A trio of Humboldt State talents with Nor Cal connections

A trio of northern California talents, two of them freshman, played prominent roles on Coach Steve Kinder's Humboldt State basketball team this season:

* Parker (McKinleyville High) Farris - 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds a game, shooting 37%, 33% and 81% respectively as a 6-foot-5 frosh guard.

* Will (Arcata High) Taylor - 5.5 points and 3.9 rebounds a game, shooting 50% and 60% respectively as a 6-foot-4 frosh forward.

* Brandon (Arcata High, College of the Sequoias) Pomrehn - 5.5 points and 2.1 rebounds a game, shooting 50% and 66% respectively as a 6-foot-8 junior center.

How the Syracuse coaching staff works

Here's a brief but interesting look at the division of labor between Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim and his three assistants.

Nunnally earns D League honor

The NBA Developmental League has selected its season all-stars and James (Weston High/UC Santa Barbara) Nunnally earned Second Team status.

Justin Yeargin's sophomore season

Diablo Valley College Men's Basketball has posted video highlights of 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Justin Yeargin's season. The former Bishop O'Dowd backcourter averaged 13.5 points per game on 47%, 33% and 77% shooting respectively along with 2.8 assists a contest:

Two new talents for the Soldiers

The Oakland Soldiers have officially added two new talents -- an Oakland Soldiers tweet: "Welcome to the #soldiersbasketball family @jordan_ford_ & Carlos Johnson!"

Ford is well known but the 6-foot-3 Johnson was the DII Player of the Year this season for Shadow Mountain High in Arizona. He is listed as a power forward and also is a running back in football.

Timothy to Chico State

A Joe Davidson tweet: "Versatile, smooth - @AllCityPreps: Chico State is getting a talent in Franklin's 6'5" forward @MarvinToSmoothT. Will red shirt first year."

That's Marvin Timothy also of the Play Hard Play Smart Renegades.

Spring Skills Development Camp (this Saturday, South Bay Area)

Spring Skills Development Camp

Dates: Saturday May 3rd 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Registration: 8:00 a.m.

Place: Mt Pleasant High School

Registration questions email: bob@airesm.com
.
Good Better Best, never let it rest till good becomes your better and better is your best” is the theme of our skills development clinics. Our Camp ALUMNI includes former collegiate and professional players. Our staff comprises the best that skill instruction has to offer. Lofty expectations for those wishing to challenge greatness.

If you are looking for undivided attention, by QUALIFIED COACHES who volunteer their time on behalf of teaching, then you have the right place. Our staff is comprised of men and women dedicated and well
trained, who are able to breakdown skill sets and provide you the path to improvement. Every facet of individual basketball will be touched on. Campers will be in an environment conducive to learning.

This clinic series is open to everyone with age groups ranging from 6th grade to Varsity level. Each player receives the same individual attention regardle ss of age, skill level etc.

Players are required to bring, basketball, basketball attire, and water as well as light snacks.

Fill out the form below, AND BRING along with a $40 check payable to “West Valley”

Contact bob@airesm.com or phone (650) 451-8141 for any questions.

Please fill out below and return with check to PO Box 251 Saratoga CA 95071-0251

BASKETBALL SKILLS CAMP PLAYER REGISTRATION FORM


Last Name ____________________________________


First ________________________________________MI ___


Address ______________________________________


City _________________________________________


Zip __________


Age _______ Grade_______


HT ________ POS ________


SCHOOL NAME ___________________________________YEAR _________


PHONE (_____)________________


EMAIL _________________________


EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME ___________________________________


PHONE (_____)________________


WAIVER & RELEASE
I, The undersigned parent, ward or guardian hereby and forever hold West Valley Basketball, Bob Bramlett, and any & all volunteers, De Anza College, and School District harmless from any and all injuries arising out of my child’s participation during the Spring Skills Camp. I understand and acknowledge that Basketball is a strenuous sport. I hereby certify that my child is physically fit to participate in strenuous sports and has been examined by a qualified medical professional. Any injury sustained by my child is covered under the following policy.


POLICY NAME _______________________________


POLICY #____________________________________


NAME_______________________________


Signature _____________________________


Date_____/_____/_____

Simmons to be a Gael

John Rothstein reports that Desmond Simmons is transferring to St. Mary's for his final season of eligibility.

He and Brad Waldow should perform well together on both ends of the floor.

McKenzie Moore's playing status

Anyone have any idea if/where former College Park High guard McKenzie Moore will surface? It seems like he will have to go DII because of his suspension from the UTEP team and loss of a year of eligibility.

A Sterling Smith update

Sterling Smith, out of Chico High and Redemption Christian Academy has just completed his sophomore season of athletic eligibility at Coppin State (Baltimore) with the 6-foot-4 shooting guard averaging 10.9 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, alongside 50 assists and a team-leading 39 steals. He shot 43%, 39% and 75% respectively.

"I did well, it's a huge improvement from last year," he offered.

After recently undergoing ankle spur surgery, Smith as well as his fellow team members are awaiting the naming of a new coach. Fang Mitchell, an institution at Coppin State, was let go in late March after 28 years of heading the basketball program..

"We should know who the new coach is in the first week of May," Smith said.

He is also performing in the classroom as he ranks as a junior academically and is poised to graduate after next year. How did he propel himself so far ahead?

"I took nine summer school credits my very first summer and nine after my freshman year" and he is preparing to do the same during the approaching three month break.

This has allowed him to be positioned to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology come next May.

On the basketball court, five juniors return to the Coppin State squad with Smith and Company wanting to make a run for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference crown. Achieving that will provide entry into the Big Dance.

Stein on the folly of player rankings

Alan Stein speaks on youth player rankings.

Here's what we are coming to: parents will announce the genetic details of the fetus the wife is carrying and create an IPO for investors. Nike will sponsor the birth.

Gary Smith leaving SI

From Pat Forde: "Just saw Gary Smith is retiring from SI. Hopefully not retiring from writing. Set the longform bar for a generation of sports writers."

In today's world of Twitter and Instagram et al, Smith's work was a panacea.

Here's a feature at SI on Smith's departure.

Here's one more.

Here is his book, a collection of his articles.

Hollins lands offer

From West Coast Hoops: "New Mexico State is the first to offer 2017 San Francisco (Calif.) Sacred Heart / Oakland Soldiers SF Alfred Hollins."

This is great news

Via Coach E: "Greg Allen is graduating from USC in the next couple weeks...We finish the race"

Coach E is Eric Colbert, an assistant at Navarro Junior College and here is part of his bio:

A 2001 graduate of Humboldt State University with a degree in English, Colbert spent three years working with Advanced Student Connection in Sacramento, Calif. He was a program facilitator with the non-profit organization, assisting with complete player development in the after-school program for high school athletes.  Colbert assisted with off-season workouts and conditioning as well as monitoring student-athletes’ academic progress through the counseling and tutoring programs. Colbert also coached at the center and helped organize and promote a yearly celebrity charity basketball game.

Let's see if Colbert moves to Southern Mississippi where Doc Sadler just took over the program. Colbert assisted Sadler in the past at Nebraska.

Allen played at Eureka High but also spent two years at Navarro before moving on to USC.

More on Kiwi

Sam Laird goes long on Kiwi Gardner.

Still see Kiwi as playing overseas where a good living can be made. Can you imagine the sensational press coverage he would get?

But forecasting Kiwi's future is a situation where being wrong is just fine. Picture Charles Barkley talking about Kiwi.