Male Student Athlete of the Week: Nick Kerr
Sport: Basketball Positions: Guard Height: 6’2″ Class: 2011 School: Torrey Pines High School San Diego, CA
In only his junior year Torrey Pines’ shooting guard, Nick Kerr is averaging nearly 20 points a game and has led his team to a 13-1 record on the season. He is shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc and that is something that is expected when you’re the son of Steve Kerr, the NBA career-leader in three point shooting. During the past week Nick helped the Falcons to two wins while posting 22 points against Escondido and then had an offensive explosion with a 34 point performance against Missions Hills where he made 7 of 12 from three point range.
To view Nick’s complete SportsForce profile click here – http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/nkerr
Highlight Video and Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
SportsForce Athletes in the News: Girls Basketball
As the season ramps up some local talent and SportsForce athletes are gaining recognition on a large stage. ESPN’s HoopGurlz section took at look at a few of the top girls.
Malina and Maya Hood: There are two big reasons why you likely will see La Jolla Country Day emerge next year among the high-school powers even though it is missing a major presence in the middle — the Hood twins. They both may be only 5-10, but they have oodles of athleticism and Maya has the thickness and strength to neutralize players several inches taller. Malina is rangier and has more of a wing-guard game with better handles and a little more range on her shot. Maya gets a lot of her offense by mining the passing lanes on defense for breakaway layups, though she otherwise has a tendency you don’t often see — jogging back on offense — and has the gait of someone with painful knees. The two often feed off each other’s energy and get into athletic feeding frenzies that give the Torreys a dimension that’s difficult to prepare for.
Briteesha Solomon: At one point during La Jolla Country Day’s victory over a talented and certainly more-seasoned Villa Park team, Solomon rumbled into the lane and cupped the ball as if she meant to flush it. She is just 5-8, but hers is a convincing act because she explodes off the floor like a bottle rocket. As it was, Solomon laid the ball in, then slapped the glass for good measure.
For Briteesha’s full SportsForce profile visit: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/bsolomon
Kelsey Plum: She can get lost amongst her pogo-stick teammates flying all over the court, but Plum, while just a freshman, could be La Jolla Country Day’s foundation player. At 5-9, she has good size and skills through which to run an offense and, with length and fluidity, is no athletic slouch herself. Her best move off the bounce is a nice, quick crossover, which can lead her to the rim, where she can be a creative finisher, or into a pull-up jumper. She has good body leverage, strength and form to be lethal from long distance. Plum also has a good sense of timing, as well as being in the right place, which portends well for her development at the point.
Male Student Athlete of the Week: Dillon Doria
Sport: Basketball Positions: Forward, Guard Height: 6’4” Class: 2010 School: Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, CA
The Eastlake Boys Basketball team is currently in first place in the Mesa League with help from senior guard, Dillon Doria. The Eastlake Titans beat out Hilltop High School last week while Doria led his team with 20 points in the win. “We showed that we’re the dominant team in the South Bay,” Doria told the San Diego Reader. Doria also scored an impressive 23 points and had 10 rebounds in a win over Mater Dei Catholic. In the Coaches vs. Cancer event, Doria contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds to help his team over take Horizon High School. Eastlake now leads the league by two games.
To view Dillon’s complete SportsForce profile click here – http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/ddoria
Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
SportsForce Hosts Inaugural College Baseball Prospect Video Combine
SportsForce (www.sportsforceonline.com) is hosting a pre-season college baseball prospect video combine for top Southern California players looking to take ownership of their careers and maximize exposure to college coaches around the country. The SportsForce combine is a one day event held on Sunday, February 14th beginning at 9 AM at Westview High School in San Diego, CA. The SportsForce College Baseball Prospect Video Combine is focused on assisting college level prospects, and is an ideal opportunity for unsigned seniors, top juniors looking to get nationwide college exposure, and elite sophomores and freshman who want to get on the college recruiting map early.
Here’s an example profile of top up and coming player that is getting actively recruited.
Corey Oswalt – 3B / SS – Madison High – 2012
See Corey’s full SportsForce profile at: http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/coswalt
If you have a son that is looking to maximize his exposure to college baseball coaches and need an easy, professional and affordable way to market him to colleges around the country, then the SportsForce athlete profile package and combines can help. The simple truth is that there are over 1,000 college baseball programs across the country, but most college coaches don’t have the time, – or the recruiting budget – to attend many games and evaluate many players in person. SportsForce’s custom online player profiles and professional combine skills videos – which will be offered at a discount for this event – are the solution to the lack of college recruiting exposure that even many quality high school athletes experience.
For a few hundred dollars, the SportsForce packages for 1-Position or 2-Position players include professionally shot baseball skills videos, a custom edited and labeled recruiting highlight DVD, and a one year SportsForce online profile membership.
SportsForce is NOT a recruiting service. We have assisted almost 1,000 student-athletes and families and have had an 80% success rate over the past 3 years. Our staff has over 50 years of combined college and professional baseball experience and clearly understands the needs of today’s student-athletes, sports parents and college coaches.
For more information about SportsForce athlete profile packages or upcoming combines please contact:
Event Director – Andrew Beinbrink
Phone – (858) 350-1786
Email – info@sportsforceonline.com
San Diego County Home to Many Talented Running Backs
Historically San Diego County has developed some the best running backs to ever play the game of football, with a list that includes Heisman Trophy winners: Marcus Allen, Rashaan Salaam, Ricky Williams and Reggie Bush. NFL great, Terrell Davis, one of five 2,000 yard rushers at the professional level, could also trace his roots back to the area. Even with the area’s rich history at the position, San Diego’s running back class of 2010 is arguably the most talented group ever to be coming out of any single location, let alone San Diego County.
Currently on Rivals, Dillon Baxter (6’0 205lbs), is ranked as the top overall all-purpose back in the nation and the only one with a five star rating at his respective position. As a Mission Bay Bucaneer, he led his team to a perfect season by playing both running back and quarterback. On the season, Dillon rushed for nearly 3,000 yards, scored 50 TDs rushing, 25 TDs through the air and had an impressive average of 11.4 YPC. He went over 300 yards in three different occasions and his lowest rushing mark of the year was 100 yards. As expected, Dillon was recently announced as the National Player of the Year. Dillon will be playing close to home with a commitment to USC.
Close on Dillion’s heels on the Rivals all-purpose back rankings is Brennan Clay (6’0 200lbs), who is currently holding the number two spot. During his junior year at Scripps Ranch, Brennan was a dual threat running back, surpassing 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving. He is a home run threat every time he touches the ball and is an explosive return man. Brennan recently signed with the University of Oklahoma.
Now look at Ricky Seale (5’10 190lbs), a big play back coming out of Escondido High School whose production over the last few years surely speaks for itself. His breakaway speed paired with superior vision has enabled him to amass 2,400 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in each of the past two season. Towards the end of his senior year he became the leading rusher in CIF-San Diego Section history and first ever in the section to go over 6,000 total rushing yards. He was highly recruited within the PAC-10, and ultimately signed with Stanford.
Then, there is Damien Williams (6’0 200lbs), a newcomer to the list of star running backs leaving San Diego County this year. Everyone always knew that he had talent, but grades and changing schools prevented him from demonstrating his talent early on. During his senior year at Mira Mesa he established himself as a top-tier back by rushing for nearly 2,300 yards, 24 TDs, 9.9 YPC and closing out the season strong with a string of eight consecutive 200 yard performances. Damien is now signed with the Arizona State Sundevils.
Don’t forget about Tony Jefferson (6’1 205lbs), from Eastlake High School, he has rushed for 5 yards shy of 2,000 with a 8.95 YPC and 25 TDs on the season. The scary thing is Tony was being recruited as a Safety and not a running back, so that speaks volumes about his potential to play on both sides of the ball. After being recruited and showing high interest in playing for Michigan, Oklahoma or USC, Tony decided on Oklahoma.
These young players have history on their side; San Diego County has produced more Heisman winners than any other place in the country. Is there something in the water? Maybe it’s a little too early to be speaking about the Heisman, but each one of these players has a chance to be something special, so make sure you keep an eye out for them in the next few seasons.
Women’s Lacrosse Tournament Survives Sports Tsunami
A little rain didn’t disrupt the action at the Surfside Cup at Rancho Bernardo High School this weekend, and SportsForce was there to catch all the action including the defending Women’s Lacrosse National Champion Northwestern Wildcats . High school teams were treated to great weather on Sunday, but both days afforded great play, especially by the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, February 6th.
The Wildcats had an explosive opening half against the University of Massachusetts, leading 14-3 before the break. The first half contained the most action, though Northwestern easily outperformed the UMass Minutewomen in every facet, finishing the game with an 18-6 win.
Santa Barbara also took on Claremont McKenna College, beating them 9-7.
Aside from the college action, the Surfside Cup offered a high school tournament. Ten teams from around Southern California and one team, Wildcat Elite, from Chicago participated in the tournament. Sunday also offered coaching seminars and youth and shooting clinics to the San Diego lacrosse community.
Male Student Athlete of the Week: Frankie Bamford
Sport: Basketball Position: Forward Height: 6’6” Class: 2012 School: La Jolla Country Day, La Jolla, CA
Frankie Bamford is an extremely talented sophomore forward at La Jolla Country Day. Consistently putting up double digits, Bamford is fast becoming the go to player for his team. In a tough loss to the Francis Parker, Bamford had a double- double leading his team with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Bamford followed up one double-double game with another. In a win over Santa Fe Christian, Bamford finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocked shots while he helped his team to another win by finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds to beat out Clairemont. Bamford also led his team with 17 points in a loss to the Bishop’s School.
To view Frankie’s complete SportsForce profile click here – http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/fbamford
Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
Drew Brees and His Path to the Super Bowl
In January 2006, Drew Brees was facing shoulder surgery for a torn labrum while the city of New Orleans was still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina that happened mere months before. Now, in 2010, both are looking at a revitalization, with a little help from one another. In the spring of 2006, Drew entered free agency while rehabbing his shoulder with an uncertain future and few teams interested in him other than his own Chargers and the New Orleans Saints.
Brees signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2006 just months after his shoulder surgery. The Saints were in desperate need of a quarterback to turn the team around and bring life back to the city and Brees proved to do just that. The city of New Orleans also provided the perfect opportunity for the already charitable player to expand and help a community desperately in need. The Brees Dream Foundation has donated more than $4,500,000 to charitable causes and academic institutions in the New Orleans, San Diego and West Lafayette/Purdue communities since its inception
Now, Brees, the Saints, and the city of New Orleans are onto the world stage, though many eyes have been on them all season. The Saints will take on the Indianapolis Colts in South Florida, with no doubt that many will be rooting for this comeback kid. Drew Brees has proven that resurrections can happen for athletes, teams and cities.
Watch below for Drew Brees at the 2009 San Diego Celebrity Golf Classic to see what he has to say about following your dreams and his future.
San Diego Hosts Surfside Cup: College and High School Lacrosse Tournament
SportsForce has partnered with the Surfside Cup. WomensLax.com is hosting the event which will serve as the season opener for the 5-time defending national champion Northwestern Wildcats. The Wildcats will be facing off against Atlantic-10 Champion UMass Minutewomen. The event will take place Saturday, February 6th at 8pm at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego. The game will showcase some of the nation’s top women’s lacrosse players.
Sunday, February 7th will also feature a high school tournament, a coaching seminar, a youth clinic, and a high school shooting clinic. The clinics will be led by Northwestern Lacrosse Coaches, including 2009 World Cup Champion, Lindsey Munday, of Team USA. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.womenslax.com and also at the gate the day of the event. Gates for the Northwestern/ UMass game will open at 7pm.
WomensLax.com’s Ashley Gersuk said of the event, “The inaugural Surfside Cup was very well-received by an enthusiastic and growing San Diego Lacrosse community in 2009 and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2010. This weekend promises to be exciting for lacrosse players, coaches, and enthusiasts of every level.”
