PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: League-by-league outlook

By JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Tuesday, December 2, 2008 12:13 AM PST ∞

In predicted order of finish

Avocado League

1. Torrey Pines (Coach: John Olive. Last year: 22-8 overall; 9-1, first in Palomar League)

At a glance: The Falcons are big, physical, talented and deep. The big men include 6-8 junior Matt Spelich, 6-7 Ramsey Hopkins and 6-6 senior captain Colin Porter. Porter and Trevor Newquist, the other senior captain, are the team leaders, but Hopkins could be a monster if he plays consistently. Cyrus Rahimi and Amir Begovic both check in at 6-5. A pair of young guards, freshman Joe Rahon and sophomore Nick Kerr, could make major impacts.

2. La Costa Canyon (Coach: Dave Cassaw. Last year: 23-7 overall; 8-2, second in Palomar League)

At a glance: Junior C Dennis Kramer, who stands 6-10, is one of the best big men in the county. High-energy Jake Ducey was a spot starter last year. Sebastian Frausto (the quarterback on the football team), junior James McCann and sophomore Andrew Kitchens give the Mavericks three good point guards. Andrew Jury is a good 6-5 complementary player. Matt Shrigley, a 6-3 freshman, is very talented. Kenny Stills will help when football season ends.

3. Escondido (Coach: Paul Baldwin. Last year: 17-11 overall; 11-1, tie first in Valley League)

At a glance: The Cougars have enough talent to challenge Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon for the top spot. G Joe Hudson is a pure scorer. At 6-5, football player Shea Prince is the big man. Football player Ricky Seale, a tenacious rebounder, will help. The Dunn brothers, Kevin and Travis, are water polo players who should contribute. Cooper Ness is a lock-down defender. Nathan Thompson is the point guard.

4. Mission Hills (Coach: Curtis Hoffmeister. Last year: 25-8 overall; 11-1, tie first in Valley League)

At a glance: All five starters on last year's 25-win team are gone. Still, the Grizzlies have some talent in seniors Jeremy Ford, Kevin Chung and PG Miggy Banas. Sophomore scoring machine Hunter Moore is also back. The team is undersized, but there is some quickness.

5. Fallbrook (Coach: Jeff Brandow. Last year: 11-18 overall; 4-6, tied fourth in Palomar League)

At a glance: The team's best players ---- Jake Ware, Aaron Atkins and Michell Salazar ---- will be late coming out from football. Derek Hasvold returns as the team's center. Oscar Munson, a 6-4 sophomore center, will help as will sophomore F Danny Bashara and junior PG Taylor Berryman. Jeff Brandow, who guided the Oceanside girls to a 15-13 record last year, takes over as coach and plans to play a more up-tempo style.

6. San Pasqual (Coach: Orlando Monell. Last year: 8-18 overall; 4-8, fifth in Valley League)

At a glance: Starters Eric Bowcock and Michael Fredericks as well as Aaron Harvey, Chris Thien, Steven Shadpour and Steve Henderson all saw time on the varsity last season. The 6-4 Bowcock broke his leg in football season, but should be 100 percent by league play. Fredericks is a strong defender and decision-maker. Harvey can score and is a strong rebounder and defender. The Eagles lack a true post man, so they will try to play at a quick tempo.

Palomar League

1. El Camino (Coach: Ray Johnson. Last year: 29-4 overall; 10-0, first in Avocado League)

At a glance: The Wildcats are big, strong and talented. Luke Evans, a 6-8 senior, is the heart of team with his ability to score and pass. The athletic Alan Cox, who was injured much of last season, Steve Aldridge and Griffin Hunter are also back from last year's team. Aldridge was a starter much of the season. Ryan Ena, a 6-6 sophomore from the football team, could be a monster. Evan Watson transferred back from Chaparral in Temecula, and Peter Foster, a great shooter, moved in from New York. Freshman Dayton Doddie could be a big help.

2. Poway (Coach: Aaron Little. Last year: 21-9 overall; 6-4, third in Palomar League)

At a glance: The Titans return a pair of starters in Brian Kuklok and Stephen Bonner. Kuklok averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds a game last season and scored 25 or more in five games. Taylor Wheatland also returns. The top newcomers are junior G Danny Woodley and 6-8 freshman Sam Beeler.

3. Vista (Coach: Charlie Mercado. Last year: 10-17 overall; 1-9, sixth in Palomar League)

At a glance: The Panthers return three starters and a key reserve from last year's team ---- 6-6 G Quincy Lawson, Steven Que, Tray Johnson and Mikey Franciscus. The athletic Lawson is drawing interest from several big-name colleges. The top newcomers include senior Jeremy Gathright, sophomore Eric Miller and 6-3 freshman Patrick Johnson.

4. Carlsbad (Coach: Scott Ogden. Last year: 16-12 overall; 5-5, third in Avocado League)

At a glance: PG James Towner and G Mike Tanael are returning starters. Gs Craig Nielson and Steve Tyson are the other returnees. At 6-6, Scott Hanna-Riggs is the team's big man, with Charlie Parker checking in at 6-4 and Nathan Blake at 6-3.

5. Rancho Buena Vista (Coach: Terry Miller. Last year: 19-10 overall; 6-4, second in Palomar League)

At a glance: Tyler Downs, a 6-foot senior guard, is the only returning starter off a team that graduated eight players. But 6-9 junior C Jake Bennett returns along with F Jon Hernandez. Anthony McIver, a 6-5 junior, figures to give the team a boost along with sophomore G Johnny Dee, who averaged 27 points a game on the freshman team.

6. Rancho Bernardo (Coach: Jim Choe. Last year: 20-10 overall; 4-6, fourth in Palomar League)

At a glance: The Broncos lost nine seniors off last year's team, but new coach Choe believes his team will surprise. Steven Davis, Brian Hogan and Connor McClelland are the returnees. All are being recruited by Division II and III colleges. Tanner Clayton, a 6-8 junior center, is the best of the newcomers. He's also a top-notch volleyball player who can dominate inside. Derek Sayler, Brett Stephen and Andrew Daniel are the other top newcomers.

Valley League

1. San Marcos (Coach: Dante Carey. Last year: 18-12 overall; 5-7, tie third in Valley League)

At a glance: The Knights return four starters, including Adrien Briens, a great shooter who averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds last year. C Matt Meyers, a strong post player, averaged 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. Zach Ramirez averaged 9 points and controls the team. The 6-foot-7 Vuc Ekmecic averaged 7 points and 4.3 rebounds.

2. Oceanside (Coach: Corey Hogue. Last year: 17-12 overall; 4-6, fourth in Avocado League)

At a glance: The Pirates return three starters ---- JJ Whittaker, Osmond Nicholas and Markese Cronk. Five other players, including Diajon McMillian and Randy Wuenneman, are back from a team that advanced to the CIF San Diego Section Division II semifinals. Newcomers Edward Woodfork (6-4), Jeremie Vernon (6-6), Sam Mence (6-5) and Johnny Lewis (6-2), and sophomore football player DeMario Coleman will help in the team's up-tempo offense.

3. Westview (Coach: Dave Delaney. Last year: 12-18 overall; 1-9, sixth in Palomar League)

At a glance: The Wolverines have a bunch of big guys in 6-5 Phil Gruber, 6-6 Peter Rubis, 6-6 Jason Allison, 6-5 Kyle Gilbert and 6-5 Justin Allison. Gruber is a good shooter and inside player, Jason Allison and Rubis are tough inside. Senior Nathan Omega will be the point guard and Lance Vigilia is a good perimeter shooter. Dusty Haws, one of the team's top returnees, broke an ankle playing football and is lost for the season.

4. Orange Glen (Coach: Mark Pixley. Last year: 11-15 overall; 2-10, seventh in Valley League)

At a glance: The Patriots return three starters ---- Feras Tartir, Andy Early and Derrick Rhone. Tartir, the team's point guard, averaged 13 points and 4 steals a game. The tallest player on the roster is 6-3 senior C Dor Tut. So the Patriots will rely on pressure defense, trying to generate offense off turnovers.

5. Ramona (Coach: Ken Schieb. Last year: 8-20 overall; 4-8, tie fifth in Valley League)

At a glance: The Bulldogs will again play an up-tempo game, led by senior Dodge McIntosh. Three key players ---- 6-5 sophomore Bryson Garcia, 6-4 Quinton Wright and Nathan Hunt ---- are out late from football. So early on the load will fall to McIntosh, Cameron Kolk, Andrew Alcaraz, Keith Schieb and Jared Engler.

6. Valley Center (Coach: Bob Purdy. Last year: 12-15 overall; 5-7, tie third in Valley League)

At a glance: The Jaguars return three starters ---- James Johnson, Matt Battelle and Stehly Reden. Johnson, who is still playing football, is a jet on the court. With the 6-6 Reden and 6-6 junior Jacob Lane, the Jaguars have some bulk. The team figures to be bigger, stronger and shoot the ball better than a year ago.

7. Mt. Carmel (Coach: Conrad Sun. Last year: 12-15 overall; 2-8, fifth in Palomar League)

At a glance: The Sundevils have a new coach and are in a new league, but will struggle to win games. Nick Kosakoski and Jamie Ferguson, who checks in a 6-5, are the leaders.

Coastal League North

1. Army-Navy (Coach: John Farrell. Last year: 21-6 overall; 8-0, first in league)

At a glance: Derrick Buchanan, an athletic 6-5 senior, is one of the top players in the county. PG Rafael Rodriguez returns for his second season. Freshman Osario Camacho, who checks in at 6-7 1/2, 6-3 sophomore Jahn Carlos Garcia and Lamar Greenwood will be major contributors. Sophomores Greg Elliott and Jon Mosley played for the JV team last season.

2. Calvin Christian (Coach: Dave Bakker. Last year: 13-13 overall; 5-3, second in league)

At a glance: At 6-6, David Stout gives the Crusaders a presence inside. Stout and David Baker are returning starters, but Baker broke his thumb in football and is out until Christmas. Seniors Canden Vanderbyl and Clinton Parker saw considerable time last season, but are late coming out after football. Kevin Veldkamp, another football player, is the top newcomer. This is a tall, athletic team that could make some noise.

3. San Dieguito Academy (Coach: Luke Stuckey. Last year: 8-16 overall; 2-6, fourth in league)

At a glance: Eric Peck, a 6-3 wing player, is the lone returning starter for the Mustangs. Kevin Ginn, a 6-4 wing, and G Kevin Barth both saw considerable action. Junior post man Tom Tumosa, who checks in at 6-7, and junior G Brian Peck top the list of newcomers. The Mustangs have five players 6-3 or taller. While there is a lack of experience, the Mustangs want to control the tempo and play great defense.

4. Santa Fe Christian (Coach: Chad Bickley. Last year: 15-13; 4-4, third in league)

At a glance: Karl Holmlund, Tyler Davis and Kyle Hubbard lead the team.

5. Tri-City Christian (Coach: Stan Bickley. Last year: 4-22 overall; 1-7, fifth in league)

At a glance: Carson Colpean and Tyler Kinzier, a pair of 6-3 seniors, lead the team.

Coastal League South

1. Bishop's

2. Horizon

3. Francis Parker

4. La Jolla Country Day

5. Canyon Crest Academy (Coach: Brian Baum. Last year: 16-9 overall; 2-6, fourth in league)

At a glance: The Ravens boast three top returnees ---- 6-7 senior post man Ahmed Hassan, and Gs Tyler Casett and Matt Aoto.

Citrus League North

1. Calvary Christian (Coach: David Piester. Last year: 13-15 overall; 4-6, fourth in league)

At a glance: David Moore, Phil Mahon and Brett Beasley lead an undersized squad.

2. San Pasqual Academy (Coach: Brian Moore. Last year: 9-15 overall; 6-4, third in league)

At a glance: Raymond Lomas, a 6-3 junior, is the top player.

3. San Diego Jewish Academy (Coach: Stephen Shoemaker. Last year: 8-10 overall; 3-7, fifth in league)

At a glance: Andrew Retzer and Stan Kaplun are the top players.

4. Escondido Adventist Academy (Coach: Bill Davis. Last year: 19-8 overall; 8-2, first in league)

At a glance: Hawks lost a lot, but do boast Jeremy Perez, Tyler Velez and Victor Toledano.

5. Guajome Park Academy (Coach: Luis Llamas. Last year: 11-12 overall; 7-3, second in league)

At a glance: The 6-4 Skyler Wang and Dalton Shackleford are the top players.

6. Christian L.I.F.E. Academy (Coach: Todd Nash. Last year: 5-18 overall; 2-8, sixth in league)

At a glance: A big team with 6-6 Taylor Price and 6-5 Dillon Dalton along with G Andrew McCarthy.

Frontier League

1. Maranatha Christian (Coach: Rle Nichols. Last year: 21-8 overall; 10-0, first in league)

At a glance: Chen Cai, a talented 6-8 sophomore, and juniors Santiago Simenthal, David Porter and Stewart Kerr are the top returning players. Cai averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds a year ago. Simenthal averaged 18 points, Porter 12 and Kerr 9.6. Freshman Jose Magana is the top newcomer.

2. The Rock

3. High Tech

4. Preuss

5. Southern California Yeshiva

6. Escondido Charter (Coach: Gerald Tanksley. Last year: 5-16 overall; 2-8, sixth in league)

At a glance: The 6-4 Jordan Finney and Austin DeLoach lead the way.

7. St. Joseph's (Coach: Kevin Allen. Last year: 2-14 overall; 2-8, sixth in league)

At a glance: Seniors Tony Russo and Paul Delgado had the list.

Western League

1. University City

2. St. Augustine.

3. Cathedral Catholic (Coach: Kevin Williamson. Last year: 19-10 overall; 9-3 in league)

At a glance: The Dons have a deep, talented, senior-laden team led by returning starters Nick Madden and Parker Hipp. Madden has grown to 6-5 and should be a force inside. At 6-8, 300 pounds, Everett Benyard gives the team some bulk inside. Chase Novak, Andres Aldrete and Nick Nixon are experienced veterans. Matt Moynihan ---- a top-notch baseball player ---- Ryan Downing and sophomore Marko Kengott are the top newcomers.

4. Mission Bay

5. Lincoln

6. La Jolla

7. Scripps Ranch