SJSU looking at 2017 guard

Tim Anderson: "@JoelFranESPN Deshay Gipson currently receiving interest from Cal State Dominquez Hills, Cal Baptist, San Jose State."

Gipson is a 2017 6-foot-2 205 guard out of Highland High in Palmdale and he averaged 22.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals this season and was the All CIF Division 1A, Golden League MVP.

"In his earlier game last week, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound point guard had 27 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists in a 64-31 romp past Littlerock. And then from his final game of two weeks ago, Gipson was sizzling hot with 40 points but Highland lost by one point 72-71 to crosstown Knight of Palmdale."

Terrell Brown signing photos

Moreau Catholic High's 6-foot-1 guard Terrell Brown signed his national letter-of-intent on Wednesday.

Brown at his signing ceremony

Brown (on left) alongside Coach Frank Knight & Oscar Frayer

Brown (on right) alongside Coach Frank Knight & Oscar Frayer

SJSU offers Sooner State guard

Corey Evans: "San Jose State has offered 2017 Oklahoma Run PWP guard Caleb Bennett, per source."

This one is interesting simply because it's an out-of-stater. Originally, all options were wide open but, of late, the focus has been on California kids as much as possible due to financial costs. Don't know if multiple non-Cali prospects can again be targets or if this is a one-and-done, so to speak.

The 6-foot-5, 190 Bennett currently has three offers including Northern Iowa and Oral Roberts.

Spartans offer SoCal big

Josh Gershon: "2017 DreamVision post Evan Battey has been offered by San Jose State."

Battey is wide, try 6-foot-7 and 240 and holds offers from Cal State Fullerton, Loyola Marymount, James Madison, San Diego, Fresno State and Nevada."

"New kid on the block: Villa Park High center Evan Battey seemed to fall from the basketball heavens. Is he too good to be true?" -- Brian Whitehead/Orange County Register/January 2016

St. Francis guard with Fresno State offer

"Logan Johnson, younger brother of Tyler Johnson, picks up first offer from Fresno State" -- Jackson Moore/BarkBoard.com

Chuck Crampton has passed

Charles Crampton

May 17, 1929-April 20, 2016

Aptos

Charles L. "Chuck" Crampton of Aptos, passed peacefully on April 20, surrounded by his devoted family. He was born in San Luis Obispo in 1929. When "Buddy" was nine years old, his parents, Archie and Betty Crampton, moved the family to San Jose. Mr. Crampton attended Hester Elementary School and Lincoln High School in San Jose. "Spider" Crampton played on three championship basketball teams as a LHS Lion, graduating in 1946. He was inducted into the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame in 1961. 

He went on to play on the San Jose State Spartans Freshman team where they earned a 25-5 record. That team went on to win the championship at the Mercury Herald's Tournament in 1947. Chuck lettered all three years as a Spartan, was named all-league in '49-'50, and was a starter for the only SJS team ranked in the top 20 nationally, in '50-'51. At 6'3", Chuck was one of the taller guards for the era. After one of the guards got injured during play, the coach looked down the bench and asked, "Who can play guard?" Without experience at the position and never missing an opportunity for playing time, Chuck raised his arm and yelled, "I can!!" And he did, for the rest of his career. 

Chuck established a winning record as coach at Camden High School where his teams amassed a 42-game win streak from 1955 to 1957, a Santa Clara Valley record that stands to this day. 

Coach Crampton then took over the head basketball coaching duties at Foothill Junior College of Los Altos Hills in 1959. When the new campus at De Anza Junior College in Cupertino opened in 1967, Chuck was promoted to Dean of the Physical Education Department and Athletics Director. Under his guidance the department ushered in the Enablers program for physically challenged participants, a physiology department, a program for elders, and his true pride and joy, the Women's Athletics program. Attending the Munich Olympics in 1972 with his daughter, Cyd, he marveled at the exceptional talent of the female track and field contestants and the fans' adulation. Chuck returned to De Anza inspired to spearhead a superb environment for female athletes at the Junior College level. Coach Crampton was inducted into the De Anza Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Mr. Crampton retired in 1989 to his beautiful home in Aptos. He was very involved in the Santa Cruz County SJSU Alumni Association, played golf to his heart's content, started his "victory" garden, and gloried in his wonderful grandchildren. 

He leaves behind his sons, Norman (Joanne Lincoln) of Santa Cruz, Bradley (Shelley Triggs) of Cambria, CA, his daughter Cydney (Sandy Freeman) of Monterey, his nephew Guy Lassabatere (Therese Allaire) of Monterey, his niece Renee Lassabatere (Jim Weber) of Aurora, CO, and his longtime companion Rochelle Rutledge of Aptos. His grandchildren Justin Shade, Hannah Crampton of Denver, CO , Sam Crampton of Reno, NV, Travis Crampton of San Francisco, and Koa Crampton of Cambria will remember their grandfather as one who was always ready to lend a hand and entertain them with a story. 

His love of life and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. The family is grateful to Hospice of Santa Cruz and the loving and caring assistance he received from his primary caregiver, Chris Duren of Pacific Grove. 
At Chuck's request, there will be no memorial service. If you feel inclined to honor his life, please make a charitable contribution in his name to the Foothill De Anza Foundation.

SJSU & Kaijae Yee-Stephens

Just learned that SJSU recently offered 2016 6-foot-2 Santa Cruz High guard Kaijae Yee-Stephens but so did Pepperdine and, after visiting both schools, he went with the latter. Back in November, Yee-Stephens signed with Southern Utah but the coach there was let go in March and he decided to re-open his recruitment.

Didn't think there were any scholarships available in Spartanville?

Spartans eyeing an East Bay guard

The Nor Cal Report: "Souley Boum (@BucketsForSale_) of @teamlillardaau is receiving interest from Santa Clara, Nevada, USF, San Jose St."

He's a 6-foot-2 2017 guard out of Oakland Tech who just enjoyed a great weekend of play in Georgia with his Team Lillard travel squad.

Frank Burlison: "Six-three Souley Boum (a senior-to-be at Oakland Tech) went “boom” on Dream Vision via an explosive 33-point effort while hitting 10 of 19 from the field – including five shots behind the arc – and all eight of his free throws.

I didn’t see a faster player with the ball in his possession Friday night. And he wasn’t credited with a turnover despite going at warp speed most of the evening..."

Would make sense in a lot of ways

"Rumors Flying That UTEP Could Move to Mountain West Conference" -- Steve Kaplowitz/KROD

SJSU and a SoCal 2017 guard

Ronnie Flores: "Terrence McBride (Sierra Canyon/EWE Black) 2017 6-2 reportedly getting interest from San Jose St. & Ivys. More than solid student"

A truncated ESPN analysis: "Strengths: McBride is a quick and lanky combo-guard. He has a great burst (1st step) off the dribble and can get into the lane at will. In addition, he can knock down deep jump shots (off the catch) and his release is smooth..."

Jones dismissed from Fresno State

"Fresno State men’s basketball: Forward Torren Jones dismissed" -- Robert Kuwada/Fresno Bee

Fiscal ceilings

Chris Murray has an excellent article up on the financial difficulties of athletic programs such as Nevada in retaining successful coaches and support staff. It's a financial reality for which there usually is no antidote due to the varying levels of wealth surrounding and supporting schools, San Jose State University included.

But what always remains intriguing (maybe maddening?) about the Spartans, is the accumulation of wealth in Silicon Valley. So close but yet so far.

The moral: if you have a winner, appreciate and enjoy them while they are in your backyard.

Menzies adds two to staff

"UNLV adds two coaches to men’s basketball staff" -- Mark Anderson/Las Vegas Review Journal

The Bulldogs land a good one, and more

"Five-star point guard William McDowell-White commits to Bulldogs" --  Marek Warszawski/Fresno Bee

To be real, McDowell-White is not a five-star prospect at this point. Those are the players who go one-and-done and that won't be the case for him. However, that doesn't diminish the fact that he is a good pickup for Coach Terry.

2018 So Cal guard offered by the Spartans

SJSU has offered Austin Galuppo, a 6-foot-5 2018 guard out of West Ranch High in Valencia. He averaged 24.3 points this season as a sophomore and earned First Team All Foothill League honors.

A truncated ESPN evaluation:

"Strengths: Galuppo has a solid looking frame with long arms and overall good length. He is a savvy player with excellent instincts and he definitely has a nose for the ball. The ultimate strength to his game is his shooting prowess..."

Here's a January 26 feature on Galuppo.

Bahner transferring

The spring ESPN transfer list generated by Jeff Goodman/Jeff Borzello now contains the name of Leon Bahner.

Good call if he wished for a better opportunity of playing time.

Counting the incoming trio of Nai Carlisle, Terrell Brown and Keith Fisher, it's looking like 13 players are under scholarship.

Frank Knight, the head coach at Moreau Catholic recently tweeted: "Moreau Catholic's Oscar Frayer @Oscar_Frayer & Terrell Brown @hooplife_tj will sign national letters of intent on Wed 4/27 @MoreauCatholic!"

Fisher with another honor

Keith Fisher has been named a Los Angeles Times All-Star boys basketball team honoree:

"Keith Fisher, Los Angeles Westchester, 6-7, Sr. — The San Jose State-bound Fisher led Westchester to the City Section Open Division title, averaging 19.8 points and 11.1 rebounds."