Joe Callero’s 2018-19 roster was bolstered last week with the signing of two high school seniors to national letters of intent. Junior Ballard (Modesto Christian, Stockton, CA) and Daxton Carr (Highland High School, Pocatello, Idaho) both made their Cal Poly commitments official during the Fall early signing period. Cal Poly issued this release on Thursday.

Carr is a 6’7″ forward who looks like he has length, athleticism, and the ability to knock-down open jumpers. He’s also a receiver on a very good high school football team. His team will play for the state championship inside Idaho State’s Holt Arena on Friday night, before Carr moves full-time to basketball.

“The only official visit I took was to Cal Poly because I felt like that was the place for me,” said Carr last week. “I already had it in my head that’s where I wanted to go before I’d really gone anywhere else. The way that the coaches talked to me, they really had a lot of belief in me and were really respectful to me.”

Carr always had dreams of attending college in California. 

“It’s been in my mind to go to school in California for a long time. When [I was recruited] it was like OK, I really have an opportunity to do this. I was just talking to coaches and [Cal Poly] felt like the right place. ” 

Recruited by his hometown Idaho State, Utah State, UCSB, and Air Force, he chose Cal Poly. The confidence that Cal Poly was a good fit was affirmed when he arrived on-campus for his visit.

“When I got down there and I met everybody, the atmosphere was so friendly and everybody was so welcoming to me. All the players got along and that’s something you don’t really see everywhere, so I thought that was something that was cool that I wanted to be a part of.”

The day before signing day, Callero checked-in with Carr. 

“He was just checking-in to see if I was ready to sign and see how it’s going,” said Carr. “I told him I was excited and that I was ready to come down there right now.”

Here’s a video of Carr from the summer before last with his AAU team and some easy-to-spot hair.

Ballard is a 6’3″ guard from the Modesto area who could probably either be a 2 guard or a scoring point, though he said Cal Poly’s coaches are looking at him more on the wing. He definitely moves on the court like a next-level athlete and carries himself with a little bit of a swagger — a good thing if you want to compete right away for playing time. He looks as though he has college-ready handles, and for a guard on a team that doesn’t like to turn the ball over, good ball control is a necessary thing.

Ballard said Callero’s confidence in him academically played a big role in him committing to Cal Poly.

“The first time he called me, I was down in LA,” said Ballard. “He had offered me and said, ‘I really want to help you.’ He sounded really confident in trying to develop me. As time went on, I had different offers, but they weren’t as interested as Coach Callero. It really happened at the last moment. There was another school I was really thinking about. I told coach I’m not really confident in taking the SAT and getting that certain score. He called me and said, ‘Are you crazy?!’ He said, ‘I have a lot of faith in you.’ He said, ‘there’s no doubt in my mind you will be able to get that score and come play here.’ Basically, it was just him wanting me.”

Other schools that were in the running included the local school, Pacific, along with Fordham, Sacramento State, Northern Arizona, and UCSB. Ballard has ball skills, but sees himself helping defensively early-on.

“I honestly think that I could help a huge amount,” said Ballard. “I play defense, and I could do whatever the coach needs me to. I’m not just one set player.”

Ballard already has his sights set on state playoffs with Modesto Christian. As for long-term goals at Cal Poly?

“I’m going to work hard to try to help be the best person I can be, make my teammates better, so we can hopefully go to the big dance. That’s my main intention when I come to Cal Poly,” said Ballard.

Cal Poly’s current roster has 14 players overall, including two seniors — Victor Joseph and Luke Meikle. There are eight juniors on the roster.

Cal Poly hosts Holy Names on Wednesday night at Mott Athletic Center. Bring a canned food item and support the Food Bank of San Luis Obispo County. Tip-off is at 7pm.

To purchase photos and support Fansmanship, click here.  If you just want to contribute to the cause, Venmo @Owen-Main or paypal owen@fansmanship.com. 

In the Fall the Cal Poly men’s basketball team will have at least two freshmen on-campus. On Thursday Cal Poly announced that Iziah James (Chesapeake, VA) and Karlis Gāroza (Saldus, Latvia).

Gāroza, a 6’9″ forward, was a starter on the Latvian U-18 team that competed in the FIBA European Championships in December, where he averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds. 

His club team, BK Liepājas Lauvas, is the same club that Kristaps Porziņģis played for. 

Usually, I can look up and find video that is somewhat representative of what players have looked like within the last year. With Gāroza, the proved difficult. The only video that seemed readily available was from 2014. Here it is:

Karlis is number 15 in the red jerseys It’s hard to tell how tall he was then, but I think he throws it down once or twice. What I can take away from this is that he knows how to work the pick and roll and he is somewhat defensively aware at a young age. He contests shots, goes for rebounds, and seems active for a big guy.

Seeing him in-person and seeing him play in-person will be something Cal Poly fans will be waiting all Summer for.

Along with Gāroza, Cal Poly also signed a Virginia-based high school senior. 

Iziah James (Cape Henry Collegiate School) is a 6’0″ guard who did have a little video I could find. James seems to know how to find his teammates, play a little defense, and seems to have the good court sense a college guard needs in order to be successful. 

James is smaller, but reminds me a little of Maliik Love in terms of being a guard with a strong build coming in.

Here’s a recent James video:

And a longer, less recent one:

James isn’t huge, but figures to fit-in well with the small guard penetrating style Cal Poly played most of last year with. Victor Joseph will be a senior in 2017-18 and Donovan Fields will be a junior. If James can play the distributor he seems to be in high school, he could facilitate for Cal Poly’s other two small scoring guards while he gets his sea legs at the college level. 

Don’t forget

Cal Poly will also have Mark Crowe next season. Crowe, who redshirted in 2016-17 and will be a redshirt freshman, is in-between James and Gāroza in size. He is an athletic wing player who should compete for time at the three and maybe the four in a small lineup, much like Kuba Nizioł. 

Prior to signing the two incoming freshmen this week, six of the twelve players on Cal Poly’s roster for next season began at Cal Poly as freshmen. One of those is a walk-on. The other six are transfers. With the addition of these two, my unofficial scholarship count at the limit of 13. 

Players who were hurt all or part of last season who should be back at full strength include seniors Josh Martin and Taylor Sutlive. 

Joe Callero has been hot on the recruiting trail. By Owen Main

On Thursday, Cal Poly announced receiving letters of intent from a pair of Southern California junior college players. They are Victor Joseph, a 6-foot guard from Rancho Cucamonga who went to Chaffey College and Josh Mishler, a 6′ 5″ wing player from Saddleback.

Joseph was recruited out of Rancho Cucamonga High School by Colorado State and Florida A&M. One didn’t work out and the other had a coaching change and Joseph ended up at the local junior college, where he could work on getting his weight up and on his game.

“I liked the junior college route,” said Joseph. “It made me work hard and grind it out. Now I just feel so good, signed to Division I Cal Poly and a great school like this.”

Joseph chose Cal Poly over San Diego, Hawai’i, Montana State and Quinnipiac. He said the Cal Poly coaching staff made the difference in his decision.

“The whole coaching staff, they just have your back,” said Joseph. Not only on the court, but off the court too. It seemed like a real family environment and we have a chance to get to the tournament next year. I just feel like it was the right place for me.”

So happy to welcome @vic_hoops to the Cal Poly family! #GoMustangs #SoCalPOY

— Coach Fortier (@CoachFortier) April 14, 2016

Cal Poly head coach, Joe Callero is excited to get Joseph on campus.

“Victor is quick, skilled and competitive,” Callero said via a Cal Poly release on Thursday. “He can play both guard positions, but will be counted on to knock down perimeter shots. He has great patience, a feel for the game and is well-respected on his team. Victor will be a great addition to our program.”

Cal Poly’s proximity to the beach didn’t hurt either in Joseph’s recruiting process. Cal Poly was his first and last recruiting trip this time around.

“I’m kind of a competitive guy and I like winning. My last five years playing basketball I’ve been on teams with winning records. Trying to get to the [NCAA] tournament: that’s the main goal. Coach Callero has been saying we have the pieces to do it so I’m excited to get up there with the guys and gel with them,” said Joseph.

Joseph’s AAU team was the Compton Magic, which outgoing Cal Poly senior David Nwaba was a part of as well as local high school products Cameron Walker (Righetti, Stanford) and Quinton Adlesh (Mission Prep, Columbia).

Last summer, Cal Poly traveled to Paris, France — an International trip each program is allowed to take every four years. In the season that followed, the Mustangs finished a disappointing 10-20 overall, 4-12 in the Big West, and were the seven-seed in the conference tournament, losing to second-seeded UC Irvine in the first round.

This summer, Joseph is planning on taking summer classes in San Luis Obispo.

After losing Reese Morgan, Nwaba, Brian Bennett, and Joel Awich to graduation, the team will add two freshmen — forward, Jacob Cushing and guard, Mark Crowe — along with Joseph and Mishler.

Joseph has some first-hand knowledge of Mishler. Mishler’s Saddleback beat Joseph’s Chaffey by five in the final of a tournament in Riverside.

“When he played us, he knocked down some big threes,” said Joseph of his future teammate. “He always made that extra pass. He was a good defender too.”

It's official! Thanks to all my family, coaches, teammates, and friends. Go Mustangs? pic.twitter.com/Z4ZXTMajfS

— Josh Mishler (@joshjmish) April 14, 2016

https://t.co/8ChkjQen0R

— Josh Mishler (@joshjmish) April 8, 2016

Mishler’s “glue guy” tweet combined with Callero’s comments in Cal Poly’s release make me think of Chris O’Brien, another Orange County product who transferred to Cal Poly. O’Brien was a guy who could kind of do whatever the team needed, including defend multiple positions. I’m thinking Mishler is a little smaller and will play the 2 and 3 (instead of the 3 and 4, like O’Brien), but he would do pretty well to be in the Chris O’Brien range of guys who can fill gaps and do whatever the team needs.

Joseph played in a system with two point guards, but he was more of the scorer in the back court last season. His addition means that Cal Poly now has three point guards. Ridge Shipley will be a senior and Jaylen Shead will be a sophomore next season. Joseph’s addition gives Cal Poly some additional options with the 1 and 2 guard spots. Presumably, Taylor Sutlive, and perhaps Serigne Athj will also have something to say about that.

While Joseph will be a junior next season, Mishler will be a sophomore. Their addition gives the Cal Poly roster two more California natives. Last season, the roster of 16 players included just 7 from the Golden State.

Two additional players who could see their first action on the floor in 2016-17 are 6’10” Hank Hollingsworth and the 6’4″ Athj, both of whom redshirted last year.

Cal Poly soccer fans have been waiting. Since Steve Sampson was announced as the team’s new head coach, there hasn’t been a ton of fanfare or news during the offseason.

On Tuesday, the team announced four new players they’ll add to the squad that only lost a single senior last season.

For the past few seasons, attacking players have had to fill roles in the central or defensive midfield. Some, like Matt LaGrassa last season, have even had to fill-in at positions like center back. This year’s recruiting class is all midfielders and defensive players who are sure to shore-up a depleted defense that gave up eight goals and went 0-3-1 in their final four games of 2014.

The Mustangs actually ended the season with a winning 8-7-4 record last year, but missed the Big West Tournament by finishing in fourth (last) place in the conference’s North Division.

George Grote (MF)

Grote is from Huntington Beach, but has gained overseas experience over the past three? years withFC Banik Ostrava’s U-19 academy in the Czech Republic.

Because of his experience, Grote might be the most interesting/off the map recruit on the list. With his experience and connections, Sampson’s ability to bring in players from “off the map” is one reason Cal Poly fans are optimistic about the start of Sampson’s tenure in San Luis Obispo. Grote is a wild card. Wild cards are part of what are going to make Sampson’s tenure fun. Grote is the first one.

 Noah Chapleski

Chapleski is a recruit who was committed to Cal Poly before Paul Holocher left. Through two other coaches, Chapleski maintained his commitment and inked on the dotted line this week. There isn’t a ton of information about Chapleski out there and he doesn’t come from California. Having lived in Colorado and watched a lot of prep soccer, I can say that the level can be high in the area.

Lots of players I watched who were from Colorado were technically very strong due to having to play indoor soccer during the winter. I’m thinking Chapleski also is left-footed, which should give other players like Sean Dhillon the ability to move around a little more off the left wing if necessary. If Chapleski is ready to play, he could really give this team additional flexibility with who plays where. With depth an issue last season, providing more of it might be the biggest impact the freshman could have next year.

Peter Delkeskamp

I absolutely love this one. To have local prep stars sign with Cal Poly is a huge deal in all sports. There aren’t a lot of Division-1 athletes in the area. From a fan’s perspective, I believe that the ones who are out there — or are even borderline — should be at Cal Poly.

Delkeskamp is a holding/defensive midfielder, which is also a need the current roster has. Players like LaGrassa have played these positions, but if the Mustangs can get talented scorers playing positions where they can more consistently get opportunities (without having to stay back), they could be more effective. I don’t know whether Delkeskamp will be ready for big minutes next season, but his recruitment and signing doesn’t have much downside that I see.

Louis Heinzer

Heinzer comes from the Sacramento area and was one of the only players I could find who has tweets of himself signing on NLI day last week.

Sampson said in the press release that Heinzer will compete for center back playing time. Cal Poly already has Brett Foreman and Nick Carroll who got significant playing time before missing the later part of last year.

The attacking 5-7 positions on the team have at least 8-10 returning players, so depth at those positions next season is already assured on some level. With the addition on Heinzer and Chapleski (and really this entire recruiting class), the Mustangs are setting themselves up to have a much more balanced roster.

What do you think about this year’s class? Are you pumped for next year’s Big West Soccer season?

After a Big West sweep of last week’s games, Cal Poly men’s basketball cemented itself into a 2nd place tie with Cal State Northridge. At 11-11 overall and 6-4 in the Big West, Joe Callero’s team may be playing even better than their record indicates after an 18-point drubbing of Pacific, who had been the hottest team in the conference.

While the men’s basketball team was positioning themselves for a push toward the Big West Tournament, Faith Mimnaugh’s Lady Mustangs continued to dominate the conference. After suffering a 20-point defeat at Davis, the womens’ team first Big West loss of the year, Mimnaugh’s team bounced back for a victory in Stockton to improve their conference record to 9-1 and maintain a two game lead over Davis in the standings.

There is still more than a month before the Big West Tournament in Anaheim, but it got me thinking–what would happen if both the Mustangs men and women won their respective conference tournaments, and made it into the big dance?

But Owen, could it really happen?

Sure. With the women in first place and the men in second, it’s safe to say that they both have a reasonable chance of getting hot and winning a few games in a row against anybody in the Big West. Though the women got blown out vs. UC Davis and Long Beach State has dominated the men’s standings thus far, both Mustangs teams have the ability to beat anyone in the conference. An odds-maker would give the women’s team a better chance than the men, but the men’s team is hot and they could stay that way.

What would San Luis Obispo be like in the week leading up to the tournament?

The city of San Luis Obispo would be buzzing like a beehive. Cal Poly basketball fans would come out of the woodwork. On February 5th, SLO could only muster about 2,000 fans–1,000 short of Mott Gym’s capacity–to watch the men’s team beat a good UOP squad by twenty points and move themselves into a 2nd place tie. Were the Mustangs to make the tournament, they would likely play in one of the play-in games on Wednesday night and places like Firestone Grill and The Shack would be spilling with green and gold. Were the Mustangs to win a Wednesday night game, a Thursday night celebration at Farmers’ Market would be something to behold.

A women’s birth in the big dance, which is more likely than the men making the tournament, would produce a sizable community reaction. Viewing parties and probably a big event on campus would be great places to view the game. From Cambria to Santa Maria, televisions would be tuned-in to see if the Lady Mustangs could get out of the first round in their first ever NCAA Tournament.

Tournament bids for both teams during the same week might shut the university, if not the city, down. If the men played in a play-in game–and assuming that if they made the tournament, that’s likely where they’d go–it would be either March 15 or 16 in Dayton, OH. Finals week at Cal Poly happens to be March 14-18. Perhaps the students will realize that if everyone is at the viewing party, the curve won’t be affected (go to class and study hard kids!).

The women’s tournament starts on the 19th of March, which means that with a play-in game win, the two teams could play on back to back nights or maybe even on the same day, posing questions like:

* Can/Should the band be split in two? If not, where should they go?
* Would they schedule both games at the same time? If so, how many places in SLO are equipped (Hello Firestone Grill, Woodstocks, The Shack, SLO Brewing Company, The Kilt, etc…)
* Would anyone be up for a trip to Tucson?

Long-Term Impact

For both teams, the long-term impact on recruiting might be the most important result of tournament bids. Joe Callero has already made it clear that he recruits winners to Cal Poly and Faith Mimnaugh has her team in first place while missing the reigning Big West Player of the Year for the entire season. It’s safe to say that with NCAA tournament bids, both programs would improve recruiting opportunities the effects of which may not be felt for 2-4 years.

Maybe I’m biased because I live in San Luis Obispo and grew up on the Central Coast, but if you were a player and came to visit Cal Poly, what would keep you from coming? The weather is beautiful, the academics are top-notch, and the community is becoming more and more supportive. If the main thing keeping students from considering attending school in San Luis Obispo has been lack of winning programs, a trip to the NCAA Tournament would go a long way to eradicate that dated and incorrect stereotype. There truly is no greater recruiting tool than winning.

Mott Gym may also be full more often next season. A Saturday night game versus an exciting conference foe not named UCSB might draw more than 2,000 fans to Mott Gym.

I love being able to get a good seat, but I think I’d rather be in a constantly rowdy and loud gym for a game. I think Coach Callero, Coach Mimnaugh, and their teams would prefer that also.

What do you think of the article? Love it? Hate it? Thought it was OK? – Drop me a line at owen@fansmanship.com