News Bits
"2024 NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKETOLOGY"
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In Ohlone College's 75-74 defeat Tuesday of previously unbeaten Cabrillo College, sophomore guard Jason Cibull buried a three-pointer with just under 10 seconds remaining followed by an errant Seahawk shot attempt. We featured Cibull here. It will be fascinating to see where the 6-foot-1 guard lands as he is the leader in assists in the entire California JC ranks. Point guards are critical to success.
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"6-foot-1 junior point Luke (Piedmont High) Harris, the MIAC Defensive Player of the Week, averaged 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals in his two games this week. He started with a 22 point, seven rebound performance in a come-from-behind victory over University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Two days later Harris improved each of those figures, pouring in 29 points while collecting eight boards, to go along with six steals, and four assists at Bethany Lutheran College."
One day later: "Carleton College point guard Luke Harris was chosen for the five-player D3hoops.com National Team of the Week for Dec. 11-17..."
Carleton is located in Minnesota.
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Deundrae Perteete Jr: "We are off to a great start, but we still have a huge mountain to climb. Step by step, day by day!"
The Salesian talent made the All Tourney team at the Holiday Classic up in Idaho.
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Elite High School Scouting: "FINAL
@ranchbball 76
@EdgewaterBBall 71
‘24 Mateen Rafiq - Cornell shook loose for 8 👌’s, 32pts capped by a trio of pullups to ice the game. ‘25 Darrion Lilly intrigued with his versatility as ‘24 Shaanveer Natt added 4 👌’s."
Rafiq is another of those small guards who plays big and, most importantly, wins! Cornell, a D1 program, realized that. Others missed out.
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In 12 games and 33 minutes a contest 6-foot-8 Portland freshman Tyler (Granada High) Harris is averaging 12.8 points (second on the team) and 8.3 rebounds (first on the team) while shooting 51%, 50% and 72% respectively alongside 13 steals (tied for first) and 16 blocked shots (best on the team).
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"All-Bracy Team Selections: Bracy Skills Combine"
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"Secret filming in sports isn't limited to football. It's just hard to prove."
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Jalen Green Elite: "We would like to welcome Derek Walker, this years Jalen Green Elite 16U Assistant Coach. Derek has tons of coaching experience from all levels of basketball. Currently the Head Coach at St. Patrick - St. Vincent 2017 D4 State Champions"
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"100 Most Impactful High School Coaches in California"
The Nor Cal coaches on the list: Anthony Matthews, Bill Mellis, Brice Famtazia, Bryce Duncan, Frank Allocco, Frank Knight, Fred Wilson, Joe Curtin, Jordan Boreman, Mike Hansen, Mike Wall, Quaran Johnson, Randy Bessolo, Tim Kelly, Tim Kennedy, Tony Amundsen, Tony Martinelli, Travis Taylor, Vance Walberg. Congrats to all.
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Ronnie Flores: "FINAL: Branson (CA) 76, Cavalry Christian (FL) 68 - Illinois-bound Jase Butler with a monster 4th quarter, including 4 3-pointers on 6 or 7 possessions, to ignite the Bulls into the TarkClassic Platinum Division semis after it led 50-49 at the end of the 3rd period."
Sure wish Butler had gone with a Nor Cal college.
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Former Mitty star Derek Sangster has played in five of 11 games and 23 minutes total for Princeton, shooting 5-11, 4-7 and 0-1 respectively.
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"Aptos’ Blake Welle cherishes playing time at small Indiana school"
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In 11 games and 15 minutes a contest, 6-foot-8 Te'Jon (Salesian Prep/Cal Baptist/CCSF) Sawyer is averaging 7.5 points per contest as well as 3.3 rebounds while shooting 56%, 18% and 79% respectively.
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Coach Rich V-N: "@TarkClassic buzzer beater by Sheldon High Tyler Rattler."
Click on the Coach Rich V-N link above for the amazing video. He swished it.
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Opinion
Not to beat a dead horse (what a gruesome adage) but UCLA did it again. Last Tuesday, the Bruins fell 76-72 to Cal State Northridge after being down 40-26 at the half. Unsung hero 6-foot-7 Mahmoud Fofana didn't start but played 30 minutes and posted an 11 point, 13 rebound double-double. Out of Santa Teresa High, he played two years at West Valley College and then went on to play at Cal State San Bernardino -- he followed Coach Andy Newman to Northridge.. The Bruins play 7-4 Maryland next in a must win or they fall below .500.
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One player standing out early is West Valley College's 6-foot-10 (no weight listed) freshman Shakir Odunewu. His important numbers: 10 outings, 17.0 points per game, 9.9 rebounds a contest (49 of 99 are offensive), shooting 57% overall, 72% from the foul line, he has yet to attempt a three, has nine blocked shots but doesn't foul a lot (10 games/21 fouls), very minimal assists (3) versus a high 26 turnovers.
A 6-foot-10, 245 pound big with name Shakiru Odunewu attended New Mexico State in 2022-23 before transferring. He attended Universal Academy as did the player above but his hometown is Providence, Rhode Island, not Cairo, Egypt as West Valley lists it. He played in 19 games at 6.9 minutes a contest. There is a Universal Academy in Irving, Texas. So maybe it's the same player but he's dropped a 'u' from his first name or it's a typo. I do think it's the same player because he grabbed 40 rebounds, 25 on the offensive end, comparable to his West Valley ratio.
Keep a watch on this freshman West Valley prospect as every team needs a big big, especially San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, UC Davis, Pacific, USF, Sacramento State, Fresno State. He should not get out of Northern California.
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