A look at the area's best players

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 27, 2007 | by David Schoen

IT'S NOT EASY to crack the lineup of the All-Tower basketball team.

Unlike some all-area teams, talent alone is not enough to guarantee a spot, and neither does a Division I scholarship. Scoring 40 points per game is nice, but it doesn't get you on this squad, either.

Instead, the All-Tower team is a collection of the players we saw in person that we would select if asked to coach a team. With that in mind, here is the 2006-07 All-Tower team:

BOYS

PG--Kwame Vaughn, Skyline: The 6-foot-3 junior is a blend of the Oakland Athletic League's best point guards of the last decade. Vaughn has former Oakland Tech star Quentin Thomas' length combined with a game that is reminiscent of ex-Oakland standout Ayinde Ubaka.

SG--William and Chris Brew, St. Mary's: The brothers are nearly impossible to tell apart on and off the court, so there's no need to separate them here. William is a junior and Chris is a year younger, but each is a tenacious defender with the quickness to get to the basket.

G/F--Shawn Lewis, Bishop O'Dowd: No player improved more from last season than the 6-3 senior. Lewis is an explosive leaper and showed he has some outside shooting range, guiding the Dragons to the Division III state title game. It's hard to imagine he doesn't have a scholarship lined up yet. West Coast Conference ... San Jose State ... hello?

PF--Frank Otis, McClymonds: Forget about his offensive struggles in the Division I state title game and look at what "Mook" did in the NorCal semifinal and final against De La Salle and Oak Grove, respectively. A bit undersized at 6-6, the junior is still the best rebounder in the area and a rugged post defender.

C--Jordan Fillmore, Acalanes: At 6-8, he likely won't play this position in college, but we'll put him here anyway. The senior can step out and shoot the 3, but it's his passing ability that is his most impressive trait.

Reserves: G Duane Bagsby, Berkeley; F Doug Jordan, Piedmont; G Damian Lillard, Oakland; F Josh O'Neal, Fremont; G/F Anthony Turner, Castlemont.

GIRLS

PG--Casey Morris, Piedmont: The junior point guard will be one of the most heavily recruited players on the West Coast this summer. Morris can get out of control at times, but she also is a big-time scorer. She scored 12 straight points in the final 3:51 to beat Moreau Catholic in the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs.

SG--Marnique Arnold, Pinole Valley: The MVP of the All-Tower team, the Fresno State-bound Arnold is a classic lunch pail player, doing all the dirty work for the Spartans. She can score, rebound, handle the ball and play defense, but it's her all-out hustle that really stood out.

SF--Robie Mayberry, Bishop O'Dowd: Only a freshman, the 5-11 Mayberry has the potential to be a future star. At 5-11, she can score down low, but she also showed the ability to step out and hit from the outside while helping the Dragons to the NCS Division III semifinals.

PF--DeNesha Stallworth, Pinole Valley: The 6-2 sophomore has started both years for the Spartans and should emerge next season as the area's top post player. Stallworth's offensive game is still developing, but she can block shots and might not be done growing, either.

C--Alexandria Mitchell, Berkeley: The 6-3 senior dominated at times thanks to her strength and surprisingly soft shooting touch. Mitchell is headed to Oregon State and could make a major impact for the Beavers in the coming years.

Reserves: G Jennifer Gross, Berkeley; G Bradleigh Miller, Oakland Tech; G/F Sayja Sumler, Oakland Tech; F Donnisha Taylor, Skyline; F Crystal Whittington, Castlemont.

View From the Tower is a weekly column compiled by staff writer David Schoen. The Tower can be reached by e-mail at dschoen@angnewspapers.com, by phone at (510) 208-6463 or by fax at (510) 208-6477.