After getting eight of the first 32 in the first-round of the MLB Draft, the Golden State shows its strength in basketball by having five of the first 21 picks in the NBA.

By Ronnie Flores, Managing Editor

Sure, there are other places in America that have produced more household NBA names such as New York and Michigan. But it's no secret that the state of California, and in particular the greater Los Angeles area, is quickly catching up to its East Coast counterparts when it comes to producing top basketball talent.

This was clearly evident last Thursday at the NBA Draft in New York City when California products dominated the proceedings and the hoopla that surrounds the annual event. The five players that graduated from California high schools tied the record for most Golden State products taken in a single first round. That scenario last took place at the 1997 NBA Draft and first occurred in 1979.

Former Artesia of Lakewood standout James Harden, a 6-foot-5 sophomore out of Arizona State, was the first Golden State native to be selected when the Oklahoma City Thunder took him at No. 3. Despite what was considered a sub par showing in the NCAA Tournament, the Thunder couldn't pass up Harden's combination of talent, work ethic and high character, the latter which seems to be a more important factor in professional sports drafts each year.

Harden, whose bowtie generated a slew of reactions from lifestyle editors and bloggers, became the highest California product taken since Tyson Chandler was the No. 2 pick out of Dominguez of Compton in 2001. Harden's journey to the NBA has humble beginnings as he wasn't the most athletic kid growing up, to say the least, entering Artesia as a 5-foot-11, 155-pounder with average skills and a burning desire to become a better player.(Read full post)

Softball career home run record updates highlight this week's installment. Also included in the state's best prep notes column are basketball features involving the NBA Draft Lottery and its California connections and the O.J. Mayo saga, notes from the recent NorCal Nike Camp and Combine plus more.

By Ronnie Flores, Senior Editor
Contributing: Harold Abend, Mark Tennis

New Softball Slugging
Queens Crowned
 
Over the past two seasons, there has been an unusual amount of movement at the top of the career softball home run list, meaning big changes are in store for the next printed edition of the ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com State Record Book and Almanac.
 
Not only did the top spot for season and career leaders fall by the wayside this year, but more than one girl passed the top two career leaders. Kaila Shull (Elliot Christian, Lodi) and Perelini Koria (San Pedro) each hit 45 round-trippers, Shull from 2003-2006 and Koria from 2005-2008.
 
The single season mark was shattered by Shannon Colquitt (King-Drew Medical Magnet, Los Angeles) out of South Central LA, who bombed 27 this season to obliterate the mark of 19 set last season by Alia Williams of Coliseum League rival Crenshaw. With 42 total, Colquitt moved up on the career list and into the top 10.
 
As for Williams, she blasted 16 this season to go with 37 previous homers, so she now occupies the top spot in the career column with 53 having left the house.
 
Another girl who moved up on the list is this week's ESPN RISE CalHiSports.com State Girls Athlete of the Week, Shawna Wright of Lancaster. Coming into this season, she had 36 home runs and hit 14 this year to give her an even 50 with her career now complete.
 
Another girl still in action in the CIF Southern Section playoffs with 51 career long taters is Bailie Kirker of Crescenta Valley in La Crescenta. She hit her 14th of the season last week for the 24-1 Eagles in a victory over Glendale.
 
On Thursday, in a 3-1 Div. III victory over Summit of Fontana, the Arizona-bound Kirker hit her 15th and No. 51 in her career.
 
Should Crescenta Valley win out and capture the CIFSS Div. III title that would mean Kirker would get swings in three more games on top of their upcoming second round match-up on May 26 against St. Bonaventure on the road in Ventura.
 
There could be another change at the top and very soon.(Read full post)