Meet the Preps

Tola, Tola, Tola!

Here is a video clip from the McDonald's Boys Basketball Senior Showcase on April 26. 

The highlight of the night was when Faith Christian Academy's Adetola "Tola" Akomolafe dunked over Parkland's Darren Mickens during the McDonalds Senior Showcase on April 26 at the Don Haskins Center. The alley-oop pass came from Andress' Josh Beach.

You can see the dunk at about the 0:45 second mark, but I suggest looking around the 0:35 just to be safe.
 
Thanks to MetroSports for lending us the footage, Frank Duran for converting it to online format and Jackie Armendariz for showing how to post it on the blog.

Now Tola went to Faith Christian and this past season helped lead his team to a TCAF state championship and has played against several of the public school players in city leagues, so he was real familiar with the level of competition.

Tola clearly has great talent, and if he had gone to public school I believe he would have been a star there as well. At 6-4, 183 pounds he clearly was one of the monsters on the court.

However, for now enjoy the clip and let me know what you think.

Playoff atmosphere

Late in the third quarter as the score was out-of-reach, El Dorado seemed to begin to get down on itself and of all people it was one of the Duncanville players that right in front of me said to one of the El Dorado players: "Hey, head up man. Lets go all the way to the end, come on. Me and you, lets do this"

To me that was a great show of sportsmanship from Duncanville. From there Duncanville continued to overwhelm El Dorado but neither team took the final quarter lightly, and while the end result was not what the Aztecs wanted they played the way that game is suppose to be played — at 100 percent.

For those of you who could not make the trip to see the game, you missed a great crowd for the game. The Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center is a great venue for high school basketball and it was full of basketball fans and they were full of excitement.

The crowd was into the game from the pre-game introductions and that was part in due to the personal running the PA system. First, the announcer of the game was enthusiastic for BOTH teams. The pre-game introductions included "entrance music" for both teams.

Personally, I've always have enjoyed pre-game hype and I do realize that there are some who believe that hype has no place in a high school game I would disagree. As long as the PA announcer is enthusiastic for both squads, and not just the home team, I believe it is fair and only encourages a great atmosphere.

Fan involvement was a big part of the playoff game in Fort Worth, and in my opinion it was very tasteful involvement. While yes you did have the questioning of the refs judgement, you also had strong cheering for both teams. There would be an occasional "heckle" of the opposing team, but nothing more than an "air ball" chant or something along the lines. There were no nasty saying shouted to the players, at least from what I could hear.

Overall, it had the feel of a big game atmosphere. Now during the season I was able to see some games with a large active crowd, especially in big games, but there were some games that the crowd seemed out of it. Even during the mini-playoff between Coronado, Franklin and Hanks there seemed to be very little student support. On another occasion it was quiet enough at a game for two parents to have an exchange with each other from across the court. At a game it should never get quiet enough for two individuals to hear each other from other sides of the gym, even when shouting.

Talking with coach Vicencio and other members of the El Dorado group we noted how its a pity that there are the atmosphere only gets "big" for the important games, when they could remember that every game was an excitement. 

Now maybe it makes a difference or maybe it doesn't, but for El Paso athletes to play only a few games with loud crowds and exciting pre-game intros and then go into the regional tournament where it feels like a college or professional game it could be a bit overwhelming.

I think making every game a big game could potentially help our teams make it further in the playoffs. I also believe it would make every game, even the ones for sixth place in district, a fun environment and thats how you get exchanges between players demanding the best from each other even in a blowout.

But it all starts with fans, both parents and students. One, there has to be a big crowd that is loud and passionate. Second, anything during the game from the crowd has to be tasteful and not too negative to the opposing team. Third, a PA announcer needs to hype the game up, but for both teams not just the home crowd.

I think it would be great to hear a full introduction with music and emphasis on the names for both teams, no matter what the game is. It is easy to get excited when the No. 1 team takes on the No. 2 team, but give the seventh and eighth place teams the same treatment.

Who knows maybe it won't make our teams better, but I'm sure the players would appreciate hearing the crowd go wild when they are introduced or make a basket. Overall I think it would be fun and thats what the game is all about.

What do you all think? On top of that, who has the best crowds in the city? Who's pre-game intro's do you like in high school, college or the pros? And what were some of the best games in town this year?

800, 801... and beyond

A week ago Montwood's Tony Harper won the 800th varsity game of his career against Socorro. There were many reasons to celebrate, and Harper's players, family and friends all did their part to make the humble coach join in.

One of the things most people who have known Harper will say is that he has never been about himself. The 37-year coach would rather put 800 players in the spotlight instead of himself.

And that is the point. To be a long-time high school coach, one must be willing to put in hours upon hours of work with the players, not just so they can win the next game, but so the players can succeed. Most importantly the coach has got to want to be there. 

Many times a successful coach may move up to the college ranks or take an athletic director position, but to get 700, 800 or in some cases 1,000 wins a coach has to be successful and happy where he is.

Harper is obviously happy where he is, a high school coach. He is happy because he is successful, but he doesn't measure that by 800 wins, but instead by the impact he's had on players over the year, his wife Andree said.

Andree said he still receives letters from players who went on to be a success on and off the court. Coaches that have worked with him, still consider him a teacher and a friend. 

Leading up to No. 800, and after the final buzzard it was apparent that Harper would rather talk about the actual game rather than what number it was. However, he was obviously touched by how many people came out to celebrate with him. In his own words that "is what it's all about."

Not many coaches will get to 800 wins in high school. Of coarse not many of the ones that get there wanted to 800 or more wins. They just wanted wins. Wins and players to teach the game to and in turn maybe slip a couple lessons about becoming an adult in there.

So here's a congratulations to Harper. For 800 wins, yes, but also for the 800 other reasons he coaches for. 

El Paso high school boys, girls basketball top 10 polls - not an exact science

We all know that polls are no exact science - far from it, actually.

These two most recent high school girls and boys basketball polls are no different.

No doubt some of these rankings will have people scratching their heads, so I felt compelled to offer insight into how we came about slotting the teams.

Let's start with the boys.

Rk. Team Record Previous rank

1. Montwood 5-0 1

2. Franklin 7-0 2

3. Andress 4-2 3

4. Americas 5-1 5

5. Burges 4-1 6

6. Chapin 2-2 4

7. Hanks 3-3 9

8. Ysleta 4-3 NR

9. Irvin 4-2 7

10. Coronado 5-1 8

Montwood and Franklin are no-brainers, while Andress' only losses have come to Franklin and Montwood. The Eagles also have defeated Americas.

Speaking of the Trailblazers, they beat Chapin on Tuesday (Dec. 2) to move up a slot, while Burges is a legitimate 4-1.

Chapin's losses have been to Montwood and Americas, so No. 6 at 2-2 is acceptable at this point.

And here's our first head-scratcher...

Hanks climbs to No. 7 from No. 9 after barely scraping by unranked-yet-tough El Dorado 49-46 in overtime. Yet this upward move mostly is because of Ysleta's 75-66 win over Irvin. The reasoning here was that the Knights beat Ysleta - albeit without having to face Ysleta's all-city forward Hector Lopez - who beat Irvin who beat Coronado. Now, if Ysleta and Hanks were to hook up again, my money would be on the Indians. However, you can't overlook head-to-head record, especially this early in the season, which is why the Knights get the nod for now. Hanks' only losses this season have come against Chapin, Andress and Franklin, all of whom are ranked above them.

Ysleta gets thrust back into the poll by virtue of its win over the Rockets. In my opinion, the Indians lost to Burges (in OT) and to Eastwood in part because of the ankle injury to Lopez. The senior sprained his ankle in sinking the tying shot to send the Burges game into overtime, then didn't return until Tuesday's (Dec. 2) game against Irvin, where he scored 27 points. If Lopez can stay healthy and Ysleta continues getting nearly 30 points a game from Javier Ramos, then the Indians have a chance to climb the polls. Either way, they should be good from here on in.

Irvin and Coronado are ranked accordingly. The T-Birds have lost only one of six games, but none of their wins have come against ranked opponents. Meanwhile, Irvin beat Coronado in the Socorro tournament.

GIRLS

Rk. Team Record Previous rank

1. Hanks 8-0 1

2. Burges 9-0 2

3. Irvin 8-2 4

4. Americas 8-3 5

5. Andress 6-2 6

6. Chapin 8-4 3

7. Coronado 5-3 7

8. Socorro 6-3 8

9. El Paso 6-4 9

10. Parkland 6-4 10

Like the boys, the top 2 spots were easy to pick.

Irvin's ranking over Americas comes from the Rockets' tournament win not too long ago, where they beat Midland, which beat the Trailblazers.

Americas is a solid top 5 team and recently knocked off previous No. 3 Chapin.

We're going with Andress over Chapin based on record. Chapin also did little to impress in the 34-28 loss at Americas on Tuesday (Dec. 2). Andress' most impressive win this year is a 39-31 squeaker over Coronado.

Chapin hangs in there at No. 6 because of its tough pre-district schedule. Chapin's two El Paso losses have come against ranked teams (Hanks, Americas), while another defeat was an overtime loss to Garland.

It's a huge mess thereafter. You basically can throw the rest - along with even some unranked teams - in a hat and fill in the remaining spots.

Coronado lost to unranked Eastwood on Tuesday (Dec. 2) 51-49, which could have plummeted the T-Birds. Our initial inclination was to inject Eastwood into the poll behind Chapin, but given that Eastwood lost to unranked El Dorado and because the T-Birds lost by only three points, we decided to keep the Troopers out. Eastwood also must improve on its 2-7 record...

Despite Socorro's 6-3 record (2-1 in District 1-5A), the Bulldogs didn't move up because of their shootout loss to Coronado earlier this year.

El Paso and Parkland remain in the poll because we feel that at this point, they are the best of the rest - although not by much.

So there you go.

It's an in-depth look into how we go about choosing our top 10 polls, and as you can see, it's not a perfect system. Overall, we look at record and strength of schedule, trying to take as much as we can into account.

Bye for now, and I hope this has provided insight that you can use in trying to decipher future polls!

- Lenny

Talking high school sports

The latest high school sports podcast is now available.

KTSM's Beau Bagley joins Lenny Jurado, Aaron Bracamontes and John Erfort of the El Paso Times to talk about the high school football playoffs and the beginning of high school basketball.

To download or listen to the podcast, click here.

Talking high school sports

The latest high school sports podcast is now available. The podcast, recorded Tuesday night, features Edward Egros of KTSM, plus John Erfort and Lenny Jurado from the El Paso Times.

You can listen to or download the podcast by clicking here.

Talking high school sports

The latest El Paso Times high school sports podcast is now available. It features a lot of talk about some basketball games tonight, so listen to it now.

You can listen to or download the podcast by clicking here.

Nearly lost my hearing at Ysleta...

Well, I'm exaggerating about that, but man was that crowd deafening!

It was Parkland at Ysleta boys basketball Friday night (Feb. 8, 2008), with a chance for the Indians to virtually ensure a share of the District 2-4A title with the Matadors (Parkland had beaten Ysleta 93-54 on Jan. 15). Ysleta wound up winning this rematch 64-63.

As is normally the case at prideful Ysleta, the decibel level was through the roof. Ysleta basketball has some of the most passionate fans in town, and it'd been a while since I've heard a crowd that loud.

The whistles and cheers were ear-piercing, shaking you to the bone with every Ysleta basket - free throw or field goal.

Considering the Indians won only by 1 point, I've got to believe that their fans had a part in that victory.

You've got to give it to Ysleta and that fan base. I wish every school could have as much support and electric of an atmosphere.

Talking high school sports

The latest high school sports podcast is now available. KTSM's Edward Egros, along with Matt Johnson, Lenny Jurado and John Erfort from the El Paso Times talk about boys and girls basketball, wrestling and much more.

To listen to or download the ginormous 52-minute podcast, click here.

What is the greatest upset by an El Paso boys or girls basketball team?

What do you think is the greatest upset by an El Paso boys or girls basketball team?