2007 Super 100 in the books

Kevin McCarthy
 

The ninth annual Super 100 was the focus on the St. Mary’s campus this past weekend as players gathered for tips, drills, lectures and scrimmages. Based on the weekend’s action, here are some of the preps who caught our eye:

Collin Chilverton, Mitty

Ryan Sypkens, 6-2 junior, Franklin High, Elk Grove - Sypkens stood out as one who knew what he wanted to do on court Saturday and went about efficiently achieving those goals. When left open outside, he popped successful three-pointers. Given an angle, he drove to the basket, both scoring and passing to open teammates with equal proficiency and demonstrating the ability to shoot with his off hand. He looks to be able to play both the point and the two at the next level. He may be a darkhorse at this point but he won’t have that status much longer.

Chris McNealy, 6-3 sophomore, San Ramon Valley High, San Ramon - The namesake son of a former New York Knick and now an international scout for the Golden State Warriors, McNealy may or may not reach his father’s 6-7 height but he sure inherited the athleticism dad displayed for San Jose State and in the NBA. However, McNealy is already a better shooter than pops, with greater range and a solid stroke. He’ll play on the varsity this season for Coach John Raynor, a former San Jose State assistant coach.

Aalim Moor, 6-2 junior, St. Mary’s High, Berkeley - Moor displayed yet again that he is a prototype point who can play the two but shines best as the one quarterbacking the offense. He’s a pass-first point but one who can hit from outside and also take it to the hoop when challenged defensively. He is the guy others want to play with as they know that, if open, a pass will be forthcoming. Word is getting out more and more about Moor (how clever is that?) and he is beginning to receive some feelers from the Pac-10.

Lucas Devenney, 6-9 junior, Piner High, Santa Rosa - Devenney was about the only defender who could stay within range of UCLA-bound Drew Gordon, who had his way with other younger defenders. He is Gordon’s heir apparent on the Oakland Soldiers club team, check that, now the Drew Gooden Soldiers. He lacks Gordon’s explosiveness but is a good effort, blue collar type. It will be interesting how he handles the role as one of the Soldiers’ inside go-to guys. Surprisingly, Devenny also showed shooting range to 15-feet, meaning he will have the opportunity at times to also face the basket at the next level and will be a competent free throw shooter for an in-the-paint player. He’s also not shy about mixing it up and putting his body on opponents.

Collin Chiverton, 6-5 senior, Archbishop Mitty, San Jose - Chiverton focused on taking the ball to the rack on Saturday and did so very well, garnering a number of layups and dunks. Interestingly, he was playing in what will be his home gym next year, having agreed to sign with St. Mary’s come November. The physical prototype of a wing, Chiverton is displaying greater aggressivness and boldness to go with his longtime outside-shooting talent. His task in the upcoming season will focus on always being a presence on the court.