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Miller makes the step up
© East County Sports.com
SAN FRANCISCO (12-7-10) — It's not often a true
freshman can step into a college starting line-up, yet
former West Hills High standout SHERIKA
MILLER is doing well in such a role for San Francisco
State.
Miller, a 5-foot-11 forward, has demonstrated improvement
in all five of her starts for the Gators, including
Saturday's (Dec. 4) contest with UC San Diego. Miller
collected a season-high 9 points plus 4 rebounds, although
they fell to the visiting Tritons, 66-52, at Main Gymnasium.
“UCSD showed that they are a quality team,”
said SFSU head coach Joaquin Wallace. “We were
able to rebound the ball well tonight, but we still
need to learn and grow from this game as we prepare
for our upcoming opponents.”
Miller ranked third on the Gators (1-4, 1-2 CCAC) in
rebounding. And when her scoring increases, the ballclub
expects to make gains in the victory column.
“Sherika is very athletic, an extremely coachable
player that can play multiple positions," added
the coach. "Sherika will play a significant role
in our success this season and in the next four years.”
Miller captured a pair of CIF San Diego Section championships
with the Wolf Pack, earning a second-team berth on the
All-Section team (media) as a senior, was selected to
the Grossmont Hills all-league team as well as the East
County Sports.com team. She posted an 11.5 scoring
average last season, the third-best mark in the Grossmont
Hills League.
Neal makes strides for Fullerton
© East County Sports.com
ALCALA PARK (11-25-10) — Cal State Fullerton freshman
YVONTE
NEAL, the reigning East County player of the year
out of Mount Miguel High, came off the bench to score
five points and grab three rebounds, but the Titans
fell to host University of San Diego, 71-60, Wednesday
(Nov. 24) at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Neal, a pure freshman, hit 2-for-4 from the field,
while two of her boards were on the offensive glass
in her 12 minutes on the court. Otherwise, the Toreros
(3-1) held a 44-24 advantage in points in the paint
to gain the triumph.
With the loss, Fullerton (3-2) saw its 3-game winning
streak snapped.
USD was led by Dominique Conners, who scored 22 points,
while Nya Mason (14 points, 10 boards) and Sam Child
(21 points, 11 boards) each registered double-doubles.
Last season at Mount Miguel, Neal was named to All-CIF
San Diego Section First Team (media) and Division III
First Team (coaches), as well as one of 20 players on
the CalHiSports State All-Division III Team. Her college
choices included USD, Fresno State, Cal State Bakersfield
and Nebraska before selecting Fullerton.
Naderhoff enjoying next step at CSUB
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (11-18-10) — MARILYN
NADERHOFF hasn't been on a court for several weeks,
yet that hasn't taken anything from her experience with
Cal State Bakersfield women's basketball team, which visited
Viejas Arena on Wednesday (Nov. 17) night and took out
San Diego State, 73-62.
"They just allowed me on the court for warm-ups tonight,"
said Naderhoff, the former All-CIF standout for West Hills
High. "I've been going through 'Valley Fever' and
pneumonia."
While no explanation was forthcoming on what exactly is
her "Valley Fever" syndrome, there was plenty
of good reasons why the Roadrunners are off to a 3-0 start
in its first season of postseason eligibility as an NCAA
Division I program.
"Actually, Marilyn and her family deserve a lot of
credit," noted head coach Tim LaKose. "They
hosted our whole team and staff for dinner, which really
energized us and got us ready to play San Diego State."
The Roadrunners feature a pair of seniors among their
starting guards in Breana Fields and Britney McGee, so
Naderhoff may opt to red-shirt should her illness continue
to sideline her. Either way, the door will be wide open
to take over as operator of the CSUB offense in 2011-12.
"Bre and Brit have been great to me, helping with
the transition from high school to college," noted
Naderhoff. "They've really made me feel welcome here."
Of course, Naderhoff enjoyed her own success at West Hills,
including a pair of San Diego CIF championships.
"The first one was the most special, when we beat
(top-ranked) Mount Miguel," she recalled. "That
one will always stick out."
Bakersfield also runs a high-intensity defensive scheme
similar to the Wolf Pack's.
"The systems are very similar, which has made the
transition easier.”
Naderhoff is majoring in chemistry (with a minor in biology)
to her pursuit to become a high school chemistry teacher,
work in a crime lab or be a researcher after graduation.
Among her other college choices was Portland, a West Coast
Conference rival of University of San Diego, yet "Bakersfield
was the first to make an offer, so after my mom and I
sat down and talked, we thought they were the best."
Naderhoff was a two-time All-CIF San Diego Section first
team selection by the San Diego Hall of Champions media
panel. She was also East County’s top shooter from
the field (110-for-212, .519 pct.) as a senior. Despite
not playing against the Aztecs, Naderhoff was supported
by about two dozen friends and family members, each wearing
"Marilyn No. 22" shirts.
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Former Christian High standout
Vander Joaquim (50)
led College of Eastern Utah to a third-place finish
at the NJCAA national basketball championships.
(Courtesy, College of Eastern Utah)
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Roadtrip continues for former Patriots center Joaquim
Accepts scholarship to University of Hawai'i
© East County Sports.com
HONOLULU (9-27-10) — The worldwide tour by former
Christian High standout VANDER JOAQUIM just gained a new
destination.
The native of Luanda, Angola, will play for his fourth
school in five seasons after coming to America, accepting
an NCAA Division I scholarship at the University of Hawai'i.
After the 6-foot-10, 240-pound center participated in
the Lusophony Games as a member of the Angolan National
Team in 2006, the then 16-year old was selected to the
Basketball Without Borders Africa camp in 2006 and ’07,
in which the top 100 players from 28 countries on the
continent were selected to participate by FIBA and the
NBA.
Joaquim came to Christian that fall for one season with
the Patriots, then transferred to Mountain State Academy
in Huntington, W.Va., where he signed with the University
of Nebraska in November 2009.
However, he never played for the Cornhuskers, instead
playing for College of Eastern Utah (Price, Utah) as a
freshman, leading the Golden Eagles to a 27-10 record
and a third-place finish at the NJCAA nationals.
Joaquim will have three years to play three seasons for
the Rainbows.
Said Hawai'i coach Gib Arnold, "Joaquim has great
length and skill. I really like his versatility. He’s
one of those guys that can score in the low post as well
as hit the open 3-pointer. He’s a hard worker and
great kid. I’m really looking forward to working
with him.”
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Christina Rios
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FINAL
Puget Sound 54 Redlands 42
STORY
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Rios, Redlands claim SCIAC crown,
land first-ever NCAA Division III bid
Face No. 13 Puget Sound in Friday's Far West opener
© East County Sports.com
NEWBERG, Ore. (3-5-10) — The University of Redlands
women’s basketball team
takes on No. 13 University of Puget Sound (Wash.) on
Friday (Mar. 5) at George Fox University in the
Bulldogs' first-ever NCAA appearance.
Sharing in that inaugural NCAA Division III playoff
debut is former Grossmont High guard CHRISTINA
RIOS, currently a sophomore backcourt point guard
standout at Redlands.
Defense is the speedy Rios’ strong suit. The 5-foot-3
sophomore played a key role for the Bulldogs (22-5)
who ranked No. 18 on the WBCA (Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll.
The Bulldogs earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships
with Saturday’s (Feb. 28) 55-54 overtime win against
Occidental College in the Southern California Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament final.
Earlier this season, Redlands tied Occidental for the
conference championship, garnering a 12-2 SCIAC record.
Williams leaves SDSU women’s basketball team
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (12-12-09) – JERICA WILLIAMS, a three-time
All-East County pick, and San Diego State junior guard,
has decided to leave the SDSU women’s basketball
team. A 2006 Mount Miguel graduate, Williams played
in eight games as a reserve this season for the Aztecs,
averaging 3.5 points per contest.
“This was a very hard decision, but I knew it
was one I had to make, because my heart isn’t in
basketball anymore,” Williams said. “I want
to thank coach (Beth) Burns, the rest of the coaching
staff, and my teammates for allowing me to represent
San Diego State.”
The San Diego native played one year at UCLA, before
transferring to SDSU in 2007. She appeared in 31 contests
as a redshirt sophomore last season.
“We value Jerica as not only a good person, but
a good player and a good teammate,” Aztecs head
coach Beth Burns said. “We respect her decision
and wish her nothing but the best in the future and
appreciate all that Jerica and her family have given
to San Diego State.”
Williams’ high school coach ROBBIE SANDOVAL seemed
to be surprised but would not admit it.
“She said she wasn’t having any fun anymore
and her goal right now is to finish school and get her
degree,” Sandoval said.
Williams is ticketed to graduate in May.
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Precious
Robinson
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Robinson, OSU on verge of Top 25 ranking
© East County Sports.com
FREEPORT, The Bahamas (12-01-09) — The first two
weeks of the season proved former Mount Miguel High
standout PRECIOUS
ROBINSON earned her starting role for Oklahoma State.
However, the Cowgirls are still a few steps away from
competing for the NCAA championship.
OSU (5-2) is off to a nice start following a pair of
tournament appearances, but both times they fell in
the title game.
First was a 93-72 setback to third-ranked Ohio State
in the final of the Women's NIT on Nov. 22. The Cowgirls
then rebounded to reach the final of the Junkanoo Jam
on Grand Bahama Island, only to fall to No. 25 Michigan
State, 93-90 in double overtime, this past Saturday
(Nov. 28).
Robinson was asked to serve in a defensive role against
the Buckeyes, successfully defending their top scorer.
But against the Spartans, she was allowed to shoot more,
going 3-for-5 from the field to finish with 8 points
and 7 rebounds. It was Robinson's most prolific overall
game of the young season after recording a season-high
14 points against Georgia Tech. then posting 6 points
and 8 rebounds in a nice road win at New Mexico.
Despite Oklahoma State 's losses, Cowgirls teammate
Andrea Riley was tabbed Big 12 Conference player of
the week for Nov. 23-29. Meanwhile, Robinson is turning
some eyes after transferring to Stillwater, Okla., after
leading Central Arizona College to a perfect 35-0 record
and the NJCAA national title last season.
"Precious is a tremendous athlete that can play
either forward position," said OSU head coach Kurt
Budke. "She has 60-plus games under her belt with
a team that won a national championship this season."
"We have had great success with players from Central
Arizona because they come in well disciplined and ready
to play immediately."
Robinson was a first-team All-America selection for
Central Arizona. Previously, she was a first-team All-CIF
San Diego Section and All-East County selection for
the Lady Matadors when they won their seventh consecutive
Grossmont South League title in 2006-07.
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Franey keys Gauchos past USD
Courtesy, UCSB Media Relations
ALCALA PARK (11-30-09) — Former Santana High
standout JORDAN
FRANEY made keys plays at the end of each
half Sunday (Nov. 29) afternoon, while UCSB teammate
Emilie Johnson poured in a career-high 29 points,
powering the visiting Gauchos
past USD, 76-65, at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Franey, a senior, was the focal point on a rare
5-point play down the stretch to help the Gauchos
win for the first time in five starts. The Toreros
fell to 3-4.
With the game tied at 56-all with 3:14 left in
the game, Johnson nailed a long 3-pointer as Franey
was fouled while setting a screen to free up Johnson.
The basket counted, then Franey sank both free
throws as UCSB then knocked down 10 consecutive
free throws in the final minutes for the victory.
"It's kind of telling we talked about doing
the things that makes winning basketball teams
and one of those things is screening,"said
UCSB head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. "Jordan
set a great screen and Emilie calmly knocked down
the three and Jordan sometimes likes being on
the floor as much as making baskets."
Earlier, Franey's buzzer-beater from 19 feet
allowed the Gauchos to take a 37-34 halftime lead.
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Franey named candidate for CLASS Award
UCSB visits USD on Sunday
Courtesy, UCSB Media Relations
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Jordan Franey
|
GOLETA (11-12-09) — UC Santa Barbara women's basketball
player and former Santana High standout JORDAN
FRANEY has been selected as one of just 30 candidates
nationwide for the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
The winner is selected based on a combination of four
areas of excellence - classroom, character, community
and competition; the CLASS acronym stands for Celebrating
Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School.
The list of candidates will be narrowed to 10 in late
January and the winner of the award will be announced
at the 2010 NCAA Women's Final Four in San Antonio,
Texas, in April.
Franey was one of just two players from the Big West
to be selected as one of the 30 candidates and one of
just eight players from the West Coast.
Franey, a 6-foot guard/forward was an All-Big West
Honorable Mention pick last season and is the Gauchos'
leading returner in points and rebounds and was selected
as a candidate as much for her work on the court as
in the classroom and community.
In her time at UCSB, Franey has carried a 3.38 overall
grade point average while working on a major in history
and a minor in athletic coaching. She has made quarterly
Dean's Honors in her time at the school. Helping around
the Santa Barbara and Goleta communities, Franey has
been an instructor for the YMCA Winter Basketball Clinic,
worked in the springtime at the Family Service Agency's
Children's Festival and has been part of the team's
Adopt-a-Highway project on Highway 217 leading into
campus.
The Big West Freshman of the Year in 2006, Franey can
become the 23rd Gaucho to reach the 1,000-point plateau
this season and in her three-year career at UCSB has
not missed a game.
The Gauchos will travel to San Diego on Sunday (Nov.
29) for a game against the USD Toreros at Jenny Craig
Pavilion. Game time is 2 p.m.
Robinson scores major scholarship from OK State
© East County Sports.com
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Precious Robinson
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SAN DIEGO (7-1-09) – Two more graduates of coach
ROB SANDOVAL’s highly successful Mount Miguel High
girls basketball program have bounced into the NCAA Division
I level after two sparkling seasons at the junior college
level.
PRECIOUS ROBINSON, a 6-foot National Junior College
Athletic Association All-American out of Central Arizona
JC, has accepted a basketball scholarship to Big 12
power Oklahoma
State University. Robinson will get a quick start
to the 2009-10 season, as the Cowgirls were one of 16
teams to play in the women's preseason NIT.
"Precious is a tremendous athlete that can play
either forward position," Oklahoma State’s
Kurt Budke says. "She has 60-plus games under her
belt with a team that won a national championship this
season."
Meanwhile, MARNESHA HALL, a 6-foot front line flash,
will attend San Jose State of the Western Athletic Conference
in the fall.
Robinson, one of nine recruits by the Cowgirls, averaged
17 points and 10.5 rebounds per game – both team
highs – for Central Arizona, which captured the
NJCAA women’s basketball title with a perfect 35-0
mark a year ago.
“I’m excited to be joining a team that plays
in one of the toughest conferences in the country,”
Robinson said.
Recruited by dozens of schools throughout the country,
Robinson said she narrowed her choices to Rutgers, USD
and Oklahoma State.
“I don’t know why exactly, but I guess the
two pluses Oklahoma State had over all the others was
the great coaches and playing in the Big 12,” said
Robinson, who hopes to eventually take her game overseas.
Hall, meanwhile, led Chipola (Fla.) JC to a third-place
finish in the 2008-09 NJCAA national tournament behind
Robinson’s champion Central Arizona, which finished
69-1 during her two-year stay.
“We saw Precious’ team play and they were
awfully good,” Hall said.
Led by Hall, Chipola captured the Florida community
collegestate championship.
“Marnesha has lost a lot of weight and has become
a real force inside,” Sandoval said. “You
have to like her upside. She is a nice fit at San Jose
State.”
Hall turned down offers from East Tennessee State and
Morgan State among others.
“They have a lot of new players, but they told
me they brought me in to play right away and that is
what I expect to do,” said Hall. “Whatever
they have in mind, I’m ready.”
This championship is Precious
© East County Sports.com
SALINA, Kan. (3-24-09) — Former Mount Miguel standout
PRECIOUS
ROBINSON helped lead Central Arizona College to
a 35-0 record and the National Junior College Athletic
Association's Division I women’s basketball championship.
The Vaqueras defeated Jefferson College of Hillsboro,
Mo., 78-71 on Saturday (Mar. 21) in the championship
game.
Robinson, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, scored 19 points and
grabbed 13 rebounds against Jefferson, which suffered
its first loss in 35 decisions.
It was the fourth NJCAA national championship for Central
Arizona of Coolidge, which defeated Middle Georgia 83-66,
Shelton State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) 78-58, and Kaskaskia
(Centralia, Ill.), 89-54.
Robinson averaged 15 points and 11.2 rebounds in the
championship tournament.
Leasau gains Houston Baptist scholarship
© East County Sports.com
HOUSTON (5-9-09) — Helix High graduate MELE LEASAU,
who ranked among the East County scoring leaders as
a senior during the 2006-07 basketball season, has accepted
a scholarship to play for Houston Baptist University.
The Huskies gained NCAA Division I status two years
ago.
Leasau, a 6-0 forward, had played the last two seasons
for Midland College, a two-year school located in Midland,
Texas. With the Lady Chaps, Leasau helped the school
to a 30-2 record, ranked among the top five teams nationally
in the NJCAA. She averaged 5.1 points and 4.0 rebounds
per game as a key reserve.
Leasau also received interest from Cleveland State
and Lubbock Christian, but settled for Houston Baptist
immediately following her on-campus visit.
"I had a lot of doubts about the school before
visiting. But then I just said. 'Maybe I'll take a visit
there to see how it is,' and when I went out there everything
felt right," said Leasau. "The coaches were
really welcoming and honest, and the girls there were
very welcoming. I played with them and there was good
chemistry."
Leasau noted because the Huskies' lost four of their
post players, head coach Todd Buchanan is counting on
her to provide solid leadership and experience next
season. Houston Baptist went 8-20 this past season.
Nasser, Broncos fall to record-setting Findlay
© East County Sports.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (3-29-09) — The dream run for
former Cuyamaca College basketball standout DAHIR NASSER
and his West Regional champion Cal Poly Pomona Broncos
is over. But if you're going to lose, you might as well
do so in memorable fashion.
Findlay University of Ohio became just the fourth team
to finish undefeated since the NCAA Division II tournament
began in 1957 after Tyler Evans hit a long 3-point shot
at the buzzer to claim the crown, 56-53 in overtime.
The Oilers finish with a perfect 36-0 slate.
For Evans, a senior reserve guard, it was his only
basket on the afternoon, televised nationally on CBS
from MassMutual Center.
Cal Poly Pomona (25-8) was trying to become the first
unranked team to win the tournament since North Alabama
in 1979. The Broncos overcame a 14-point deficit in the
second half, and led 41-40 when Larry Gordon (17 points)
hit a 3-pointer with 5:30 left in regulation, capping
a 19-4 run.
Nasser, who moved up the ranks to become a starting
guard late in the season, played 32 minutes and scored
just 2 points, yet led the team in assists. FULL GAME
STORY HERE
Former Cuyamaca basketball player on TV
© East County Sports.com
POMONA (3-27-09) — Former Cuyamaca basketball player
DAHIR NASSER and his Cal Poly Pomona (West Regional
champions) basketball team are playing No. 1 ranked
Findlay of Ohio (Midwest Regional champions) in the
NCAA Division II Elite Eight national championship game
on Saturday (Mar. 28) at 10 a.m.
The game will be televised from MassMutual Center in
Springfield, Mass., by CBS Sports (Channel 8).
A 6-foot-1 junior, Nasser (No. 5) is listed as a probable
starter for the Broncos. He is averaging 5.6 ppg and
2.6 rpg. Nasser was a first-team All-Pacific Coast Conference
player for the Coyotes during the 2007-08 season.
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Jordan Franey
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Franey lifts UCSB to 6th straight win
© East County Sports.com
SANTA BARBARA (1-15-09) — Former Santana High standout
JORDAN
FRANEY came off the bench to score 13 points Wednesday
(Jan. 14), including a perfect 6-for-6 effort from the
free throw line down the stretch, lifting UC Santa Barbara
to a 67-61 victory over Portland State at the Thunderdome.
Franey, who equaled her season high, also grabbed four
rebounds. The junior seems to be flourishing in a new
role – and so have the Gauchos. Following a 3-6
start, UCSB (9-6) has captured six consecutive games
while Franey's playing time continues to rise for the
defending Big West Conference champions.
"There are certain benchmark games to see where
you are, and I thought tonight was one of those times
that I was able to sit back and watch our offense a
little bit and realize `They're getting it, they're
getting it,'" said UCSB head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
Franey shot 3-for-5 from the floor, including a 3-point
goal, as the Gauchos shot a season-high 47.9 percent.
The history major now ranks fourth on the team in scoring,
aiding by her 81.6 percent shooting from the foul line.
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Heather Molzen
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Molzen's defense gains win in Pac-10 home opener
© East County Sports.com
PULLMAN, Wash. (1-16-09) — Former El Capitan High
standout HEATHER
MOLZEN helped Washington State University capture
its Pacific-10 Conference home opener Thursday (Jan.
15), limiting Oregon State center Tiffany Ducker to
just 9 points in the Huskies' 65-52 victory over the
Lady Beavers at Friel Court.
Molzen, a senior majoring in health and nutrition,
has started in 41 of WSU's last 45 games over the past
two seasons, becoming one of the Pac 10's top defenders.
This season, she is averaging 8.0 points and a team-leading
5.8 rebounds per outing.
Molzen was a three-time All-East County first-team
selection.
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