Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle
Special to MaxPreps.com
Football: Quartet Commits
They're just starting two-a-day football practices in the Bay Area, yet at least four of the region's top incoming seniors have made their college choices.
St. Francis-Mountain View tight end Rhett Ellison (Virginia Tech), Mitty-San Jose linebacker Steve Sloan (UCLA), Saratoga receiver Alex Lagemann (Cal) and Wilson Prep-Oakland defensive back DeAndre West (Nebraska) have all made verbal commitments to major Division I-A programs.
Ellison, the son of former NFL linebacker Riki Ellison, picked the Hokies over Miami and his dad's alma mater USC. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder, who also is standout defensive end, had 31 catches for 505 yards and five touchdowns last year.
"It was just a real good fit there for me," Ellison said. "I've lived in California my whole life and I thought it was a good opportunity to get away. I really felt a connection with the players and coaching staff. Plus, it's just a great program. Hopefully I can contribute right away."
Sloan was actually the Bay Area's first commitment. The 6-2, 220-pounder picked on July 4 and chose the Bruins rather than go across the bay to Cal. He was rated the 33rd top recruit in the state by rivals.com.
He had a chance to join Lagemann, a physical 6-foot, 205-pounder who hopes to fit in with Jeff Tedford's potent offensive attack in Berkeley. Lagemann is not a burner - he runs a 4.52 40-yard dash - but he runs precise routes, has superb hands and catches the ball in traffic.
He also owns a 4.2 grade point average.
West (6-1, 195) picked Nebraska after also receiving offers from Arizona, Colorado and Boise State.
Basketball: Jones to San Diego
Incoming Riordan-San Francisco senior power forward Rob Jones said the recruiting process was already becoming a drag.
So, when he made the call to University of San Diego coach Brad Holland, Jones was relieved. So, no doubt, was Holland. Jones had picked the Toreros.
"It was a huge relief off my shoulders," Jones said.
He's got some broad ones to begins with. The 6-6, 225-pounder was compared to a mini-Charles Barkley after averaging better than 17 points and 13 rebounds per game last season.
He chiseled 15 pounds from his frame during the summer and has improved his face-up offensive game, which attracted every West Coast Conference and a smattering of Pacific-10 Conference schools.
He picked San Diego over St. Mary's and Loyola Marymount.
Also an All-West Catholic Athletic League tight end, Jones said his commitment is totally to basketball, though Holland left the door open to play football if things didn't work out on the hardwood.
Jones was a first-team all-Metro selection by The San Francisco Chronicle.
"I liked everything about the school and the program," Jones said. "I'm glad I got the decision done early and I can just focus on school, basketball and football. It should be a fun year."
Not so much for those facing Jones.
Basketball: Miller to Davis
Incoming Antioch senior Eddie Miller verbally committed to UC Davis last week.
The 6-foot-4 guard helped Antioch and first-year coach Drew Torres to a breakout 21-7 season last year, averaging 13 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Miller, who also possesses a 3.9 grade point average, will be a part of a Davis squad that enters the WCC conference in 2007-08.
Track and Field: Roche, Tarmoh Set Marks
Incoming St. Francis senior pole vaulter Casey Roche set a Junior Olympic record with a mark of 17 feet, 5 inches at the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympics in Maryland.
Roche finished third in the state meet last June in Norwalk at 16-5. He improved by a full foot to break the mark of state champion Scott Roth, who went 17-2 in Junior Olympic competition in 2005.
Mt. Pleasant-San Jose sprinter Jeneba Tarmoh helped break the Junior World Record in the 400-meter relay with a time of 43.29 at the Road to Eugene meet in Oregon last week. Tarmoh ran the second leg and accompanied Gabrielle Mayo, Bianca Knight and Elizabeth Olear to break the seven-year mark of 43.38.
Tarmoh, who won the state meet 100- and 200-meter dashes in June as a junior, will compete in the World Junior Championships in Beijing this week, as will Roche and Castilleja-Palo Alto incoming senior Tori Anthony, the reigning state pole vault champion.