SoCalHoops Recruiting News
SoCalHoops Recruiting News
News From San Diego: High Five
America Update--(May 24, 2000)
We heard from our friends down in San Diego recently who wanted to give us an update on what's happening with one of the top programs in the region, specifically, the High Five America teams and tournaments. For those who aren't aware, San Diego has two fairly prominent programs for high school and youth teams and tournament, one sponsored by adidas (Rising Stars) and the other sponsored by Nike (High Five). Here's what Dave Axelson had to say about the Nike program:
"Our NIKE 17/U Travel Team is playing in Kentucky over Memorial Weekend and features five players from San Diego, five from the San Francisco Bay area and one from Orange County. The High Five America NIKE Travel Team for the Summer of 2000 will begin their tournament season at the end of this month, according to Rle Nichols, President and Head Basketball Coach of High Five America. The team, which has a total of 11 players, is a hybrid of some of the best basketball players from San Diego County and from the Oakland/Bay Area, with some talent form Orange County as well. This year’s High Five team looks to have the talent necessary to extend their string of Division I signings for yet another season.
"Geormel Benson (6’6", 230) and Alex Galloway (6’7", 180) join the San Diego-based team from San Francisco Abraham Lincoln High School. Tremain Fuqua (6’9", 249), one of the highest rated big men in California and a student at Oakland’s Skyline HS and Keith Wilright (6’8", 220) from Oakland Technical will patrol the front line for High Five. Stephen Johnson (5’11", 170) from Oakland Redwood HS and Antonio Parker (5’11", 165) an All-Metro performer from Oakland HS will run the fastbreak attack for Coach Nichols.
"Representing the team from San Diego are two players from Scripps Ranch High School, located close to High Five’s home court at The SportsCenter, located on the campus of United States International University. Kellen Winslow, the 6’5", 217 lb. son of NFL Football Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow, Sr., plays both forward positions for HFA, while 6’0", 165 pound Matt Vaughn plays both guard positions for the club. A fine shooting guard from St. Augustine HS Eric Osmundson (6’4", 185) and the Julius Profit, brother of last year’s CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year (and HFA travel team member) James Profit, is also a fine backcourt player.
"Representing Orange County and the only sophomore on the squad is 6’7", 204 pound forward Travis Niesen from Mission Viejo, California.
"The squad will compete in the prestigious Bluegrass Classic in Louisville, Kentucky over Memorial Weekend and will compete in the Super Showcase in Orlando, Florida from July 22-25, 2000. Other major competitions that HFA plans to participate in include the invitation-only Peach Jam in Augusta, GA July 17-20, the Great American Shootout in Denton, Texas, the Slam ‘N Jam in Los Angeles and the NIKE Challenge in Portland August 3-6, 2000.
"In the past two seasons, we have had a number of upper Division I kids play with our club," commented Coach Nichols. "We also had the privilege of having 7’4" Yao Ming from the People’s Republic of China, the best young big man in the world, play for us. Other outstanding athletes from recent High Five teams have included Teyo Johnson (Stanford), Amon Gordon (Stanford), James Profit (Liberty University), Vince Okotie (Liberty University), Ronnie Johnson (Long Beach State University), Wayne Bernard (Davidson) and Chris Walton (San Diego State University). We are certain that the tradition of our kids playing at the major college level will continue with this year’s crop of student-athletes."
PLAYER'S NAME |
POS. |
HT. |
WT. |
HIGH SCHOOL |
Geormel Benson |
4,3 |
6'6" |
230 |
San Francisco Abraham Lincoln HS |
Tremaine Fuqua |
5 |
6'9" |
249 |
Oakland Skyline HS |
Alex Galloway |
3,2,1 |
6'7" |
180 |
San Francisco Abraham Lincoln HS |
Stephen Johnson |
1,2 |
5'11" |
170 |
Oakland Redwood HS |
Travis Niesen |
4,3,5 |
6'6" |
204 |
Mission Viejo HS |
Eric Osmundson |
2,1 |
6'4" |
185 |
San Diego St. Augustine HS |
Antonio Parker |
1,2 |
5'11" |
165 |
Oakland High School HS |
Julius Profit |
2,1,3 |
6'2" |
170 |
San Diego Serra HS |
Matt Vaughn |
1,2 |
6'0" |
160 |
San Diego Scripps Ranch HS |
Keith Wilright |
4,3,2 |
6'8" |
220 |
Oakland Technical HS |
Kellen Winslow |
3,4 |
6'5" |
217 |
San Diego Scripps Ranch HS |
High Five also has several other events planned, including a Girls Basketball Tournament planned for July1,2,3 at The SportCenter at USIU. The enrollment is $299 for a 4-game minimum, $329 after June 12th. For more information on that event, call Russ Boenker at 858-536-3211 Ext. 103.
Finally, Wayne Engelstad and Russ are planning on having a 64-team Boys High School Tournament over Christmas at The SportCenter. The NIKE Tournament that had been run in San Diego over the holidays is apparently being cut back, so we hope that this event fills a market niche in our area.
If anyone is interested in finding out more about High Five or any of their events, you can contact David Axelson at at 858-536-3211 Ext. 114.
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