Sports On The Side

Aaron Gordon '13, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, CA), Arizona, Drafted by Orlando in 2014, 4th overall

6' 8" PF Aaron Gordon is one of the best juniors in the nation and led Mitty to a comeback in the quarterfinal vs. Windward (Los Angeles, CA) to force OT but Windward prevailed in the extra frame.  Keep in mind Gordon had mononucleosis during the tournament.

Games Shown:
1st Round:  def. Compton (CA) 61-47
Quarterfinal:  lost to Windward (Los Angeles, CA) 73-71 (OT)

The Holiday Classic sponsored by Asics
National Division at Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)
December 27-30, 2011

DeAndre Daniels '11, Taft (Woodland Hills, CA), Connecticut, Drafted by Toronto in 2014, 37th overall

{C}Daniels didn't have a lot of highlights at the MaxPreps Classic because he got into early foul trouble in the quarterfinal and semifinal but playing on a team as deep as Taft, eight or nine players deep, you don't always have to rise to the occasion.

Games Shown:

2009 MaxPreps Classic National Division at Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)

1st Round:  Taft (Woodland Hills, CA) vs. Mesa (AZ), Taft won 87-55
Quarterfinal:  Taft (Woodland Hills, CA) vs. Bishop O' Dowd (Oakland, CA), Taft won 53-46
Semifinal:  Taft (Woodland Hills, CA) vs. Newark Memorial (Newark, CA), Taft lost 48-41

Spencer Dinwiddie '11, Taft (Woodland Hills, CA), Colorado, Drafted by Detroit in 2014, 38th overall

Dinwiddie didn't have too many highlights at The Holiday Classic because Taft lost in the quarterfinals.

6' 3" Spencer Dinwiddie was recruited by Harvard and Oregon among others; chose Colorado.

Games Shown:

1st Round:  Taft (Woodland Hills, CA) def. Newark Memorial (Newark, CA) 70-40
Quarterfinal:  St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) def. Taft (Woodland Hills, CA) 77-75
The Holiday Classic presented by ESPN iScore at Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)
National Division, December 27-28, 2010

Jerami Grant '12, DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD), Syracuse, Drafted by Philadelphia in 2014, 39th overall

The 6' 8" Syracuse bound guard was the MVP of the Holiday Classic as Mr. Grant had a dunkalicious time in San Diego while having a block party.  Jerami turned his ankle pretty bad in the opening minutes of the 1st round game but moments later played as though his ankle had never turned a bit.  Orange nation may have felt a disturbance around 10:34 pm EST upon Grant's injury.

1st Round:  def. Lincoln (San Diego, CA) 59-48
Quarterfinal:  def. Mayfair (Lakewood, CA) 83-47
Semifinal:  def. Newark Memorial (Newark, CA) 64-49
Final:  def. Windward (Los Angeles, CA) 74-64

The Holiday Classic sponsored by Asics
National Division at Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)
December 27-30, 2011

Allen Crabbe '10, Price (Los Angeles, CA), California, Drafted by Cleveland in 2013, 31st overall

The 2010 Mr. Basketball showing 3-point range with some dunks.

Award:  2010 California Mr. Basketball
2009 MaxPreps Classic All-Tournament team
College:  California

Jeff Withey '08, Horizon (San Diego, CA), Kansas, Drafted by Portland in 2013, 39th overall

A prolific shot blocker Jeff Withey led Horizon to the 2006 division IV state title and was the 2008 San Diego Player of the Year.  Jeff Withey gave a verbal commitment to Louisville, then decided to stay closer to home and signed with Arizona.  When Lute Olson retired just before the 2008-09 season Jeff Withey decided to red shirt his freshman year and transfer to Kansas.

Grant Jerrett '12, Lutheran (La Verne, CA), Arizona, Drafted by Portland in 2013, 40th overall

Potential Mr. Basketball had limited highlights because Lutheran lost in the first round of the Holiday Classic and Lutheran as a team only scored 30 points.  You can see the disappointment on Jerrett's face after the last play making a 3-ball that was too little, too late.

1st Round:  lost to Newark Memorial (Newark, CA) 45-30
The Holiday Classic sponsored by Asics
National Division at Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)
December 27-30, 2011

2012 McDonald's All-American

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist '11, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, NJ), Kentucky, Drafted by Charlotte in 2012, 2nd overall

6' 7" Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the # 1 ranked junior in the nation.  Long, lean and capable of playing any position Kidd-Gilchrist was unstoppable at the 2009 MaxPreps Classic.  Kidd-Gilchrist went up against a seven-footer vs. Ironwood Ridge (AZ) and two very good teams in Centennial (Corona, CA) and Newark Memorial (Newark, CA).  St. Patrick (Elizabeth, NJ) was the nation's # 1 team (USA Today) at the time of the tournament.   Michael changed his last name from Gilchrist to Kidd-Gilchrist.

Awards:  2011 ESPN/RISE Mr. Basketball USA
2011 MaxPreps All-American 1st Team
2011 Parade All-American 4th Team
2011 Gatorade State Player of the Year (repeat)
2010 Gatorade State Player of the Year (New Jersey as a junior)

Kyrie Irving ’10, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, NJ), Duke, Drafted by Cleveland in 2011, 1st overall

Duke-bound Irving was the 2009 MaxPreps Classic MVP as he led St. Patrick's (Elizabeth, NJ) to the National Division championship.  Some Duke fans were in attendance watching their future Blue Devil.  

Award:  2010 McDonald's All-American

Jeremy Tyler ’10, San Diego (CA), skipped senior year of high school, Drafted by Charlotte in 2011, 40th overall

Tyler was triple and sometimes quadrupled teamed as he led San Diego High to a semifinal appearance of the 2008 MaxPreps Classic National Division.  Monster slam dunks and long 3-balls kept the capacity crowds at Torrey Pines entertained.

Jeremy Tyler left high school after his junior year (got a GED) to play pro ball in Israel; getting paid $ 140,000 for his first year.

1st Round:  San Diego def. Santa Rita (Tucson, AZ) 60-58
Quarterfinal:  San Diego def. West Valley (Hemet, CA) 73-59
Semifinal:  Eisenhower (Rialto, CA) def. San Diego 66-58
3rd Place:  Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, CA) def. San Diego 51-30
2008 MaxPreps Classic National Division at Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)

Darius Morris ’09, Windward (Los Angeles, CA), Michigan, Drafted by LA Lakers in 2011, 41st overall

A smooth PG with a nice shot.

DeMar Derozan ’08, Compton (CA), USC, Drafted by Toronto in 2009, 9th overall

McDonald's All-American DeMar DeRozan played against the 2008 Gatorade National Player of the Year Jrue Holiday in the quarterfinal vs. Campbell Hall (North Hollywood, CA).  

2007 MaxPreps Classic National Division
at Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)

Award:  McDonald's All-American slam

Jrue Holiday ’08, Campbell Hall (North Hollywood, CA), UCLA, Drafted by Philadelphia in 2009, 17th overall

Jrue Holiday won three state titles with Campbell Hall (North Hollywood, CA) and was the 2008 Gatorade National Player of the Year.  Watch Holiday play against McDonald's All-American DeMar Derozan '08 (Compton).

Awards:  2008 Gatorade National Player of the Year
2008 McDonald's All-American
College:  UCLA
Professional:  Philadelphia

Chase Budinger ’06, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, CA), Arizona, Drafted by Detroit in 2009, 44th overall

Chase Budinger broke the all-time CIF-San Diego Section scoring record with 2,930 points; Budinger was 5th all-time in California in 2006.  

0:39  Huge dunk vs. Poway
0:54  Playing at Hoover (San Diego, CA) in the MLK showcase before Lute Olson
1:00  Dunk
1:18  Half court buzzer beater
1:29  3 Dunks at Westview (San Diego, CA)

And Chase Budinger was the national volleyball player of the year in 2006.  More videos of Budinger include the CIF-San Diego section championship game, San Diego Senior All-Star game and the McDonald's All-American week including the slam dunk contest, game and post game press conference all on separate videos.

2006 McDonald’s All-American Game (various players), mostly drafted in 2008-2010

Game highlights from the 2006 game at SDSU's Cox Arena in San Diego, CA.

Players in the Video:

0:03  Kevin Durant to Spencer Hawes
0:12  Greg Oden to Gerald Henderson
0:22  Tywon Lawson
0:29  Robin Lopez v. Greg Oden
0:46  Thaddeus Young
0:59  Thaddeus Young to Greg Oden/Gerald Henderson alley-oop dunk
1:17  Daequan Cook
1:29  Tywon Lawson behind the back dribble to Thaddeus Young dunk
1:53  Sherron Collins to Kevin Durant to Jon Scheyer
2:09  Jon Scheyer to Kevin Durant
2:23  Kevin Durant
2:32  Javaris Crittenton to Scottie Reynolds to Wayne Ellington
2:42  Gerald Henderson
2:50  Sherron Collins block and dunk to end the game

Highlights include:  Sherron Collins, Daequan Cook, Javaris Crittendon, Kevin Durant, Wayne Ellington, Spencer Hawes, Gerald Henderson, Tywon Lawson, Robin Lopez, Greg Oden, Scottie Reynolds, Jon Scheyer, Thaddeus Young.  Chase Budinger highlights can be found on another video.