SoCalHoops High School News

Eric Sondheimer Should
Get Out More Often. . . Really--(Nov. 28, 1998)

We generally like LA Times correspondent Eric Sondheimer's human interest pieces, and he occasionally comes up with some stuff that no one else has found out about.  But we've got some small advice for Sondheimer this year:  Get out more often.  Really.

When it comes to actually getting accurate information on players, teams or leagues, Sondheimer is not bad, but he's also  got more than a few blind spots, and has some preconceived notions about which are the "important" leagues and "important" players, which sometimes does not serve the interests of the readers in the Times coverage area.    We asked him recently at a UCLA game (his brother works for the Bruins in Media Relations) why he didn't spend more ink and more time getting out to see games in all the leagues in the Valley, covering teams from leagues besides the Mission, teams like Campbell Hall (Delphic League),   Montclair Prep (Delphic),   Buckley (Liberty), Milken (Westside), Holy Martyrs (Liberty), Crespi (Mission) Providence (Liberty), Bell-Jeff  (Santa Fe), Monroe, Poly, Kennedy, or other City section teams who don't get covered.  Many of these teams are known to have good players, and play in very competitive, albeit smaller leagues (heck, most of the teams in Mission League are only in D-III or D-IV, and you can't get much smaller except for D-V). The answer Sondheimer gave us was candid, but also pretty surprising:  "Why should I?" he said "When was the last time any of these schools besides Montclair, Campbell Hall, or maybe Crespi, had any really good results?"   Ok, so they haven't won state championships; well, Montclair has, but that was several years ago, and we're now two teams away from Harvard-Westlake's last really successful team, and there's more to life than just the Mission League.   

And after reading his article yesterday in the Times, a column devoted to a sort of peripatetic view of the best players, the top teams, and the "toughest league" at least according to Eric (he picked the Mission, we might have said the Foothill or possibly the East Valley League in City Section), we would once again recommend that he actually get out and see the players and games he's writing about.

We don't mean to slam Sondheimer, but when a reporter makes the kind of obvious errors he made with some pretty high profile players, it's fairly obvious to us at least that he's not really watching the guys he's writing about.   Which is not all bad, as long as he gets good info. We were pretty surprised to see that he had listed players as playing positions they've never really played, and others "moving" to positions they've played all last year and throughout the summer at the camps, on traveling teams, and tournments.  Really, Eric should get out just a bit more often and actually see the guys he's writing about. Or at least read SoCalHoops more often, especially when it comes to writing about Valley region players. :-). 

We certainly have no complaint with the fact that he's writing about players who deserve to be written about, but he's overlooked lots of guys who also deserve attention, and in a couple of cases, the information he's printed is just flat-out wrong.  For example, here's one of his statements from yesterday about Gilbert Arenas (6'-4" Sr. SG):

"Another strong position is shooting guard, where the region's No. 1 player, Gilbert Arenas of Grant, is ready to improve his 29.8 scoring average from last season. At 6-4 and possessing quickness, explosiveness and exceptional instincts, Arenas can take over a game and excite spectators with spectacular moves. He's only 16 and has signed with Arizona. He fears no one and looks forward to testing himself against top opponents. 

"Coach Howard Levine of Grant is moving Arenas from point guard to a wing, which should allow him to create more scoring and passing opportunities."

Ok, we will also admit to having previously listed Gilbert as a "point guard" back when we wrote our original preview of Grant more than a year ago, in October of 1997.  But a lot of water has gone over the dam since then, including the entire 1997-98 season and the entire summer during which Gilbert played shooting guard for every team he's played on, including Pump & Run I, the Sylmar summer league team in the War on the Floor, and his own Grant High team throughout the entire last season and during the early summer.    Gilbert is a shooting guard who could be a point if he thought like one, but he doesn't.   Gil has been playing wing for as long as we've been watching him at the varsity level, and he'll stay there this year, and will play the two when he gets to Arizona.

Here's another one from Sondheimer's article that's just screaming for correction, and this is a double whammy, where he only really got two out of four correct:

There are plenty of shooting guards prepared to challenge Arenas for scoring honors. Russell Lakey of Harvard-Westlake averaged 22.4 points as a sophomore and Kent Dennis of Cleveland averaged 20.4 points as a junior.   Devin Montgomery of Alemany transferred from San Fernando and could help the Indians go from winless in Mission League play to one of the league's top three teams.   Branduinn Fullove of Simi Valley is a three-point threat who can shut down players with his relentless defense.

We've got news for Eric:  Russell Lakey (6'-0" Jr. PG) is not a shooting guard, but is one of the regions top point guards.  He was the backup point guard for the LA Rockfish I team this summer behind Shantay Legans (5'-10" Sr. PG) from Goleta Dos Pueblos (who has signed to play at Cal)  and after Harvard-Westlake's Victor Munoz (McDonald's All-American nominee) went down last December with a torn ACL, ending his high school career, Russell stepped in and played the point all season.  The fact that he also managed to score 22.4 points is nice, but it doesn't make him a shooting guard.  In fact, if Eric had seen Russell anytime this summer, he'd see that Russell's points have come mostly off of penetration dribble drives, and while he can create his own shot off the dribble, he's very effective at penetration, something which most shooting guards don't do.  He runs the floor, manages the offense, and controls the break. Nope, he's a point, not a shooting guard.

Likewise, Devin Montgomery (5'-10" Sr. PG) who transferred from San Fernando along with his coach Darryl McDonald and a bunch of other guys from San Fernando, is a point guard, not a shooting guard.    Ok, we'll go along with Kent Dennis (6'-3" Sr. SG) and Branduinn Fullove (6'-5" Jr. SG) being listed as shooters, but Branduinn is probably a better small forward than he is a shooting guard, at least in our opinion, even if he does have a great outside shot.

And there's more:

"At point guard, if you want to see fierce competition, check out the Frontier League, where B.J. Ward of Santa Clara will take on Michael Goldman of Calabasas.  Ward is coming off a season in which he averaged 19.3 points and has signed with Santa Barbara.  Goldman is the new kid who earned impressive reviews last summer. Academically ineligible for much of his junior season, Goldman will team with senior Spencer Hariton to form one of the region's best backcourts."

We agree that BJ is one of the best point guards in the region, and Michael Goldman might have been but we have heard an unconfirmed report that Goldman severely injured his tailbone and may have compressed a disc in the process, and may once again be doubtful to play this season.  Harriton, who played for the LA Maccabi basketball team in Seattle in 1997, missed most of last year with a broken ankle, but he's reportedly healthy now.

Sondheimer also mentioned some other guys, and we can't argue with him on these for the most part, except again to note that Cody Pearson (6'-2" So. PG/SG) is probably more of a shooting guard than he is a true point:

"Cayce Cook of Chaminade figures to become more offensive minded, but his ball handling and court leadership give the Eagles a valuable weapon as they defend their Mission League title.  T.K. Reed of Sylmar has been toughened by a season of football.  Cody Pearson of Notre Dame, only a sophomore, has the physical makeup to become a big-time college prospect. "

Sondheimer forgot to mention a couple of players, all point guards,  who we think are worthy of note and who all have the potential to be all-league, including Rahnell Johnson (5'-10" Sr. PG) from North Hollywood, Brandon Jacobs (5'-10" Sr. PG) from Sylmar, Adam Pastor of (6'-1" Jr. PG) Buckley,   Robert Palofax (5'-10" Jr. PG) from Monroe, or Pat Cassella (5'-10" Jr. PG) from Crespi, or Ruben Sanchez (5'-11" Jr. PG) from Chaminade. 

And among newcomers at the point position, Sondheimer overlooked several of the region's best players, including Allan Ellis (5'-9" Fr. PG) from Crespi, Matt Llewellyn (6'-0" Fr. PG/SG) from Loyola (also in the Mission League), David Gale (5'-10" Fr. PG) from Buckley (10 points, 4 assists and 6 steals in his first varsity scrimmage last week), and Will Sheslow (6'-1" Fr. PG/SG) from Montclair Prep. 

Of course, Sondheimer also focused on two of his favorite players, J.J. Todd and Scott Borchart, two big men from Chaminade.  J.J. is vastly improved, a great young man,  and has signed to play with UCSB next year, while Borchart at 6'-9" is just a junior, but one of the most highly skilled guys in his class; perhaps not as skilled as Apolinar Fernandez (6'-10" So. F) from Artesia, but he's still about the most skilled big man in the Valley region.  Here's what Sondheimer had to say:

"When you're 6 feet 9 and wear size 15 shoes, that's pretty big. So how come sophomore Scott Borchart feels small standing next to senior teammate J.J. Todd?  Todd is 6-11 with size 20 shoes in which a baby could sleep.   "If they got any bigger, it would be crazy," Todd said of his feet.   If size does matter, Chaminade High is the team to beat in boys' basketball with its version of the twin towers.  "I don't think many teams are going to be able to guard both of us," Todd said. 

"College scouts are paying close attention to Borchart, 15, the region's top freshman last season when he averaged 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in helping Chaminade win the Southern Section Division III-A championship.  Two inches taller and 15 pounds heavier, Borchart is on target to become an elite college prospect, with the likes of UCLA, Arizona and Stanford expected to pursue him in two years.   The only question about Borchart is his health. He had knee surgery during the summer for torn cartilage, then had a cyst removed from the same knee in the fall. He was so eager to return that he was shooting baskets while on crutches.

"Todd rarely played last season, but improved greatly during the summer and UC Santa Barbara signed him this month.  "I played at least 50 games this summer," Todd said. "I'm doing things now I've never been able to do. I catch the ball and instead of hesitating, I make a strong move right away. I'm not afraid to shoot it." 

Sondheimer also noted that there are several "big men" in the Valley region this year, and even though he says there's no one in "the mold of Jason Collins", there are several guys who have already signed with D-I schools, including Raphael Berumen (6'-9" Sr. PF/C) from Simi Valley who has signed with New Mexico, Chris Williams (6'-8" Sr. F) from Notre Dame, who has signed with UMKC,  Eric Rowher (6'-9" Sr. F/C) from Burbank who has signed with San Diego State and Tony Mayes (6'-8" ?? F) from Littlerock High School. While he mentions Dan Kinzer (6'-8" Sr. F) from Harvard-Westlake in a related article he doesn't mention him in the same breath as these other guys, and in our opinion, Dan is still learning, but he's just as talented as some, and will probably go Ivy League next year. 

Here's Sondheimers list of "Players to Watch" from the Valley Region, and his comments on each:

POINT GUARDS

NAME HT. YR. SCHOOL COMMENT
B.J. Ward 6-1 Sr. Santa Clara Terrific court leader
Cayce Cook 5-9 Sr. Chaminade Best in the Mission League
Michael Goldman 6-2 Sr. Calabasas Capable of breakout season
T.K. Reed 6-1 Sr. Sylmar Toughened up by playing football
Cody Pearson 6-2 So. Notre Dame Has plenty of potential
Aaron Bobik 6-2 So. Newbury Park Watch how good he becomes
Frank Reed 6-0 So. Burbank Knows how to pass the ball

SHOOTING GUARDS

Gilbert Arenas 6-4 Sr. Grant--simply the best
Devin Montgomery 6-0 Sr. Alemany--Strikes fear in Mission coaches
Kent Dennis 6-3 Sr. Cleveland--can dominate a game
Nick Jones 6-4 Sr. Santa Clara--He's healthy, so beware
Russell Lakey 6-0 Jr. Harvard-Westlake--Averaged 22.4 ppg as a sophomore (Eric--he's a point guard)
Branduinn Fullove 6-5 Jr. Simi Valley--Plays tough defense
Jeff Staniland 6-1 Sr. Ventura--Averaged 21 ppg as a junior
Dwight Sattiewhite 6-0 Sr. Channel Islands--capable of scoring in bunches
Raja Boykins 6-2 Sr. Taft--won't be afraid to shoot
Brian Bobik 6-2 Sr. Newbury Park--stronger, bigger, better
Spencer Hariton 5-11 Sr. Calabasas--bombs away from three-point range
Brady Chelette 6-2 Sr. Quartz Hill--shoots from long range

FORWARDS

Scott Borchart 6-9 So. Chaminade--headed for elite status
Jeremiah Turner 6-5 Sr. Sylmar-- averaged 11.2 ppg
Brett Michel 6-6 Jr. Simi Valley--third year starter
Eskias McDaniels 6-6 Sr. Valencia--excellent rebounder
George Wrighster 6-5 Sr. Sylmar--nobody pushes him around
Zareh Avedian 6-5 Sr. Hoover-- average 32 ppg this summer
Richard Harrison 6-5 Sr. Chatsworth--much improved power forward
Everett Bryson 6-4 Sr. Canyon--blocks shots, rebounds with the best
Kevin Krose 6-5 Sr. Burroughs--can be Foothill League standout
Anthony Lavelle 6-2 Sr. St. Francis--underrated Mission League player
Jammie Harris 6-6 Jr. Canoga Park--had 41 blocked shots last year
Justin Saad-Anthony 6-5 Jr. El Camino Real--can be best in North Valley League
Jessie Foster 6-7 Jr. Campbell Hall--thin as a toothpick but can shoot

CENTERS

Rafael Berumen 6-9 Sr. Simi Valley--ready to return to sophomore form
Chris Williams 6-8 Sr. Notre Dame--can become offensive force
J.J. Todd 6-11 Sr. Chaminade--Key to Eagles' Mission title run
Joey Youman 6-8 Sr. Sylmar--can cause hovoc in the middle
Eric Rohwer 6-9 Sr. Burbank--signed with San Diego State
Tony Mayes 6-8 Sr. Littlerock--Can be Golden League MVP
Kelly Weldon 6-8 Sr. Hart--Has worked hard in off-season
Dan Kinzer 6-7 Sr. Harvard-Westlake-- Ex-water polo player learning game

Finally, Sondheimer also offered his views on some of the teams and players, as a sort of summary, kind of in free form fashion, dividing them into "The Proven", "The Promising" and nominating the "Toughest League" in the region. Her's what he had to say:  

"THE PROVEN:

"The absence of an experienced point guard left Simi Valley vulnerable to defeat against top competition
last season. It's up to sophomore Shaun Michel to correct that. If Michel can handle the expected full-court presses and get the ball to Rafael Berumen, Branduinn Fullove and brother, Brett Michel, the Pioneers will flourish.

"Chaminade is capable of defending its Division III-A title. Crucial to the Eagles' chances is developing outside shooters to go along with their inside strength. Sophomore Ryan Arceo, the leading scorer on the junior varsity, is the player to watch.

"Harvard-Westlake has a chance to challenge Chaminade for the Mission League title because it finally has a post player to team with Alex Holmes. Dan Kinzer, a 6-7 former water polo player, made major progress in summer play. If Russell Lakey keeps improving and Holmes and Kinzer deliver, look out.

"Sylmar is clearly the best local City Section team. The Spartans won the 3-A title and their starting five returns. Whether they can compete against 4-A teams will be determined by how 6-8 Joey Youman plays in the post.

Boy, talk about really skipping over the top of this one, the water is not too deep here.  Simi is good, but whether they will be able to beat Newbury Park this year, which came out of nowhere to defeat them twice is still an open question, since Newbury also returns Brian Polen (6'-4" Sr. F), Brian Bobik and the youngest of the three Bobiks.  And even if Simi can get out of Marmonte League and deep in the playoffs, they'll have to be a lot tougher this season to survive against teams like Artesia, Long Beach Poly and others in I-AA. 

"THE PROMISING:

"Santa Clara is the only team in the region with two players signed by colleges, guards B.J. Ward and Nick Jones, both headed to UC Santa Barbara. The Saints will be trying to win their 15th section title for Coach Lou Cvijanovich, who is in his 41st season. They're favored in Division V-AA.

"Valencia returns 6-6 Eskias McDaniels, 6-4 Manuel White, point guard Royce Minor and guard Mark Sison, who made 127 consecutive free throws. James Morris and Adam Levitt, first-year coaches at Cleveland, have a team with quickness.

"Guards Kent Dennis and Kenny Mason and forwards Brian Smith and Larry Knox figure to lead the Cavaliers to the West Valley League title. Alemany could be the region's most intriguing team.

"The Indians were 0-12 in Mission play last season, but the hiring of Coach Darryl McDonald resulted in four transfers coming to the Mission Hills campus. Three are from San Fernando--All-City guard Devin Montgomery, forward Reggie Kinlaw and guard Bryson Atkins. Guard Byron Joseph checked in from Village Christian.

"Grant has the region's No. 1 player, guard Gilbert Arenas. He'll bring out fans by himself. But the Lancers could surprise people if 6-5 Krishna Evans and guard Daniel Tarr provide support for Arenas. "

TOUGHEST LEAGUE:

Mission. It's easier winning the lottery than predicting the one through seven finishers in this league. Chaminade is favored, but Harvard-Westlake, Crespi, Notre Dame, Alemany, St. Francis and Loyola all have title aspirations.

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