Wright’s Week in The East Bay League
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Prep Hoops has been taking the drive up 680 Highway to take in games from the East Bay League, arguably the top league in NorCal this season. The EBL has 10 teams, 8 with winning records. The games are highly…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops has been taking the drive up 680 Highway to take in games from the East Bay League, arguably the top league in NorCal this season. The EBL has 10 teams, 8 with winning records. The games are highly competitive, with close scores, and victories coming with just seconds on the clock. This was the case on Wednesday and Friday night when PH was on hand to witness game winning shots at the buzzer. Here’s a few takeaways from those games.
Dublin 59 Granada 56. Wednesday
East Bay League is going to be a dog fight when these teams play each other. While PH was in attendance, the road team has gone in and pulled off victories over the home team. Dublin’s Donovan Cooks Donovan Cooks 6'1" | PG Dublin | 2023 State CA-N (10pts) knocked down a jumper off the dribble with no time left on the clock to give Dublin (8-3) (2-0) a 59-56 win over the upstart host Granada (9-3) (1-1). Dublin’s Courtney Anderson Courtney Anderson 6'4" | SG Dublin | 2023 State #151 Nation CA-N Jr. One of the top 2023’s in NorCal continue his rise with consistent play. He had 19pts, while 6’4 Freshman Jalen Stokes played well in a starting role scored 10pts.
Granada has put together a good overall record this season10-4, are led by 2022 6’6 big guard Kevin Gad who runs the teams offense most of the time. Gad has good vision and passing up court. He struggled a bit from the outside in this game, nonetheless he’s a major contributor to this teams long term success along with Jonathan Mitchell 6’6 2022 W/F a wiry player that fills the lane, defend inside out, and help on the boards, he hit a couple corner 3’s late.
It was our first look at this Granada team featuring 6’11 2023 post player, Andrew McKeever. The lefty is long, with a solid body, he takes up space and has post presence on both ends. He has decent movement, and can score around the basket, with some touch off the glass. His size alone makes shooters adjust when coming into the paint, his arms are extended, and he does go after blocks. He had a double-double with 18pts, 11rebs.
San Ramon Valley 63, Dougherty Valley 61. Friday.
When you watch Dougherty Valley you always start with the work that Ryan Beasley Ryan Beasley 5'11" | PG Dougherty Valley | 2023 State #228 Nation CA-N does on the court. The rising 5’11 2023 Guard has been dazzling in this season averaging 29.8 pts a game, and a couple of 40, and 43 point outbursts while PH was in the building. He helps create the flow of the game offensively with his scoring abilities. He dropped six 3’s, scored 26 by halftime, was 7 of 9 on FT’s. He initiates and draws fouls regularly. 43 pts in this game.
San Ramon Valley 8-3 overall record has a group of young talented prospects on its roster. One of them is Seamus Deely a 6’4 2024 G/F newcomer who beat the buzzer with a rebound put back. Deely led a balance scoring attack with 15 pts. He’s a big guard who can handle the ball, he likes passing and is aggressive when he gets into the paint, along with 6’5 2024 forward William Ambidge who’s aggressive play on the board, and inside the paint kept DV’s big man in foul trouble throughout the game. He chipped in with 9pts, 7rebs 2 blocks and aggressive play.
The backcourt tandem of shooting guard Parker McClaughry 6’3 2023 and Mason Thomas 5’10 PG 2025 prospect has been a consistent pair for most of the season. Thomas the unassuming Freshman (8pts) has been consistent in running the teams offense and finding clutch shooters including McClaughry who’s knocked down two big 3’s in a 4th quarter game for the second time while PH was in the building. He finished with 13pts.
Notables:
Nate Keaney 6’0 2023 Guard of Granada 12pts.
TJ Costello 6’0 2022 Guard of Dublin 6pts
Mehki Thomas 6’4 2023 Guard of Dublin 7pts
Navaughn Long 6’3 2024 W/G of Granada 2pts
Connor Sevilla 6’0 2023 G of Dougherty Valley 13pts
Duke Beardslee 6’1 2022 G of San Ramon Valley 8pts