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Has led Mater Dei squad to a national #1 ranking.
3. Travis Wear 6’10” Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Very agile PF is an excellent slashing scorer with the athleticism to finish above the rim. Like brother Dave, “Trav” has really increased his strength level and this future UNC Tar Heel runs the floor better than most “bigs” in the nation. Travis has been a key factor in Mater Dei’s undefeated season so far this year.
4. Joe Burton 6’8” West Valley (Hemet CA)
Wide-body is a load inside the paint and extremely skilled as well as surprisingly agile. Perhaps the finest passing post on the West Coast, “Big Joe” was sensational at last July’s adidas Super 64 tourney – leading his Compton Magic squad to the championship game. Oregon State signee is attempting to lead his West Valley HS team to back-to-back CIF titles this season.
5. Bak Bak 6’9” Village Christian (Sun Valley CA)
Very improved post is thin but can score in a variety of ways. Cal signee runs the floor well, is active on the boards and is a passionate competitor. Excellent upside due to his versatile offensive skills.
6. Anthony Stover 6’10” Windward (Los Angeles CA)
UCLA
Signee has developed nicely over the past few years. Long reach (7’5” wing span) allows him to be a terrific shotblocker and a real defensive presence. While he has improved his overall offensive skills, Stover is still a defensive-oriented postman.
7. Chris Cunningham 6’8” Diamond Ranch (Diamond Bar CA)
Improved PF works hard to get good position for buckets and boards and has an impressive work ethic. Chris has increased his agility and athleticism. Good student signed with Santa Clara.
8. Kyle Richardson 6’8” Mayfair (Lakewood CA)
Rapidly developing “back-to-the-basket” post has made great strides in his offensive game over the past year. Wide-base allows him to establish and hold his position down low and his soft touch makes him an emerging scorer. Long Beach State signee is an absolute steal for Dan Monson’s 49’ers..
9. Perris Blackwell 6’8” Etiwanda (Etiwanda CA)
Thick-bodied post has good hands and rebounds well. San Francisco signee doesn’t mind grinding it out inside the paint.
10. Alex Osborne 6’8” Pacific Hills (Los Angeles CA)
Long-armed post runs floor well and can finish while driving to the basket. Very good rebounder and defender is the top unsigned SoCal postman not named Sidney. Wyoming, SMU, Boston University, San Diego State, Cal State Northidge and Cal State Bakersfield are among the schools showing interest.
Other 2009 Centers/Post-Forwards To Watch
(in alphabetical order)
* Charles Benton 6’6” Newbury Park (Newbury Park CA)
Strong but undersized post is a rugged rebounder. Good student.
* Ben Claes 6’7” Fullerton (Fullerton CA)
Late-developing big man needs to add weight/strength but has small-school college potential.
* Markeith Cungious 6’6” Lawndale (Lawndale CA)
Undersized but active PF is averaging 17ppg/11 rpg this season.
* Luke Evans 6’7” El Camino (Oceanside CA)
Skilled post has committed to NAIA power Cal Baptist.
* Marcus Farrand 6’7” Sonora (La Habra CA)
Under the radar big has quietly led team to a terrific 21-1 record this season while averaging 17 points and 11 boards. UC-Riverside and Westmont are among the schools showing interest in this excellent student.
* Vincent Finley 6’8” Citrus Hills (Perris CA)
Raw post has the size worth taking a look at.
* Steven Gallian 6’7” Corona Del Mar (Newport Beach CA)
Physical banger can score on the block. Solid student signed early with Maryville University in St. Louis MO (NCAA Division II).
* Julien Griffe 6’8” Dana Hills (Dana Point CA)
French import is a mobile forward that runs floor well. Good student (3.3 GPA) is averaging 8ppg/9 rpg this season.
* Solomon Haina 6’7” Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Very improved power-forward with emerging athleticism is a potential spring sleeper.
* Jessee Hazely 6’7” Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita CA)
Physical power forward attacks the basket with passion and is a force on the boards. Solid student is averaging 14ppg/10ppg this season. Tulane, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Bakersfield are among the schools showing interest.
* Thair Heath 6’8” Dominguez (Compton CA)
Athletic rebounder was out all last summer with an ACL injury and has still not returned to action this season.
* Joseph Henson 6’8” Pasadena (Pasadena CA)
Strong power-forward has a big body and is a improved rebounder and interior scorer. San Jose State signee needs to improve the consistency of his effort.
* Sean Hinkley 6’7” West (Torrance CA)
Skilled PF moves well and is an underrated rebounder.
* Carl Hofman 6’8” Loyola (Los Angeles CA)
Carl is really productive on both ends of the court. Good student is hearing from Seattle University and Occidental.
* Conrad Liebowitz 6’8” Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Interior scorer also has face-up ability. Very good student is averaging 18 ppg/13 rpg this season.
* Austin Loeb 6’8” Brethren Christian (Huntington Beach CA)
Agile big man is a solid rebounder
* Chris Manressa 6’8” Tesoro (Las Flores CA)
Productive post player is aggressive on the block and has good hands in traffic. San Diego signee has played well this season and just missed my Top 10..
* Deandre Medlock 6’9” Clovis West (Fresno CA)
Agile forward runs floor very well for his size but needs to get stronger and add bulk to fulfill his potential. UC-Davis signee is a good student.
* Jules Montgomery 6’9” Chaminade (West Hills CA)
Long Beach State signee has nice range on his face-up jump shot. Long-term future is promising.
* Colin Porter 6’7” Torrey Pines (San Diego CA)
Quality interior scorer and rebounder is averaging 15ppg/7rpg. Very good student.
* Zachary Robbins 6’9” Upland (Upland CA)
Scrappy PF is averaging 15 points/11 boards per game. Very good student is hearing from schools like Utah Valley State and Dixie State.
* David Swartz 6’7” Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach CA)
Physical rebounder and dependable scorer is averaging 16 points/10 boards this season. Montana State, Northern Arizona, Cal State Fullerton, Lamar, Idaho, Cal Poly and UC-Irvine are among schools showing interest.
* DJ Shelton 6’7” East (Bakersfield CA)
Hard-working forward passes from the post well.
* Kelvin Smith 6’6” Price (Los Angeles CA)
Mid-season Fremont (Los Angeles CA) transfer is an athletic slashing scorer. Good student.
* David Washington 6’6” University City (San Diego CA)
Burly rebounder is averaging 14 points and 7 boards this season. Hearing from schools like Northern Arizona, David is a good student.
Photos of Renardo Sidney, Joe Burton and Chris Cunningham by Nick Koza (www.SportsAmp.com).
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