Isaiah Ellis of Antelope signs with Chico State

Bill Paterson reports that Antelope High standout Isaiah Ellis has signed with NCAA DII Chico State

Full article click here

Dan Dona takes over Sonora Wildcat basketball program

With legendary coach Rick Francis's retirement from coaching this past year, Dan Dona has been named successor to the Sonora Wildcat Boys Varsity program.

Rick Rozak of the Union Democrat reports here

Tahjee Williams of McClymonds signs with Williston State College (North Dakota)

As reported on the National Junior College Athletic Association website Tahjee Williams of McClymonds High School in Oakland has signed his letter-of-intent to play at Williston State College in North Dakota.

Tahjee was named MVP of the Oakland Athletic League this season while averaging 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists & 2 steals per game.  Williams achieved this while shooting an impressive 61% from the field and 82% from the foul line.   Tahjee led Mack to an undefeated run through the OAL and a section title.

Leo Smith of Oakland Tech signs with Casper College (Wyoming)

The National Junior College Athletic Association website reports that Casper College has signed Oakland Tech point guard Leo Smith.   Smith earned First Team All Oakland Athletic League honors both his junior & senior years.  His senior year he averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds & 5 steals a game.   Smith was heavily recruited by a couple of local junior colleges in the Bay Area but decided to try the National Junior College route for a change of scenery.  We wish Leo the best of luck at Casper and beyond.

Michael Smith of El Camino commits to Cal Baptist University

Photo courtesy of sfexaminer.com

John Murphy reports that Michael Smith of El Camino High School is headed to NCAA D2 California Baptist University in Southern California.

Smith averaged 23.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season for the Colts on the way to the Peninsula Athletic League-North title.  Smith was also named the Central Coast Section Senior of the Year.

Full article by John Murphy click here

'The Lebron before Lebron'

photo courtesy of gettyimages

Not NorCal related, but great article on one of California's All-Time High School basketball greats.  I remember watching Schea Cotton for the first time in Vegas, it was the same weekend I saw Kevin Garnett as a senior in high school.  The gym was too packed to watch Kevin Garnett so I wandered over to the gym next door to watch another game.  I was not aware of what I was about to witness. This 'grown man' was out there dominating in the first few minutes. Catching alley oops, driving the lane and dunking in traffic, and then hitting jumpers off the dribble from beyond the arc.  I thought to myself, dang, this must be the Senior level AAU championship or something.  Then during a timeout the announcer broadcast that these were freshman in high school!   Wow, I followed Schea Cotton as much as I could clipping articles and posting them on my folder for motivation. Saw him play several times in high school championship games, etc.
Enough with my introduction, here is the link to the article on 'The Lebron before Lebron'.


http://lockerroomlivetv.com/schea-cotton-the-lebron-before-lebron/

Cal-Hi Sports Boys Basketball All-State under-classmen

Cal-Hi Sports has announced the Boys Basketball All-State Teams from the class of 2014, 2015 & 2016

* Congratulations to Ivan Rabb for getting Player of the Year for the class of 2015 *

ALL-STATE JUNIORS (30)

First Team
G — Kyron Cartwright (Compton) 5-11
F — Tavrion Dawson (Serra, Gardena) 6-7
F — Daniel Hamilton (St. John Bosco, Bellflower) 6-7
F — Nick Hamilton (Westchester, Los Angeles) 6-3
G — Tra Holder (Brentwood, Los Angeles) 6-0
G — Rashad Jackson (Garces, Bakersfield) 6-4
F — Stanley Johnson (Mater Dei, Santa Ana) 6-7
F — Trey Kell (St. Augustine, San Diego) 6-4
G — Jordan McLaughlin (Etiwanda) 6-2
G — Murshid Randle (Central, Fresno) 6-2
G — Devin Watson (Army-Navy, Carlsbad) 6-0
C — Thomas Welsh (Loyola, Los Angeles) 7-0
F — Jack Williams (Chaminade, West Hills) 6-8
F — Namon Wright (Pacific Hills, Los Angeles) 6-5
F — Calvin Young (Bullard, Fresno) 6-4

Second Team
F — Bryan Alberts (Village Christian, Sun Valley) 6-5
G — Robert Berwick (Atascadero) 6-4
G — Justin Bibbins (Bishop Montgomery, Torrance) 5-8
F — Jalen Canty (Patrick-St. Vincent, Vallejo) 6-6
G — Isaac Clark (Independence, Bakersfield) 6-0
G — Ian Fox (Redondo Union, Redondo Beach) 6-1
F — Braxton Huggins (Mira Monte, Bakersfield) 6-3
G — Damonte Holiday (Hoover, San Diego) 5-11
G — Parker Jackson-Cartwright (Loyola, Los Angeles) 5-10
G — Jeremy Lieberman (Calabasas) 6-1
F — Julian Richardson (El Camino Real, Woodland Hills) 6-3
G — Elliott Smith (Freedom, Oakley) 6-5
F — Mario Soto (Mater Dei, Santa Ana) 6-5
G — Gabe Vincent (St. Mary’s, Stockton) 6-2
F — Temidayo Yussef (St. Joseph Notre Dame, Alameda) 6-7

Junior Player of the Year: Stanley Johnson

ALL-STATE SOPHOMORES (20)

G — Tyrell Alcorn (El Cerrito) 6-0
F — Jordan Alexander (Hoover, San Diego) 6-4
G — Paris Austin (Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland) 5-10
F — David Awolowo (Gunderson, San Jose) 6-3
G — Sedrick Barefield (Centennial, Corona) 6-0
F — Bennie Boatwright (Alemany, Mission Hills) 6-7
F — Chance Comanche (View Park Prep, Los Angeles) 6-9
G — Tyler Dorsey (St. John Bosco, Bellflower) 6-4
G — Myles Franklin (Hart, Newhall) 5-11 G
G — Jeremy Hemsley (Damien, La Verne) 6-2
G — Aaron Holiday (Campbell Hall, North Hollywood) 6-1
G — Tristan Hunter (Perris) 6-0
C — Broderick Jones (View Park Prep, Los Angeles) 6-9
C — Chimezie Metu (Lawndale) 6-9
C — Ivan Rabb (Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland) 6-9
F — Roy Hemsley (Windward, Los Angeles) 6-6
G — Kendall Small (Ocean View, Huntington Beach) 5-10
G — Stephen Thompson Jr. (Bishop Montgomery, Torrance) 6-1
C — Anthony Townes (Modesto Christian) 6-6
F — Cameron Walker (Righetti, Santa Maria) 6-6

Sophomore Player of the Year: Ivan Rabb

ALL-STATE FRESHMEN (10)

F — Devin Asiasi (De La Salle, Concord) 6-4
G — Lonzo Ball (Chino Hills) 6-2
G — Max Heidegger (Crespi, Encino) 5-8
F — Vance Jackson (La Salle, Pasadena) 6-6
F — T.J. Leaf (Foothills Christian, El Cajon) 6-7
G — Devearl Ramsey (Sierra Canyon) 5-10
G — Colin Slater (Clovis North, Fresno) 5-11
C — Trevor Stanback (Chaminade, West Hills) 6-10
G — Derryck Thornton Jr. (Sierra Canyon, Chatsworth) 6-1
F — Devin Young (Sacramento) 6-6

Freshman Player of the Year: Trevor Stanback

Notes: We recognize that many top freshmen and sophomores have yet to fully develop their skills and that many top young players are in strong programs and may be currently behind older players….

These players all played at the varsity level and these selections were based more on what they did during the high school season and very little on AAU or summer competition….