KDOC-TV, Channel 56, will telecast 20 boys basketball games for the 2019-20 season involving CIF Southern Section and L.A. City Section Schools. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Game of the Week on KDOC-TV will feature many teams featured in our preseason Cal-Hi Sports state rankings.
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Cal-Hi Sports Insider Blog
Quick-hitting, behind-the-scenes news and notes from the CalHiSports.com staff, including previews of upcoming content and events.
KDOC To Televise HSBB Games
Sierra Canyon On ESPN 15 Times
Cal-Hi Sports preseason boys basketball state No. 1 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) will make 15 overall appearances on ESPN family of networks during the 2019-20 regular season, as part of the 2019-2020 GEICO High School Basketball Showcase. Sierra Canyon, the two-time defending CIF open division state champs, opens at No. 6 in the preseason FAB 50 national rankings.
RELATED: CIF Large Hoop Crowds | Preseason Hoops FAB 50 Rankings | Cal-Hi Sports Preseason Hoops Rankings | Cal-Hi Sports Major Tourney/Showcase Schedules
Sac-Joaquin Top 5: Best RBs 2010s
We are happy to say that for the seventh straight year the CalHiSports.com web site and Cal-Hi Sports is part of the weekly Final Quarter high school football show on Friday nights on the FOX 40 station in Sacramento.
On last week’s 12th show for the 2019 season, we revealed our list of the top five running backs from the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section for the decade of the 2010s. Here is what that countdown revealed:
TOP FIVE RUNNING BACKS FROM
THE CIF SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION 2010s
1. Justin Davis (Lincoln, Stockton)
He was first team all-state as a junior in 2011 and had over 4,000 yards in his last two seasons in 2011, 2012. Then went to USC and has been with L.A. Rams.
2. Shaq Thompson (Grant, Sacramento)
Currently in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers as a linebacker, but at Grant he was one of the most exciting running backs in section history. State Junior of the Year in 2010 and all-state multi-purpose (RB/DB) two years in a row.
3. Ja’quan Gardner (Central Valley, Ceres)
Led the recently disbanded AFF in rushing and could be a star in new XFL. Gardner rushed for 2,467 yds in 2013 at Central Valley. Also later a small college All-American at Humboldt State.
4. Justin Rice (Central Catholic)
Led the Raiders to their third straight and fourth straight state titles in 2014 and 2015. Rushed for 2,698 yards in 2015. Currently shining at linebacker at Fresno State.
5. Cameron Skattebo (Rio Linda)
Recently committed to Sac State, Cameron had one of the greatest seasons in 2018 in section history with 3,550 yards rushing and 42 TDs.
This 30-minute show is twice as long as any other Friday night high school football show in the Sacramento market and is returning to the Friday at 11 p.m. time slot.
Watch this week’s show Friday at 11 p.m. for all the local highlights, plus the next Top 5 from CalHiSports.com, which will be a look at the top five defensive players in the section for the 2010s. The show will include highlights from all of the biggest games in the region, including the Fan Favorite Game of the Week, which will be a look at unbeaten Paradise playing Live Oak in the Northern Section D3 playoffs. Thanks to host Jim Crandell and the FOX 40 team for once again letting Cal-Hi Sports be part of this year’s show.
Do You Really Think Sports Games Are Boring?
There are people who play sports and people who play games that depict sports. But regardless of preferences, you can’t say one side is boring without having tried it.
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Boys BB: 2019-20 Transfer Rundown
Here’s a quick-hitting list of transfers that will impact this year’s boys basketball state rankings. It’s been a hectic off-season and we offer a rundown of where some of California’s elite players ended up, including some who left the state, and some who just transferred as recently as the past week. California also added some good players from out of state, including two-time defending CIF Open champion Sierra Canyon getting McDonald’s All-American candidate B.J. Boston from Norcross (Ga.) and talented sophomore Shy Odom from Beaver Country Day School (Chestnut Hill, Mass.). Note that Prolific Prep of Napa and other academy-style destinations are not members of the CIF and wouldn’t be playing any CIF schools. Read more…
Sac-Joaquin Top 5: Best 2010 QBs
We are happy to say that for the seventh straight year the CalHiSports.com web site and Cal-Hi Sports is part of the weekly Final Quarter high school football show on Friday nights on the FOX 40 station in Sacramento.
On last week’s 11th show for the 2019 season, we revealed our list of the top five quarterbacks from the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section for the decade of the 2010s. Here is what that countdown revealed:
Top 5 Quarterbacks From The
Sac-Joaquin Section In 2010s
1. Jake Browning (Folsom)
From 2012 to 2014 he set insane state records with 16,775 yards passing and 229 touchdowns. He later earned All-Pac 12 honors at Washington and currently on Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.
2. Ian Book (Oak Ridge, El Dorado Hills)
Member of All-State Sophomore Team in 2013. Ian also was All-State First Team in 2015. Currently leading Notre Dame.
3. Nate Sudfeld (Modesto Christian)
Outstanding player at Modesto Christian in 2010-2011. Later became a star at Indiana and has played in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
4. Kaiden Bennett (Folsom)
Led Bulldogs to back-to-back D1-AA state titles in 2017 and 2018. He also was all-state first or second team twice. There’s a good chance he becomes a starter next season at Nevada.
5. Dano Graves (Folsom)
The school’s first great QB. Led team to 2010 D2 state title. Later did well at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
This 30-minute show is twice as long as any other Friday night high school football show in the Sacramento market and is returning to the Friday at 11 p.m. time slot.
Watch this week’s show Friday at 11 p.m. for all the local highlights, plus the next Top 5 from CalHiSports.com, which will be a look at the top five running backs in the section for the 2010s. The show will include highlights from all of the biggest games in the region, including the Fan Favorite Game of the Week. Thanks to host Jim Crandell and the FOX 40 team for once again letting Cal-Hi Sports be part of this year’s show.
State Stat Stars of the Week
As we collected info for the six SoCal/NorCal Players of the Week in football, here’s a few others from last week’s games (Oct. 31-Nov. 2) that put up totals that caught our attention. Note: No Prep Notes With a Twist column this week with first installment of CIF NorCal/SoCal Bowl Projections. Send any player of week nominations or possible state record totals after each week to markjtennis@gmail.com. Thanks to Central Section historian Bob Barnett for contributions.
Trent Calvert (Dos Palos)
The sophomore QB is on a roll by passing for 11 touchdowns in two games and he set another school record of 30 touchdowns for one season. He had six against Traquillity and then last week Trent was 15 of 19 for 342 yards and five TDs in a 55-6 win over Avenal. Brothers Michael & Zane Merrell had two touchdowns each on receptions.
Enam Davis-Eva (Stone Ridge Christian, Merced)
The prolific passing attack at Millennium of Tracy was easily overcome by Enam and his teammates in a 40-8 win. Davis-Eva did it by running the ball. He took 31 handoffs and blasted away for a season-high 413 yards and four TDs. Enam hadn’t even had a 200-yard game before this one.
Sam Whitney of Manhattan Beach Mira Costa can whip the ball around the yard as good as anybody and is one of the top juniors in Southern California. Photo: Twitter.com.
Simon Gaete (Palm Desert)
They can do the MVP vote for the Desert Empire League now and Simon would win hands down. Since starting league play after the team played Permian High of Odessa, Texas, Gaete has rushed for 200 yards in every outing (the low was 224 yards). In last week’s 41-28 win over Rancho Mirage, Simon slashed and dashed for 342 yards on 32 carries and scored five times. He’s now gone past 2,100 yards for the season.
Justin Hinzo (Ridgeview, Bakersfield)
Hinzo passed for two career highs with 396 yards on 25 of 29 and had five touchdowns in a 55-7 win over Independence of Bakersfield. Wide-receiver Alijah Alexander also set a school record with four touchdowns on eight receptions for 125 yards.
Thomas Jones (University City, San Diego)
It’s hard to imagine someone having a state record-tying performance in his team’s 55-13 loss, but Jones did it against Morse by taking a handoff and racing for a 99-yard touchdown.
Kyle Kelleher (Rancho Christian, Temecula)
It’s been an up-and-down season at Rancho Christian as the team fell to 5-5 after a 47-45 loss last week to Heritage Christian of North Hills. Kelleher stood out in the loss by going 17 of 25 passing for 413 yards and five TDs. The three-year starter also rushed for 75 yards on 11 carries.
E.J. Kreutzmann (La Jolla Country Day)
It was a bittersweet night for Kreutzmann as he extended his reported state lead for passing yards but it came in a 58-50 loss by the Torreys to Francis Parker of San Diego. Kreutzmann completed 19 of 28 passes for 403 yards and six TDs. He also rushed for a season-best 126 yards on 11 carries with one TD. He now has 3,830 yards and 40 TD passes on the season and should go past 4,000 yards in his next start.
Angel Nava-Esparza (Central, El Centro)
Perhaps the most dominant player in last week’s annual Bell Game rivalry with Brawley High, Nava-Esparza racked up 12 tackles with two fumble recoveries on defense (returning one of them for a 29-yard TD) and he scored twice on offense on short runs.
Ivan Ostry (Rosemead)
Junior option QB has rushed for more than 2,000 yards and has passed for more than 1,000 after rolling up 307 yards rushing on just 10 carries in a 42-6 romp past Mountain View of El Monte. Ostry also scored five TDs, including one from 95 yards out. He had 391 yards rushing in his previous outing vs. Arroyo of El Monte.
Cael Patterson (Orange Glen, Escondido)
For the second straight year, Patterson has gone past 2,000 yards rushing. Cael did it after rampaging for 354 yards on 25 carries with four TDs in a 42-26 win against Tri-City Christian of Vista. Patterson now has 2,211 yards rushing and 26 TDs this season.
Miles Poland (Katella, Anaheim)
One of the top offensive performers for the Knights this season had a pair of interceptions, returning one of them 35 yards for a touchdown, as they topped Santa Ana Valley, 36-8.
Cameron Rynhard (Branham, San Jose)
Cam was the man with 26 rushes for 278 yards and five TDs in a 40-14 win by the Bruins over Leigh of San Jose. With the win, Branham improved to 9-0 and will go for a 10-0 regular season this week.
Jaishawn Smith (Compton)
In leading Compton to its first CIFSS playoff berth since 2008, Smith piled up 251 yards o just 11 carries and scored three TDs in a 43-8 triumph vs. Cabrillo of Long Beach.
Sam Whitney (Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach)
In a win last Friday over arch-rival Redondo Union (Redondo Bech), Sam led his team to a CIF playoff berth by throwing for 400 yards and 4 TDs despite a relentless Sea Hawks’ pass rush. Sam’s performance broke seven Mira Costa passing records and tied two others. Among the records that he broke were single season passing yards and single game passing yards. Sam has thrown for 2,725 yards and 29 TDs so far this season.
Bryce Young (Mater Dei, Santa Ana)
If you haven’t figured it out by now, we think player of the week honors also should be to help shine a light on some players who normally don’t get much attention. Bryce otherwise might get it every week. The leading Mr. Football State Player of the Year candidate broke his own school record by hitting on 17 of 17 passes for 373 yards and five TDs when the Monarchs beat JSerra, 51-14. Young had a 16-for-16 perfect passing night last season vs. St. Mary’s of Stockton. The state record is 23-for-23.
Sac-Joaquin Top 5: Special Teams
We are happy to say that for the seventh straight year the CalHiSports.com web site and Cal-Hi Sports is part of the weekly Final Quarter high school football show on Friday nights on the FOX 40 station in Sacramento.
On last week’s 10th show for the 2019 season, we revealed our list of the top five special teams players in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section for this season. Here is what that countdown revealed:
Top 5 Special Teams Players
In The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section
1. Youlas Dickson (Buhach Colony, Atwater)
Believe it or not, but Youlas has returned seven punts or kickoffs for touchdowns so far this season (after 8 games). That’s tops in the state and looks like a section record.
2. Adrian Melesio (Patterson)
As a sophomore last year, Adrian made a 54-yard field goal. He’s got 10 this year (not including last week) with a long of 49.
3. Cole Becker (Rocklin)
He’s one of the keys to the Thunder’s success this season. Entered last week with 12 of 13 field goals with a long of 45. He didn’t add any more because we were there for game vs. Del Oro but looked good on kickoffs and PATs.
4. Abraham Banks (Rio Linda)
The Knights’ QB with more than 1,000 yards rushing and more than 500 yards passing also has three kickoff returns for touchdowns.
5. Brandon Bautista-Rundgren (Franklin, Elk Grove)
The leading punter in the section with a 45.5 yard reported average also is the Wildcats’ starting quarterback.
This 30-minute show is twice as long as any other Friday night high school football show in the Sacramento market and is returning to the Friday at 11 p.m. time slot.
Watch this week’s show Friday at 11 p.m. for all the local highlights, plus the next Top 5 from CalHiSports.com, which will be a look at the top five quarterbacks in the section for the 2010s. The show will include highlights from all of the biggest games in the region, including the Fan Favorite Game of the Week. Thanks to host Jim Crandell and the FOX 40 team for once again letting Cal-Hi Sports be part of this year’s show.
Most Popular Sports Video Games of All-Time
Sports video games are a huge market largely monopolized by EA Games, but there was a time when there was plenty of competition between studios. When it comes to the best sports game, a few games are disputed. NBA Jam, NFL, and FIFA are all best sellers, but which of these games is considered the most popular with the biggest player base? This post will take a look at those titles that are not only fun but have a ton of fans that play day-in and day-out.
Rocket League
With over 58 million players, Rocket League is one of the most successful and widely played sports games in the world. Game studio Psyonix brought out this breakout hit in 2015 and has consistently seen multiple updates, including real-money tournaments and skins. This unlikely combination of cars and soccer is also popular in e-sports competitions and you might even be able to bet on it in certain online casinos.
FIFA 18, 17 and 16
With new updates to the roster coming as often as the changes do in the sport itself, you’ll always have the players you want on your team. FIFA 16, despite being four years behind, is still ranking with 28.3 million players. FIFA 18 ranks the highest at 32.5 million and continues to climb. With how popular soccer/football is all over the world, this probably doesn’t come as a surprise. The FIFA community is just as active and diverse as the real-life players of the sport, and the new installments will likely follow the high upward climb of players.
Madden NFL 19, 18, and 17
Madden 18 was the first to be developed with a story mode called “Longshot Mode,” which was similar to FIFA 17 “The Journey.” That helped get new players into playing football in single-player mode, but it also doubled its player count in their competitive multiplayer mode. Similar to FIFA, rosters are upgraded anytime it changes in the sport. Madden 19 was also the first NFL game to be released on the PC since Madden NFL 08, meaning more platforms to play on.
NHL 19, 18
The most popular sport in Canada, and one of the most-watched in the USA, the number of dedicated players is astounding considering hockey doesn’t have a well-watched international league (the Olympics being an exception). Still, NHL 18 and 19 have millions of players. Since EA Sports has owned the other two titles in this list, you can probably guess that NHL also has an ever-changing roster that’s continuously updated.
WWE 2K19
When THQ handed their games over to 2K studios after declaring bankruptcy, it was a bumpy ride at first. It seems like they’re hitting their stride, as 2k19 has gotten fantastic reviews and has reinvigorated their loyal fan base. Not only do WWE video games usually feature a super fun to play career mode where you can create your own character, but you can also use said character to fight against your friends. WWE games are a notoriously fun couch co-op experience, so grab a few friends and throw them off the Hell in the Cell.
NBA Jam
There was a time not too long ago where EA didn’t develop all sports-related titles. Initially developed by Midway, NBA Jam is a two-on-two basketball arcade game that features licensed teams. The fun in this game comes in the exaggerated movements of the players – jumping multiple times their height, slam dunks breaking the backboard, and players running at the speed of sound.
Mario Kart Racing
Let’s finish this list off with a class. Mario Kart is a staple at any gaming party, as the tight controls, memorable characters, and easy to understand design make it fun for children and adults. Now, Mario Kart has multiplayer tournaments that you can drop in and out of by connecting to the internet. You can also customize your character, your kart, your speed, among other things. If you’re bored with racing, you can always play their battle mode.
Sac-Joaquin Top 5: Defensive Backs
We are happy to say that for the seventh straight year the CalHiSports.com web site and Cal-Hi Sports is part of the weekly Final Quarter high school football show on Friday nights on the FOX 40 station in Sacramento.
On last week’s ninth show for the 2019 season, we revealed our list of the top five defensive backs in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section for this season. Here is what that countdown revealed:
1. Trey Paster (Buhach Colony, Atwater)
A 6-foot-3, 195-pounder who can play cover corner, Paster is one of the best DBs in the state and is committed to Cal.
2. Michael Briscoe (Vacaville)
He had eight career interceptions heading into last week’s game and has been one of the top players for one of the top five teams in the section.
3. Cameron Broussard (Folsom)
A transfer to the Bulldogs from Cosumnes Oaks, Broussard has committed to Sac State.
4. Tyler Peterson (Granite Bay)
Another of those who also shines as a receiver, Peterson came into last week with three interceptions this season after getting four last year.
5. Harim Reynolds (Highlands)
One of the state leaders this year with six interceptions entering last week’s games, Reynolds also had 14 TD catches in his first seven games.
This 30-minute show is twice as long as any other Friday night high school football show in the Sacramento market and is returning to the Friday at 11 p.m. time slot.
Watch this week’s show Friday at 11 p.m. for all the local highlights, plus the next Top 5 from CalHiSports.com, which will be a look at the top five special teams players in the section. The show will include highlights from all of the biggest games in the region, including the Fan Favorite Game of the Week. Thanks to host Jim Crandell and the FOX 40 team for once again letting Cal-Hi Sports be part of this year’s show.
