Chaz Thomas had a Cinderella year during the 2004-05 basketball season for Serra High School in San Mateo (Calif). The 6-foot-1 senior floor general averaged over 10 points per game as he helped to guide the Padres to the tough WCAL regular season, Central Coast Section and NorCal Regional championships in Division 1.

The Padres lost to the powerful Westchester Comets in the State title game, ending Serra's dreams of a State championship. But Thomas' dream of playing Division 1 college basketball still lives on. Coming off a visit to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this past weekend, Thomas has decided to end his recruitment, as he signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the Mustangs this winter.

"I went down there and they took me around to talk to the administration people," said Thomas. "I watched one of their workouts and then I was walked into the office where head coach Kevin Broomly offered me a scholarship and I accepted."

Thomas' recruitment was off and on this past year. Early on, Wyoming, Boise State and Portland showed some interest. During the season, other schools such as St. Mary's, Loyola Maramount, Portland State, the University of Denver and Tulsa joined the fray.

"I really liked Cal Poly's head coach Kevin Broomly," continued Thomas. "As soon as I got there, I knew it was the school for me."

In the past, Chaz has been known as a shooter who can fill it up. During his sophomore year, while he was at Oceana High School, he erupted for 40 points in the CCS championship game against Monte Vista Christian. During his junior year, Thomas was an all-league performer for Serra. This past year, Thomas' scoring average dropped as he took on more of a lead guard role for the Padres.

Thomas said the coaching staff wants him to play both guard slots. He joins fellow bay area point guard, Trae Clark, to a solid 2005 recruiting class which also includes the Minnesota State player of the year, Travis Busch, a 6-foot-5 small forward, Kobe Leavitt, 6-foot-9 center from Utah and Titus Shelton, 6-foot-7 power forward from Fresno, California.

Cal Poly competes in the Big West Conference where they had a disappointing 5-22 record (3-15 in conference play) this past season, attributed in part to two key players missing the season because of injury and academic problems. Thomas' signing, along with the other members of this class, gives the Mustangs hope in a improving Big West Conference.

"Cal Poly is a good spot for him, as he is excited about being able to stay and play ball in California, said Nelson Washington, head of the Bay Area Ballers club team, which Thomas played for this past offseason. "Chaz will see a lot of time at the 2 spot, which is his natural position. He will also receive a good education at a very good school."