Prep hoops fans rejoice -- it's tourney time

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 30, 2004

IF YOU ARE a high school basketball fan, this is the week you've been waiting for. The prep football season is just about over and the hoop tournaments tip off in full force around the East Bay starting on Wednesday. Salesian hosts the ninth annual Jeremy Jack Invitational that features the host Chieftains along with Albany, Hercules, Tamalpais, Richmond, San Marin, El Cerrito and Emery. The action gets under way at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday when Tamalpais meets Richmond and super sophomore Wendell McKines. Salesian meets Emery in the other first-round game that night before Albany battles Hercules and San Marin squares off against El Cerrito on Thursday. The title game is Saturday at 7 p.m. One of the other featured events takes place Friday and Saturday at St. Joseph, where the defending Division IV state champion Pilots host the Island Classic. Scheduled to participate in the event are powerhouse Newark Memorial -- the Cougars are expected to contend for the North Coast Section Division I title again behind Kyle Spain and Trae Clark -- along with the Oakland Athletic League's McClymonds and Fremont. If you're a girls basketball fan, check out the Amador Basketball Classic, which will feature St. Mary's of Stockton and superstar junior Jackie Gemelos. The 6-foot guard gave a verbal commitment to UConn over the summer and averaged 21.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.1 steals as a sophomore while leading the Rams to the Division III state title. Next week's slate includes the always-tough Vontoure Classic at De La Salle, the boys Amador Basketball Classic and the second annual girls Skyline Shootout. The host Titans meet St. Francis at 7:30 p.m. on Dec.10 following the 6 p.m. game between Redwood Christian and Castlemont. Castlemont, which features St. Mary's signee Kieisha Phelps along with talented junior La'Teena Wickett, meets St. Francis at 6 p.m. on Dec.11, with Redwood Christian taking on Skyline at 7:30 p.m.

PSHOF announces inductees

The Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame (PSHOF) announced its inductees into the Class of 2004. They will be honored Jan.4 at Piedmont's William "Binks" Rawlings Gymnasium between the end of the girls game and the start of the boys game (approximately 7:30 p.m.). The inductees will be formally inducted into the PSHOF at a reception and celebration Jan.9.

Lavern Corbin (posthumous, Class of 1925), a two-time MVP in basketball and the state player of the year as a junior in 1924, he was also a standout in football, tennis and baseball. Corbin pitched a no-hitter in his junior and senior seasons before moving on to Cal, where he was an All-America in basketball and voted into the Cal Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

William "Binks" Rawlings (posthumous, basketball coach 1926-34), who coached the Highlanders to the ACAL championship in 1927 and led the 1929 team to a 21-1 record, coming within one game playing for the state championship.

Robert "Slugger" Kurkjian (posthumous, Class of 1941), an MVP in both basketball and football, making All-County in both sports. Kurkjian was killed in action in Okinawa in 1945, winning the Bronze Star and Silver Star for gallantry in action. The football team annually awards the Kurkjian Award.

Leo McCaffery (Class of 1939), played for ACAL basketball champions in 1937 and'38, and participated in football and track before moving on to Stanford, where he won a national title in 1942.

Jack Dana (posthumous, Class of 1939), a member of the 1937 and'38 ACAL basketball championship teams, he also starred in football and track. Dana was also a member of Stanford's team that won the national title in 1942.

Bob Foskett (Class of 1962), a standout in basketball, football and track, he was All-County in basketball in 1962 and broke the county shot put record. He lettered in football and track for two years at Oregon.

Thomas Williamson (Class of 1967), an All-County football player and Optimo Award winner. He also participated in basketball and track.

George Williamson (Class of 1964), who scored 26 touchdowns as a senior to lead the state in scoring.

Jim Peters (Class of 1966), an All-Northern California linebacker in 1965 who helped the Highlanders to an undefeated record in the FAL. A state champion in the discus as a senior, Peters holds the school record at 189 feet.

Nancy Romweber (Class of 1989), a star in volleyball, soccer, softball, swimming and track. She still holds school records for the long jump, 200-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles.

Crystal ball

We normally stay away from predictions around The Tower, but we'll make a special exception for this week's NCS football title games.

4-A: De La Salle is still the class of Northern California and beats No.1 seed Amador Valley.

3-A East Bay: Top-seeded San Ramon Valley will get a battle from No.7 Las Lomas, but the Wolves should have enough to knock off the defending champions.

2-A East Bay: Wow, talk about a contrast in styles. No.1 Campolindo likes to throw, while No.2 Bishop O'Dowd runs, runs and then runs some more. The Dragons' defense will be the difference.