By Bill Dickens
MaxPreps.com
Point guard Danesia Williamson, a four-year starter for Mount Miguel High of Spring Valley, was recruited by dozens of major college basketball powers from coast to coast.
Among the finalists was Providence University.
“You know, I really liked those people,” the 5-foot-5 Williamson said. “I considered leaving San Diego, but I never actually visited Providence. I like the atmosphere here where I live. I figure why go away when what I want is right here.”
Bottom line is Williamson committed to the University of San Diego earlier this week, while shunning overtures from Pepperdine, St. Mary’s, the University of Albany (N.Y.) and from the Friars.
Most comfortable in a fast-break offensive style, Williamson averaged 15.2 points as a junior and 20.4 as a sophomore.
“USD plays an up-tempo game and that’s what I like,” said Williamson, who has one more season with the Matadors. “I love a game that requires getting up and down the court fast.”
Williamson has proven she is an excellent passer at the point and a ballhawk on the defensive side where she’s garnered 4.7 steals per game last year.
Gaff-ing the Opposition
Seems there is no stopping Cathedral Catholic’s Tyler Gaffney, who proved his power once again in the Dons’ 58-32 victory over Lincoln on Oct. 17. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior running back rushed for 295 yards and four TDs on 29 carries. The versatile Gaffney also caught four passes for 43 yards and scored two additional touchdowns, driving the Dons to their 13th straight victory.
Forcier Wins Passing Free-for-All
Quarterback Robert “Tate” Forcier of Scripps Ranch and sophomore Evan Crower of St. Augustine combined to throw 93 passes in a game won by the Falcons 40-36 on Oct. 17. Forcier racked up 442 total yards, 321 of it coming on 18-of-33 passing to go with one touchdown. The Michigan-bound Forcier also rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. Crower connected on 30-of-60 passes for 298 yards and two scores.
Hunter Devours his Prey
Mount Miguel junior running back Derall Hunter rushed his way into a series of records by racking up 338 yards and six touchdowns on 38 carries in the Matadors’ 49-35 victory over Granite Hills. For good measure, Hunter caught a 2-point conversion pass from De’jay Nolen, giving him 38 points. That ties Hunter for eighth place in CIF San Diego Section history for scoring in a game.
Slippery Seale
Escondido junior running back Ricky Seale gained 296 yards on 27 carries to push his season total to 1,198 yards. He scored five touchdowns on runs of 1, 8, 31, 40 and 56 yards as the Cougars trampled Torrey Pines for 534 total yards.
Other Top Performances
— Fallbrook’s Sha'Dare McNeal was selected MVP of the Granite Hills Southern California Volleyball Invitational after leading the Warriors to a 7-0 record and to a 25-15, 25-19 win over Christian in the finals.
— Torrey Pines cross country aces Megan Morgan and Alli Billmeyer finished in first place in their respective races at the Southern California Invitational with Morgan finishing in 13 minutes, 58 seconds in the No. 1 race and Billmeyer in 13:59 in the No. 2 race.
— After generating a record-setting 94-76 romp over Lutheran a week earlier, St. Joseph’s Academy of San Marcos was mauled by undefeated Maranatha Christian 60-12. Maranatha, which improved to 7-0 (2-0 Citrus League), was led by tailback David Porter, who recorded 248 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
— Scripps Ranch senior field hockey player Ashley Kyle tallied seven points in two games – five assists and two goals – in guiding the San Diego Section top-ranked Falcons to victories over Mira Mesa and No. 5 Serra. Kyle also had a goal and two assists in a 4-0 victory over rival Serra.
— Top-ranked Oceanside whipped previously undefeated Westview 49-7, stretching its two-year football winning streak to 18 games.
— Water polo goalie Nick Ashton of Ramona rejected eight shots in a 10-5 win over Oceanside and a day later made seven saves in an 8-5 win over Mira Mesa.
Dickens Dealings
Anyone who follows football in the CIF San Diego Section has probably noticed many games end in blow-out fashion, several concluding with a running clock.
It’s difficult to believe any veteran coach enjoys pummeling the opposition. The repercussions from such results are always negative. Said coach is routinely accused of “running up the score” no matter who he puts on the field, and ill feelings prevail from the beaten side.
Given the reduced size of today’s varsity rosters, wholesale substitutions are not so easily done. Thus, the starters may remain on the field a bit longer than they have in the past when a game gets out of hand.
Coaches, fans, parents and players need to take a more realistic view. Once the game is clearly decided, and starters are removed, that should be deemed protocol.
Players coming off the bench, who rarely are involved when a game is on the line, should not have their hands tied. They should be permitted to run their team’s regular offense. It’s their turn to shine.