a minimum it’s $5,000 a month.

plus, a bit more from Padecky:

Oh yes, Josh also got married

Josh Akognon called me back Thursday to add, “I got married on Sept. 5.”

Akognon, headed to Europe for pro ball, met Arianna Scales when they both attended Washington State. Both of them played basketball for the Cougars and they were both point guards.

Both also moved to get degrees at other universities, Josh in Afro Ethnic Studies at Cal State Fullerton and Ariana in Sports Management from Washburn University in Kansas.

Evan Sanzo-Davis to Seattle U

Just saw that former Bishop O'Dowd 'big' Evan Sanzo-Davis is now playing for Cam Dollar at Seattle University. Sanzo-Davis played last season as a freshman at Las Positas College.

A great read on Frank Burlison

Frank Burlison is a longtime southern California hoops reporter (and someone who responds to every email sent to him) and Justin Young conducted a recent interview with Burlison. Yes, there isn't any northern California info here but it's a fun and worthwhile read so we are passing it along. Go here.

Jeremy Russotti's latest training event

Jeremy Russotti, Philippe Doherty and the rest of the coaching team work wonders at these events. Go here for all sorts of information on Russotti and the training he offers plus do check out his j-glove, designed for improving shooting accuracy.

Here's a writeup on the latest One % Club Basketball training event:

This past weekend was the mark for the 4th Annual “North Bay’s Finest” Instructional event held at Sonoma State University. The North Bay is where Jeremy Russotti’s “The Finest” events originated and this year’s group did not disappoint. The coaching staff noted several times that this year’s bunch included the top overall talent in its 4-year existence.

Players that stood out:

Brian Crow (Novato) 2010 ­ Overall this 6-foot-6 power forward took the cake as the top performer at the event. Over this past summer, Brian has slimmed down to be a rising recruit in the Bay Area. He has the muscle to bang with bigger bodies, skill to be an anchor in the post, and willing to run the floor to out work his opponent continuously. Look for a huge season in the MCAL from Brian.

Jordan Semple (Arcata) 2010 ­ Jordan is what every coach at the next level is looking for when it comes to potential. He is a legit 6’6”, can handle the ball, solid in the triple threat position, very smooth around the basket, and has a nice shot. His release point on his shot has risen from last year, making him that much harder to guard. However, on day 1, Jordan was lethargic and played with a limited killer instinct. With the guidance of Phil Doherty, Jordan hit another level on Day 2 and showed he had another gear and why he can be a very good scholarship prospect.

Ben Freeland (Montgomery) 2011 ­ Ben has made huge strides since last year’s event. A true 6’9”, Ben has the body to play Division 1 basketball. Following in the footsteps of former Monty Big man Kyle Jeffers (Oregon State), Ben should be the next in line to play at the next level. His skill level has improved and his demeanor on the court shows much more confidence than in the past. If he continues to add weight (weight room) and shows the dedication Coach Fitchie strives for in his players, Ben should be the talk of next year’s event.

Stuart Wesonga (San Marin) 2011 ­ Stuart has really improved since last year. He is still raw and needs work on his offensive game, however, he is eager to be a top power forward in the bay area by next year. He is super athletic, rebounds every miss, and runs the floor with abandon. He should lead a much-improved San Marin team in the MCAL in the upcoming season.

Tyler Gaffaney (Branson) 2010 ­ Mr. Gaffaney is probably the nicest kid you will meet off the court. However, on the court he is all business. Tyler can flat out get it done! He rarely turns the ball over, had his hand in every possession, was the best shooter at the event, and always made his teammates better with the extra pass. To top it off, he was a lock down defender; causing the players he guarded fits throughout the weekend. A lower level college coach is going to get a very productive, model student athlete after this
season.

Kenneth Woodward (Terra Linda) 2010 ­ Kenneth is a basketball sponge that knows how to control the game of basketball from the point guard position. He consistently pushed the ball on the break, while hitting the open man flawlessly. He showed a nice handle of the basketball and the type of player that is eager to learn and wants to get better. Should be the top floor general in the MCAL for the upcoming season.

Xavier McCall (Cardinal Newman) 2011 ­ Anybody with the nickname “X”, you know is going to be tough. Xavier did not disappoint this weekend and showed he is the cream of the crop in the North Bay in the 2011 class. Xavier is close to breaking out and reaching
his full potential. He has great body balance and strength; however, he needs to work on his hand speed and quickness with his ball-handling. He tends to over-dribble, which causes unneeded turnovers. Xavier can shoot the ball, however, simplifying his game will
really allow him to be the top guard in the NBL for the next two years.

Brandon Cole (Vallejo) 2010 ­ Brandon instantly caught our attention during the ballhandling session. Brandon has extremely quick hands, allowing him to really control the ball at ease. During the games sessions, he utilized that skill in order to get to the basket
with ease. His shot mechanics has flaws, however, his mid range shot was solid. Brandon competed all weekend, showing the will to play defense and do what it takes for his team to win.

Mike McKinney (Fairfield) 2010 ­ Mike was one of the next solid Fairfield guards to come through our event. He is super bouncy, has a nice shot, and great feel for the game. He has a continuous motor and should be a tough guard in Coach Wilson’s offense for the
upcoming season.

Tom Witzel (Arcata) 2012 ­ Though only a sophomore, Tom is 6’6” with a very strong frame. He rebounded the ball great this weekend and finished well around the basket. However, he needs to work on his athleticism off two feet, and continually develop on his perimeter shot. Just like Jordan Semple, Tom needs to find another gear and play with fire. If so, he should be one of the top North Bay prospects in the upcoming years.

Tyler Idowu (Rodriguez) 2010 ­ Tyler is a very hard-working and relentless once he steps out on the court. He worked so hard during the drills and games session that he started to cramp by the end of Day #1. However, he still had enough motivation to throw down the jam of the event with his tomahawk slam on an opponent. Tyler is undersized (6’4”), raw in talent, and needs work on his offensive skills and jump shot in order to succeed at the next level.

Micheal Best (Terra Linda) 2011 ­ This is our first time seeing Michael, and he stood out with his upbeat performance during the drill and games sessions. He is 6’8”, can block shots, and has some skill, however, he needs to build on his strength. Since he is only a junior, he has the height to be a strong force in the MCAL and to play at the next level. However, he needs to fight through adversity and not get down when he makes a mistake. Should be a great pick and roll tandem with Kenneth Woodward.

Max Schmidt (Arcata) 2011 ­ Max is a true 6’9, and has some muscle in the post. Though not athletically gifted, Max uses a sweeping hook shot around the basket that is impossible to block. Each year he shows improvement, therefore, Max needs to really improve his body composition, conditioning, and athleticism to be a solid college prospect.

Tyler Imhoff (Napa) 2010 ­ Tyler is a bouncy combo guard that loves to get to the basket. He is strong on his drives and usually takes his defenders with him. However, he needs to improve his shot for the next level and his awareness on how to run a team. If so, he is going to be a tough guard in the SJ section.

Ryan Morris (Ukiah) 2010 ­ Ryan was a man-child over the weekend. Though only a 6’5” power forward, Ryan has a mean-streak to completely dominate his opponent. Also, Ryan has a skill set to match, showcasing a variety of offensive moves to complement his toughness. We can guarantee Ryan will be a first team All-League Player in the North Bay League.

Dominic Davis (Vanden) 2010 ­ Dominic really had a fine weekend, letting it be known he is one of the top guards in the North Bay. His competitive nature and willingness to play defense are some of his best attributes. He worked really hard during the drills sessions and showed a skill set to match just about any guard at the event.

Other players to watch for:

Ronnie Baker (Rodriguez) 2010
LeQuan Gomes (Fairfield) 2011
David Ahern (Marin Catholic) 2010
JaVonte Willis (Fairfield) 2010
Omar McLean (Armijo) 2010
Ryan Richardson (Clear Lake) 2010
Demarqus Wiggins (Redwood) 2010
Rashaad Allen (Rodriguez) 2010
Brian Johnson (Maria Carrillo) 2011
Akintoye Akindele (Hogan) 2010
Patrick Conroy (Marin Catholic) 2013
Elliot Collins (Piner) 2010
John Dunn (Branson) 2011
Tanner Giddings (Windsor) 2012
Joey Odetto (Windsor) 2010

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.

E.J. Farris at Utah State?

On the Scout Utah State message board is a post mentioning E.J. Farris being a walk-on basketballer at Utah State in Logan, Utah. Farris is a backcourter who was a senior at Newark Memorial High last season.

Interestingly, E.J.'s Facebook page has Brian Green and Tyler Newbold -- both current USU players -- as friends.

His Myspace page has his mood as :Ustate hooper.

Can anyone confirm?

Jason Groves on the Aggies minus Wendell McKines & Troy Gillenwater

Jason Groves has something today on how New Mexico State will compensate for not having Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater available for at least the first semester. Apparently, it's not a lock that either will return for the second semester:

Aggies hope reinforcements step up with McKines, Gillenwater out
Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News
10/18/2009

LAS CRUCES — With the absence of Wendell McKines and Troy Gillenwater for at least the first seven games of the 2009 season, there appears to be a gaping hole in the paint for the New Mexico State men's basketball team.

"My role is going to be more important this year than last year," said redshirt sophomore center Hamidu Rahman. "Troy is not going to be here and (former center) Chris (Gabriel) transferred. I'm going to be the most experienced guy so I'm going to have to step it up more."

Rahman is one of six players who will fill in at the power forward and center positions this year.

In a best case scenario for Aggies fans, Gillenwater and McKines will be eligible after the final day of classes on Dec. 11. McKines — the leading rebounder in the Western Athletic Conference a year ago — and Gillenwater could return to the lineup at UTEP on Dec. 13...

Go here for the remainder.

A UCSB basketball site to bookmark

Coach Bob Williams had loaded up his Santa Barbara roster with a majority of Bay Area players -- The Brews (Will & Chris), Justin Joyner, Orlando Johnson, James Nunnally, Greg Somogyi, Lucas Devenny, Seth Kamphoefner and Jesse Byrd (before he took a medical hardship and left the team).

Gregory Nguyen is providing solid coverage of UCSB men's basketball with his site titled Gaucho Hoops.

Go here for the site and bookmark it to follow our Bay Area talents.

Eli Holman back on the court

photo courtesy of Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press

It seems like eons ago that Eli Holman was at Richmond High and now he finally is returning to the basketball court as a member of the Detroit Titans. Is he really up to 255?

Here's a good story on both Holman and the Detroit program:

Titans eager to prove themselves
Perry Farrell
Detroit Free Press
October 17, 2009

With 15 practices in August and a five-game winning streak in Spain, the Detroit Mercy men's basketball team is expecting big things this season, none bigger than center Eli Holman.

When coach Ray McCallum was hired before last season, Holman transferred from Indiana and had to sit out a season.

Now eligible, Holman, a sophomore, averaged 20 points and 15 rebounds during the trip to Spain. At 6-feet-9 and 255 pounds, Holman can be a beast in the middle, which is what the Titans need...

Go here for the remainder.