Spartan signee Joseph Henson receives an honor

6-8 Spartan signee Joseph Henson, out of Pasadena High, was just selected to the Pasadena Star News All-Area squad. (Henson photo courtesy of Larry Goren, Pasadena Star News)

Here's the list in alphabetical order:

FIRST TEAM

G Aeric Allen (Alhambra) Sr.
F Clarke Anderson (La Canada) Sr.
F Travis Flye (Pasadena) Sr.
C Joe Henson (Pasadena) Sr.
G Matt Nolan (La Salle) Jr

Chris Jones is now a Spartan

So Chris Jones, out of Newark Memorial High, is going to become a Spartan.

The 6-3 defensive whiz originally signed with Fresno State last year but needed a bit more work on his academics and attended Westwind Prep Academy in Phoenix this academic year to get all in order.

But Coach Steve Cleveland decided to move in another direction -- he's in desperate need of a WAC-ready point and has limited schollies available -- so Jones then looked closer to him at what was his original runnerup choice, San Jose State.

What does Jones' commitment mean in the larger context?

For one, he will be a candidate for inclusion on the ALL-WAC Defensive Team from the get-go. Jones will also add a defensive emphasis to the backcourt and wing positions and hopefully be part of a defensive renaissance for SJSU basketball.

Jones has the body -- the quickness and strength -- to play right away and he'll be in the mix for a starting spot. He possesses the ballhandling ability to fill in at the point but 'fits' better at the 2 or three positions. His outside shooting was inconsistent in high school and club team ball and any improvement there remains to be seen and demonstrated. Jones is also proficient with dribble-drives to the rim and has served as a leader on both his squads at Newark Memorial and in club team play during the spring and summer.

One final comment: to date, Coach Nessman has four high school freshman coming to SJSU. How many decades has it been since that happened?

Here's a January 2008 link to a Fresno Bee reporter interviewing Jones at the halftime of a Fresno State - San Jose State game at Walt McPherson Court. You can hear the Spartan Band in the background.

Basketball banquet coming up in April

Here's the last basketball event of the season so please mark it down on your calendar:

The End-of-the-Year Banquet will honor the 2008-2009 San Jose State Men's Basketball team and the three seniors:

Devonte Thomas, DaShawn Wright and Tim Pierce

When: Thursday, April 16th
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: The Decathalon Club, 3250 Central Expressway, Santa Clara

You want more on Anthony Dixon? You got it.

Every time we think the supply of Anthony Dixon photos is exhausted some more turn up.

A Marquin Chandler update

Here's an update on former Spartan Marquin Chandler who certainly is staying busy on the court. He's just finished up in Korea and the odds are he will be returning to the Philippines soon:

Former PBA best import Chandler to return with Purefoods?
GMANews.TV
3/24/2009

Is Marquin Chandler coming back to help Purefoods’ sagging campaign in the Motolite-Philippine Basketball Assocaition Fiesta Cup?

That question swirled around Purefoods’ training camp after the TJ Giants suffered their third straight setback, a 110-90 loss to Rain or Shine last Saturday.

Chandler is a one-time PBA best import winner and helped steer the Giants all the way to the finals of the Fiesta Conference in the 2005-06 season.

Even the entry of new reinforcement Jhamar Thorpe could not rescue the slumping Giants, who couldn’t find the right solution to rediscover their winning ways.

With Chandler now available after a fruitful stint in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), will Purefoods get him for a third tour of duty?

Purefoods team manager Alvin Patrimonio, in an interview at Sports Radio, that options are open in getting Chandler’s services. “We are keeping our options open for Chandler. Let’s see what Thorpe has to offer since we still have a Thursday game."

Chandler was the second best scorer in the KBL, averaging 25.6 points and sixth in the league in block shots (1.5)...

More on Spartan signee Anthony Dixon

Here's a link that features two slo-motion dunks of 6-4 Spartan signee Anthony Dixon -- he's #35 in the white uniform in the top two side-by-side series of photos. The one on the left has 10 different shots, the one on the right features seven.

Inside Sparta: the adults are in charge now

Just like with the new presidential administration in D.C., it's the same thing with InsideSparta -- the adults are in charge now. 'Nuff said about that darkness to light transition.

Look for much more San Jose State recruiting coverage and analysis -- actual local content produced by the site proprietor and contributors. That alone will be reason to finally subscribe.

Hallelujah.

Another amazing photo sequence from Ray Barbour

Above is the third series of Ray Barbour photos from the SJSU - Nevada tourney game as promised.

A treat from Darren Coelho

Darren Coelho honors us with his sonnets prior to and about the WAC basketball tourney. Who knew early March brought out the poet in him?

Musings for 2009 WAC BB Tournament - SJSU version

THIS WAC-KY TIME OF YEAR

So the Tournament is here
This WAC-ky time of year
When our hoop teams meet
At Lawlor & V-A Street

We’re back in Reno
Not playing casino
Hoops is the game
Tippin’ it for fame

No win and we’re out
We won’t leave any doubt
Survive and advance
& We’re in the Big Dance

Play our best now
It doesn’t matter how
Zone or Man-to-Man
Just do all that we can

Sammy is here with cheer
The band’s sound is near
We’re all going to pray
To play another day

Against Ags or Dogs
Assist men or hogs
Or the other Dogs and Ags
Showing Tight-D and sags

The Spartans are here
It’s OUR time of year
Blue and Gold in their seat
Over hardwood 94 feet

It’s now a whole new season
To keep playing is the reason
Use the square if we dare
Just board it if not there

Will it be Broncos or Pack?
With their full-court attack
How about Warriors or Vandals?
Minus bad call scandals

It comes down to this
Shots to swish and to kiss
Lay-ups or long threes
Just one more game please!

Let’s Go Gold and Blue!
It’s now up to You
We’re all here to cheer
This WAC-ky time of year.

Darren Coelho
Assistant Athletic Director, Ticket Operations
San Jose State University
March 5, 2009

and

Musings for 2009 WAC BB Tournament - WAC version

THE WAC-KY TIME OF YEAR

So the Tournament is here
The WAC-ky time of year
When our basketball teams meet
At Lawlor & V-A Street

We’re back in Reno
Not playing casino
Hoops is the game
Tippin’ it for fame

All nine will play
For wins we’ll pray
Survive and Advance
You’re in the Big Dance

Play your best now
It doesn’t matter how
Zone or Man-to-Man
Just do all that you can

We got Ags and Dogs
Assist men and hogs
More Dogs and Ags
Tight-D and lags

Spartans are here
Its’ OUR time of year
Blue and Gold in Their Seat
Watching all 94 feet

Now a one-day season
The twine to be teasin’
Use the square if you dare
Just board if not there

Is it Broncos or Pack
Full-court attack
Or is it Warriors or Vandals
Not bad call scandals

It comes down to this
Shots to swish and to kiss
Score more than them
And we’re doing it again

Gold and Blue
It’s now up to You
We’re all here to cheer
The WAC-ky time of year.

Darren Coelho
Assistant Athletic Director, Ticket Operations
San Jose State University
March 5, 2009

The string runs out for Anthony Dixon and Hyde Park

Hyde Park fell last night, concluding the season for 6-4 Spartan signee Anthony Dixon. The Marcus Jordan mentioned below is one of Michael Jordan's sons.

Depth aids deep run
Mike Helfgot
Special to the Tribune
March 18, 2009

The length of its players gives Young a chance to compete with any opponent on any night. The length on its bench might be unmatched in Illinois and could go a long way toward winning a state title.

Young used its superior size and depth to earn a trip to Peoria on Friday with a 62-47 victory over Hyde Park in the 4A supersectional Tuesday night at Chicago State.

Stanford Brown, a 6-foot-8-inch senior, had 20 points and 15 rebounds and Young got strong contributions from eight players in earning its first trip Downstate since winning the Class AA title in 1998...

...Jerome Moore (13 points) and Anthony Dixon (14 points) fueled a 13-3 run that cut Hyde Park's deficit to 49-40 with just more than five minutes remaining, but Marcus Jordan (10 points, six rebounds), Brown and senior guard Chris Colvin (13 points) wrested control.

and

Brown does plenty for Young vs. Hyde Park
Clyde Travis
Chicago Sun-Times

A few minor adjustments produced major dividends for Whitney Young, which advanced to the Class 4A semifinals in Peoria with a 62-47 victory over Hyde Park Tuesday in the Class 4A supersectional at Chicago State.

The Dolphins took advantage of 5-of-27 first-half shooting by Hyde Park to take a 29-19 halftime lead...

...Hyde Park coach Donnie Kirksey said he was surprised at the way his team came out.

“We did not execute, we didn’t play with our normal intensity," Kirksey said. “And we lost our composure, which is a kiss of death against a quality team like Whitney Young. I take my hat off to them, they had a lot to do with the way we played.”

Anthony Dixon led Hyde Park with 14 points.

and

Here's a few Dixon highlights as the game was being blogged:

Jackson misses badly on a jumper. Hyde Park is still not on the board.

Hyde Park takes a time out. 3:56 to go in the first quarter. The Thunderbirds have still not scratched.

Brown misses both, Young is still up 10-0.

Dixon hits a three from the left corner for the T-Birds. Finally, they're on the board. 10-3 Young.

End of the first quarter. Young 16, Hyde Park 7.

Dixon scores on a beautiful tip in..

Jordan fouls Dixon on the drive. He goes to the line for two.

Randolph is stripped at the Young end, leading to Dixon getting fouled on the break going to the basket.

Starks takes a tough leaner at one end that leads to Dixon getting fouled at the other. Both teams are in the bonus.

Randolph misses at his end and Dixon is fouled by Johnson at the other end. Two shots for Dixon. He makes both. 29-19 Young.

Halftime: Young 29, Hyde Park 19.

Hyde Park cannot throw the ball in the ocean tonight.

Is there any chance of a comeback? It's looking highly unlikely at this point. Hyde Park just cannot score this game.

Dixon scores on a nice pass from Griffin.

47-27 Young at the end of three quarters.

This is the first sign of life from the T-Birds in the second half. It's too early, Hyde Park is making a run. Let's see how this game plays out.

Hyde Park is on an 11-1 run.

What's happening to Young? Seems they are having trouble with Hyde Park's defensive pressure also a factor.

Young survives the Hyde Park run for now. Young up 55-40.

2:31 to go.

62-47 Young.

1:11 to go.

It's over. Young 62-47.