Sunday, December 23, 2018
LJ b BB 55, Oceanside 50 - Grossmont Winter Tournament
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| Viking guard Behzad Hashemi (rear) smiles during pregame captains' meeting before lighting up the nets with 28 points. (Photo by Ed Piper) |
Senior Behzad Hashemi zeroed in for 28 points, many coming from long range, including a trio of three-pointers, as La Jolla edged visiting Oceanside 55-50 and equaled its record at 7-7 Fri., Dec. 21.
The Vikings never led the bigger, more physical Pirates the entire game until the final basket of the third quarter, then held on behind their point guard's heroics to clinch the win.
Hashemi's backcourt mate, fellow senior Jett Wilson, the team's hard-nosed defender, gave La Jolla its first lead on a leaping drive over Oceanside's much taller Kameron Beacham with five seconds on the clock at the end of the third period. That put Coach Paul Baranowski's squad ahead, 39-38.
Then, in the closing quarter, Behzad canned a jumper, hit two free throws, swished a three with 3:17 left, another a minute later, and finally applied the coup de grace with 17.4 left: a 12-footer jumper to put the game away.
"Communication--we were talking on defense," said Wilson of La Jolla's key to closing out the contest. In the earlier part of the game, trailing Oceanside by as many as seven points multiple times, Jett said poor "shot selection" was the culprit.
Yet another senior, Nick Hulquist, one of four guards Baranowski put on the floor at one time, had key blocks and showed aggressiveness on both ends around the basket.
The 6'5" Beachem gave the Vikings problems in the first and the fourth quarters, scoring eight points in each of those quarters shorter defenders. La Jolla's Max Raulston, three inches shorter at 6'2", fouled out in the process with 1:02 left.
But fortuitously for the home team, Kam turned his ankle late in the game and, among other plays limiting him, couldn't leap to grab an inside feed to him at the low post with a minute left, a key turnover helping preserve La Jolla's win.
Hulquist, who has struggled with his shot all season, canned a jumper from the top of the key with over five minutes left to give the Vikes the lead at 45-43. Nick scored four points on the night.
Hashemi, showing the aggressiveness that he and Wilson have led their team with, pushed off on his jumper a short time later, a baseline two-pointer from the right side. His defender fell backwards from the clearing push, but no foul was called. That made the score 47-46.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Prep b BB: Top players
By Ed Piper
I've seen the following nine basketball players rated among the top 250 seniors nationally by 247Sports: Rejean "Boogie" Ellis of Mission Bay, the top-rated local at 26th, and Ryan Langborg, the star shooting guard for La Jolla Country Day, in slot number 196.
Also, Cassius Stanley (27), Christian Koloko (83), Kenyon "KJ" Martin (206), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (246) of Sierra Canyon, Chatsworth, which dominated the season-opening San Diego Tip-off Classic at Montgomery High, defeating even St. Augustine--though early in the season--by 45 points.
Then, we have Isaiah Mobley of Rancho Christian, Temecula, ranked 18th.
Onyeka Okongwu, the 6'9" shot blocker and dunker from Chino Hills, stands at number 21.
The ninth player, whom I saw but didn't really observe, because I didn't know I was supposed to, was Isaiah Pope of Orange Lutheran (234).
Now, 247 is a recognized prep rating system. But off what I saw in my brief viewings of these folks, there is no way--nothing personal, I'm sure he's a nice guy--that 7-footer Christian Koloko deserves attention above his spectacular teammate, K.J. Martin, the former NBA star's son.
Four minutes into one of Sierra Canyon's three games in the Montomery tournament last month, Koloko's coach pulled him. Pencil-thin on his two-meter frame, he was completely ineffectual and was only clogging up the court for Pippen, Martin, and Stanley.
As dismal was the night before, when host coach Ed Martin's Aztecs, with no player over 6'2", put two players on Christian, pushed him around, and negated any impact he might have.
What's more, Martin was eye-popping in an individual-talent but team-contributing way, under control and able to work within Coach Andre Chevalier's system. He was the major contributor toward discombobulating the Saints' Chibuzo Agbo, who is a talent but on that night could not establish himself and couldn't shoot an outside shot, which is one of his weapons.
Having only really observed an octet of these nine, in a short spell and with no supplemental videos viewed to broaden my perspective, I would place Martin high, high, high, with NBA great Scottie Pippen's son way up there, too. He was quick, decisive, and lightning-effectual in piling up steals in Sierra Canyon's pressure and converting to quick layups by himself and his teammates.
Cassius Stanley, the tall (6'5") shooting guard for the Trailblazers, looked very good, too.
I've seen the following nine basketball players rated among the top 250 seniors nationally by 247Sports: Rejean "Boogie" Ellis of Mission Bay, the top-rated local at 26th, and Ryan Langborg, the star shooting guard for La Jolla Country Day, in slot number 196.
Also, Cassius Stanley (27), Christian Koloko (83), Kenyon "KJ" Martin (206), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (246) of Sierra Canyon, Chatsworth, which dominated the season-opening San Diego Tip-off Classic at Montgomery High, defeating even St. Augustine--though early in the season--by 45 points.
Then, we have Isaiah Mobley of Rancho Christian, Temecula, ranked 18th.
Onyeka Okongwu, the 6'9" shot blocker and dunker from Chino Hills, stands at number 21.
The ninth player, whom I saw but didn't really observe, because I didn't know I was supposed to, was Isaiah Pope of Orange Lutheran (234).
Now, 247 is a recognized prep rating system. But off what I saw in my brief viewings of these folks, there is no way--nothing personal, I'm sure he's a nice guy--that 7-footer Christian Koloko deserves attention above his spectacular teammate, K.J. Martin, the former NBA star's son.
Four minutes into one of Sierra Canyon's three games in the Montomery tournament last month, Koloko's coach pulled him. Pencil-thin on his two-meter frame, he was completely ineffectual and was only clogging up the court for Pippen, Martin, and Stanley.
As dismal was the night before, when host coach Ed Martin's Aztecs, with no player over 6'2", put two players on Christian, pushed him around, and negated any impact he might have.
What's more, Martin was eye-popping in an individual-talent but team-contributing way, under control and able to work within Coach Andre Chevalier's system. He was the major contributor toward discombobulating the Saints' Chibuzo Agbo, who is a talent but on that night could not establish himself and couldn't shoot an outside shot, which is one of his weapons.
Having only really observed an octet of these nine, in a short spell and with no supplemental videos viewed to broaden my perspective, I would place Martin high, high, high, with NBA great Scottie Pippen's son way up there, too. He was quick, decisive, and lightning-effectual in piling up steals in Sierra Canyon's pressure and converting to quick layups by himself and his teammates.
Cassius Stanley, the tall (6'5") shooting guard for the Trailblazers, looked very good, too.
LJ b soccer: 'Travieso' (mischievous)
By Ed Piper
Victor Zendejas had mischief on his mind.
He brought out a tape measure from his travel bag, and told a photographer, "Come on over with me."
As they walked from the La Jolla side of the field at the San Diego Jewish Academy toward the home sideline, Zendejas tried to keep a straight face. "Don't say anything," he advised his companion.
Near enough to Lions coach Manny Diaz's team bench for the opposing coach to notice, the La Jolla assistant soccer coach knelt down on the immaculate natural grass surface, and placed his tape measure, now extended a foot or so, down to the surface.
Zendejas acted like he was measuring the length of the cut grass, to see if it was up to standards.
"What's going on here?" asked an unsmiling Diaz as he caught notice.
Zendejas and Diaz are best friends, dating back to their playing on defense together at La Jolla High in 1984 and 1985. Zendejas was in the class one year ahead of his buddy. Diaz was the Vikings' goalie, and his friend played in front of him as a back.
That meant there was a lot of talk between the two during games to make sure the defense was constantly positioned as well as it could be. "Formed up" is the term among soccer people.
Zendejas, needling his buddy about the field Diaz manicures as part of his duties as groundskeeper at the Jewish Academy, broke into a big grin upon his friend's discomfiture.
"I got a good photo," said the photographer, showing Zendejas on the point-and-shoot's LCD screen.
Earlier, the home team coach had answered the journalist's questions about the field, which his friend called "the best field in San Diego".
"It is up to USGA (U.S. Golf Association) standards," explained Diaz at that time. "Underneath the turf there is 24 inches of sand, with a special drainage system." Such things do not come cheaply. Diaz is the keeper and coach of a supreme facility.
The friendly prank over, the two opposing coaches and close friends retired to their respective sidelines for the match.
Diaz didn't appear to hold a hard spot toward his former Viking teammate for the good-natured joke.
Victor Zendejas had mischief on his mind.
He brought out a tape measure from his travel bag, and told a photographer, "Come on over with me."
As they walked from the La Jolla side of the field at the San Diego Jewish Academy toward the home sideline, Zendejas tried to keep a straight face. "Don't say anything," he advised his companion.
Near enough to Lions coach Manny Diaz's team bench for the opposing coach to notice, the La Jolla assistant soccer coach knelt down on the immaculate natural grass surface, and placed his tape measure, now extended a foot or so, down to the surface.
Zendejas acted like he was measuring the length of the cut grass, to see if it was up to standards.
"What's going on here?" asked an unsmiling Diaz as he caught notice.
Zendejas and Diaz are best friends, dating back to their playing on defense together at La Jolla High in 1984 and 1985. Zendejas was in the class one year ahead of his buddy. Diaz was the Vikings' goalie, and his friend played in front of him as a back.
That meant there was a lot of talk between the two during games to make sure the defense was constantly positioned as well as it could be. "Formed up" is the term among soccer people.
Zendejas, needling his buddy about the field Diaz manicures as part of his duties as groundskeeper at the Jewish Academy, broke into a big grin upon his friend's discomfiture.
"I got a good photo," said the photographer, showing Zendejas on the point-and-shoot's LCD screen.
Earlier, the home team coach had answered the journalist's questions about the field, which his friend called "the best field in San Diego".
"It is up to USGA (U.S. Golf Association) standards," explained Diaz at that time. "Underneath the turf there is 24 inches of sand, with a special drainage system." Such things do not come cheaply. Diaz is the keeper and coach of a supreme facility.
The friendly prank over, the two opposing coaches and close friends retired to their respective sidelines for the match.
Diaz didn't appear to hold a hard spot toward his former Viking teammate for the good-natured joke.
LJ wrestling: Recap
By Ed Piper
Isaiah Torres, La Jolla's 220-pounder, started off with a win by decision, and 192-pound Joshua Jasso finished the match with a pin in the first period. In between, Keegan Leonard and other Viking wrestlers had a chance to shine as La Jolla took a 55-21 dual meet win at Madison Wed., Dec. 19.
"It's nice to be able to beat up on somebody else, instead of getting beat up themselves," said Viking Head Coach Kellen Delaney of his wrestlers with a kind-hearted smile after the victory.
Madison is just beginning a rebuild of a program that three years ago was devastated by the forced departure of its former head coach under serious conditions.
In the 14 weight classes, La Jolla was able to send onto the mat representatives in most of those weights. The Warhawks, just getting going again, sent out fewer and had to suffer forfeits in at least five of those divisions, each awarding six points to their foe.
The two head coaches agreed to beginning the dual meet with the 220-pound match, then rotating to the low weights and on up. This is not infrequently done in meets between two high schools. It adds a little variety, and changes things up a bit.
Isaiah Torres, La Jolla's 220-pounder, started off with a win by decision, and 192-pound Joshua Jasso finished the match with a pin in the first period. In between, Keegan Leonard and other Viking wrestlers had a chance to shine as La Jolla took a 55-21 dual meet win at Madison Wed., Dec. 19.
"It's nice to be able to beat up on somebody else, instead of getting beat up themselves," said Viking Head Coach Kellen Delaney of his wrestlers with a kind-hearted smile after the victory.
Madison is just beginning a rebuild of a program that three years ago was devastated by the forced departure of its former head coach under serious conditions.
In the 14 weight classes, La Jolla was able to send onto the mat representatives in most of those weights. The Warhawks, just getting going again, sent out fewer and had to suffer forfeits in at least five of those divisions, each awarding six points to their foe.
The two head coaches agreed to beginning the dual meet with the 220-pound match, then rotating to the low weights and on up. This is not infrequently done in meets between two high schools. It adds a little variety, and changes things up a bit.
LJ b soccer: Recap
By Ed Piper
Nico Campos broke through for the first score, then teammate Pablo Jativa followed with the first of his two goals to lead a La Jolla 4-0 win at San Diego Jewish Academy Tues., Dec. 18.
The result became academic once Coach Marcos Gonzales' Vikings constructed the 2-0 halftime lead, with earnest but limited opposition from the Lions, many of whom are bilingual and have played for La Jolla assistant coach Victor Zendejas.
Campos and Jativa each added a goal in the second half on the beautifully-manicured USGA-standard natural turf at the private school.
But, in the hard-trying Lions' defense, they played the Vikings much closer than they did two years ago on the same pitch. In that game, La Jolla, behind striker Luis Goehler, crushed SDJA, leading 5-0 by halftime, only letting up in the second half to run away with the non-league contest.
Nico Campos broke through for the first score, then teammate Pablo Jativa followed with the first of his two goals to lead a La Jolla 4-0 win at San Diego Jewish Academy Tues., Dec. 18.
The result became academic once Coach Marcos Gonzales' Vikings constructed the 2-0 halftime lead, with earnest but limited opposition from the Lions, many of whom are bilingual and have played for La Jolla assistant coach Victor Zendejas.
Campos and Jativa each added a goal in the second half on the beautifully-manicured USGA-standard natural turf at the private school.
But, in the hard-trying Lions' defense, they played the Vikings much closer than they did two years ago on the same pitch. In that game, La Jolla, behind striker Luis Goehler, crushed SDJA, leading 5-0 by halftime, only letting up in the second half to run away with the non-league contest.
Prep b BB: Langborg sails alone
By Ed Piper
Ryan Langborg, the 196th-ranked high school basketball player in the U.S. by 247sports, showed outstanding outside and inside offensive skills, besides blocking a few shots on defense, in a 79-61 loss by La Jolla Country Day to Damien in the BSN Sports Showcase December 15 at Carlsbad High.
Unfortunately, the stellar Princeton commit had to operate mostly alone, because Coach Ryan Meier's other star, 6'10" Jayson Taylor, continued to sit as he did the night before in the Beach Bash showcase at Mission Bay High.
"I think it's tendinitis," said Meier of his center's limiting factor. He didn't indicate when his other stalwart might return.
In the meantime, Langborg, a 6'4" shooting guard, had to carry his height- and talent-challenged team much of the time in the second half of a difficult contest against a talented squad from up north. These match-ups were likely arranged with the expectation all key hands would be on board, so the lack of half of the Torreys' biggest guns changes the equation.
Langborg showed passing skills, as well as excellent marksmanship from long range against Damien. He can jump, too, which is a common skill among all the top-rated players--none in the Larry Bird mold of astronomical court I.Q, without the attendant natural physical abilities.
Of good size at the guard position, he drove from the top of the key, and he was able to hang in the air and create improvised shots close to the basket against taller defenders.
La Jolla Country Day began the second half down 44-29 to the Spartans (from La Verne in Orange County). Guard Ray Lu, the Little Engine That Could, worked hard, as did 6'3" forward Sam Coleman, alongside Langborg to close the gap to 56-48.
Ryan's drive to open the fourth quarter cut an 11-point edge to eight again, 60-52. Damien's advantage bulged to 21, 75-54, before settling to the final 18-point deficit.
The night before, in the small Mission Bay gym, Langborg experienced the same "It's down to me" syndrome with his compadre Taylor watching from the bench. Orange Lutheran, which of course "doesn't recruit", as per CIF regulations, squashed and out-ran the local Torreys, 89-71.
Lu, the pepper-pot point guard, isn't a proficient outside shooter, so the big Orange Lutheran team knew it didn't have to worry about anybody besides Langborg on the floor. I think Ryan, a fierce competitor, is team-oriented. But it's hard to create and pass to teammates when they are over-matched, even smothered by the opponent's defense.
Ryan Langborg, the 196th-ranked high school basketball player in the U.S. by 247sports, showed outstanding outside and inside offensive skills, besides blocking a few shots on defense, in a 79-61 loss by La Jolla Country Day to Damien in the BSN Sports Showcase December 15 at Carlsbad High.
Unfortunately, the stellar Princeton commit had to operate mostly alone, because Coach Ryan Meier's other star, 6'10" Jayson Taylor, continued to sit as he did the night before in the Beach Bash showcase at Mission Bay High.
"I think it's tendinitis," said Meier of his center's limiting factor. He didn't indicate when his other stalwart might return.
In the meantime, Langborg, a 6'4" shooting guard, had to carry his height- and talent-challenged team much of the time in the second half of a difficult contest against a talented squad from up north. These match-ups were likely arranged with the expectation all key hands would be on board, so the lack of half of the Torreys' biggest guns changes the equation.
Langborg showed passing skills, as well as excellent marksmanship from long range against Damien. He can jump, too, which is a common skill among all the top-rated players--none in the Larry Bird mold of astronomical court I.Q, without the attendant natural physical abilities.
Of good size at the guard position, he drove from the top of the key, and he was able to hang in the air and create improvised shots close to the basket against taller defenders.
La Jolla Country Day began the second half down 44-29 to the Spartans (from La Verne in Orange County). Guard Ray Lu, the Little Engine That Could, worked hard, as did 6'3" forward Sam Coleman, alongside Langborg to close the gap to 56-48.
Ryan's drive to open the fourth quarter cut an 11-point edge to eight again, 60-52. Damien's advantage bulged to 21, 75-54, before settling to the final 18-point deficit.
The night before, in the small Mission Bay gym, Langborg experienced the same "It's down to me" syndrome with his compadre Taylor watching from the bench. Orange Lutheran, which of course "doesn't recruit", as per CIF regulations, squashed and out-ran the local Torreys, 89-71.
Lu, the pepper-pot point guard, isn't a proficient outside shooter, so the big Orange Lutheran team knew it didn't have to worry about anybody besides Langborg on the floor. I think Ryan, a fierce competitor, is team-oriented. But it's hard to create and pass to teammates when they are over-matched, even smothered by the opponent's defense.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
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