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SoCalHoops High School Previews

San Diego Previews: Desert League Preview--(Dec. 5, 2003)

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What:  

CIF San Diego Section HS
Basketball Previews

When:  

2003-2004 Season

     

This year, as in years past, our San Diego Previews are brought to you courtesy of the San Diego Basketball Coaches' Association.   Much of the material which follows in this and other related articles will have already found its way to various newspapers in San Diego, including the SD Union Tribune.   We haven't checked the papers, and even if they do publish some of this stuff, the info will likely be formatted differently....but that's beside the point.  We want to pass the info along, in a semi-timely fashion, so we're not going to procrastinate any longer. And before you ask, we can't exactly explain who the SDBCA really is, or who had input into putting this stuff together.  Just know this:  We didn't do it, so if you disagree or think this stuff is just too wacky, well, blame them, not us.  And if it happens to be an accurate prediction of how the season turns out, then of course, we're going to take all the credit.

Here's the San Diego Desert League Preview, team by team, in the order of predicted finish:

Desert League

1) Palo Verde Valley (Division 4, Blythe)

Head Coach: Rick Copple (3rd Year)
Last year’s record: 10 – 16 (5 – 1, 1st)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Cameron Robinson (Sr, 6’00"), Jonathan Crowe (Sr, 6’03"), Sal Tello (Jr, 6’02"), Terry McCoy (Jr, 6’03")
Losses to overcome: Fidel Martinez (graduation), Mike Carney (graduation)
Summary: The Yellow Jackets snuck up on everyone last year, and should make a run at the league title once again behind a solid returning nucleus. Robinson can hit the outside jumper, while Crowe, Tello, and McCoy will need to assert themselves inside.

2) Imperial (Division 4, Imperial)

Head Coach: Dave Milan (4th Year)
Last year’s record: 11 – 12 (4 – 2, 2nd)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Danny Jones (Sr, 6’05"), Tyler Jensen (Sr, 5’10")
Losses to overcome: David Diaz (graduation)
Summary: Jones is very difficult to stop in the paint, and should again be the best player in the league. In a league that lacks size overall, Jones should be the difference in the Tigers’ title hopes.

3) Holtville (Division 4, Holtville)

Head Coach: Jared Garewal (2nd Year)
Last year’s record: 3 – 17 (0 – 6, 4th)
Last year’s playoffs: None
Key players: Andres Quesada (Sr, 6’05"), Alex Martinez (Sr, 5’10")
Losses to overcome: Jarett Hilfiker (graduation)
Summary: An experienced roster returns for the Vikings who should be improved. Quesada and Martinez make a good inside-outside punch as Holtville tries to rebound from last year’s disappointment.

4) Calipatria (Division 5, Calipatria)

Head Coach: Robert Romero (6th Year)
Last year’s record: 11 – 12 (3 – 3, 3rd)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in 1st Round.
Key players: Anselmo Martinez (So, 5’10"), Ricardo Lara (Jr, 5’07"), Jaime Renteria (Jr, 5’11")
Losses to overcome: Ezequiel Navarro (graduation), Vontray Taylor (graduation)
Summary: The graduation of Navarro and Taylor are significant losses. The Hornets must outquick their opponents on the perimeter, and hope that someone steps up inside.

Player of the Year:

Danny Jones (Imperial)

All-Desert League:

Jonathan Crowe (Palo Verde)
Anselmo Martinez (Calipatria)
Danny Jones (Imperial)
Andres Quesada (Holtville)
Cameron Robinson (Palo Verde)

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