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BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM CAPSULES
SUNRISE REGION
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SOUTHEAST DIVISION
BASIC
Coach: Steven Bentz
2005-06 record: 13-15
Top players: Brian Sanders (6-0, Sr., G); Randy Trujillo (6-5, Sr., F); James Holmes (6-5, So., F); Marcus Romero (5-11, Jr., G); Shane Allison (5-11, Jr., G)
Outlook: The Wolves return two starters -- Sanders and Trujillo -- from last year's playoff team. Sanders averaged 10 points and five assists, and Trujillo grabbed eight boards a game.
Many of the team's other players are in their first varsity season, but have had success at the lower levels.
CORONADO
Coach: Paul Berg
2005-06 record: 14-12
Top players: Cory Ford (6-3, Jr., G); Anthony Cox (6-0, Sr., G); T.J. Knowles (6-6, Jr., F); Christian Hatch (6-7, Jr., F); Thomas Tebbs (6-1, So., G)
Outlook: The Cougars return three starters led by Ford, who averaged 13 points and seven assists as a sophomore.
Cox, one of two seniors on the roster, will key the defense, and Knowles and Hatch add size.
DEL SOL
Coach: Jim Dinkel
2005-06 record: 7-17
Top players: Chris Friedman (Sr., G); Damien Lujan (Jr., G); Maurice Lawson (Jr., F); Tim Lawson (So., F); Joe Maglaras (Jr., F); Jose Rodriguez (Jr., G)
Outlook: The Dragons are in their third season, but are still young with only one senior in the top six.
Maurice Lawson averaged 12.5 points, and is a physical presence at 6-1, 235.
FOOTHILL
Coach: Kevin Soares
2005-06 record: 22-7
Top players: Ben Green (6-4, Jr., F); Rocky DiAntonio (6-2, Sr., G); Earl Jones (5-6, Jr., G); D'Angelo Jones (5-9, Sr., G)
Outlook: The Falcons return seven players from a team that finished second in the Southeast .
Green has been the team's most consistent player early, and should be the go-to player on offense.
DiAntonio is a strong shooter, and the Joneses add quickness on the perimeter. The Falcons should contend for the league title again.
GREEN VALLEY
Coach: Adam Patai
2005-06 record: 16-13
Top players: Billy White (6-8, Sr., F); Cody Aughney (6-6, Jr., C); Adrian Charbonnet (6-2, Sr., F); Ryan Alexander (5-8, Sr., G); Jon-Ross Campeau (6-1, Sr., G); Jaryn Seidl (6-4, Sr, F); Julian Franklin (6-3, So., F)
Outlook: White and Aughney form an imposing front line for the Gators. The versatile White, who has signed with San Diego State, averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots in earning second-team All-Sunrise honors.
Aughney, a second team All-Southeast pick, averaged 13 points and seven boards.
The key will be the backcourt. If the guards can take care of the ball and get it to White and Aughney in scoring opportunities, the team should contend for the league title.
LIBERTY
Coach: Pat Welby
2005-06 record: 5-23
Top players: Justin King (6-2, Jr., F); Garrick Powell (6-2, Jr., F)
Outlook: King averaged 15 points and nine rebounds a year ago, and will lead the way.
Powell had a successful year on the junior varsity, but the guards will have to improve for the team to contend.
SILVERADO
Coach: Ron Childress
2005-06 record: 24-7
Top players: Heiden Ratner (5-11, Sr., G); Wade Collie (6-4, So., F); Ali Sabra (5-11, So., G); Taylor Sims (6-5, Sr., F/C); John Mattern (6-1, Sr., F)
Outlook: Ratner earned second-team all-state honors last season after averaging 24.7 points and 5.7 assists.
He'll play more shooting guard this season with Sabra taking over some of the ball handling.
The team lost three starters to graduation, and post player Kevin Rath didn't come out, deciding to focus on baseball.
Collie, a sophomore from Seattle, and Sims will need to provide an inside presence.
VO-TECH
Coach: Ward Griffith
2005-06 record: 3-22
Top players: Steve Maglich (6-0, Sr., G); Brandon Tiffany (5-8, So., G); Miguel Fernandez (6-1, Sr., F)
Outlook: First-year coach Griffith has spent much of the early season trying to improve the team's basketball IQ.
The team has little height, and hasn't had success in recent years, but Griffith thinks the team could surprise some teams.
NORTHEAST DIVISION
CANYON SPRINGS
Coach: Daryl Branham
2005-06 record: 19-12
Top players: Tommie Sanders (5-11, Sr., G); Deremy Geiger (5-10, Jr., G); Raveon Samuel (6-5, Jr., F); Mike Elliott (5-11, Jr., G); Greg McWilliams (6-8, Sr., F)
Outlook: The Pioneers finished a disappointing third in the league last year and were bounced from the playoffs in the first round. But with three strong guards back, led by second-team All-Northeast pick Geiger (14.2 points, 3.1 assists), the team should contend for the league title.
Samuel (9.7 points, 7.2 rebounds) and McWilliams (6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds) should play bigger roles. The team might start slowly with five key players getting back into basketball shape after a long football season.
CHAPARRAL
Coach: Ennis Wesley
2005-06 record: 7-18
Top players: Jamey Clay-Brown (5-11, Sr., G); Tyler Bryant (6-0, Jr., G); Da'Quan Bennett (6-3, Sr., F); Darius Stewart (6-5, Sr., F); Dalone Epton (6-5, Sr., F)
Outlook: Wesley is excited that things are finally turning around in his third season as coach.
The coach expects Stewart and Epton to lead the way from the front line, with Bryant and Las Vegas transfer Clay-Brown taking care of the ball handling.
Wesley thinks the team should contend with Canyon Springs and Valley for the league title.
DESERT PINES
Coach: DeShawn Henry
2005-06 record: 11-17
Top players: Jason West (6-4, Sr., F); William Winn (5-10, Sr., G); Reggie Shaw (6-2, So., G); Deante Atkins (6-0, So., F)
Outlook: The Jaguars could contend for a playoff spot in what figures to be a tough league.
West, a second-team All-Sunrise pick, is back to lead the way after averaging 11.9 points and 8.2 rebounds. Winn averaged 3.1 assists and should control things from the point.
ELDORADO
Coach: Phil Olsen
2005-06 record: 18-13
Top players: Not available
Outlook: Olsen said the team doesn't have a star like it had last season in DaVell Jackson, but might be better overall.
The Sundevils can be a high-scoring team, and should contend for a spot in the postseason.
LAS VEGAS
Coach: Paul Merkel
2005-06 record: 5-18
Top players: Colin Pretlow (5-11, Sr., G); D'Angelo Saulsberry (5-8, Sr., G); Marvin Campbell (6-2, Jr., F); Ahmad Franklin (6-5, So., C)
Outlook: Expect the Wildcats to start slowly as seven of the team's 12 varsity players are still playing football, including Saulsberry, Campbell and Pretlow.
Six junior varsity players also are playing football, so the team has been working with only five varsity and seven JV players.
Merkel expects the backcourt to be strong, and said the team has more height than recent seasons.
RANCHO
Coach: Melvin Shivers
2005-06 record: 23-7
Top players: Ivory Thues (5-11, Sr., G)
Outlook: The Rams rode a strong senior class all the way to the state championship game last season. But with all five starters gone to graduation, Rancho probably will struggle this season.
Thues is the only returning player who saw significant playing time last season. He averaged six points, and will play the point this season as he tries to replace graduated all-state guard Ariece Perkins.
VALLEY
Coach: Brian Farnsworth
2005-06 record: 24-9
Top players: Hank Thorns (5-8, Sr., G); Alonzo Brandon (6-2, Sr., G); Deante Jones (6-7, Jr., F)
Outlook: The Vikings return their top two scorers in Thorns (21.7 points) and Brandon (15.6) and should again contend for the league crown.
Valley has won the last three Northeast titles. Thorns is the area's only returning first-team all-stater, and is a strong shooter as well as an excellent penetrator.
Jones will need to play a bigger role this season.
SUNSET REGION
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
BISHOP GORMAN
Coach: Grant Rice
2005-06 record: 27-5
Top players: Sam Goulet (6-2, Sr. G); Kevin Loyd (5-10, Jr., G); Quintin Dailey (6-4, Jr., G); Jordan Hill (6-4, Jr., F); Zach Walkerlieb (6-0, Sr., G); Joe Muvana (6-9, Jr., C)
Outlook: The Gaels lost big stars Marcus Lawrence and Jonathan Tavernari, but figure to contend for the league title.
Rice said Goulet (10 points) is ready for a breakout season after playing a complementary role for two seasons.
Juniors Dailey and Loyd are college prospects who also should improve their statistics.
Muvana and 6-11 Fernand Rwanteli add size, but only will play in non-league games.
BONANZA
Coach: George Jaekle
2005-06 record: 17-9
Top players: Mike Stewart (6-2, Sr., G); Kyle Davis (6-6, Sr., C); Reggie Davis (5-10, Sr., G); Robert Delp (6-3, Jr., F)
Outlook: The Bengals lost nine players off last year's playoff team, but return top scorer Stewart (18 points), who was a first-team All-Sunset Region pick.
Kyle Davis (eight points, seven rebounds) will have to hold things down inside, while Reggie Davis will be asked to replace the graduated Chris Scott at the point.
CLARK
Coach: Phil Shabi
2005-06 record: 14-15
Top players: Kevin Shaw (6-4, Sr., F); James Wines (6-3, Sr., G); Marcus Matt (6-1, Jr., G)
Outlook: The Chargers made the playoffs a year ago, but Shaw is the only returning starter.
First-year coach Shabi is trying to instill discipline as he looks to build for the future.
DURANGO
Coach: Al La Rocque
2005-06 record: 19-11
Top players: Tommie Thorn (6-0, Sr., G); Zach Bell (6-6, Sr., F); Auri Allen (7-0, Jr., C)
Outlook: All-state forward Andre McFarland is gone, along with most of the other players who played key minutes last season. Only Thorn (nine points) saw significant time.
Bell returns after moving out of state last year. Allen could be the X-factor. He played his freshman year at Verbum Dei in California, and was home schooled last year.
At 305 pounds, he could be a matchup nightmare, but nagging injuries have kept him off the court for most of the preseason.
SIERRA VISTA
Coach: Ken Gibson
2005-06 record: 11-16
Top players: Morris Bethea (5-11, Jr., G); Lacy Haddock (6-0, Sr., G); Nick Douglas (6-2, Jr., F); Joe White (6-2, Jr., F); LeDarius Stennis (6-0, Sr., G); Brett Green (6-3, Sr., F)
Outlook: The Lions are attempting to put last season behind them. Not only did the squad fail to reach the playoffs, but nearly the entire varsity roster missed the end of the season after an incident after practice. A player was charged with sexually assaulting a teammate in that incident.
Sierra Vista announced Gibson's resignation in September, but the coach had a change of heart and returned.
Bethea, a transfer from Virginia, and Haddock, a transfer from Durango, will lead the backcourt.
Green, a transfer from San Diego, is one of the team's tallest players.
SPRING VALLEY
Coach: Phil McAlister
2005-06 record: 7-20
Top players: Jason Walter (6-4, Jr., G); Marcus Moore (5-8, Jr., G); Tenacious Gibson (6-4, Jr., F); David Carroll (6-6, Jr., F); Ronnie Norsworthy (6-7, Jr., C)
Outlook: The Grizzlies appear poised to make a run at the playoffs in their third season.
Walter was a second-team All-Southwest pick last year, averaging 12.1 points. Moore returns at the point after averaging nine points.
The rest of the lineup is inexperienced, but had success at lower levels.
Gibson averaged 24.3 points on the junior varsity, and combines with Walter to give Spring Valley great size on the wing.
Norsworthy is a tall, athletic post player who can disrupt things defensively and on the glass.
WESTERN
Coach: Chancellor Davis
2005-06 record: 9-16
Top players: Philip Payne (6-3, Jr., G); Johnny Digs (6-0, So., G); Dernard Hunter (6-3, Sr., C)
Outlook: The Warriors missed the postseason last season, but Davis hopes to contend for a playoff spot this time.
Payne is the top returning scorer, and was one of several sophomores to play valuable varsity minutes last season.
Diggs is back at the point after starting as a freshman, and Davis hopes Hunter can provide an inside presence.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
ARBOR VIEW
Coach: John Teran
2005-06 record: 2-28
Top players: Hugh Brown (6-4, Sr., F); Parris Kelly (5-11, Sr., G); Dominique Williams (5-11, Sr., G)
Outlook: The Aggies struggled in their first season, but should be better this year.
Transfer Brown should help take the scoring pressure off Kelly (10 points) and Williams (9.5).
CENTENNIAL
Coach: Greg Bohls
2005-06 record: 22-10
Top players: Mike Josserand (6-0, Sr., G); Jordan Leach (6-6, Sr., F); Curvonte McGown (6-3, Sr., F)
Outlook: The Bulldogs lost seven seniors from last year's playoff team, but should be among the contenders for a postseason berth.
Josserand (nine points, six assists) is back at the point to lead the way, and Leach (eight points, eight rebounds) and McGown (six points, five rebounds) each saw significant minutes a year ago.
CHEYENNE
Coach: Teral Fair
2005-06 record: 11-12
Top players: Elijah Johnson (6-2, So. G); Ricky Henry (6-4, Jr., F); Eric Leider (5-9, Jr., G); Christian Lightbourne (6-3, Jr., F)
Outlook: The Desert Shields aren't big, but Fair expects to play an up-tempo style to take advantage of the team's athleticism.
Johnson is back at the point after a strong freshman season, and Fair said the guard is much improved.
Fair said the team plays well together, as Johnson, Henry, Leider and Lightbourne play on the same AAU team in the offseason.
CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Coach: Steve Boyack
2005-06 record: 19-11
Top players: Chris James (6-2, Sr., G); Jarrell Washington (6-3, Sr., F); David Sovich (6-2, Sr., G/F); Tyler Tuliau (6-3, Jr., C)
Outlook: The Spartans lost dynamic rebounder Emmanuel Olekaibe, but return athletic seniors James and Washington.
Tuliau will help in the post when he returns from injury at the end of December. Seniors Tre Penn and Jauron Mason are sharing point guard duties as the Spartans try to reach the playoffs.
LEGACY
Coach: Charles Janette
2005-06 record: None
Top players: John Biglow (6-4, Jr., F); Walter Chappell (6-1, Jr., G); John Kirvin (6-8, Jr., C); Antonio Sandifer (6-1, Jr., G)
Outlook: The first-year Longhorns have some size with Biglow and Kirvin. But with no senior class, Legacy probably will struggle this season.
MOJAVE
Coach: Tony Hopkins
2005-06 record: 20-9
Top players: Donte Poole (6-2, Sr., G); Darian Norris (5-11, Jr., G); Anthony Marshall (6-2, So., G/F)
Outlook: The Rattlers return two of the area's top guards in Poole and Norris, who both averaged about 18 points last season.
Marshall started as a freshman and adds another perimeter threat. Sophomore Kevin James, a 6-5 post player, could be the key. He will need to provide an inside presence for the team.
PALO VERDE
Coach: Paul Aznarez
2005-06 record: 28-3
Top players: Mike Loyd (6-1, Sr., G); Sean Green (6-0, Sr., G); Jarren Shelton (6-0, Sr., G); Reese Gneiting (6-7, Sr., C); Mike Nawrot (6-5, Sr., F); J.B. Marek (6-2 Sr., G)
Outlook: The Panthers lost first team all-staters Nate Schulte and P'Allen Stinnett, along with point guard Luke Gums, but return four players who saw significant time last season.
Loyd played the biggest role, averaging 5.2 points, and will be counted on to improve those statistics. The Panthers don't figure to be as big as last season, though Gneiting and Nawrot provide size.
SHADOW RIDGE
Coach: Kevin Otis
2005-06 record: 12-17
Top players: Chris McMillian (6-3, Sr., F); Jacob Hafen (6-2, Sr., G); Chris Moten-Jackson (6-1, Jr., G)
Outlook: McMillian is only 6-3, but a powerful post presence at about 230 pounds. He averaged 14.5 points and seven rebounds in earning second-team All-Northwest honors.
Hafen (8.3 points) is the team's only other significant returnee.
Otis is counting heavily Moten-Jackson and football standout Korey Toomer, a 6-3 forward.
Source: http://reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-28-Tue-2006/sports/11087646.html?imw=Y
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