Frank Burlison

OCEANSIDE, CA – The first-ever Area Codes Basketball/Gamepoint Basketball/San Diego Super 80 Showcase – held Sunday at Mira Costa Community College – proved a wonderful opportunity for a lot of San Diego-area hoopsters to put their skills on display.

There were quality prospects across the board, with freshmen and sophomores (with a couple of eighth-graders also showing out well) playing in the first four games and juniors and seniors on stage for the final four.

Here are some of the players that most impressed me:

*Evan Fitzner (6-foot-9/San Diego Parker) had long since convinced me that he was one of the best of the forwards in the Western Class of 2014.

[Click to continue reading]

CORONA, CA – The latest version of the Fullcourt Press All-Frosh/Soph Camp wrapped up late Sunday afternoon in typical fashion – after putting many of the region’s top ninth- and 10^th-graders on display over two days of competitive action.

Many of the 150-plus players who participated came into the event already well known – by college recruiters and hoops analysts – on the high school circuit.

Those included the likes of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman big men Stephen Zimmerman and Chase Jeter; point guards Sedrick Barfield (Corona, CA, Centennial), Kendall Small (Huntington Beach, CA, Ocean View) and Kahlil Simplis (N.

[Click to continue reading]

CORONA, CA – There was no shortage of “point guard-types” on hand at the Players Edge facility Saturday during the Fullcourt Press All-Frosh/Soph Camp.

Come to think of it . . . there were plenty of impressive post players – and wings – as well.

Sedrick Barefield (Corona, CA/Centennial), Kahill Simplis (North Hollywood Campbell Hall) and Kendall Small (Huntington Beach, CA/Ocean View) came into the two-day event with already well-established reputations for being among the West’s best at point guard in the Class of 2015.

Each of the three Southern California residents more than played justified the hyperbole with his play Saturday afternoon and evening in his two games.

[Click to continue reading]

  LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA – The gestation period for assembling the thing was seemingly longer than that of an elephant.

But, finally, here it is: My 2012 all-Spring and Summer Honor Squad.

From among these teams – first- and second-10 in the Class of 2013, as well as “others” in the class (players who are still underrated in many circles); a top 10 for 2014; and a top Five for 2015 – come most of the usual suspects.

And there are some not-quite-so-familiar names to be found, as usual.

[Click to continue reading]

LAS VEGAS, NV – The annual Fullcourt Press Las Vegas Fall Showcase was held at Bishop Gorman High Tuesday.

And, not surprisingly, event was highlighted in large part by the presence of players from the host school and national prep school-power Findlay Prep of nearby Henderson.

The all-sophomore frontcourt of Stephen Zimmerman (6-foot-10), Chase Jeter (6-8) and Nick Blair (6-4) of Gorman were dominant while playing in both the sophomore and junior games.

The left-handed Zimmerman, still working his way back into top-flight playing condition after June surgery on his right knee forced him to spend summer watching instead of playing games, showed off his remarkable versatility.

[Click to continue reading]