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SoCalHoops High School Previews

San Diego Previews: Imperial Valley
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 Imperial Valley League Preview, team by team, in the order of predicted finish:.

Imperial Valley League

1) Central Union (Division 3, El Centro)

Head Coach: Von Gaines (2nd Year)
Last year’s record: 18 – 9 (4 – 2, 2nd)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: Robert Christensen (Sr, 6’02"), Javar Beaver (Sr, 5’10"), Eduardo Santiago (Jr, 6’05")
Losses to overcome: Luis Robles (graduation), Dustin Loop (graduation)
Summary: The Spartans return a solid nucleus from their strong team of a year ago. Beaver is a streaky shooter who can get hot in a hurry, while Christensen is a versatile perimeter player that is their go-to guy. Looks to be the Spartans’ year.

2) Brawley Union (Division 3, Brawley)

Head Coach: Rahsahn Overton (1st Year)
Last year’s record: 22 – 4 (6 – 0, 1st)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in Semi-finals.
Key players: James Haley (Jr, 6’04"), Thomas Cox (Sr, 5’11")
Losses to overcome: Lafayette Lofton (graduation), Carlos Corral (Humboldt State), Yao Wu (graduation)
Summary: Loss of Lofton and Corral are significant blows to the Wildcats. Haley is a force inside and will need to lead an inexperienced group if they want to challenge for the league crown.

3) Southwest (Division 2, El Centro)

Head Coach: Phil Grant (1st Year)
Last year’s record: 7 – 19 (1 – 5, tied for 3rd)
Last year’s playoffs: None
Key players: David McShan (Sr, 6’03"), Eli Van Aken (Sr, 6’03")
Losses to overcome: Bradley Goff (graduation), Devin Hood (graduation)
Summary: Grant comes over from a winning Brawley program to rebuild the Eagles. There is hope as McShan and Van Aken both provide some inside punch.

4) Calexico (Division 1, Calexico)

Head Coach: Frank Moreno (1st Year)
Last year’s record: 4 – 15 (1 – 5, tied for 3rd)
Last year’s playoffs: None
Key players: Adrian Moran (Sr, 5’11")
Losses to overcome: Chris Ramsey (graduation), Eddie Veliz (graduation)
Summary: Graduation of Ramsey takes away the Bulldogs’ only post presence and as well as much of their experience

Player of the Year:

Robert Christensen (Central Union)

All-Imperial Valley League:

Javar Beaver (Central Union)
Robert Christensen (Central Union)
James Haley (Brawley)
David McShan (Southwest)
Eli Van Aken (Southwest)

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