Grant's Harris coaches All-Star D-linemen

Grant athletic director and assistant football coach Reggie Harris has worked with plenty of gifted athletes.

But even Harris is amazed at the level of talent he is working with this week in San Antonio as a West assistant coach for Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl game at the Alamodome.

Harris is the defensive-line coach for a West squad that includes the Pacers' Shaq Thompson and Pleasant Grove's Arik Armstead.

Harris is coaching eight linemen, including the 6-foot-8, 290-pound Armstead.

"These guys are awesome," Harris said. "They're tremendously talented and high-character guys. There's no loafing in workouts. You can see why they are such high-level recruits."

In addition to Armstead, Harris is coaching Buhach Colony of Atwater's Aziz Shittu and players who have committed to Oregon, Missouri, Texas and Florida State.

Harris said the highly recruited Armstead and Thompson, who will play safety, aren't expected to reveal their college choices until Saturday's game, which will be televised by NBC.

"This is an amazing experience," Harris said. "All the players and coaches are staying at the Grand Hyatt (San Antonio). It's an experience of a lifetime for these kids – and for me."

Harris already has received a little star treatment of his own.

A photo of him barking out orders in a West practice appeared in the San Antonio Express-News.

"The kids are having fun with it," Harris said. "They've started calling me 'Hollywood.' "

Burbank boys to visit Sacramento on Friday

• No. 4 Sacramento and No. 5 Burbank will meet for Metro Conference boys basketball bragging rights Friday in Oak Park.

Burbank defeated the Dragons twice in league play last season to end Sac High's four-year reign as Metro Conference champ.

• The Pioneer boys beat Winters 55-51 Dec. 28 in the Dixon tournament to end a 37-game losing streak. Pioneer (1-14) had not won since Nov. 27, 2010 (46-43 over Woodland).

Bella Vista wrestler earns state honor

• Bella Vista junior Shayne Tucker, the state's No. 1-ranked 138-pounder, was named The California Wrestler's Athlete of the Week after winning the recent Reno Tournament of Champions.

Tucker defeated No. 2 Natrelle Demison of Bakersfield 3-2 in the second round and No. 3 Nicholas Villarreal of Gilroy 4-2 in the final.

As a sophomore, Tucker won the Sac-Joaquin Section at 130 pounds and was fourth at the CIF state finals.

• Defending CIF 145-pound champ Jake Elliott of Oakmont is ranked No. 2 in the state at 152 pounds, and Keaton Subjeck of Oak Ridge is third.

Elk Grove's Martin Ramirez is ranked first (126), Del Oro's Austin Branum second (145) and Foothill's Michael Lowman third (heavyweight).

– Bill Paterson

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