A new season of scholastic boys basketball play has several local teams eyeing CIF gold.
At The Bishop’s School, head coach Tom Tarantino and the Knights went 18-10 last winter, reaching the CIF semifinals along the way.
Key players in 2006-07 look to include senior shot-blocker Andrei Lucas, senior guard Sterling Jones, junior guard Jywrell Wilson and sophomore forward David Stotelmyre.
“We have excellent athleticism and are looking for a pressing, fast-paced style of play,” Tarantino noted.
At neighboring La Jolla High, head coach Kamal Assaf and the Vikings come off of a 12-17 mark a year ago, 3-7 in Western League play. La Jolla lost in the quarters of Division III play.
With 10 returning players, the Vikings figure to have a stronger team than last year and expect to compete for the Western League Championship and the CIF Division III crown.
“We love this group of players for several reasons,” Assaf noted. “We have great senior leadership. These five seniors have been in our program for three years and lead the team with great intelligence and maturity ” they set an outstanding example for everyone and are tireless workers. Secondly, our entire roster has been playing together for three years. They are familiar with our culture and have excellent chemistry. Lastly, the team has very good overall quickness and a relentless attitude on defense.”
The Vikings will look to Andrew Heap (second team, All-Western League) and Jack Peterson (three-year varsity starter) to lead the way. Two notable junior guards were starters on last year’s team: Spencer Moyer and Jerrell Agnew, who combine excellent quickness and defensive tenacity.
At La Jolla Country Day School, new head coach Ryan Meier and the Torreys will be led by juniors Travis Golia and Kyle Reese, along with senior Mark Schu. Meier also looks for several freshmen to contribute early.
LJCD finished 18-10 a season ago under former head coach Paul Wilson.
“We are hoping to compete in what I feel is the toughest league in all of San Diego, the Coastal South,” Meier said. “I think this is a very intriguing team. We have some experienced varsity players mixed with some talented youth who love the game. If we can blend those together, we could surprise some teams.”
University City High will look to improve on last year’s 10-16 mark, including a 2-7 league record.