Trigonis Tidbits:
“H-Squad Runs the Table at Rumble in the Bronx”
(June 28, 2006)
Preparing for a hectic July, I’d like to wrap up some loose June ends………… H-Squad traveled to the Big Apple earlier this month to battle in the Rumble in the Bronx at Fordham University (Bronx NY). And battle they did as 6’4” wing Seketoure Henry knocked down a long-range 3-point shot as time expired to edge The Playaz in the championship game. Besides Henry, H-Squad received substantial contributions during H-Squad’s march to the title from rising 6’8” junior Troy Gillenwater and post grads 6’4” Jeremy Hazell and 6’7” Darrington (“Butta”) Hobson. Virginia Tech is now the favorite to land Henry while Tennessee is in very good shape with Hazell……..Former Artesia (Lakewood CA) coach Scott Pera has been named the Director of Basketball Operations at Arizona State giving the Sun Devil’s the inside track to sign Pera’s former star player 6’5” rising senior James Harden (named the MVP of the Arizona Cactus Classic last month). Harden is also considering Arizona, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State and Texas. Speaking of Arizona State, the Sun Devils hosted rising seniors 6’10” Clint Amberry (Los Alamitos/Los Alamitos CA) and 6’6” Jon Wills (Mayfair/Lakewood CA) on unofficial visits last weekend …….…6’9” James Cawthorne (Villa Park/Villa Park CA) has signed with Cal State Dominguez Hills giving the Toros a huge steal and a post-forward that many low-mid majors completely missed the boat on. Credit CSDH assistant Max Ward for his tireless work on Cawthorne…………6’6” Jamil Greenwood has committed to Cal State San Bernardino. Jamil (the son of former UCLA and NBA player David Greewood) is a skilled combo-forward who has improved his athleticism and strength………..6’5” Bruno Naylor (Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks CA) will spend a post-grad year next season at Northfield Mt. Herman (Mt. Herman MA)………6’4” Kieran Ramsey will spend his senior year at South Kent prep in Connecticut after attending Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA) since his freshman year………Former Santa Monica HS star 6’6” Jason Deutchman has decided to attend Wisconsin-Milwaukee next year. Deutchman had originally committed to Colorado State but the sharp-shooter changed his mind and will now head to the Mid-West for his college ball…..…Minnesota transfer (and San Diego native) 6’0” Rico Tucker has decided to transfer to Pepperdine. The athletic guard is a terrific defender that should thrive in new Wave coach Vance Walberg’s up-tempo system. Walberg showed he was not done dipping into San Diego’s talent pool when shortly thereafter he nabbed 6’8” rising senior Malcolm Thomas (Crawford/San Diego CA) and 5’10” rising senior Tyler Tucker (Crawford/San Diego CA). The late-blooming Thomas is one of the West Coast’s most improved and intriguing talents. With the Tuckers and Thomas in the fold, could their San Diego buddy and high-scoring wing 6’6” rising senior Tyrone Shelly be the next San Diego Crawford product to pull the Pepperdine trigger?............After spending his freshman year at Verbum Dei (Los Angeles CA) and sitting out last year being home-schooled, 6’10” rising junior Auri Allen has moved to Las Vegas where it appears that he will suit up for Durango HS next school year………..As Sin City gains one huge big guy, it may be losing another as there are credible reports that 6’10” rising senior Melvyn Oliver will transfer to Westchester (Los Angeles CA) after spending his first three years at Cheyenne (North Las Vegas NV)……..Former Long Beach Poly star 6’4” Curtis Allen will transfer from Kansas State to Oral Roberts and will have two years of eligibility starting in the Fall of 2007…………Former Dominguez standout Bryan Harvey will move from Louisville to Fresno State and have 3 years to play beginning in 2007………….The Pro City College Summer League started last weekend at West Los Angeles College in Culver City CA. The most exciting game of the weekend had to be defending champion West Coast Elite being taken down to the wire by BTI/Belmont Shore before hanging on for a 103-100 win. BTI’s Davon Jefferson (USC verbal) was sensational – scoring 36 points in a losing effort while West Coast Elite’s Kevin Bell (Fresno State) was un-guardable off the dribble and 6’5” Jashua Blunt (Delaware State) displayed why he could be a sleeper 2007 NBA draft pick. BTI’s Kyle Spain (San Diego State) also was impressive – exhibiting deep three-point scoring range. BTI’s roster will be fortified in coming weeks as Duke forward 6’7” Jamal Boykin joins this talented squad which also includes 6’4” Ed White (Yale) and 6’5” Gerard Anderson (Saddleback College)…………..After watching 6’9” twin rising sophomores David and Travis Wear (Mater Dei/Santa Ana CA) this month, I cannot recall having seen another player their age and grade that has the same combination of size, skill level and agility as well as the versatility to play both inside and out on the perimeter. With continued hard work and development, the Wears could be among the best players ever produced out of Orange County.
