The Preps Box

Sam McMillan (left), shown earlier this year against Paso Robles, has been a defensive leader for the Atascadero High boys basketball team this season. — Tribune file photo by David Middlecamp ©

Eleven San Luis Obispo County teams found themselves ranked in Monday’s latest CIF-Southern Section divisional polls:

BOYS BASKETBALL

Arroyo Grande — No. 5 in Division III-AA; Atascadero — No. 9 in Division IV-AA; North County Christian — No. 11 in Division VI-AA

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Arroyo Grande — No. 7 in Division III-AA; Atascadero — No. 13 in Division IV-AA; Morro Bay — No. 7 in Division IV-A; North County Christian — No. 1 in Division VI-A

BOYS SOCCER

Arroyo Grande — tied for No. 8 in Division V

GIRLS SOCCER

Arroyo Grande — No. 4 in Division III; San Luis Obispo — No. 7 in Division III

GIRLS WATER POLO

Arroyo Grande — No. 1 in Division IV

(No new wrestling polls were released, but Morro Bay has been No. 1 in Division VI all year.)

The PAC 7 boys basketball race has featured a number of guards who, at times, have looked Division I-caliber in Arroyo Grande’s Michael Escobedo, Atascadero’s Troy Norris, Righetti’s Hunter Walker and Paso Robles’ Lonnie Watson.

While Arroyo Grande (19-6, 8-3) looked like the clear-cut frontrunner after winning its first meeting against then-co-league leader Righetti (18-5, 8-2), ranked No. 6 in Division II-A, the Eagles have struggled with their perimeter shooting of late, going 0-of-18 from 3-point range in a 46-43 loss to Nipomo on Monday. Atascadero (16-7, 6-4), meanwhile, has a fairly comfortable hold on third place, with San Luis Obispo (10-14, 5-6), Paso Robles (12-11, 4-6) and Nipomo (11-13, 4-6) all in a wild scuffle for the league’s fourth and final playoff berth.

How’s it going to play out? Which team will go farthest in the postseason?

In girls basketball, Atascadero (17-3, 9-1) is still riding high off its 44-38 win Jan. 29 over Arroyo Grande (18-6, 10-1), and has several stars in all-around offensive weapon Raven Taylor, sharp-shooting Alyssa Palma and tough post presence Shannon Berwick. Morro Bay (16-6, 9-2), meanwhile, entrenched in second in the Los Padres League, should earn a home game in its division thanks to a slew of underclassmen who’ve done a nice job complementing the inside-out veteran combo of power forward Ciara Ramos and point guard Megan Hansen.

Will Atascadero or Arroyo Grande go farther out of the PAC 7? And how do you like the Pirates’ chances?

On the pitch, the Arroyo Grande girls (20-3, 10-1) have clinched at least a share of the PAC 7 title, while the Eagles boys (17-7-1, 8-2-1) can still do the same.

The San Luis Obispo girls (19-3-2, 8-3), meanwhile, could also make some noise in the playoffs, although they nearly squandered a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 win over Paso Robles on Monday. Which soccer squads have looked the best to you, and who is best equipped to make a deep playoff run?

Nipomo High's Kevin Britt (left), Akeem King (middle) and Duane Hanna all signed Division I letters of intent on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Joe Johnston ©

National Signing Day has come, and several athletes throughout San Luis Obispo County signed National Letters of Intent today.

I just got back from a news conference at Nipomo High, where football players Akeem King, Kevin Britt and Duane Hanna all inked their letters to play at San Jose State, Cal Poly and Sacramento State, respectively. I also just got off the phone with Sacramento State defensive coordinator Lou Baiz, who had glowing things to say about Hanna’s potential.

“We just love his trigger and explosiveness,” Baiz said of Hanna, who he said could play any of the Hornets’ linebacker spots. “He’s a very good defensive player with very good reactions. We think he has a very bright future.

“In the recruiting process, we liked not only his athletic ability, but his tremendous character,” he added. “We really like his personality and think he’ll bring a lot to our team.”

Of King, first-year Spartans coach Mike MacIntyre said in a statement released by the university: “Akeem is fast and big. He has a huge upside, because he is very young in the game of football. We’re excited about his speed and the athleticism that he will bring to us as a wide receiver.”

For more perspective on their signings and the historic year at Nipomo — as well as a recap of other signings, before we fully get back to the regularly scheduled programming of winter sports — be sure to check out the full upcoming story in The Tribune.

Nipomo High's Kevin Britt, middle, shown in 2008, has 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash. — Tribune file photo by Joe Johnston ©

With the NCAA’s National Letter of Intent Signing Day approaching on Wednesday, I thought I’d pass along a Top 10 list of San Luis Obispo County football prospects who, as of Thursday, were uncommitted. For many players across the country, now is a time of waiting, as certain schools fill spots and other positions open up. This list, as well as info herein, is derived in large part from conversations I’ve had with coaches dating back to the preseason. Listed alphabetically:

Thomas Bernal, QB/S/P, Paso Robles (6-foot-1, 200 pounds)

Although he was injured for much of this past season, the two-and-a-half-year starter under center, a preseason CalHiSports all-Ventura/Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo counties pick, could help a team in a variety of ways thanks to his overall athleticism and intelligence.

Eric Bilderback, OG, Paso Robles (6-5, 270)

Bilderback — also a preseason all-Ventura/Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo selection — helped pave the way for a running game that compiled 254.9 yards per contest. At various points this year, the all-PAC 7 first-team member was reportedly being looked at by a number of Mountain West Conference programs, including Utah.

Kevin Britt, WR/CB, Nipomo (6-1, 175) UPDATE: Britt committed to Cal Poly on Sunday. For the full story, click here.

He caught 53 passes for 893 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to all-CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division honors at receiver, and also added 71 tackles as a defensive back. Britt, an all-Los Padres League first-team receiver with 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash, out-produced USC-bound Robert Woods in the Titans’ postseason loss to Serra of Gardena. He has been offered a scholarship by Cal Poly, The Tribune first reported, but is also garnering interest from Fresno State and San Diego State, among others.

Robbie Burbank, RB, Paso Robles (6-1, 210)

An all-Northern Division selection and the PAC 7’s Offensive Back of the Year, Burbank rushed for 1,802 yards and 21 touchdowns on 254 carries this past season, including a 395-yard performance against Central of Fresno that earned him MaxPreps National Stat Star of the Week distinction. A bruising runner who might project better as a fullback at the next level, Burbank has received interest from Northern Arizona and Sacramento State, among others, according to Scout.com.

Bronson Gonzalez, LB/FB, Morro Bay (5-10, 190)

While the hard-nosed LPL All-Purpose Player of the Year may not have ideal size for the college game, you’d have to think he’d produce if someone gave him a chance. Gonzalez had 135 tackles this past season, in addition to running for 859 yards and 10 touchdowns on 122 attempts.

Evan Hicks, S/FB, Atascadero (5-10, 185)

His rare combination of quickness, physicality and recognition skills would make him a solid acquisition. The all-PAC 7 first-team weak-side linebacker had a team-high 84 tackles last year.

Tanner Hinek, OT, Arroyo Grande (6-6, 302)

While he’s still pretty new to football (this past season was his first on the gridiron), Hinek is an intriguing prospect because of his rare combination of size and quickness. Not just a behemoth, Hinek had already proven his nimbleness by averaging 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on the basketball court as a junior during the Eagles’ Division III-AA semifinals run. He was a key cog in an offensive line that cleared the way for 209.7 rushing yards per game.

Eric Penningroth, RB, Nipomo (5-10, 160)

Arguably the county’s most elusive runner, the versatile all-LPL first-team pick compiled a county-best 2,008 yards from scrimmage. With a GPA that well exceeds 4.0, he has been shown interest from San Diego and Cornell, amid others.

Dalton Spinas, OL, Atascadero (6-1, 254)

Four different Greyhounds running backs put together 100-yard games at various points this year, pooling for a rushing-yards-per-game average of 263.9. Spinas, an all-Northern Division honoree and the PAC 7 Offensive Lineman of the Year, was a huge reason why. He was also an all-Ventura/Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo counties preseason selection.

Daniel Wheeler, ATH, Templeton (5-11, 175)

The speedy, versatile all-Ventura/Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo counties preseason choice saw time at running back, receiver, defensive back and kick returner, totaling 1,309 all-purpose yards on 116 total touches, not to mention 96 tackles. Cal Poly reportedly has been amongst the all-LPL first-team defensive back’s suitors.

Did I miss anyone? Any disagreements? Feel free to call me out.

Thus far, there have been five county products to announce their commitments to Division I schools for this period: Nipomo receiver Akeem King (San Jose State), Nipomo linebacker Duane Hanna (Sacramento State), Atascadero quarterback Gunnar Jespersen (Central Connecticut State via Allan Hancock), Mission Prep all-purpose player Kevin Laird (Cornell) and Arroyo Grande receiver and defensive back John Alexander (Cornell). Morro Bay receiver Austin Nesbitt will continue his career at Division III Menlo, while Nipomo quarterback Josh Correia will play at Monterey Peninsula.

Who of the bunch, including those who aren’t yet committed, do you think will have the best college careers?

Nipomo High's Duane Hanna celebrates a touchdown against Lompoc this past season. — Tribune file photo by David Middlecamp ©

This year’s first Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) verbal commitment in San Luis Obispo County belongs to Nipomo High receiver Akeem King, who is headed for San Jose State. He’s not the only Titan to have already committed to a Division I program, though. Linebacker Duane Hanna will play at Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) Sacramento State.

For more on their commitments — as well as a look at where other Nipomo star seniors could be headed — check out the full story in The Tribune. Stay tuned for updates as we build up to the NCAA’s National Letter of Intent Signing Day, Feb. 3.

Arroyo Grande's Michael Escobedo gets in a defensive stance during a 58-49 win over Paso Robles on Jan. 4. — Tribune file photo by Jayson Mellom ©

Before the lion’s share of PAC 7 league play in basketball and soccer resumes Wednesday, I’d like to take some brief down time to look back at this past week and highlight some of the most noteworthy, unique individual and team performances throughout San Luis Obispo County:

10. Case Bruton and Edward Griley don’t play like underclassmen: The Morro Bay boys basketball team might be struggling somewhat as a whole in the here and now, but Pirates fans could have an awful lot to look forward to in a couple of years. Their two leading scorers, 6-foot-2 freshman wing Case Bruton and 6-5 sophomore forward Edward Griley, combined for 55 points Jan. 11 in a 79-50 rout of Santa Ynez. (Griley was within shouting distance of a triple-double, with 12 rebounds and eight blocks.)

9. Paso Robles boys basketball picks up big wins at home: The Bearcats entered the season with a considerable core of talent in guard Lonnie Watson and forwards Cheyne Hayes and Brandon Todd. That group could be clicking at the right time. First, the Bearcats made up for an earlier tournament loss to Atascadero by edging the arch-rival Greyhounds — who entered ranked No. 6 in Division IV-AA of the CIF-Southern Section — 49-46 on Wednesday. They followed it up with a 48-47 win over San Luis Obispo two days later, when Hayes hit a game-winner with 3.9 seconds remaining.

8. Michael Escobedo keeps Arroyo Grande boys basketball undefeated in league play: The senior do-everything point guard, pictured above, poured in 26 points during the Eagles’ 71-44 win over an athletic Nipomo squad on Friday. Arroyo Grande (16-3, 5-0) and Righetti (14-3, 4-0) are both unbeaten in league competition; they’ll meet Friday in Santa Maria and Feb. 12 in James Gym.

7. Hannah Kenny putting up MVP-type numbers: Kenny, the PAC 7 girls’ leading scorer and rebounder, outscored 6-5 Cal Poly signee Molly Schlemer, 24-21, in a 54-37 win over Righetti on Wednesday, and then posted a game-best 14 points in a 52-46 win over vastly improved Paso Robles on Friday. After the latter contest, Tigers coach Mike Godsey said without hesitation he thought Kenny is the league’s MVP. San Luis Obispo’s only league loss came to PAC 7-unbeaten Arroyo Grande (13-5, 5-0), which has relied on a more balanced scoring attack, 48-37, on Jan. 8. They’ll meet again Feb. 3 in San Luis Obispo.

6. Josh Feld breaks 16-year-old school scoring record: Feld, a senior at North County Christian, broke the Crusaders’ single-game mark with 43 points in a 77-56 win over Coastal Christian on Friday.

5. Mission Prep boys soccer stays perfect: The Royals — who’ve already beaten a number of PAC 7 and Los Padres League teams — moved to 12-0 with a 9-1 thrashing of Midland on Wednesday. Mission Prep has several players among the Central Section individual statistical leaders in multiple offensive categories.

4. Morgan Wack one-ups a hat trick for Arroyo Grande boys soccer: Wack tallied the first four goals for the Eagles in their 5-2 win over Nipomo on Friday. Arroyo Grande (12-6-1, 3-1-1 PAC 7), ranked No. 8 in Division V of the Southern Section, has a showdown at league frontrunner Righetti on Friday.

3. Morro Bay wrestling stays on a roll: At the Santa Ynez Tournament on Saturday, the shorthanded Pirates (4-0, 2-0 LPL) — ranked No. 1 in Division VI of the Southern Section — still placed seven wrestlers. Kent Beecham (125 pounds) and Frank Martinez (171) led the way with second-place showings in their respective weight classes.

2. Atascadero wrestling flexes muscles at statewide level: The Greyhounds (9-0, 4-0 PAC 7) had three grapplers place at the prestigious Five Counties Tournament in Fountain Valley on Saturday. Elijah Jackson led the way with a fifth-place finish at 145 pounds. Michael Clemmensen (103) and Brandon Armstrong (171) placed sixth and seventh, respectively. The Greyhounds’ week also included 64-10 and 76-6 dual wins over Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo.

1. Arroyo Grande girls water polo dominates PAC 7 competition: The Eagles — the top-ranked team in Division IV of the Southern Section, and the back-to-back defending division champions — have outscored league opponents thus far 74-7 (a 15-1 average), with most of those leads well in hand by halftime.

Did I miss anyone? Let me know. Which upcoming league matchups and story lines are you most excited about? A couple items from the ‘Where are they now?’ file:

• Former Arroyo Grande soccer star Meagan Snell was drafted Friday by Sky Blue FC of the Women’s Professional Soccer League.

• Many UNLV fans appear to be calling for former Paso Robles basketball standout Derrick Jasper to be given more pure point guard duties with the Rebels.

Former Atascadero High star Haylee Donaghe dribbles up court in 2003. — Tribune file photo by Aaron Lambert

Former Atascadero High basketball star Haylee Donaghe, now a redshirt senior at UC Davis, was the subject of a Q-&-A Thursday in the California Aggie, UC Davis’ student newspaper.

Donaghe has started all 16 games for UC Davis this year, averaging 7.3 points per game. Her sister, Hannah Donaghe, is currently a junior at Stanford, although she hasn’t played this year due to an injury.

How are you expecting current league races to play out, now that you’ve seen a few opening league games and meets?

Several teams found themselves ranked in their respective sports when the CIF-Southern Section released its first regular-season divisional rankings of the winter on Monday (when all-divisional football teams from this past season were also announced).