News Bits
This is the most affecting sports story I've ever read. Terrific work by Mike Sielski.
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"From Oakland to Stillwater: Anthony Roy’s journey to Oklahoma State" Alaina Morris
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Simply Basketball: "Freshman phenom William Phillips out of Sacramento HS has received an offer from Sacramento State."
Not gonna happen, even as a bounceback if he first signs somewhere else. Coach Henry Bibby should get Shaq on this kid but the 6-foot-8 Phillips would require more NIL $$$ than the Hornets have available.
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Brayden Harris: "Blessed to receive a D1 offer from Central Connecticut. Thank you to the coaching staff and everyone who’s believed in me."
UC Riverside has also offered the 6-foot-6 Harris who is attending MacDufflie School (MA) for a postgrad year.
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Verbal Commits: "California and TCU offered 2027 Veritas Prep (CA) C Precious Sam."
Sam is 7-foot, 235 pounds and out of Nigeria. Missouri and Florida State have also offered.
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"Santa Cruz’s Tariq Weiser scorching hot beyond arc for Alaska Fairbanks"
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Ahsan Huff of Columbia College (and Vanden High) is averaging a more than solid double-double this season consisting of 14.9 points and 16.4 rebounds plus 2.2 assists as well as 1.0 blocked shots while shooting 44% from the field and 60% at the foul line. All this in 14 games/starts for the 6-foot-7 sophomore frontcourter. Columbia is eighth in the state in offensive rebounding with an almost five rebound per game advantage and that figure is certainly aided by the efforts of Huff who also sports a 4.0 grade point average. The Claim Jumpers are currently 11-4 and play in the Central Valley Conference.
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Fran Fraschilla: "Hearing a rumor that an ACC program with plenty of depth in the backcourt is looking to make an in-season trade with a Big 10 team who need one needs one more guard before conference play. Cash considerations may be involved along with a future pick."
Fraschilla is joking. Or maybe he's a prophet.
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"Connors State Basketball Staff on leave following death of Ethan Dietz"
This is a horrific happening.
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"2026 NBA Mock Draft 1.0" - Ersin Demir
Demir projects prospects to NBA teams for Round One of the NBA Draft and no northern California-connected talents (either from here or came to play here) are listed.
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Mountain West Conference Player of the Week:
- BJ DAVIS, San Diego State
- Junior, Guard, Modesto Christian HS
Led San Diego State to a pair of victories last week over San José State (81-68) and against Boise State (110-107) in triple overtime. Averaged 20 points and seven rebounds, while shooting 52.0 percent (13-of-25) from the floor. Against the Spartans, recorded 18 points, including 10 points in the final five minutes of the game. Also posted three boards and two assists and connected on 70 percent of attempts from the field. Registered first career double-double against the Broncos with a career-best 22 points and 11 rebounds. Also dished out six assists.
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6-1 junior Jorren (Washington High-Fremont/Las Positas College) Edmonds is attending Hope International University down in Fullerton and averaging 9.8 points (shooting 48%, 45%, 72%) and 3.7 rebounds in 16 game/starts and 33.3 minutes a contest. He has dished out a team high 57 assists versus a team low for starters 14 assists plus a second-on-the-team 26 steals.
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6-foot-3 senior Cameron (Bishop O'Dowd/UC Merced) Brown is averaging 17.6 points (shooting 44%, 27%, 75%) alongside 5.5 boards with 27 assists and 18 steals in 10 games/starts and 36 minutes an outing.
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6-foot-8 Landon (Will C. Wood High) Seaman is attending Cal State Fullerton as a graduate student after playing at Menlo College and in 18 games, 21.2 minutes per contest is averaging 13.5 points plus 4.1 rebounds while shooting 58% overall as well as 44% from three-point range.
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"Dillan Shaw is the next great Gael" Tuck Clarry
"Saint Mary’s isn’t as much on the bubble as they are looking to secure the best seeding possible, as they continue their dominance over the general field of the WCC. The Gaels have been pushed multiple times early on, but their disciplined style of play and ensemble of gritty players staved off scares against both Seattle at home and LMU on the road.
With a handful of impressive performers in larger roles, the most enticing appears to be the impact that freshman Dillan Shaw can have on a basketball game in a multitude of ways. Following the Gaels’ loss to Boise State in mid-December, Shaw has been a starter, playing over 30 minutes per game. Through the first four games of WCC play, he leads the conference in effective field goal percentage, offensive rating and is 7th in lowest turnover rate.
Shaw is a solid two-way piece for Randy Bennett’s team, providing length and switchability to pair alongside Paulius Murauskus and help shore up the physical limitations of the backcourt. He holds a defensive rating of 93.5 on the season and a steal per game.
The young wing originally served a 3-and-D role to start the season, but has become increasingly a dependable decision-maker in the offense, providing adept decision-making for a freshman in his expanded minutes. Headed into conference play, Shaw averaged 0.9 assists per contest and was asked to mostly finish plays. In WCC play, he’s averaging 2.8 assists per game and just 0.5 turnovers.
Since Mikey Lewis’ dip in efficiency, it’s been Shaw that has taken on more of an offensive load for Saint Mary’s, leading them in three-point attempts and alternating third option duties with point guard Joshua Dent behind Murauskus and Lewis, who has shifted more to attacking off the bounce and inside the arc. The role Shaw is playing is the largest for a freshman in Moraga since Aidan Mahaney’s first season."
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BAY AREA CHALLENGE
Mitch Stephens supplies all the scores and details.
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D1 Scores
Down south in The Thunderdome, UC Davis got the better of UC Santa Barbara 93-86 as Nils Cooper led with 17 points, seven rebounds, three steals plus four assists. Teammate and fellow guard Connor (Dougherty Valley High) Sevilla scored 13 points on 3-8, 3-5, 4-4 shooting. For the Gauchos, Aiden (Campolindo High/St. Mary's) Mahaney tallied 16 points.
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Santa Clara met Gonzaga up in Spokane and the score was tied at 37 apiece after 20 minutes. However, the Zags eventually pulled away in the second half for an 89-77 victory. For the Broncos, 6-foot-9 freshman Allen Graves stepped up off the bench for 18 points, nine boards and three steals but no teammate came close to his impressive outing. As a team, Gonzaga out-shot the visitors 58% to 43% with 6-foot-9 senior big man Graham Ike finishing with 34 points on 13-17 overall shooting.
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St. Mary's hosted Washington State and jumped out to a 50-38 halftime lead before winning 88-82. A trio of Gaels scored in double figures with Joshua Dent's 26 points in the lead (shooting 9-14, 6-9, 2-2), Paulius Murauskas tallied 24 points and Mikey (Prolific Prep) Lewis finished with 20 (9-9 at the foul line). As a team, the Moraga-ites shot 20-20 at the charity stripe. Dent also pilfered five steals.
Cal Poly fell to host Northridge 95-90 in spite of Hamad Mousa finishing with 34 points, more than 1/3 of CP's total. Mousa also brought down seven boards, high on his squad. Teammate Cayden (St. Mary's High-Stockton) Ward tallied 21 points with a team best six steals, as well as five rebounds. For the victors, Mahmoud (Santa Teresa High/West Valley College) Fofana scored 16 points (7-8 overall shooting) alongside seven caroms. Down by three at the half, Northridge used a 54-46 second half advantage to come out on top, winning the overall shooting battle 52% to 41%.
Then Cal Poly hosted UC Davis and came away with an 84-78 win despite being down 40-30 at the half. Per usual, Hamad Mousa's 24 points (10-10 at the foul line) and 10 boards led the Mustangs with teammate Cayden (St. Mary's High-Stockton) Ward totaling 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists. He shot 8-8 at the charity stripe. For the Aggies, Nil Cooper performed very well with 18 points, seven boards, five assists and a pair of steals. Teammate Carl Daugherty Jr. also scored 18 points.
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In Charlottesviile, Virginia outplayed California 84-60 as the Bears were out-shot 50% to 35% and out-boarded 46-26. DaiDai Ames paced Cal with 18 points, shooting 10-10 at the charity stripe.
If 'Virginia is for Lovers,' well, California fell again, this time, 78-75 to Virginia Tech so the Bears ain't exactly in an amorous mood after this weekend. Dai Dai Ames led with 21 points on 8-12, 2-2, 3-3 shooting but Justin Pippen shot 4-18 and John Camden went 0-5. Write For California game report
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In double overtime, San Francisco fell just short versus host Loyola Marymount 84-82. This came about despite the second-leading scorer for the Lions, Myron (Vacaville High/San Jose State University) Amey Jr., finishing with just six points. Senior guard Ryan (Dougherty Valley High) Beasley busted out for 32 points and freshman guard Legend Smiley contributed 16 points but the remaining Dons didn't step up.
Down in Malibu, San Francisco handled Pepperdine 80-60 with Junjie Wang leading the way with 27 points (10-14 overall shooting, 7-9 on treys), Tyrone Riley IV posting a 19 point and 11 rebound double-double plus David Fuchs owning a double-double himself on 14 points and 12 boards. Ryan Beasley did not play for the Dons.
Here's a David Fuchs feature.
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Host Virginia turned back Stanford 70-55 as none of the players from The Farm stepped forward. Freshman guard phenom Ebuka Okorie scored 14 points but shot 5-20 overall, 0-6 from long distance. UVA won both 20-minute sessions, 41-34 and 29-21.
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Up in the Rose City, Portland edged Pacific 90-89 in overtime in spite of Justin Rochelin providing 20 points and eight rebounds, Isaac Jack adding 18 points and six boards and Elias Ralph finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. two blocks. The killer dagger? A 23-foot Pilot three-pointer with 0.4 on the clock in OT.
Overcoming a 10 point halftime deficit and powered by TJ Wainright's 24 points, Pacific made a successful return to its homecourt and topped San Diego 77-70. It was a victory despite an off-shooting night by the team's leading scorer, Ralph Elias, who finished with six points. As a team, the Tigers shot 35% overall, 8-33 on three-point attempts but did win the battle of the boards 50-32.
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Fresno State came up to face San Jose State University, a pairing of two teams badly needing a win, and it was the Bulldogs finishing on top 70-55. A 37-24 first 20 minutes provided a nice cushion for the Bulldogs. Colby Garland, San Jose's leading scorer, suffered a concussion, played just 10 minutes and tallied two points. SJSU was out-shot again, this time 52% to 38% and earned just seven attempts at the foul line.
An undermanned San Jose State University dropped to to 0-5 in the Mountain West Conference, falling 76-58 in Phoenix to Grand Canyon University. The best production came from two freshman guards, Ben (Monterey Trail High) Roseborough with 23 points and Melvin Bell Jr. adding 17. The Spartan bench scored zero points in a combined 48 minutes. Colby Garland didn't play.
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Despite 29 points from Mikey Williams, Sacramento State was buzzed 96-69 by host Portland State. The Hornets were out-shot 55% to 35% and went 3-21 from three-point range. Managing just eight assists on their 69 points, a bright spot, however, was committing but five turnovers.
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Connor (Clovis North High) Amundsen scored 23 points and passed out 10 assists in Dartmouth's 102-91 defeat of fellow Ivy League member Cornell.
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Powered by 35 points via Money (Oakland High) Williams, Montana bested host Idaho 79-73. Williams added five assists and three boards.
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Long Beach State fell on the road to UC Irvine 74-64 although freshman guard Gavin (Modesto Christian High) Sykes provided 21 points on 8-13, 2-5, 3-5 shooting.
Da Beach returned home and Gavin (Modesto Christian High) Sykes continued his point production with 22 points in an 81-75 defeat of Cal State Bakersfield.
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Quinn (Bellarmine College Prep/West Valley College) Denker racked up 11 assists alongside 10 points in Northern Colorado's 85-72 defeat of roadtripping Idaho State.
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St. John's downed Creighton 90-73 with guard Oziyah (Modesto Christian High) Sellers providing 16 points, six boards and five assists.
Other Scores
Cal State East Bay remained undefeated on the season (13-0) with a 73-71 victory over visiting Chico State. Tyree Campbell led with 15 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Cortevious (Granada High) Taylor paced the Wildcats with 20 points plus seven boards. Cal State East Bay game report.
Biola's Cameron (Bishop O'Dowd/UC Merced) Brown tallied 31 points in 46 minutes during an 85-76 double overtime victory versus Vanguard University down in La Mirada.
Cahal (Bishop O'Dowd) Connolly tallied 27 points in 29 minutes and added four assists in Claremont Mudd Scripps' 94-86 success versus over Occidental. He shot 12-15 from the floor and 3-3 at the foul line.
In the city of the late Tony Bennett, Chico State got by San Francisco State 85-77 as Chris (Jesuit High/Sac State/Santa Rosa JC/Sonoma State) Holley almost reach a triple-double via 22 points, nine boards and eight assists. game report
Down south, Cal State San Bernardino prevailed 85-84 over Cal State Monterey despite Michael (Palo Alto High) Mora going for 26 points and 10 rebounds plus teammate Jaden (Kennedy High) Tengan adding 23 points for the Sea Otters.
6-foot-4 senior Andre Norris scored 27 points (8-12, 4-6, 7-7 shooting) alongside eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in William Jessup University's 86-70 homecourt win over Hawai'i Pacific in Rocklin.
6-foot-7 Gator sophomore Diego (Valley Christian High) Martinez poured in 24 points but visiting Cal Poly Humboldt still grabbed a 90-83 success over San Francisco State.
In spite of 26 points (in 27 minutes) from Sterling (Vanden High/Las Positas College) McClanahan, UC Merced fell three points short in losing 76-73 to Cal State Los Angeles.
Nick (St. Patrick-St. Vincent/Sonoma State) Medeiros tallied 21 points (shooting 5-11, 2-2, 9-10), five boards and three assists in Dominican University's 70-65 loss to Concordia.
UC Santa Cruz topped Pomona-Pitzer 66-62 behind 21 points from 6-foot-8 senior Joe (Pleasant Grove High) Espy who shot 9-15 from the floor and also brought down six rebounds.
Santa Rosa Junior College and Cosumnes River College squared off with the former winning 61-60 as 6-foot-1 sophomore Spencer (Granada High) Langowski buried 25 points on 10-15, 2-4, 3-3 shooting to power the 14-2. 4-0 Bear Cubs.