Campbell Hall Freshman Phenom Holliday's Hoops Potential 'Unlimited'

How good is Aaron Holliday going to be, the freshman basketball phenom Campbell Hall?

After tearing it up this summer, including scoring more than 50 points in the first game, Holliday’s potential is unlimited, coach Steve Wachs said.

“We don’t have a very deep team this year, so Aaron is going to have to be effective immediately, and I think he’s up to the challenge,” Wachs said. “Physically, he’s very strong and does an excellent job to get from the lane to the rim. He’s a very capable shooter, and his strength allows him to get to the room.”

In some ways, the 5-foot-10 youngster is like Austin McBroom, a four-year starting point guard who graduated and is headed Central Michigan.

“Both have a big-play mentality,” Wachs said. “Both want to make a big play when the game is on the line. I can see that in Aaron. Austin spent a lot of time at the free-throw line, and I’m hoping Aaron will, too.”

Of course, the comparison everyone wants to make is between Holliday and his brothers, particularly Jrue, who has made it to the NBA.

“What can I say about the bloodlines? I’d be lying if I said everyone doesn’t want to project the talents of Jrue and Justin onto him,” Wachs said. “Truthfully, he has the same talents his brothers possessed.”

SWOOPE THERE IT IS

Two months after University of Miami hired new men’s basketball coach Jim Larranga, forward Erik Swoope, the former Havard-Westlake High standout, says the players are adjusting well.

“I think we’ll have a great year. I like (Larranga’s) whole philosophy and outlook of being aggressive,” Swoope said. “We plan on taking the chemistry we had last year and to work on keep improving it.”

Swoope, a 6-7, 230-pound sophomore who was the Mission League MVP two years ago, played in 29 games as a freshman, averaging 1.4 points and 1.0 with a high of 13 points against Pepperdine.

“Now I’m in the swing of things,” Swoope said. “I know how the progression of the season works and how ACC play works. My goal is to be a big contributor this year.”

CAMBPBELL HALL QB READY FOR NEXT LEVEL?

After passing for 2,536 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games last year, R.J. Gordon of Campbell Hall has yet to receive a scholarship offer heading into his senior season – but the quarterback is closing in.

Gordon has taken unofficial visits to Northern Arizona, Portland State and New Mexico State, hoping to make a connection.

“We’re just waiting to see what happens,” said his father, Russell, Campbell Hall’s head coach. “Nothing is official, but I think by the end of the summer he’ll have something.”

Campbell Hall plays in a seven-on-seven tournament beginning Thursday in Oceanside, the latest step for a team that finished 7-4 a year ago and is trying to keep pace in the Alpha League with East Valley Division powers Paraclete and Sierra Canyon.

“We’re building upon an exciting season,” coach Gordon said.

WEISSENBACH ON FAST TRACK IN FRANCE

Amy Weissenbach, Harvard-Westlake’s talented girls’ track standout, is participating Sunday in the 800 at the World Youth Track & Field Championships in Lille, France.

Weissbenbach qualified by finished second Friday in a semifinal heat. She is the national high school record holder with a time of 2:02.04, setting the mark last month at the state championships in Clovis.

Harvard-Westlake teammate Cami Chapus is also participating. She competes in the girls’ 1,500 relay today.