Team Rampage's Varsity Team Prepared to Play Sunday

A year ago, there was a new AAU Basketball Club out of Vallejo, CA called Team Rampage. Its first team ever would be a 17 and under team, which would feature local players from the Vallejo area. A year later, Team Rampage has produced three teams ranked in the top ten in the bay area, the 14 and under, 11 and under, and the 8 and under teams. With the success of the younger teams, Team Rampage has become a well known organization in Northern California. This leads to everybody wondering, what will this year's varsity team look like?

After holding tryouts last Saturday, it is safe to say that the word has gotten out about this program. Coach Bracy has recruited players from American Canyon, Modesto, Berkeley, Benicia, Martinez, and Concord, to shape up this year's roster. There are only two returnees on this year's 17 and under roster, the rest are all new faces. Coach Bracy is very excited about this year's group, and hopes that his team can make some noise this spring and summer. However, his road will not be easy as the varsity team, has a tough schedule that includes, the Oakland Rebels Golden State Showdown, Gerry Frietas's Nor-Cal Showcase, the Sacramento Yellow Jackets Capital City Classic, Las Vegas Big Foot Hoops, and Play Hard Play Smart's tournament taking place this Sunday. Bracy believes his roster can handle the heat of the schedule, but only time will tell.



-Brandon Bracy
Head Coach/Trainer of Team Rampage

Fagan Takes Charge For Rampage

Team Rampage point guard Daniel Fagan, has turned himself into a solid player for Coach Bracy's group, as he continues to improve his skills. Fagan shot the ball well in the "March For Babies", tournament in Southern California this past weekend, including a 32 point performance against the Corona Gunners. For Fagan, his development hasn't come easy. His lack of strength, and growing pains in his knees, made it tough for him to compete against the more athletic guards early on. His biggest test would come back in November, as Team Rampage took on the Oakland Soldiers. Fagan struggled, but Head Coach Brandon Bracy knew that Fagan's struggles, was all a part of his development.
Since the game against the Oakland Soldiers, Fagan has showed maturity in his play, and has become a leader for the Team Rampage 14 and under group. Fagan has also made three game winners for Team Rampage, including a 4 point play against Nor-Cal Xpress. Coach Bracy hopes that his play will not only continue through AAU, but continue into his freshmen season for high school next fall.


-Brandon Bracy

Team Rampage Wins Tournament in LA

The Team Rampage 14 and under basketball team, won the 4th Annual, "March For Babies" tournament, going 3-0. Team Rampage is currently ranked as the number 8 team in Northern California, for the 14 and under age group. The players that participated was Daniel Fagan, Deontae Jenkins, Jhaylon Martinez, Rajon Martinez, Jerick Garcia, Osiah Harris, Imani Lopez, and Matthew Clinton. The Team was Coached by Head Coach and Trainer, Brandon Bracy, and Assistant Coach Santana Esver.


-Brandon Bracy

Showdown Between Sheldon and Moreau Catholic Set For Friday

The Sheldon Huskies (22-5) will travel to the bay area to take on Moreau Catholic (25-4) in the first round of the State Playoffs. These two teams are both averaging over 70 points a game, and both teams are loaded with talent. Perhaps the most interesting matchup will come at the point guard position. For Moreau Catholic, Damari Milstead is coming off a dominant 35 point performance, and is averaging 19 points per game. For Sheldon, Isaiah Brooks is averaging 14 points per game, and controls Sheldon's offense.

Sheldon's leading scorer is 6 foot 6 senior, Matthew Manning who Is averaging 19 points per game. It will be intriguing to see if Moreau Catholic's senior, Oscar Frayer, will match up and guard Manning. There are other key players for both teams who could jump out and have great games like, Terrell Brown for Moreau, or Devin Greene for Sheldon. This game will take place this Friday at 7PM.

-Brandon Bracy

Indihoops Releases its 8th Grade Bay Area Rankings

 

 

Indivisible Hoops released its 8th grade San Francisco Bay Area rankings, after hosting a series of tournaments along the West Coast. Indi Hoops releases its rankings every 2 to 3 months, after analyzing different teams through tournament play. Here are the rankings,

1. Oakland Soldiers
2. MVP Flight
3. Splash City
4. Bay Area Mambas
5. Oakland Rebels
6. East Bay Celtics
7. Team Legit
8. Team Select
9. Team Rampage
10. SF Rebels

For more rankings in other areas, go to www.indihoops.com

-Brandon Bracy

Sacramento Yellow Jackets Hosting 4th Annual Capital Classic

The Sacramento Yellow Jackets are back to host their 4th annual, "Capital Classic", on April 9th and 10th. The games will be played in the Sacramento/Elk Grove area, with the age groups being 2nd grade-High School Seniors. The tournament will feature certified high school officials, and awards will be given to 1st and 2nd place teams. Registration fee is $325, with the entry deadline being on March, 26th. To register for the tournament, sign up at www.yellowjacketsbasketball.com

-Brandon Bracy

Play Hard Play Smart Hosting Spring Tune Up

The Play Hard Play Smart Basketball Club(Sacramento, CA) are hosting the "Spring Tune Up" tournament on April 2nd, and 3rd, that will take place at Natomas High School. Scouting services will cover the tournament, and will also be sponsored by Adidas. The age groups will be 9U-Varsity, with the tournament costing $250. Register online at www.playhardplaysmart.com


-Brandon Bracy

Bay Area Sports Releases Early JV Rankings

BayAreaSports.Org released its early Junior Varsity rankings Monday, after hosting their tournament at Jesse Bethel. Rankings are updated every two weeks at most. Here is their rankings for the elite division.

1. Cali Starz
2. Team Rampage
3. Mountain House Wolverines
4. Oakland Rebels Black
5. SF Rebels
6. FTS
7. Thunder Prime
8. Peak Basketball Purple
9. Cool Kids
10. TSU Supreme
11. Hoyas Blue
12. Roadrunners
13. Alameda Vipers
14. Team Steady
15. Golden City SF Black
16. Berkeley Bears
17. Team Select Carper
18. Anutha Level
19. South Bay Spin
20. Calstars

-Brandon Bracy

Cal Basketball Grabs the Number 3 Seed In Pac-12 Tourney

The California Bears(22-9) grabbed the 3rd seed yesterday, in the Pac-12 tournament. The Bears will take on the winner of Oregon State and Arizona State, in the quarterfinals. Cal has never won a Pac-12 tournament, and will look to change that this weekend.

Cal will play their first game on Thursday night at 8:45 PM.

-Brandon Bracy

Kennedy Uplifting the City of Richmond

For the Kennedy High School(Richmond, CA) boys basketball team, the 2015-2016 season has been special. Their record of 19-13 might seem like an average record to most, but it's what they have done  over the past week that has made this season special. Last Saturday, they knocked off St. Mary's of Berkeley behind Alfonso Murrie's game winner, and a week later they find themselves, heading into the State playoffs for division 4, for the first time in school history.

The eagles will travel all the way to Modesto, CA on Wednesday, to take on Central Catholic(25-5). For Kennedy, they are playing for something that is much bigger than basketball, as they will have the whole city of Richmond behind them. This team has brought positivity to the city of Richmond, and will try to keep this historic season alive by pulling off another upset.

-Brandon Bracy

The Struggles of Becoming an Elite AAU Program

With so many different AAU organizations across the US, there are a handful of organizations that stick out. AAU teams such as the Oakland Soldiers, Compton Magic, and New York Gauchos, are just examples of major AAU basketball clubs, that have been able to produce NBA talent, while also getting sponsored by major shoe companies. Nike, Adidas, and lately, under armour, are sponsoring the top teams in the country. One question the average person may ask is, how do you get sponsored by these shoe companies? That answer may vary, but winning big tournaments, while having big name "ranked" players on your team, will certainly give you an upper leg over other AAU basketball clubs.

As a coach and head trainer of my organization, Team Rampage, I would love to one day be on the same level as the Oakland Soldiers or Compton Magic. With my organization being new, and without the financial support, the struggle with trying to achieve this goal is very difficult. For example, if I have or develop a top elite player, and a top team like the Soldiers like the player I have, they have the power to lure that player over to their team, and have him play for the Soldiers, leaving my team behind. I can cry and scream, "Where is the Loyalty" all I want, but the reality is that, a team like the Soldiers with all of the sponsorships, and history they have, it's hard for a middle or high school kid to turn that down. 

Situations like this, happen every year all across the US in AAU Basketball. AAU can be a doggy dog world, with the powerhouses always on the search for talent. For my organization, I plan on changing the landscape of AAU, by teaching the fundamentals of the game. I may not be able to convince kids to play for me due to my lack of sponsors, but I can convince kids through hardwork, that playing for my organization will make you a better player, and prepare you for the next level. Us AAU coaches and organizations that have to compete with powerhouses in the area, must stick to the art of teaching "Real Basketball". The Shoes, the jerseys, the bags, will all eventually wear out, but what we teach these kids about the game will last with them forever. With so many different AAU organizations across the US, only a handful stick out, but to me, the handful of clubs that need to stick out, are the ones that teach the game and fundamentals to the kids!

-Brandon Bracy

CJ Anderson the Basketball Player?

As the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Vallejo, California native and Denver Broncos running back CJ Anderson, prepare to bring home a Super Bowl near his hometown. CJ has become a household name across the NFL because of his hardnose running style, and toughness. However, very few people across the nation know that CJ Anderson, was once an AAU Basketball player, during his youth years growing up in Vallejo.

CJ Anderson once played basketball for the Vallejo Baytrotters, along with former Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets Center, Greg Smith, who is also from Vallejo, California. CJ was a very good athlete, who was also a good leader at the point guard position. CJ would even go on to play basketball for Jesse Bethel High School (Vallejo, CA), all four years of his high school career. For some people reading this, it may be hard trying to imagine CJ Anderson running point guard, rather than running through holes for touchdowns, but there are many NFL players, who have an AAU Basketball background.  

CJ is just one of many athletes in the NFL, who played AAU Basketball growing up. The hardest thing for young athletes to realize when they play multiple sports, is what sport they love to do, versus the sport they should do. For CJ, basketball was a sport that he can play at a high level, but football was a sport that he loved more, and also had a better chance playing professionally. Today, there are athletes that play AAU Basketball, that will make it in another sport. No matter what sport that may be, the athlete must be realistic when it comes to ability, size, and the amount of interest they are getting in each sport. 

St. Patrick-St. Vincent Boys Capture 5th Seed

The St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School(19-11) boys basketball team, grab the number 5 seed in the Northern California State Playoffs. They will play this Wednesday at home in Vallejo, against the number 12 seed, Burton(20-10) of San Francisco.

The Bruins are coming off a 64-53 lost in the North Coast Section Division 4 Championship, against Salesian(Richmond, CA). The Bruins didn't shoot the ball well against Salesian, as only three players scored over five points. Coach Walker hopes that his team will turn it around Wednesday, as they will have a fresh start and, hopes of making a state run.

-Brandon Bracy

Cali Starz Win Bay Area Sports Tournament

The Cali Starz Basketball Club(Fairfield, CA) Junior Varsity team, won the Bay Area Sports Tournament at Jesse Bethel High School(Vallejo, CA) today, going 2-0. They defeated the Mountain House Wolverines 51-45 to capture the crown, after beating Team Rampage(Vallejo, CA) 50-38. The Cali Starz were coached by Derrick Little, who is the former coach of Team Rampage's coach Brandon Bracy. Little coached the Vallejo Baytrotters back in 2002, where Brandon Bracy played shooting guard as a young fifth grader. Sunday these two would coach against each other, for the first time. The game was tight for the most part, but the Starz would make a game sealing 12-2 run, to defeat Team Rampage.

-Brandon Bracy

Team Rampage Playing In Vallejo Today

Team Rampage(Vallejo, CA) will be playing this sunday at Jesse Bethel. The 14 and under are playing at 11 and 1, and the battle of Vallejo between the 11 year olds will take place at 9am, with the Vallejo Future coached by AJ Slay, will play the Team Rampage 11 and under. The Team Rampage basketball club, started in 2015 with just one varsity team, coached by Vallejo High Alum Brandon Bracy. Today, Team Rampage has 6 different teams, with 3 of them being ranked in the top 10 in the Bay Area. The 8 and under age group, are currently ranked number one, on the entire west coast. The 11 and under are ranked number 9, while the 14 and under are ranked number 6, according to Bayareasports.org, and are ranked number 9 on indihoops.com. 

This comes within months of play. The 14 and under team are coaches by Brandon Bracy and assisted by another Vallejo High alum, Santana Esver. The 8 and under, and 11 and under are coached by Vallejo High alums as well, Alfonzo Hatten and Joseph Pastrana. The Team Rampage basketball club is directed by Antonio Hodges. Team Rampage is also looking for donations, to help cover uniforms, tournaments, equipment, and gym time. For more information on donations, contact the team director Antonio Hodges at (707) 655-2018.

Vallejo's Greg Smith Signs With Timberwolves

Former Fresno State forward Greg Smith, has signed a 10 day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves this week. Greg who last played for the Dallas Mavericks, has played for a few NBA teams, with his most time coming with the Houston Rockets. Smith saw starters minutes under Kevin McHale, before Dwight Howard signed to the Rockets. After Howard's signing, Smith's minutes would diminish, which would lead to the Rockets releasing him.

Smith is looking to keep a roster spot for the rest of the year with the Timberwolves, with future hall of famer Kevin Garnett, out with injuries. Smith played at Fresno State with NBA Superstar Paul George before making his way to the NBA. He would play his sophomore to senior year of high school in Fresno, California. Before moving to Fresno his sophomore year of high school, Greg grew up in Vallejo, California, attending Jesse Bethel high school his freshmen year with Denver Broncos running back and super bowl champion, CJ Anderson. Anderson and Smith are the same age, and actually grew up in North Vallejo together, attending Solano Middle School, before Jesse Bethel.

-Brandon Bracy

Team Rampage Hosting Varsity Tryouts

The Team Rampage Basketball Club(Vallejo, CA) will be hosting tryouts for high school varsity players. Tryouts will be on March 26th, from 10am-12pm, at Vallejo High School. There will also be a $10 tryout fee for participants. Coach Brandon Bracy is very excited for this year's group, especially with all of the success of the younger teams. Players that make the team, will have access to good quality training, play in high level tournaments, and get exposure and scouted by colleges.

A year ago, Team Rampage's first team ever would be the varsity team. That team would feature players from local high schools in the northern Bay Area. Those players would go on to have a lot of success this year with their schools. Coach Bracy hopes that he can have the same impact with this year's 2016 summer team. For More Information, contact him at (707) 816-1196.

-Brandon Bracy

Trammell Leads St. Ignatius to CCS Championship

Sophomore guard Darrion Trammell, led St. Ignatius with 18 points, and went 10 for 14 from the free-throw line. St. Ignatius(16-10) was also able to get help from Will Emery, Matt Redmond, and Brandon Beckman, who added 12 points each. Los Gatos found themselves down by double digits early, but made a run to cut the lead down to six.

After Los Gatos was able to make a run, St. Ignatius kept attacking the basket, and going to the free throw line. St. Ignatius went 25 for 31 from the free throw line, and was able to keep control and momentum of the game when Los Gatos made their run. With St. Ignatius beating Los Gatos 72-62, they will advance to play Leland(19-7) in the section final on Saturday.

-Brandon Bracy

The Roles Of Coaching

As a coach when you are trying to make your players better on and off the court, you become a mentor, father, brother, counselor, and more. Coaching at the younger levels such as elementary kids, coaches usually have a lot more parent support, which makes their job easier. However, once kids turn 13 or 14, the roles of a coach start to change, as the parent support becomes less as the kids get older. Once this happens a coach's job becomes tougher, due to the many different hats he or she has to put on.

Successful coaches take pride in wearing these different hats to help their players. Without digging in deep to help kids get more out of life and become successful, coaches fall behind and they don't get the trust out of the players they coach. Performing these tasks can be very difficult, due to the fact that coaches may have to put in overtime without pay, in order to go above and beyond for their players. Trying to make sure that the players are focused on basketball and not other distractions, while also performing their normal job as a basketball coach, can take a toll on anybody. However, all coaches must put in overtime in order to become a successful coach, and ultimately, run a successful program. The roles of a coach are the same for everybody, but what separates the good from the average, and the great from the good, is how well coaches perform these roles.

Brandon Bracy,
Team Rampage Head Coach and Trainer
American Canyon High School Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coach

Team Rampage Hosting Tryouts For Unsigned Seniors

The Team Rampage Basketball Club(Vallejo, CA), are hosting tryouts for unsigned seniors of Class of 2016. Tryouts will take place on March 7th, at 7:30PM at Vallejo Middle School. Team Rampage Head Coach and Trainer Brandon Bracy, is looking to help seniors get more exposure, by playing in NCAA Certified Tournaments, and also get film on players, to send out to colleges.

 Coach Bracy once went through the same situation, as a high school senior in 2009 at Vallejo High School, before eventually playing for Solano Community College(Suisun, CA) in 2010. After experiencing how tough making a college decision can be, coach Bracy is motivated to help young athletes prepare themselves for college. For those who are interested, contact Coach Bracy at (707) 816-1196 or Brandondemetrusbracy@yahoo.com.