July 11, 2011

Lakeshow White 17s Preview

Kevin McCarthy
 

The Lakeshow basketball club program has two top level teams this spring and summer. Earlier, NCP previewed the Black 17s but the White 17s also merit attention.

Terry Ahern is the coach and he brings extensive experience to the position, having two sons who participated in the club basketball scene and also in operating a team out of Marin County -- North Bay Basketball -- that began with fourth-graders and continued through the high school years of those players.

Ahern then hired Phil Handy to train and coach this group for their final AAU season and the team name was changed to Team 94.

It was planned for Jonas Honick to coach the White 17s this season but circumstances prevented that and, as Ahern put it, "I fell into this. Joe [Fuca, the Lakeshow founder] had a need and told me 'it's yours now.'"

As the phrase goes, Ahern has run with it, to the tune of a 20-9 record.

Here are the Lakeshow White 17s season specifics to date:

• April 9 -10: So Cal Showcase - 2-3
• April 14 - 15: Soldiers tourney - 2-1
• April 29: Vegas tourney - 4-1 (lost to Branch West Academy)
• May 14: LA Pump - 5-1 (made it to Final Four, lost to Cal Supreme)
• May 22: San Francisco City - 4-1 (winner of Silver bracket, lost to Team 94)
• May 30: Bay Area Memorial - 3-2 (lost to I Can All Stars)

Here's Ahern again: "Our 17 White team has gone 16-5 since I started coaching the team and we re-structured the roster right after the Soldiers tournament. I believe that the main reason for our success is because the team has great chemistry and they play together better than most AAU teams. We don't have any superstars on this team but we have 10 really good players who play hard and get the job done."

Here are the players, with commentary by Ahern:

• David Ahern, 6-foot-0, Marin Catholic, 2012
  "An explosive point guard who is quick, can really jump, plays great defense and scores from many spots. A great D-II or D-III recruit with interest from Sonoma State, Linfield, Catholic University, Cal Lutheran and Humboldt State. At Marin Catholic, he was the MVP and a First Team, All-League selection."
• Andrew Brinston, 5-foot-9, Will C. Wood, 2012
  "A point guard with great quickness and speed. He can really run a team and score -- he is the classic scoring point guard. Andrew has impressed many scouts this spring and will play at the low major or D-II level. He was the MVP of his Wood High squad and was named all-league."
• Jonny Crosthwaite, 6-foot-4, Northgate, 2012
  "A wing player from Northgate High, Jonny is a very good defender and can guard a variety of players. He can score from the three-point line and has an impressive mid-range game. Jonny will play at the D-II or D-III level."
• Joshua Crum, 5-foot-11, Bishop O'Dowd, 2012
  "A very quick and explosive 5-foot-11 point guard from Bishop O'Dowd, Joshua can really get to the basket and finish with his great speed and tremendous jumping ability. He is also a very good ball handler and can hit the mid-range jump shot. Joshua has impressed scouts from all divisions with his play this spring."
• Tyler Fidelibus, 6-foot-3, Las Lomas, 2012
  "A power forward from Las Lomas, Tyler is an extremely rugged and physical player who can score from the post and is also very effective taking the ball to the basket from the perimeter. He is also very versatile on defense and can defend post players who are much bigger as well as quick players on the perimeter. Tyler will be a very effective at the D-II or D-III level."
• McKayle Harnell, 6-foot-4,Livermore, 2012
  "McKayle is a wing who can play the four at most levels. He is very fast and can run a 4.5 40 yard dash. He's also a very strong player physically and can rebound with the best of them and can shoot from most spots on the floor. Mckayle is very versatile and will be recruited at many positions. He is a good D-II and low major prospect."
• Conner Jean, 6-foot-0, Northgate, 2012
  "A great combo guard with good leadership skills, Connor can shoot the three-pointer with a very high percentage and he can see the open man offensively. In addition, Connor is an excellent ball handler and made many critical shots in big games for us. He will also play D-II or low major college basketball next year. Connor made all-league for Northgate."
• Brian Johnson, 6-foot-5, Maria Carrillo, 2012
  "A combo guard with great athleticism and instincts, Brian can really get to the basket, handle the ball, and is a very good passer. His size allows him to guard either quick or larger guards or wing players. Brian is a low major or D-II prospect."
• Jeffrey Parker, 6-foot-5, Salesian, 2012
  "A wing player from Salesian High who has the ability to score from many spots on the floor -- from the post, taking the ball to the basket and he is a good three-point shooter. In addition, he can defend a variety of players and is an excellent rebounder. Jeffrey has impressed many D-1 scouts this spring with his play."
• Taylor Thompson, 6-foot-7, Sonora, 2012
  "A big man who can really block shots and rebound, Taylor has a high motor and can really get up and down the court. He is highly ranked by Nor Cal Preps in the 2012 class and will be a standout player for Sonora High next year. Taylor is a low major prospect."