San Diego Boys High School Basketball Preview, pt6
Per The San Diego Basketball Coaches
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Association
LEAGUE & TEAM PREVIEWS
Imperial Valley League
1) Southwest (Division 2, El Centro)
Head Coach: Ruben Valenzuela (1st Year)
Last year's record: 16 – 12 (2 – 4, 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Gabriel Castro (Sr, 5'10"), Josh Holmes (Jr, 6'05")
Losses to overcome: Ernesto Fernandez (graduation)
Summary: The Eagles return size and experience that may translate into a league title.
2) Central Union (Division 3, El Centro)
Head Coach: Von Gaines (5th Year)
Last year's record: 23 – 5 (6 – 0, 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Anthony Garcia (Sr, 5'09"), Ivan Ceballos (Sr, 5'10"), Matt Blevins (Sr, 6'00")
Losses to overcome: Israel Guardado (graduation), Andrew Grooms (La Sierra Univ.), Matt Hillix (UCSD)
Summary: Graduation hurt the Spartans who also lack size inside, but should still battle for the league crown.
3) Brawley Union (Division 3, Brawley)
Head Coach: Andy Burnett (1st Year)
Last year's record: 11 – 14 (4 – 2, 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Travis Cox (Sr, 6'01")
Losses to overcome: Daniel Paramo (graduation), Adam Lucas (graduation), Kyle Kortsen (graduation)
Summary: The Wildcats should struggle behind a youth movement.
4) Calexico (Division 1, Calexico)
Head Coach: Frank Moreno (4th Year)
Last year's record: 10 – 15 (0 – 6, 4th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Mauricio Lucero (Sr, 5'11"), Jesus Valencia (So, 5'06"), Johanan Ramos (Sr, 5'09")
Losses to overcome: Danny Diaz (graduation), Mathew Leyva (graduation), Manuel Farias (graduation)
Summary: The Bulldogs lack size, but Lucero can light it up from the perimeter.
Player of the Year: Josh Holmes (Southwest)
All-Imperial Valley League:
Gabriel Castro (Southwest)
Travis Cox (Brawley Union)
Anthony Garcia (Central Union)
Josh Holmes (Southwest)
Mauricio Lucero (Calexico)
Desert League
1) Calipatria (Division 4, Calipatria)
Head Coach: Robert Romero (9th Year)
Last year's record: 20 – 8 (5 – 1, tied for 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Miles Hamilton (Sr, 6'04"), Jesus Ramirez (Sr, 6'04"), Julian Hurtado (Sr, 5'08")
Losses to overcome: Anselmo Martinez (graduation)
Summary: Hamilton leads a solid squad that is poised to make another run at the league title.
2) Holtville (Division 4, Holtville)
Head Coach: John Reschert (1st Year)
Last year's record: 8 – 16 (1 – 5, tied for 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: Jarrod Lantzer (Sr, 6'04"), Thomas Garcia (Sr, 5'09"), Jared Ries (Jr, 6'02")
Losses to overcome: None
Summary: The Vikings return a strong and experienced group that should make noise in a wide open league race.
3) Imperial (Division 4, Imperial)
Head Coach: Dave Milan (7th Year)
Last year's record: 7 – 18 (1 – 5, tied for 3rd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Alex Grijalva (Sr, 6'02"), Joseph Riley (Jr, 6'01"), Aaron Turner (Sr, 5'04")
Losses to overcome: Christian Ramirez (graduation), Tom Whitehead (graduation)
Summary: Grijalva leads a solid nucleus for the Tigers who should contend for the league crown.
4) Palo Verde Valley (Division 4, Blythe)
Head Coach: Rick Copple (6th Year)
Last year's record: 11 – 19 (5 – 1, tied for 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: A.J. Kemp (Sr, 5'09"), Nigel Camargo (Sr, 5'08"), Alphonso Kennedy (Sr, 6'03")
Losses to overcome: Josey Cruse (graduation), Ryan St. Jules (graduation)
Summary: If the Yellowjackets can develop some inside play, they will end up in the thick of league title action.
Player of the Year: Miles Hamilton (Calipatria)
All-Desert League:
Alex Grijalva (Imperial)
Miles Hamilton (Calipatria)
A.J. Kemp (Palo Verde)
Jarrod Lantzer (Holtville)
Jesus Ramirez (Calipatria)
Citrus East League
1) Borrego Springs (Division 5, Borrego Springs)
Head Coach: Carl Focarelli (4th Year)
Last year's record: 18 – 8 (7 – 1, 1st)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Will Laws (Sr, 5'10"), Marco Delgadillo (Sr, 6'02")
Losses to overcome: Richard Rethoret (graduation)
Summary: The Rams return a solid nucleus that should keep them in league title contention.
2) Julian (Division 5, Julian)
Head Coach: Craig Pierson (13th Year)
Last year's record: 9 – 15 (3 - 5, 4th)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Shaun Rainey (Sr, 5'09"), Reese Schull (Jr, 5'11"), Marshall Holmes (Jr, 6'02")
Losses to overcome: Bruce Sauter (graduation)
Summary: The Eagles should be vastly improved from a year ago.
3) Vincent Memorial (Division 5, Calexico)
Head Coach: Peter Contreras (3rd Year)
Last year's record: 6 – 11 (4 – 4, tied for 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: David Walk (Sr, 5'06"), Tommy Alexander (Jr, 5'11"), Jose Posada (Jr, 6'07")
Losses to overcome: Jorge Ramirez (graduation)
Summary: The Scots return an experienced group that will make them competitive within their league.
4) Warner Springs (Division 5, Warner Springs)
Head Coach: Chris Sanchez (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 7 – 11 (4 – 4, tied for 2nd)
Last year's playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Brian DiPaolo (Sr, 5'11")
Losses to overcome: Kyle Gruner (graduation), Jeff French (graduation)
Summary: The Wildcats face an uphill battle in league.
5) West Shores (Division 5, Salton City)
Head Coach: Errin Robinson (2nd Year)
Last year's record: 4 – 7 (2 – 6, 5th)
Last year's playoffs: None
Key players: David Guillen (Jr, 5'07"), Scott Murray (Sr, 5'10")
Losses to overcome: Alex Guillen (graduation), Robert Coady (graduation), Victor Muro (graduation)
Summary: Graduation struck the Wildcats hard as they face a tough season.
Player of the Year: Will Laws (Borrego Springs)
All-Citrus East League:
Tommy Alexander (Vincent Memorial)
Marco Delgadillo (Borrego Springs)
Brian DiPaolo (Warner Springs)
Will Laws (Borrego Springs)
Shaun Rainey (Julian)
