Bay Area Confidential

By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com

Let's get this right out of the way. The "Bay Area Confidential" tag? It was gagged, blindfolded and stolen from an editor at my last job at the San Francisco Chronicle.

Actually, Larry Yant wanted my Internet blog to be called "Prep Confidential," but we never went with it. I don't know, it just sounded too dramatic, too Hollywood.

I kept imagining Hal Holbrook (Deep Throat) tipping off Robert Redford (Bob Woodward) with "follow the AAU coach, always follow the AAU coach."

I kept picturing a shifty German spy with thin mustache, trench coat and high collar "psssting" and nudging me under an empty grandstand: "If you know what's good for you, you'll report that the CIF is contemplating a state softball championship tournament in 2009."

As time passed, my imagination simmered and the moniker grew on me. Just never got around to blogging much at the Chronicle. I'm not even clear on what "blogging" is and how it is any different than writing and reporting with an opinion. 

Being the in-depth reporter that I am, here are quick and dirty definitions of blogging following two clicks on Google.  

A blog is short for Weblog. - Cutting two stinking characters, by my definition, isn't exactly a chop. You gotta cut at least half the letters to be short for something, right? And when shortening to acronym, don't you always keep the first letter? In that case, a Weblog should be called a "wog" That's it! I'm the world's first wogger.

A Weblog (wog) is a journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. - Is there nothing Americans won't eat?.

Blogs (wogs) generally represent the personality of the author. - Opposed to it representing one's posture.

Anyway, I share such bler (short for blather) to demonstrate my ability to wog and communicate confidential inside information such as my riveting Larry Yant story.

Each week, in fact, for you Bay Area high school sports freaks (sorry, I would say "fans" but we woggers need to be Stuart Scott dope), I'll share what I know and hear on the street (hey, that almost rhymes), both city and suburban.

OK, so much of the what I hear is by phone, but that didn't rhyme with freak.

After 23 years covering the beat from Healdsburg to Petaluma to Mill Valley, from Brentwood to Concord to Livermore, from Richmond to Oakland to Fremont, and from San Jose to Palo Alto to San Francisco, I should be able to offer some occasional nuggets about your favorite schools, athletes and coaches.

Think of this as a new playground for news, opinion and fun in the world of high school sports around the San Francisco region.

My definition of the Bay Area, however, is far more generous than that of the Chronicle.

Here are the boundaries:

We're simply going to include all schools from four Sections: San Francisco, Oakland, North Coast and Central Coast and throw in a pair of Sac-Joaquin Section leagues: the SCAC (Solono County Athletic Conference) and the MEL (Monticello Empire League). That means we travel east and stop at Vacaville.

Why stop at Vacaville? 

1. Vacaville just won its first section football crown since about the time the Vaca family settled. The Bulldogs are a hot commodity.
2. Gives me chance after Vacaville interviews to stop by at Fentons Creamery for a Banana Split Special.
3. It just feels right. Once you cross the Nut Tree line and gather tumbleweeds on the bumper, you just don't feel that dewy Bay fresh.

So, without further ado, let's start with preseason football rankings. The season starts Friday with a limited Week Zero line-up.

Who came up with "Week Zero" title anyway? Could it be more anticlimactic? Can't wait for those "Week Zero" showdowns. Or "Game Zero" of the World Series.

Enough.

BAY AREA TOP 25 PRESEASON FOOTBALL RANKINGS

1. De La Salle-Concord (13-1 last year) - And you were expecting anyone else? The last time the Spartans ended a season with a loss (1991), they then rattled off a national-record 151-game win streak. Third-year starters QB Mike MacGillivray, LB Brady Amack and OL Jordan Bouey lead the way. De La Salle opens at home Sept. 7 against second-ranked Serra-San Mateo.

2. Serra-San Mateo (9-3) - Three of my Bay Area's top 25 players to watch - RB DeLeon Eskridge, RB-DB Tiuke Tuipulotu and LB J.P. Hurrell (committed to Cal) - are obvious reasons why the Padres are WCAL favorites. QB Cody Jackson and WR Andrew Cullens are a couple more. Padres open Friday at Buchanan-Clovis before traveling to Concord.

3. Vacaville (13-1) - The Bulldogs will be a lot more than returning all-state RB Terrence Dailey (2,334 yards rushing, 28 TDs). But the Washington-bound standout is a good place to start. Vacaville opens Sept. 7 at home - just a few football fields from Fentons - versus Pioneer-Woodland.

4. Oak Grove-San Jose (11-1-1) - Returning league MVP Nevin Gardiner (2,054 yards) is the CCS's most electrifying back. He's got most of his lineman returning as well. The Eagles host St. Francis-Mountain View Friday.

5. Mitty-San Jose (7-4) - Probably the BA's best running tandem (Kenny Jackson and Thomas Reynolds) combined with one of the state's top TEs (Cal-bound Anthony Miller) should allow new coach Matt Haniger to sleep before the team's opener Friday against Pioneer-San Jose.

6. Foothill-Pleasanton (12-1) - Like Mitty, Foothill has a new coach (John Mannion) but two of the BA's best, three-year starters FB-LB Rob Andrews and RB-DB Austin Day will ease the load. The Falcons open at No. 14 Novato on Sept. 8.

7. Los Gatos (10-3) - Perennial area power has an impressive QB in Andrew Gomez (1,932 yards passing last year) and RB (Nick Kalpin, 1,294 yards) but LB Kiko Alonso and DL Colin Quirke may be team's best players. Los Gatos opens Sept. 8 at 10th-ranked Aragon-San Mateo.

8. Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (13-2) - One of Northern California's top coaches Paul Cronin moves Max Pond to his favorite position, QB. Cronin and Cardinals proved themselves last year by taking nationally-ranked Oaks Christian-Westlake Village to overtime in the state D-III finals. Newman opens at Modesto powerhouse Central Catholic Sept. 8. 

9. Valley Christian-San Jose (3-7) - Injuries contributed plenty to a major off-year for the Warriors, arguably the Bay Area's second best program. They'll bounce back in a big way behind one of BA's top receiving prospects David Henderson and a trio of gifted RBs led by junior Cameron Marshall. VC hosts San Lorenzo Valley-Felton Friday night.

10. Aragon-San Mateo (8-3) - Probably should have beat state finalist Palo Alto in the first round of the CCS playoffs last year. Returns one of  Northern California's top RBs in Seta Pohahau. The Dons host No. 7 Los Gatos Sept. 8.

11. Palma-Salinas (10-2) - Every year coach Jeff Carnazzo and staff builds a juggernaut. They better put together this rebuilding plan together quick as the Chieftains travel to De La Salle Sept. 22. Palma opens at home against Skyline-Oakland Sept. 8.
 
12. Novato (13-1) - Another outstanding young coach Travis Brackett continues to lead his team year after winning second straight NCS crown last year. The Hornets, who return eight starters, opens at home against No. 6 Foothill on Sept. 8.

13. Pittsburg (9-3) - There's always a boatload of talent in Pittsburg, including this year with RB Monte Davis (6-1, 210), LB Ulalo Tuulauuhu (6-1, 225), RB-DB Avery Patterson and WR Charles Barnes. Pittsburg opens at No. 8 Valley Christian on Sept. 6.

14. Monte Vista-Danville (7-4) - Probably the area's most versatile athlete, QB-DB Drew McAllister leads the always well-coached Mustangs. McAllister has already verbally committed to USC as a defensive back. Monte Vista plays at James Logan-Union City on Sept. 7.

15. San Ramon Valley-Danville (10-2) - The Wolves hope to turn offseason filled with turmoil - head coach Dave Kravitz almost quit - into a repeat of 2006. San Ramon Valley hosts No. 19 Alhambra on Sept. 7.

16. Palo Alto (12-2) - The Northern California D-II representative in the 2006 state title game lost much to graduation, most concerning along the offensive and defensive front, but returns one of Northern California's top all-around athletes, WR Mike Scott, and most importantly, a superb coaching staff. The Vikings open at McClymonds Sept. 7.

17. Deer Valley-Antioch (10-1) - The Wolverines' dream season was cut premature with upset first-round NCS 4A loss to Pittsburg last year. Deer Valley opens at Berkeley on Sept. 8.

18. Alhambra-Martinez (11-2) - Gone is all-everything back Brandon Rutley, but two-way all-leaguer Corey Allison should fill the shoes admirably. The Bulldogs travel to No. 16 San Ramon Valley for their Sept. 7 opener.

19. Pinole Valley (11-1) - RB Deante Purvis (1,277 yards, 19 TDs last year) is an absolute blur for Spartans, who annually can't quite reach NCS finals. The Spartans open at home against Hogan-Vallejo on Sept. 7.

20. Casa Grande-Petaluma (9-3) - The SCL favorite is led by a trio of potent offensive weapons: junior QB Matt O'Brien, RB Anthony Biasi and WR Matt Nadolski. Casa Grande travels to San Rafael on Sept. 7.

21. Napa (9-3) - Returning RBs Jake Croxdale and John Boyett combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing last year. Boyett is also the team's top receiving threat. Napa hosts Del Campo-Fair Oaks in a Sept. 7 opener.

22. Riordan-San Francisco (4-6) - The second season for coach Mike Langridge should be much improved with one of the area's top DBs Daniel Cannon and QBs Darius Bell returning.  Riordan opens Friday in Las Vegas versus Archbishop Murphy of Everett-Wash.

23. McClymonds-Oakland (9-2) - Gone is charismatic coach Alonzo Carter, but the BA's top recruit OL Allen Carroll (6-4, 286) and fleet RB Andre Island return for Oakland Section champs. McClymonds hosts Palo Alto in its opener on Sept. 7.

24. Milpitas (9-4) - The defending CCS Div-II champs return one of last year's top sophomores in the state in Steven Fanua, who had a ridiculous 220 tackles in '06, and region's top receiver Charles German (6-2, 188). Milpitas opens Friday at San Benito-Hollister.

25. Castlemont-Oakland (8-3) - The Knights, who return 14 starters, will no doubt play inspired ball in memory of the program's heart and soul, coach Amin Denny, who died of cancer in February. Castlemont travels to Ygnacio Valley-Concord for a Sept. 7 opener.

TOP 25 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Notice we didn't say simply TOP players, a tricky distinction used from my old print days. That would lock us in to saying one is better than the other.

Granted, most of the top players are on this list, but others hold interest because of either potential, name recognition or physical/personality trait. These are the guys I'd pay to watch.

1. QB-DB Drew McAllister (Monte Vista-Danville, 6-2, 200, Sr.) - Are you kidding? Probably the area's top quarterback and he's committed to the country's top program (USC) as a defensive back? Think right-handed Steve Young combined with John Lynch.

2. RB David Henderson (Lincoln-San Francisco, 5-11, 190, Sr.) - Not sure if coaches will let him loose, but speed-burner could approach 3,000 yards.

3. QB-WR-DB John Boyett (Napa, 6-0, 190, Sr.) - Was Sac Bee All-Metro 1st team selection with remarkable all-around season: 928 yards rushing and 10 TDs, 61 catches for 921 yards and seven TDs and 104 tackles, including six sacks. He'll be Napa QB this season.

4. RB Desarte Yarnway (Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco, 6-0, 210, Jr.) - While all eyes are on Lincoln's Henderson in the City, Yarnway may very well turn out to be the area's top recruit next year. According to Will McCulloch of the Chronicle, Yarnway bench presses 300 pounds, squats 485 and has vertical leap of more than 40 inches.

5. RB DeLeon Eskridge (Serra, 5-11, 181, Sr.) - The only thing more riveting than Eskridge's dynamic running style is his name. He just sounds like a swashbuckler.

6. RB Terrence Dailey (Vacaville, 5-9, 180, Sr.) - The Washington-bound runner showed he's best when it counts most, rushing for 221 yards and four scores in the team's Sac-Joaquin Section title-game win.

7. OL-DL Allen Carroll (McClymonds, 6-4, 286, Sr.) - Non-PC response here, but c'mon, who really watches the offensive linemen? And gets excited about it? Besides other former and current linemen? Here's a player though, whose the 12th best recruit in the state and No. 1 in Northern California according to rivals.com.

8. RB-DB Tuike Tuipulotu (Serra, 5-9, 185, Sr.) - In a long lineage of Tuipulotu's along the Peninsula, Tuike might be most versatile. Looks smallish even in pads, but hits like a brick. Could be 2,000-yard rusher if not for Eskridge already in backfield.

9. RB Seta Pohahau (Aragon, 5-10, 195, Sr.) - The BYU-bound standout is a workhorse with moves. Saw him pile up 233 yards on Palo Alto last year. He was more impressive even after the crushing season-ending loss, humbly crediting his opponent.

10. RB-DB Deante Purvis (Pinole Valley, 5-11, 180, Sr.) - There's no substitute for speed and this kid is a blazer. As my former editor David Dayton once told me, were most infatuated with the things we can't do. My Ford Ranger can't even turn in a 4.3 40-yard spin like Purvis has been clocked by Pinole Valley coaches.

11. WR-LB Chris Little (Castlemont, 6-3, 215, Sr.) - Sheer, flat-out athlete who could play as many as five different positions in college. Also a standout basketball player.

12. DL Je'Marcus Williams (St. Francis, 6-0, 282, Sr.) - His size and shape alone tells you the kid is a load. He's an absolute beast and figures to be playing the game for a long time.

13. LB Brady Amack (De La Salle, 6-1, 215, Sr.) - Understated DLS defensive coordinator Terry Eidson has raved about Amack since he was a sophomore.

14. FB-LB Rob Andrews (Foothill, 6-3, 225, Sr.) - Classic, hard-nosed, no-nonsense, straight-ahead, bullish, rock 'em, sock 'em throwback.

15. DB Daniel Cannon (Riordan, 6-0, 175, Sr.) - The Chronicle's top-rated defensive back, also a standout basketball player, is one of those smooth athletes who doesn't appear speedy but receivers can't break free. He had a school-record nine interceptions last year.

16. QB Mike MacGillivray (De La Salle, 5-11, 175, Sr.) - Won't woo you with mechanics or speed, but always seems to make big plays when Spartans need him to most.

17. WR David Henderson (Valley Christian-San Jose, 6-2, 200, Sr.) - Not a repeat or misprint. Can get up and get going. Hopefully Warriors can get him the ball.

18. QB-RB-DB Rashad Evans (James Logan-Union City, 5-9, 160) - Another versatile standout who also is great kick returner. He's rival.com's No. 60 recruit in California.

19. WR Mike Scott (Palo Alto, 6-0, 170, Sr.) - Judging how the kid performed in last year's state title game (10 catches, 210 yards, two TDs) and down the stretch in the basketball season, we're talking true gamer. We like gamers.

20. QB-DB Darius Bell (Riordan-San Francisco, 6-0, 205, Sr.) - The younger brother of former Chronicle Player of the Year and now UCLA running back Kahlil Bell is another wringer.

21. RB-DB Nico Dumont (Marin Catholic-Kentfield, 6-1, 200, Jr.) - Was one of the best sophomores I've ever seen before an off-the-field incident cut his season short. He's absolutely all over the field on both sides of the ball.

22. TE-LB Anthony Miller (Mitty, 6-2, 250, Sr.) - Going to Cal as a TE but might be even better on defense.

23. LB J.P. Hurrell (Serra, 5-11, 195, Sr.) - Cal has already scooped this dynamo who, unless he grows a lot, will likely move to strong safety in college. He was the WCAL linebacker of the year last season.

24. LB Steve Fanua (Milpitas, 6-1, 220, Jr.) - Any player who leads the state in tackles (220) and who added 11 sacks as a sophomore is definitely worth watching.

25. K Andrew Shapiro (Las Lomas-Walnut Creek, 6-0, 180, Sr.) - Don't know about you but I can always watch a player who can really boot it. It's like watching long-distance drivers in golf or a home run-hitting contests. Shapiro is the country's third-ranked prep kicker according to Ray Guy's prokicker.com site.

RULES OF THE CONFIDENTIAL

• Never use the word "dope" in a column ever again.
• Will not ditch my newspaper training completely and actually attempt to add facts with opinion and color.  
• No trashing un-abusive or non-apathetic coaches (these ladies and gents are generally saintly and borderline volunteers).
• No throwing specific athletes, programs or schools under the school bus - we are writing about our delicate youth and sometimes deranged parents as well (by the way, I'm one myself - parent that is - and find myself slipping into derangement during little Sofia's swim lessons).  
• No using "throw under the bus (school or otherwise)" expression again. 
• Never take self, game or opinions too seriously.  
• No softball cheers.
• Shameless name-dropping allowed and crediting sources a must. 
• Tipping off, critiquing and correcting this wogger is also required at  mstephens@maxpreps.com

SCOOP ON THE SCOOPERS

Another rule left out is no "expert" tags allowed.

There's no such thing in high school sports. There's too much change in personnel and coaching every year to earn such a distinction.

The only thing I've become expert at the past two decades is knowing whom really knows their stuff.

Sure, I can put information into context - I'm a geezer by prep sports standards - but what I REALLY offer is the CONFIDENTIAL material from the journalists, coaches and fans/coaches/parents who see the games and athletes day to day.

In fact, my first installation is to give them up.

That's right, I'm outing the confidants, my homies and my most reliable sources. These are the names and you read and faces you see week to week covering your kids.

Keep in mind, this is utterly unprofessional and you'll never see this list again together in print. Talk about confidential? Also note that I'm leaving out some superb journalists that I've rarely relied because they were direct competitors.

The King (Mark Tennis: Cal-Hi Sports) - Your majesty's stationed in Stockton, but I still have on speed dial along with my wife, parents and Fentons. We share the same age (47) and have sometimes been confused physically (handsome devil), but Mark has witnessed and chronicled more big-time prep athletes and events in the Bay Area, state and possibly the nation than anyone. He's fair, even-keeled and can context any prep story historically and seasonally. The CIF could save its commissioners a lot of time, effort and expense and just let Mark pick the football bowl participants.

The Dean (Steve Herendeen: Oakland Tribune) - The longest-running daily newspaper prep writer in the East Bay hired me for my first full-time journalism job at the Tri-Valley Herald in 1986. Nobody digs their feet deeper into a community and nobody searches harder between the stat sheet to capture a personality or do-gooder. A fantastic writer as well.

The Kid (Will McCulloch, San Francisco Chronicle) - My successor at the Chronicle isn't that young - he just turned 30 - but everyone in the business seems like a kid to me. In just his third year as a full-time Bay Area newspaper scribe, Will would seem relatively green - much like his ancestry. But his prose, charm and reporting skills are sheer gold. He informed me about blue chip athletes, troubled coaches and red hot trends in the area his first week on the job. He's whip smart, a bright light and future star. He's also a scratch golfer and former college basketball player, which gives him automatic athletic and street cred.

The Valley (Dennis Miller, Tri-Valley Herald) - There's no better evaluator of talent, teams or games than Dennis, who defended soccer players in the East Bay Athletic League in the '80s and has blanketed it with newspaper coverage over the next three decades. Outstanding athlete.

Hot Sauce (Harold Abend: Cal-Hi Sports, San Francisco Chronicle) - Anyone who walks a sideline, shares a scorer's table or baseball bleacher with Harold is in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's shock jock radio combined with play-by-play combined with auctioneering. It's the hot dog, mustard, onions and chili. Say what you will - which isn't much - but what comes out of Harold's mouth is almost always correct. There's few better at evaluating talent, particularly girls basketball. There's no one more passionate about his craft. Never a full-time scribe, Harold has been entrenched in high school sports for more than three decades with a special emphasis in the North Bay. A true original.

The Secret (Emanuel Lee, San Mateo Daily Journal) - Quite possibly the best prep sports journalist not working at a Major Metro in Northern California. Before he passed, the late and great Merv Harris told me often to keep close tabs on Emanuel. Personable and detailed, Emanuel, an avid cyclist, attacks every story and gamer like he blasts up a daunting hill. Though not a particularly competitive field, Emanuel is also very likely the most physically fit of Bay Area scribes.   

The Great One (Mark Foyer, Half Moon Bay Review) - Tabbed "The Great" by Gary Radnich for his prolific Half Moon Bay copy, Mark is a walking encyclopedia for Peninsula and Central Coast Section history.

The Poet (Dave Kiefer, San Jose Mercury News) - Ever admire someone in your profession whom you simply can't match? I think all of us who have read Dave's poetic and perfectly-crafted prose are humbled. A jewel of a person and journalist, Dave also draws from his days as a former college track and field athlete. He's someone I'd call without hesitation not only about that sport, but more so when gauging one's character.

Mr. South Bay (Dennis Knight, San Jose Mercury News) - Kiefer has told me more than once Dennis personally knows every person alive South of Palo Alto. I believe it. He's one of those sincere people who make you feel like you've known them since birth. He's in it for all the right reasons and relishes the "minor" sports as much as the majors.

Mr. Los Gatos (Gordon Kass, Palo Alto Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle) - He shouldn't be pigeon-holed because he covers Los Gatos so well, but Gordon indeed is an "expert" on all Wildcats' sports. He covers the preps as a hobby - he's a successful businessman by day - but executes with precise professionalism. I've leaned on him in SCVAL sports for years and he's never steered me wrong. Accurate, insightful and always on the money.

A Jim in the Rough (Jim Mannion, San Francisco Chronicle) - Another part-timer with big-time skills. Brother of new Foothill football coach John Mannion, Jim, with no formal journalism training, was the Chronicle's monster game-blogger at championship events last year. He disseminates information as fast and clear as anyone in Bay Area. A wry quick wit as well. Could easily do this for a full-time living. 

The Rock (John Reid, Palo Alto Daily News) - Few know CCS and Stanford sports better than JR. When I first started covering for Chronicle, he constantly helped correct my many CCS-related blunders.

New Scribes on the Block (Robert Jordan/Ben Enos/Jimmy Dirkin, Contra Costa Times; Michael Bower, Hayward Daily Review; Jake Leonard, SF Chronicle) - Don't know if this new boy writing band can hoop, but it's a formidable journalistic quintet. Ben might be the only scribe who has ever landed a full-time writing job at a large respected paper the very day he graduated from college (Cal). I think he was 21. Robert officially speaks only English but his language is universal. Relates beautifully with all. Michael and Jimmy are also extremely personable and superb young journalists. Jake, a former hockey and tennis star, is as solid and grounded as his Midwest upbringing.  

Mr. Nice (Phil Jensen, West County Times) - No kinder, more sincere soul than Phil, a former track and cross country star at Cal State Hayward. He's a track and field encyclopedia.

Not just pretty faces (Robert Braunstein, Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area TV; Mike Sklut, High School Sports Focus) - We homely print guys have no alternative but to label pretty TV boys shallow and uninformed. That's not close to the case with these two Bay Area mainstays. They can rattle off prep barbs with anyone: Robert an authority in the South Bay and Peninsula and Mike in the East Bay.

Other notables - Rich Rupprecht (Santa Rosa Press Democrat, always on the mark), David Schoen (Oakland Tribune, Grade A journalist now teaching part-time), Avi Burke (Antioch/Brentwood Press, thorough young scribe deserves shot at big time), Chace Bryson (Contra Costa Times, consummate pro), Eric Taylor (1ststring.com, photographer never misses big East Bay/state event), Lee Hubbard (norcalpreps.com/SF Chronicle, Super Lee has amazing handles on the Bay Area basketball scene), Scott Strain (Oakland Tribune/SF Chronicle, Laney College SID ranks with Wong as longest-tenured. Superb writer), Simi Lee (San Mateo Times, female sports pioneer and relentless worker); Mike McGreehan (Alameda Times Journal/the Piedmonter, no one knows soccer like Mike); Phil Wong (San Francisco Chronicle, five decades of reporting and traveling the state without owning a car hasn't slowed Phil's enthusiasm one bit). 

The only better sources than scribes are open coaches. Football guys are generally hard to break, but some of the more forthright speakers: Patrick Walsh (Serra), Paul Perenon (Bishop O'Dowd-Oakland), Steve Sell (Aragon), Alonzo Carter (Berkeley), Terry Eidson (De La Salle), Herc Pardi (Clayton Valley-Concord), Keith Minor (Balboa-San Francisco), Kevin Macy (Campolindo-Moraga), Craig Bergman (Monte Vista), Woody Freitas (Wilcox-Santa Clara), Mike Machado (Valley Christian), Vic Galli (Pittsburg), Rich Cotruvo (Justin-Siena-Napa) and Ken Peralta (Marin Catholic).

Basketball, for some reason, tends to bring out the bravest. There's no shortage of hoop coaches willing to tell a good tale, but the best and most connected are probably Lou Richie (Bishop O'Dowd assistant) and former Riordan coach Rich Forslund.

On the girls front, former Bentley, Acalanes and Campolindo coach Clay Kallam, a journalist who runs a girls/women's basketball site fullcourt.com, is in a league of his own. Miramonte's Darrell Hirashima isn't too far behind.

FINAL WOG NOTE

I just figured out why blog is preferred over wog.

Seems wog is an old racial epithet used in Great Britain and Australia.

Other WOG acronyms found on the net: Worthy Oriental Gentlemen, Westinghouse Owners Group, With Other Goods, Without Girlfriend, Wrath of God and Without Guarantee.

Here's a guarantee. I'm done wogging. 

E-mail Mitch Stephens, now an official blogger, at mstephens@maxpreps.com