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SoCal High School & Prep News Report

Chaminade Prep's Midnight Madness--(November 16, 1997)

This last Friday night, I went out to Chaminade Prep in West Hills to see for myself what all the fuss is about. Ran into Coach Jeff Young in the parking lot, and he insisted on introducing me to the players in the locker room before they were introduced to the assembled crowd. Really enjoyed meeting them; a great bunch of nice young men, who are reallllly tall; geez did I feel short next to JJ Todd and Scott Borchart. Brian Camacho (former standout point guard at Bell-Jeff and College of the Canyons), who is this year's Chamindae jv coach was also there with his squad (and with his nephew, Romel, one of two upcoming point guards on the ARC 14's traveling team who was busy taping the event); he was very helpful in providing additional background on each of this year's varsity.

Considering there was no football game Friday night, the place was packed. About 1500+ people. And considering the size of this team, I don't think Young was exaggerating when he said he thinks he can go a long way and possibly challenge for a state title. He's still concerned about H-W and Loyola, but he's about the most confident coach I've met in a long while. If this guy doesn't someday end up coaching at the D-I level, I'd be amazed. And I don't think he's just being cocky in his assessment of this team; remember, Chaminade plays in the crowded and very competitive Mission League, with this year's defending State Champions Harvard Westlake, and with other traditionally strong powers such as Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Crespi, and Loyola (alma mater of Toby and Moose Bailey); they are in the same division as University of San Diego High in the Southern Section. Not an easy group.

This team is simply HUGE. And Young has got my nomination for the Emcee of the Year Award. After the usual pre-midnight festivities, including a faculty-student game, a three point contest, and a very funny contest where two young kids had to get dressed in JJ Todd's clothing and shoes at the mid-court, and then dribble up court in his size 20 shoes and make a layup, Young began the introductions of the team, calling them out one at a time.

First out was Scott Borchart, a freshman, who's rated at 6'-7" , but when he was standing next to JJ Todd, who's rated at 6'-10", didn't look much more than an inch shorter. I'd therefore put him at 6'-9", if the measurements on Todd are accurate. Scott Long, (6'-5" Sr. SG/SF) was next, and he's a very thick, very strong looking young man, who's already signed with the Naval Academy. Matt Chirba, (6'-5" Sr SF/PF) was introduced, and then point guard, little 5'-8" Cayce Cook (who's father, Darwin Cook, an ex-NBA and European pro, who put in journeyman time with New Jersey, San Antonio and in Italy, and who's now an assistant coach for Lorenzo Romar at Pepperdine, was also sitting high up in the stands watching). Cayce did this little dance. The rest of the team was then introduced, including back-up point Robby Tanouye,(5'-10" Jr PG), Nick Lawson (5'-10" Jr PG), Ray Rodriguez (6'-0" Sr SG)--who's very quick and agile, Ryan Cichon (6'-2" Sr SG), Chris Canoles (6'-2" Jr SG), Justin Stewart (6'-2" Sr PF)--for whom Young did a fairly special introduction as the only 4 year player in the varsity program, Clarence Mitchell (6'-3" Jr SG), Jeff Stine (6'-3" Sr SG), ASB President Mike Kokorowski (6'-3" Sr F), Josh Levy (6'-4" Jr SG), and last, but not least, new transfer from Camarillo High, Justin Beach (6'-6" Sr SG).

Young was excited, enthusiastic, and charged; and who wouldn't be, with the opportunity to coach this group of athletes.

After the introductions, the team played a short 20 minute scrimmage against some very good alumni players (I wish I'd gotten their names, because they ended up winning. . . but then it was after midnight, the players were pretty much just goofing around and showing off, and they'd also had a full day of classes and looked pretty tired by the end of the show). Anyway, some random impressions of the players.

The first "five" group to play was Chicon, Chirba, Borchart, Cook and Long. Matt Chirba is a wide-body who will be very effective inside and on the boards, and he's very strong. Scott Long has been lifting weights and it's pretty obvious; he's got the most developed body, the largest arms; but he did not look as impressive as he could have; missed a bunch of outside shots, but really crashed the boards well. Borchart is also a very strong, very nice looking player for a freshman; he's got a pretty nice post move, has very quick feet and good hands around the basket. Cayce Cook is very good at straight on fast break penetration, but needs to work a bit on his "Kobe Bryant" high crossover--usually a smallish player like Cayce (who has pretty big feet for a guy only 5'-8" (could he still be on the verge of a growth spurt), is more effective with a lower, quicker crossover, and sure enough, when he did keep the ball low and narrow on the cross, he faked his defenders out of their shorts.

The second five to play was Kokorowski, Stine, Todd, Mitchell, and Robby Tanouye. First, anyone who says that JJ Todd can't run or dunk with those big size 20 feet is insane. The young man is going to be awfully tough to guard this year, particularly in the post; and he can also shoot from outside; he had an excellent reverse layup, and blocked a bunch of shots. While this was not a real game, he was very athletic for such a big guy. Mitchell is a very thin, agile player, who has a verrrry nice, verrrrry smooth J. He likes to play the perimeter, but can also be a rebounder and shot blocker. Personally, I like Tanouye's style of playing point more than Cayce's, at least from what I saw, but again, this was not a real game, and Cayce is a very capable player at the point--it's just a personal thing. Robby pushes the ball very well, but doesn't look for the penetration in the same way that Cook does; he seems like more of a pure point (pass first) type of player. Stine is a smooth, but somewhat thin shooter, who played very nice defense, and has great feet. Kokorowski at first had difficulty finding a rythym, but as soon as he did, he was very effective both offensively and defensively. He's also pretty thin for his height, but has a nice J, and looks like he might play tenacious defense if he really wanted to.

The third group of five to play was Levy/Canoles, Lawson, Rodriguez, Stewart and Beach. The combination of Stewart and Beach should be very effective if they're ever in at the same time. Stewart is a strong looking guy, who penetrated well, although frankly during this little scrimmage, he looked like he'd rather be elsewhere during the game. Again, remind yourself, this was not a real game. Stewart's clearly got all the skills, is a very nice fundamental player, and will be very effective at the swing position this year. Beach will be a major addition to this team. He's got nice hops, a nice J, plays great defense, and in short, I really like his style of play. Rodriguez too is more of a defensive type of guy, and he clearly likes to get inside and mix it up. Levy and Canoles also played pretty well, and they both have great quickness and very nice looking shots, although Levy looks to be a bit better on the dribble, while Canoles is the better rebounder.

The last five looked like the "starters", but then in a scrimmage, it was a bit hard to continue paying attention. It was nice though to see Todd, Scott Long, Justin Beach, Cayce Cook and Borchart play together, if only briefly.

All in all, if Chaminade starts any three of the "big guys" at the same time, they're going to be awfully tough to defend against. See for yourself. Here's the season schedule:

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