Shootouts & Showcases
West Coast Hoops Report showcase
California JUCO Shootout
California Fall JUCO Jamboree
Over the summer, whenever I saw someone with ties to the JC world, I've posted the highlights on this page.
This season that meant mostly the Drew League, a night at the venerable SF Pro-Am league at historic Kezar Pavilion and an NBA preseason game in San Jose as a finale.
October 5: NBA preseason game, SAP Center, San Jose
Delon Wright (San Francisco/Utah), the 20th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, scored his first basket as a professional and added 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals coming off the bench for the Toronto Raptors in a 95-87 loss to the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
Wright scored his basket on a backdoor cut in the second quarter, and played 20:45 in all. The 6-5 Wright projects as the Raptors' third-string point guard this seasn but saw extended minutes due to a minor injury to starter Kyle Lowry.
August 12: San Francisco Pro-Am, Kezar Pavilion
Frankie Ferrari (Canada) scored 8 of his game-high 32 pts in overtime as top-seeded South Bay avoided elimination and evened the championship series at one game each with a 105-104 win over Bay Pride.
Neither team led by more than 7 points, but South Bay, in search of the first league championship in franchise history, held what seemed to be a commanding 90-83 lead with 1:17 left in regulation time. But Bay Pride rallied, tying the score at 90 when Santa Clara alumn Ray Cowels made two free throws with 1.2 seconds left, forcing the game to overtime.
In overtime, however, Ferrari scored his team's first 7 points, staking South Bay to a 97-92 advantage. He made a pair of free throws with 13.7 seconds left to make it 104-101 and added one more free throw with 2.6 seconds remaining to clinch the win. That free throw gave South Bay a 105-101 lead, and turned out to be the difference after Bay Pride's Chris Ferguson threw a 70-foot heave off the glass and in from just behind his own free throw line as the final horn sounded.
Ferrari, who originally signed with the University of San Francisco but will reportedly attend Canada College this fall, led all scorers with his 32 pts, including 3 threes. He also had 9 rebs and 6 asts. Akil Douglas (San Jose CC) also started and had 2 pts, 4 rebs and a blocked shot.
For Bay Pride, Jourdan DeMuynck (Chabot/Prairie View A&M/Greece) had a huge game with 27 pts, 8 rebs, 8 asts and 3 steals. Byron Jones Jr. (CC San Francisco) came off the bench and had 4 pts, a rebound and a steal.
A footnote...two days later, South Bay won Game 3, 106-91, to capture its first-ever San Francisco Pro-Am championship.
August 9: The Drew League, Willowbrook
Perhaps the most-hyped championship game in Drew League history lived up to its billing Sunday afternoon as LAUNFD edged MHP, 98-93, before a packed gym that reached capacity more than two hours before tipoff.
Popular LA Laker Nick Young led an MHP second-half rally from a 16-point deficit, tying the score at 91 with 1:11 remaining. But with the score tied again at 93, 2014-15 NBA MVP runner-up James Harden drained a trademark step-back three with 31.9 seconds left. He added a pair of free throws in the final seconds to clinch the win and the championship for LAUNFD.
Harden finished with a game-highs 37 pts, including 6 three-pointers, plus 4 rebs, a game-high 8 asts and 2 steals. Young, meanwhile, had 28 pts, including 5 threes, plus 7 rebs, 3 asts and 3 steals. Demar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors had 25 pts, 8 rebs, 6 asts and 3 steals.
For MHP, D.J. Shelton (Citrus/Washington State/Belgium) just missed a double-double with 13 pts, including a 3-pointers, plus 9 rebs. Reggie Murphy (Antelope Valley/Henderson State) started at center for MHP and had 2 pts and 2 rebs.
Prior to the game, Garrett Nevels (Mt. SAC/Hawaii) of Hank's Houdini All-Stars received one of the three major awards annually presented by the Drew League. "G-Money" was awared the Kevin L. Dandridge award as the league's Most Inspirational Player for the 2015 season.
August 8: The Drew League, Willowbrook
The reign of Hank's Houdini All-Stars, a team made up mostly of JC players coached by longtime JC coach Allen Caveness, came to an end Saturday afternoon with a 68-65 loss to an MHP squad that featured NBA stars Demar DeRozan and Nick Young in the championship game of the Russell Brown division.
The Houdini All-Stars held a 35-22 lead near the end of the first half. But DeRozan, an NBA All-Star in 2014 and a starter for the Toronto Raptors, sparked a 27-point third quarter for MHP and it was close the rest of the way. DeRozan broke a 62-all tie with a driving lay-up with 1:05 left and MHP led the rest of the way. Young and DeRozan each made a pair of free throws in the final 13.7 seconds to help clinch the win for MHP.
DeRozan finished with 32 pits, 14 rebs, 2 asts and 2 blocked shots, and Young had 16 pts, 8 rebs, 4 asts, 2 blocks and a steal.
Kwame Alexander (Irvine Valley/CS San Bernardino/Philippines) had a double-double for the Houdinis with 13 pts and 11 rebs. Garrett Nevels had 10 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts and a steal. Former JCHoops.com SoCal Players of the Year Antonio Biglow (Mt. SAC/Montana State) and Corey Allen (Mt. SAC/South Florida) each had 7 pts; Allen also had 5 rebs and 5 asts. Josh White (Mt. SAC) had 7 pts, 4 rebs, an assist, a block and a steal. Wayne Andrews (Compton/Fullerton/CS Dominguez Hills) had 6 pts and 5 rebs, and Franklin Session (Saddleback/Cal State LA/NBDL) had 5 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts and stole the ball away from DeRozan in the final minute with the game still in doubt. Darnell Martin (Mt. SAC/CS Dominguez Hills) had 2 pts and a rebound.
For MHP, D.J. Shelton (Citrus/Washington State/Belgium) started and had 8 pts and 4 rebs. Reggie Murphy (Antelope Valley/Henderson State) also started and had 4 rebs and 3 blocked shots. Raysean Hairston (CC San Francisco/Campbellsville) came off the bench and scored a point. Marc Wilson (Mt. San Jacinto/Cal State LA) saw brief action but did not score.
In the second game, Malcolm Thomas (SD City/SD State/NBA) had 17 pts and a game-high 13 reb but his CitiTeam Blazers fell to NBA star James Harden and LAUNFD, 83-72, in the Keith Anderson Division championship game.
The Blazers, who had the league's best regular-season record at 10-1, held a 1-point lead at the half and were tied with LAUNFD at 43 early in the third quarter. But a quick 10-0 run, highlighted by three-pointers from Harden and sometimes NBA veterans Bobby LB Brown and Dijon Thompson put LAUNFD in front, and the Blazers were never able to catch up.
Melvin Goins (Mt. SAC/Tennessee) came off the bench for the Blazers and provided a spark with 5 pts, 2 asts and a steal.
August 2: The Drew League, Willowbrook
Defending champion Hank's Houdini All-Stars, coached by longtime JC coach Allen Caveness (Compton/Fullerton/Mt. SAC) and featuring mostly recent JC players, took another step in defending its title with a 61-59 win over Hard Times Sunday afternoon.
2010-11 JCHoops.com SoCal Player of the Year Antonio Biglow (Mt. SAC/Montana State) broke a 59-all tie with a floater with 55.3 seconds left, and that proved to be the difference as neither team scored again.
Garrett "G-Money" Nevels (Mt. SAC/Hawaii) led all scorers with 20 pts, and he also had 8 rebs, 3 ast, 2 blocks and a steal. Kwame Alexander (Irvine Valley/CS San Bernardino/Philippines) had 11 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts and 2 blocks. Biglow had 9 pts and a game-high 9 asts.
Also for the Houdini All-Stars, Franklin Session (Saddleback/Cal State LA/NBDL) had 4 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts, 3 blocks and 4 steals. Darnell Martin (Mt. SAC/CS Dominguez Hills) had 2 pts and 3 rebs, and Josh White (Mt. SAC) had 2 pts and one rebound.
For Hard Times, Davie Champagnie (Riverside/Martin Methodist) had 10 pts, 4 rebs, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Will Funn (SBVC/Portland State) had 3 pts, 7 asts and 3 steals. Nick Porter (Compton/Creighton) saw brief action but did not score.
The Houdini All-Stars will take on MHP and LA Lakers' star Nick Young in a division championship (league semifinal) Saturday after Young had 29 pts and 11 rebs to lead MHP to a 69-67 win over NWA in the second game Sunday.
NWA held a 25-14 lead in the first half, but MHP went on a 13-2 run to tie the score and it was close the rest of the way. Young's 3-pointer with 1:40 left gave MHP a 68-62 lead, and though NWA got within two points late eventually time ran out.
Raysean Hairston (CCSF/Campbellsville) started for MHP and had 7 pts, 5 rebs, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Reggie Murphy (AVC/Henderson State) also started and had 3 pts, 7 rebs and an assist. D.J. Shelton (Citrus/Washington State/Australia) had 4 pts, 4 rebs and a steal, and Marc Wilson (Mt. San Jacinto/Cal State LA) had 2 pts.
For NWA, Charles "Chuck" Garcia (Riverside/Seattle/Puerto Rico) had 13 pts, 8 rebs, 2 asts, 3 steals and a blocked shot. Mike Martin (LA Valley/West LA) had 5 pts, 5 rebs, an assist and 2 steals, and Mark Dawson (Pasadena/LB State/Kosovo) had 5 pts, 5 rebss, an assist and a steal. Chris Telesford (LA City/Columbus St/Mexico) saw brief action but did not score.
The third game was the most dramatic of the day as the CitiTeam Blazers ran their overall record to a league-best 12-1 with a thrilling 100-98 overtime win over retired NBA star Baron Davis and his BB4L squad.
BB4L trailed by 14 points in the third quarter and, after tying the score at 81 with 1:35 left, trailed by three as the clock wound down. But former LB State standout and onetime Philadelphia 76er Casper Ware drained a three with 8.9 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.
In OT, the Blazers took a 96-90 lead after Kyle Gibson made his 8th 3-pointer of the game, and BB4L was unable to catch up. Casper Ware made another three with 2.0 seconds left to close out the scoring, but when the Blazers were able to inbound the ball successfully time ran out on BB4L's last comeback bid.
Melvin Goins (Mt. San Jacinto/Tennessee/Mexico) had 3 pts, a rebound, an assist and a steal for the winners.
Van Girard (Cerritos/CS Dominguez Hills/ABA) had 15 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 2 steals and a blocked shot for BB4L. Aaron Edwards (SBVC/E New Mexico) had 9 pts, 6 rebs and an assist. Ervin Ware (Mt. SAC), Casper's younger brother, started and had 6 pts on a pair of threes plus 3 rebs, an assist and 2 steals.
The nightcap brought out the big names as NBA star James Harden took the court for LAUNFD in what quickly turned into a rout as the loaded LAUNFD squad raced to an easy 84-60 victory over #Juglife.
Of the nine rotation players on LAUNFD, seven have NBA experience and the other two have played extensively in the NBDL. They would seem the heavy favorites to win the league championship next weekend.
For #Juglife, Wesley Harris (Compton) saw brief action and scored 2 points. Tre Brewer (SBVC/CS San Bernardino) saw a little more action and didn't score but had 2 rebounds.
July 26: The Drew League, Willowbrook
Malcolm Thomas (Pepperdine/SD City/SD State/NBA) had a double-double with 15 pts and 10 rebs as the CitiTeam Blazers wrapped up the regular season with a 93-74 win over Sky Ryse, finishing with the league's best record at 10-1 and a top seed in the playoffs.
Thomas and former UConn standout Marcus Williams helped the Blazers to the easy win on Sunday, and they will face former NBA star Metta World Peace and the Pandas Friday night in the first round of the playoffs.
Joshua Gordon (West LA/Texas A&M-Commerce) led Sky Ryse with 23 pts, including 3 three-pointers, plus 3 rebs and 4 asts. Shakir Johnson (Santa Monica/West LA/Metro State/PBL) had 8 pts, 6 rebs and 3 blocked shots. Lamar Gayle (Cerritos/NBDL/ABA) had 6 pts and 2 rebs, and Shannen Garner (LA Southwest) had 2 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts, a block and a steal.
In earlier action, Victor Joseph (Chaffey) scored 17 pts and Tyler Monroe (Yuba/Azusa Pacific) had a double-double with 15 pts and 12 rebs for Salvatori's No Shnacks in a 77-73 loss to CABC.
Despite having just 6 players available - including Coach Gary Marcus, who suited up for the first time this season - to start the game, No Shnacks nearly pulled the upset. With just under three minutes to go, No Shnacks held a 71-66 lead and Austin Daye (Atlanta Hawks) fouled out for CABC.
DeShawn Stephens (Santa Monica/SD State/Japan) had 12 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts, 3 steals and a blocked shot for No Shnacks. Chris Edward (Chaffey) came off the bench for 5 pts, 8 rebs, 2 asts and a steal.
For CABC, Jeff Ledbetter (Irvine Valley/Idaho/Mexico) had 5 pts and 5 asts.
Then, in what had to be the most exciting game of the regular season, D.J. Shelton (Citrus/Washington State/Belgium) had 17 pts and 10 rebs in a thrilling 107-104 double-overtime win for MHP over Problems.
The gym was packed and the crowd anticipated seeing current NBA stars Demar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors) and Nick "Swaggy P" Young (LA Lakers) for MHP as well as last year's Drew League MVP, Mike Efevberha, on the court for Problems.
And what a show they put on! DeRozan had 31 pts, 10 rebs, 6 asts, 3 steals and a blocked shot. "Money Mike" poured in 45 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 5 seconds left in the second overtime. And Swaggy P had the final word, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds and hitting the game-winning 3-pointer as the final horn sounded.
Raysean Hairston (CCSF/Campbellsville) came off the bench - he was the only reserve to make it into the game for MHP, actually - and had 16 pts, 6 rebs, an assist, a block and 2 steals.
2013-14 SoCal JCHoops.com Player of the Year Gerry Blakes (SBVC/Arizona State) started for Problems and had 20 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts and 5 steals, and was nearly one of the heroes. His steal & basket midway through the second overtime gave Problems a 101-97 lead. And Derrick O'Neil (FLA Gulf Coast CC/FLA Gult Coast/NBDL) also started and had 9 pts and 6 rebs. Michael Purdie (Pima AZ) started and had 3 pts, 5 rebs and 3 asts, and Tim Austin (Cypress/Hawaii-Hilo) had 7 pts, 6 rebs, an assist, a block and a steal.
In the penultimate game of the regular season, Justin Johnson (Citrus/Concordia/NBDL) had 22 pts, 9 rebs, 6 asts, a block and a steal for LA Loop in an 83-72 loss to LAUNFD.
Tom Granado (Citrus/Concordia/Canada) had 7 pts, 3 rebs and an assist for LA Loop, which was eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.
Then in the Drew League's regular season finale, Pierre Jackson (S Idaho/Baylor/Philadelpia 76ers) continued his comeback from a ruptured Achilles Tendon with 19 pts, including 5 threes, plus 6 rebs, 4 asts and a steal in Hard Times' 86-79 win over the I Can All-Stars.
It was the third game of the comeback for Jackson, who re-signed with the 76ers after playing two games in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas last week. Jackson injured his Achilles just over a year ago and missed the entire 2014-15 season, but looked no worse for wear on Sunday.
Will Funn (SBVC/Portland State/ABA) started for Hard Times and had 8 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts and 2 blocked shots. Davie Champagnie (Riverside/Martin Methodist) also started and had 2 pts, 4 rebs, a block and a steal.
Travele Jones (Cerritos/Texas Southern/Japan) started for I Can and had a double-double with 14 pts and a game-high 14 rebs.
July 25: The Drew League, Willowbrook
Defending champion Hank's Houdini All-Stars, coached by Allan Caveness (Compton/Fullerton/Mt. SAC) and led by 2010-11 JCHoops.com SoCal Player of the Year Antonio Biglow (Mt. SAC/Montana State), edged NWA, 76-63, in a showdown to determine the Russell Brown division champion Saturday at The Drew.
The teams entered with identical 8-2 records, but the Houdinis led most of the way and held a 47-31 advantage early in the second half. A barren 4-point third quarter reduced that lead to just four points entering the final period, but Biglow sparked a 9-0 run over the first 1:10 of the fourth quarter and the Houdinis led the rest of the way.
Biglow finished with 15 pts, 4 asts and 3 steals. Franklin Session (Saddleback/Cal State LA/NBDL) had 11 pts, 3 asts, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Garrett Nevels (Mt. SAC/Hawaii) came off the bench for 12 pts, and Kwame Alexander (Irvine Valley/CS San Bernardino/Philippines) had 10 pts and 6 rebs. Darnell Martin (Mt. SAC/CS Dominguez Hills) had 9 pts and 6 rebs. Josh White (Mt. SAC/Lindsey Wilson) had 2 pts and 5 rebs, Wayne Andrews (Compton/Fullerton/CS Dominguez Hills) had 2 pts and Jamal Barnes (Mt. SAC/CS Dominguez Hills) saw brief action but did not score.
For NWA, Mike Martin (West LA) had 10 pts, including a pair of threes, plus 4 rebs, 2 asts and a steal. Mark Dawson (Pasadena/LB State/Kosovo) had 8 pts and 9 rebs. Charles Garcia (Riverside/Seattle Univ/Puerto Rico) had 4 pts and 2 asts, and Chris Telesford (LA City/Columbus State/Mexico) came off the bench for 4 pts.
In earlier action, Ashwell Boyd (LA Trade Tech) had 19 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts and an astounding total of 9 steals to help The Clozers qualify for the playoffs with a 70-57 win over The Reapers.
In the next game, Donald Lee (Pierce/CS Bakersfield/IBL) had 26 pts and 11 rebs to lead Hank's Panthers to an 87-78 win over Legacy in a match-up of teams that had both already qualified for the playoffs.
Joseph Morgan (LA Trade Tech/Morgan State) came off the bench for 16 pts, 3 rebs and 4 asts for the Panthers. Will Faiivae (Ventura/Texas A&M International/Bolivia) came off the bench for 4 pts, 2 rebs and 3 asts, and Garrett Jefferson (Citrus/Cal Baptist) came off the bench for 2 pts and 2 rebs for the winners.
For Legacy, Jason Johnson (Antelope Valley/CS San Marcos) scored 20 pts, making 6 threes, and added 4 rebs, 4 asts, a block and a steal. Jaylen Bland (Canyons/UC Riverside) had 15 pts and Khalfani Williams (Fullerton) had 14 pts and 4 rebs. Mark Peters (SBVC/UC Riverside) came off the bench for 4 pts and a game-high 12 asts. Adrian Francis (Antelope Valley) stared and had 3 pts and 3 asts, and Dushone Brown (LA Harbor) came off the bench for 2 pts and 4 rebs.
In the next game, Tre Brewer (SBVC/CS San Bernardino) had 12 pts, 7 rebs and 3 asts and Eric Nelson (Merritt/Cal Baptist) had 10 pts and 8 rebs to lead #Juglife to a 68-47 win over Salvatori's Spirit.
The win lifted #Juglife into the playoff field, while Salvatori's Spirit dropped out of the postseason bracket.
Nashid Beard (LA City/Lamar/Morocco) had 9 pts and 10 rebs for the Spirit, and Dejean Prejean (LA City/Cal State LA/IBL) had 9 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts and 2 steals.
The next game saw the gym filled to capacity as NBA players Andre Drummond, Derrick Williams and Solomon Hill, NBA draft pick Stanley Johnson and retired NBA & UCLA standout Baron Davis all took the court.
Rumors of an appearance by James Harden never materialized - reportedly he tweaked an ankle during the week, but is still hopeful of making an appearance in the playoffs next weekend - but ICEO still had enough firepower to claim a 75-69 win over Baron's BB4L squad.
Katin Reinhardt had 18 pts, Johnson had 17 and Drummond had 14 pts and 18 rebs for ICEO, which is led by A.J. Gasporra (Citrus/Concordia/Mexico), a high school teammate of Harden at Artesia HS.
Van Girard (Cerritos/CS Dominguez Hills/ABA) had 17 pts, 6 rebs and 3 asts for BB4L. Ervin Ware, playing alongside sometimes-NBA guard and former Big West Conference Player of the Year Casper (his older brother), started and had 4 rebs and 3 asts. Jordan Mackie (Citrus/Humboldt State) and Aaron Edwards (SBVC/E New Mexico) both saw brief action but did not score.
In the day's finale, Tyrone "Big 50" Riley (LA City/San Francisco/Europe) had 20 pts and 5 rebs in a 60-59 heartbreaking loss by Hank's Bulldogs to Metta World Peace and The Pandas in a battle of two teams scrambling for the 8th and final playoff spot.
Kris Lawrie (El Camino/Col State-Pueblo) gave the Bulldogs a 59-58 lead on a tip-in with 9.4 seconds left. But the Pandas ended up on top when Aubrey McAlpine answered with a game-winning jumper moments later.
Rodney "Speedy" Blackmon (West LA/E New Mexico/Poland) had 19 pts, 3 rebs and 3 asts for the Bulldogs. Lawrie finished with 5 pts and 6 rebs, and Roshun Wynne (Blue Mountain/Cuyamaca/CS East Bay) had 6 pts, 5 rebs and 2 steals. Nick Sanderson (Canyons/BYU) started and had 3 pts, 4 rebs, an assist and a steal. Kevin Lewis (Compton/Wyoming) saw brief action but did not score.
For the Pandas, Brandon Jamar (LA Southwest) started and had 3 pts and 3 rebs. Daniel Artest (Westchester CC), Metta's younger but much larger brother, was impressive with 9 pts and 3 rebs. Donovan Plunkett (Butte/Dixie State) and Justin Archie (West LA/Lindsey Wilson) both saw brief action but did not score.
July 5: The Drew League, Willowbrook
Sango Niang (Chaffey/Simon Fraser) poured in 41 pts and just missed a triple-double with 10 rebs and 9 asts, and nearly sent the game to OT with a last-second 3-point try for Salvatori's No Shnacks in a 107-104 loss to first-place and still-unbeaten CitiTeam Blazers.
Niang led No Shnacks from an early 24-5 deficit, draining a three in the final seconds of the third quarter to tie the score, 77-77. And he scored 18 points in the fourth quarter as the teams battled down to the wire. But his last-second would-be game-tying three bounced off the rim as time expired, allowing the Blazers to escape with the win and improve to 8-0 on the summer.
Ryan Nitz (Chaffey/CS Monterey Bay) had 20 pts, including 3 threes, plus 3 asts and 3 steals for No Shnacks, and Adom Jacko (Chaffey/Loyola-Marymount) had 13 pts, 6 rebs and 2 blocks. DeShawn Stephens (Santa Monica/SD State/Japan) had 20 pts, 9 rebs, 2 asts and 2 blocks. Justin Long (Chaffey/Hawaii Pacific) came off the bench for 4 pts, 2 rebs and 2 asts.
The Blazers were led by longtime overseas pro Kyle Gibson, who had 37 pts, and former NBA point guard Marcus Williams, who now plays overseas and had 19 pts and 10 asts. PG Melvin Goins (Mt. San Jacinto/Tennessee/Mexico) started and had 2 pts and 2 asts for the winners. Andre Paulk (Cincinnati State JC) came off the bench for 4 pts.
In the prior game, Corey Allen (Mt. SAC/South Florida) had 17 pts, 7 asts and 4 steals to help defending league champion Hank's Houdini All-Stars improve to 7-1 on the summer with an 83-78 win over Hard Times.
The Houdinis, coached by Allan "Houdini" Caveness (Compton/Fullerton/Mt. SAC), had all they could handle against Hard Times but finally took the lead for good in the final minutes. Franklin Session (Saddeback/Cal State LA/NBDL) scored off a pass from Antonio Biglow (Mt. SAC/Montana State) to break a 68-all tie, and Allen scorred after a steal to make it 72-68. It was still a 3-point game and Hard Times had the ball until Allen stole it back near midcourt and went in for the clinching lay-up with 11 seconds left to make it 83-78.
Session had 12 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts and 2 steals, and Biglow had 6 pts, game-highs of 9 asts and 5 steals and even a blocked shot. Garrett "G-Money" Nevels (Mt. SAC/Hawaii) came off the bench for 16 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts, a block and a steal. Wayne Andrews (Compton/Fullerton/CS Dominguez Hills) started and had 6 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts and 3 steals.
Will Funn (SBVC/Portand State/ABA) started for Hard Times and did not score but dished out a team-high 5 asts and grabbed a team-high 3 steals. Nick Porter (Compton/Creighton) played briefly but did not score.
In earlier action, Victor Evans (Pierce/Odessa TX) came off the bench for 4 pts and 2 asts for The Clozers in an 83-58 win over Tradition. The Clozers are the youngest team in The Drew, featuring Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball, both of whom are still at Chino Hills HS but are committed to play at UCLA in the future. Lonzo is one of the best HS players in the nation, and only the one-sided score kept him from posting a triple-double. He finished with 11 pts, 9 asts and 8 rebs despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter.
Zeon Gray (Whatcom WA/Fraser Valley/Germany) had 13 pts, 5 rebs, a team-high 8 asts and a steal for Tradition.
In the next game, Dejean Prejean (LA City/Cal State LA/IBL) had 20 pts, 4 asts and 6 steals to help Salvatori's Spirit to an 80-69 win over ICEO.
Nashid Beard (LA City/Lamar/Morocco) had 3 pts - on a 3-point field goal, no less - plus a game-high 12 rebs and 2 blocked shots for the winners. Deonte North (Long Beach) started and had 8 pts, 4 rebs and 3 asts. Keon Pledger (SBVC/West Texas A&M) came off the bench for 3 pts, 2 rebs, 3 asts and 2 steals.
ICEO lost despite a career game for A.J. Gasporra (Citrus/Concordia/Mexico). The onetime HS teammate of James Harden poured in 30 pts, including 6 threes, and added 3 rebs, 3 asts and 3 steals in a Harden-esque performance.
In the next game, retired NBA star and current filmmaker Baron Davis stole the headline with a vintage performance of 44 pts, 9 3-pointers, 8 rebs, 7 asts and 2 steals in a 103-76 win for BB4L over LAUNFD.
But Van Girard (Cerritos/CS Dominguez Hills/ABA) was a huge part of the win as well, amassing 25 pts and grabbing a game-high 13 rebs.
Ervin "Schwerve" Ware (Mt. SAC) also started for BB4L. He didn't score, but he had 7 rebs, 2 steals and a game-high 13 asts. Aaron Edwards (SBVC/E New Mexico) came off the bench for 7 pts, 2 rebs and an assist.
Current Portland Trailblazer Dorell Wright led LAUNFD with 22 pts, and he also had 5 rebs, 3 asts, 2 blocks and 4 steals.
The 6 pm game was dominated by high-scoring Austin Daye, currently of the Atlanta Hawks, who poured in 51 pts and added 11 rebs and 3 blocked shots as CABC routed the Jaguars, 97-64.
Mike Lambert (Orange Coast/SD Christian) saw some action for the winners and though he did not score he did have 3 rebs and 2 asts.
Tristan Wilson (Yuba/Long Beach State) had 12 pts, 4 rebs and 2 steals for the Jaguars. Alpha Ndaw (Odessa TX) had 4 pts and 6 rebs. David Hall (Cerritos/Cal State LA) had 4 pts, 3 rebs and 2 asts, and Kenny Morgan (Chaffey/Hope International) had 3 pts.
May 31: The Drew League, Willowbrook
Malcolm Thomas (SD City/SD State/NBA) had 16 pts and 16 rebs to lead the CitiTeam Blazers to a 67-60 win over Hank's Blazers
in the final game of the day May 31st at The Drew.
It was a close game all the way, with neither team ever building a double-digit advantage.
The Blazers led, 50-44, after the third quarter. The Bulldogs went on a 7-0 spurt to start the fourth quarter, taking a 51-50 lead on a 3-pointer by Rodney Blackmon (West LA/E New Mexico/Poland). But the Blazers responded with a 9-0 run to re-gain the advantage and led the rest of the way.
Thomas posted his double-double and his 16 rebs were easily game-high; he also had 3 steals, 2 asts and a blocked shot. Melvin Goins (Mt. San Jacinto/Tennessee/Mexico) had 4 pts and 4 asts, and punctuated the win with a windmill dunk.
Jeremy Haggerty (E.Arizona/The Master's College), now head coach at Trinity Classical Academy HS in Valencia, also started for the Blazers and had 9 pts and 5 rebs. Andre Paulk (Cincinnati State JC) came off the bench for one point and 2 asts. Chase Miller (Santa Ana/Montana-Billings) also played briefly but did not score.
For the Bulldogs, Franklin "Frank Nitti" Session (Saddleback/Cal State LA/NBDL) had 15 pts, 10 rebs, 6 asts and 5 steals. Tyrone "Big 50" Riley (LA City/San Francisco/Europe) had 13 pts and 5 rebs, and Blackmon had 7 pts, 6 rebs and 2 asts. Davian Wilson (East LA) also started and had 2 pts, 4 rebs, an assist, a block and a steal.
Kevin Lewis (Compton/Wyoming) came off the bench for 4 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts and a steal, and Roshun Wynne (Cuyamaca/CS East Bay) had 2 pts, 3 asts and 5 steals. 44-year-old Nick Sanderson (Canyons/BYU), who still appears to be in excellent playing shape, had 3 pts and an assist. Ricky "PR" Gallagher (LA City) had 2 pts and Sheldon Allen (LA Harbor/CS Dominguez Hills) saw brief action but did not score.
May 16:The Drew League, Willowbrook
Coach Allan Caveness (Compton/Fullerton/Mt. SAC) and his Hank's Houdini All-Stars watched as their 2014 championship banner was unveiled and then successfully began defending that title with a 74-65 win over Hank's Panthers on Opening Day at The Drew.
The duo of JCHoops.com Players of the Year Corey Allen (Mt. SAC/South Florida) and Antonio Biglow (Mt. SAC/Montana State) led the way. Allen had a game-high 21 pts plus 3 asts and 4 steals, while Biglow had 8 pts, includiing back-to-back scores in the final minute to clinch the win, and a game-high 7 asts.
Tim Johnson (LA Trade Tech/Cameron) had 19 pts, 5 rebs and 5 steals, though right after the game it was announced that he is opting out of his deal and will join Problems.
Darnell Martin (Mt. SAC/CS Dominguez Hills) had 8 pts and 6 rebs for the champs, and Josh White (Mt. SAC) had 7 pts and 3 steals. Derrick O'Neil (Fla Gulf Coast CC/Florida Gulf Coast/NBDL) had 6 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts and a steal. Jamaal Barnes (Compton/CSDH) saw brief action but did not score.
For the Panthers, Andrew Fisk (Riverside/Cal Baptist) had 13 pts, 3 rebs and 2 steals, and Garrett Jefferson (Citrus/Cal Baptist) had 12 pts and 3 steals. Joseph Joe-Joe Morgan (LA Trade Tech/Morgan State) had 11 pts and 3 asts. Ctr Donald Lee (Pierce/CS Bakersfield) had 7 pts and a game-high 8 rebs. Quinton Watkins (Fresno/Cal State LA) had 2 pts, 2 rebs and 2 steals. Will Faiivae (Ventura/Texas A&M-International/Bolivia) did not score but had 4 rebs and 4 asts. PF Antonio Singleton (LA Trade Tech) played briefly but did not score.
In the day's - and the summer's - first game, Dejean Prejean (LA City/Cal State LA/IBL) scored a game-high 25 pts and added 9 rebs, 6 asts, 2 blocks and 2 steals to lead Problems to an 87-78 win over Legacy.
Doug Thomas (SE Iowa/Iowa/NBDL) had 21 pts, 13 rebs, 3 blocks, 2 asts and 2 steals for the winners. Kirkpatrick McCauley (Santa Monica) also started and had 2 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts, 2 blocks and a steal. Tim Austin (Cypress/Hawaii-Hilo) came off the bench for 2 pts, an assist and 2 steals.
For Legacy, Jason Johnson (Antelope Valley/CS San Marcos) had 13 pts, 3 rebs, 3 asts, 2 steals and a blocked shot. Evan Brooks (Pasadena/Chadron State) came off the bench for 7 pts and 2 rebs, and Malcolm Collins (Pierce/Pt Loma Nazarene) had 4 pts in a reserve role. Adrian Francis (Antelope Valley) appeared briefly but did not score.
In the next game, Charles "Chuck" Garcia (Riverside/Seattle/Puerto Rico) had 13 pts and 7 rebs for NWA in a 68-65 win over the Reapers.
Chris Telesford (LA City/Columbus State/Mexico) started and had 4 pts. 7 rebs and 2 asts for the winners. Shakir Johnson (Santa Monica/Metro State/PBL) also started and had 3 pts, 5 rebs and 2 blocked shots.
In the day's penultimate game, Marcus Bell (Marshalltown/Idaho/CS Stanislaus) had 15 pts and 15 rebs to help Sky Ryse to an 87-73 win over LA Loop.
Joshua Gordon (West LA/Texas A&M-Commerce) had 14 pts and 4 asts for Sky Ryse, and Mark Dawson (Pasadena/Long Beach St/Kosovo) had 12 pts, 3 rebs and 4 asts. Shannen Garner (LA Southwest) had 6 pts, 10 rebs, 2 asts, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Stefon Dafney came off the bench for 3 pts and 2 asts.
For LA Loop, Justin Johnson (Citrus/Concordia/NBDL) had 23 pts, 6 rebs, 9 asts and 2 steals. Markus Monroe (Glendale/Wayland Baptist/Lithuania) had 8 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts and 2 steals, and Tom Granado (Citrus/Concordia/Canada) had 4 pts, 6 rebs and 5 blocked shots. Robbie Robinson (Riverside/CS Fullerton) had 2 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts and a steal, and Jeremy Pope (Cerritos/Biola) saw brief action but did not score.
In the day's final game, Hassan Stephens (Pierce) scored 14 pts and added 8 rebs, 2 asts and 3 steals to help Hank's New Image to a 70-65 win over The Clozers, a team led by the incoming USC duo of Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu.
Brandon McQueen (Antelope Valley) had 6 pts, 2 asts and 2 steals for the winners, and Givon Crump (Pasadena/CSDH) came off the bench for 5 pts, 3 rebs and 2 steals. Calen Coleman (Cuesta/Montana State) came off the bench for 2 pts, 2 rebs and a steal.
For The Clozers, Metu had 20 pts and 11 rebs, and Boatwright had 17 pts. Marquel Hoskins (Reedley/San Francisco State0 had 4 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts and 3 steals. Jerodd Blount (LA Trade Tech) came off the bench for 8 pts, 5 rebs and 2 steals. Ashwell Boyd (LA Trade Tech) had 3 pts and Reggie Fields (LA Southwest) had one point.
