(March 30, 2006)

 

While it took a little longer than they expected, two of the top remaining point guards in SoCal's Class of 2006 made it official early this week: they have made their college decision.  6'2" Derek Glasser (Artesia/Lakewood CA) decided to be a USC Trojan while 6'2" Todd Lowenthal will spend his college days in paradise at the University of Hawaii.  Glasser is a rock solid PG with a very underrated outside stroke who led his top ranked Pioneer team to a 30-plus win (with just 1 loss) season and a California State Division III title.  Pacific, San Diego State, Montana and New Mexico were the other finalists for Glasser.  Lowenthal is a very creative scoring point that is a deceptive athlete with ability to beat defenders off the dribble.  St. John's, Pacific, Idaho and Tulsa were among the programs involved with Lowenthal..............Stoneridge Prep (under new management this season and directed by a new coach Babacar Sy) has quickly become an important pit stop for college coaches seeking athletic big men.  While Stoneridge's senior posts have gotten a lot of attention by coaches and media alike, the Simi Valley CA prep school also has two promising junior interior players from Senegal that are quickly becoming the object of recruiting attention:  7'1"  Bubacar Scylla and 6'11" Ibrahim Thomas.  Scylla is a true center with high major potential and a huge upside!  Bubacar is also an outstanding shotblocker and rebounder.  Thomas is a skilled big man with great size and has the versatility to potentially be a combo-forward at the next level.  Scylla and Thomas will run with Bob Gottlieb's Branch West squad this spring and summer..................Former Lynwood HS star 6'4" Seketoure Henry (now a 5th year prep at the Patterson NC school) is having his recruitment pick up steam this spring.  There are very few HS/prep players that match the range of Henry's jump shot and his ability to get his shot off any time he wants.  USC, Fresno State, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Washington State and Cal State Northridge are among the growing number of schools trying to lure this offensive weapon to their campus..........An emerging name in SoCal's junior class (2007) that bears watching is intriguing 6'8" junior Malcom Thomas (Crawford/San Diego CA).  Thomas is a long and active combo-forward that has underrated offensive tools as well as tremendous potential.  Schools showing early interest in Thomas include San Diego State, Cal, Fresno State, Oklahoma State, San Francisco, Pepperdine and USC.........6'5" junior wing Gabe Adler (Poway/Poway CA) put on an impressive shooting exhibition last week at Gerry Freitas' SoCal Hoop Review at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson CA.  Adler (an outstanding student) has a strong body and is an promising leader as well......While fellow sophs 6'8" Drew Gordon (Mitty/San Jose CA) and 6'7" Troy Guillenwater (Fremont/Los Angeles CA) get most of the attention when those "in the know" chit-chat about the elite post players in California's Class of 2008, 6'7" Tyreese Breshers (Price/Los Angeles CA) is rapidly making a strong case to join that elite circle!  Breshers has a Charles Barkley-type body with a deceptive bounce in his step and soft hands which allow him to finish with consistency inside.  Combining an explosive drop step and surprising ability to lift his 240 lbs high over the rim, Breshers is quickly becoming a potent low-post threat.  Breshers is also a great rebounder and very underrated shotblocker..........Pepperdine is considering several persons to replace departed Wave coach Paul Westphal including top candidates Billy Grier (Gonzaga assistant), Gib Arnold (USC assistant), Cameron Dollar (Washington assistant), Donny Daniels and Ernie Zeigler (UCLA assistants), Mike Dunlap (Metro State/Denver) and Larry Krystowiak (Montana)....................Last weekend, the Fullcourt Press hosted a FCP Senior Showcase (for top unsigned SoCal seniors on Friday) and a FCP Las Vegas Spring Showcase (for top Sin City frosh, sophs, juniors and unsigned seniors last Monday).

We will be posting detail reports relating to both events early next week after we return to Southern California from the Final Four in Indianapolis.