CIF-Central Section Preview:
Mission Prep 2001-02--(Oct. 30, 2001)

Ok, we'll confess:  We didn't write the preview which follows below.  It was sent to us by Coach Tom Mott, the head coach at Mission Prep, a Division V team from the Central Section's coastal region.   Actually, Mission Prep could very well be in the Southern Section, located as it is in San Luis Obispo, which is home to several CIF-SS teams (e.g., Arroyo Grande, etc).   It's probably more an accident of the league Mission Prep competes in that they are in the Central Section, rather than an accident of geography.  They'll be competing though against several Southern Section, Central Section and San Diego Section teams this December at the Santa Maria Christian tournament (which will also see defending champions Buckley returning as well), and Mission Prep will be hosting a very competitive tournament in December, the Mission Prep Christmas Tournament (formerly the Rim Rattler Tournament, which last year was moved down to Long Beach).  This year, the Mission Prep Christmas Classic will feature some top teams, including:

Dillard from Ft. Lauderdale, the two-time defending Florida State Champs
Archbishop Carroll from Washington D.C.
Long Beach Poly
Crenshaw
Eisenhower
El Cajon Christian
Bakersfield
Edison (Fresno)
Washington Union (Fresno)
Sylmar
Canyon-Anaheim
Kennedy (Richmond)
JW North
Santa Barbara
Lompoc
Mission Prep

We've heard that there are a few other teams that could/might attend including Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, FL -
awaiting a court ruling--we don't know what that's about but that's what Tom Mott told us.   They will be a top 25 national team), Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, AZ - with Bryson Krueger), Lake City (Lake City, South Carolina - finished #3 in State last season).   These latter teams are "maybes" right now.  But if they come, this will be one of the top tournamnents in the West.  Heck, it will be anyway.

So what do we know about Mission Prep?   Only what we saw last year and what Tom told us in his preview.  Here's the report:

MISSION PREP TEAM PREVIEW

The Royals finished the 2000-01 season with an 21-12 overall record. Mission Prep advanced to the Finals of Central Section Division 5 where they lost to Immanuel. The Royals then adavanced to the CIF State Playoffs where they traveled to #1 seeded Price. The Royals played that game without starting point guard Brent Walker who averaged 13.7 ppg. Last season. Nonetheless, the Royals hung tough with the eventual state outscoring them in the second half (30-28) before falling by a 74-59 score. The 2001-02 season looks to be very promising for Mission Prep. Three full time starters return, the Royals’ sixth man returns and a new transfer in Jr. Point Guard Joey Craigue (Concord, NH), have the Royals poised and ready for another run at a CIF Central Section title and a possible rematch with Immanuel.

Seniors Brent Walker (5’7 Guard) and Gerald Purify (6’3 Forward) should once again lead the way for the Royals. Walker is one of the quicker players on the court and a deadly from behind the arc. Walker connected on 32 3-Pointers last season and had a high point game of 30 versus North County Christian. Walker is also a prized baseball recruit and is currently weighing offers from many Division One schools.

Senior Gerald Purify is the best athlete on the team. At 6’3, Purify led the Royals in scoring and rebounding last season. Purify averaged 16.3 ppg. with a high of 33 versus Kings Christian. Purify also added 10.6 rebounds per game, shot 53.4 % from the field and 72.1 % from the free throw line.

Senior Souleymane Traore will once again patrol the middle for the Royals. Standing at 6’9 the native of the Ivory Coast blocked a school record 108 shots in 25 games. He also averaged 4.8 ppg and 7.8 rebounds per game. Traore played for George Albanez 805 team in the Spring and has improved in all aspects of the game.

As a sophomore, Grant Bell was the Royals’ "Sixth Man" last season, scoring 6.7 ppg. with a high game of 22 versus Kings Christian. Now as he enters his Junior season, Bell will be looked to provide scoring and defense from the shooting guard position.

A new face to Mission Prep is Junior point guard Joey Craigue. Craigue is a transfer from Concord HS (NH). Craigue had an impressive summer for the Royals and will look to score and distribute the ball from the point guard position.

Off the bench the Royals have quite a few athletes who can step in and provide needed quality minutes.

Senior, Jon Scruggs (6’2, Forward) only averaged 1.8 ppg last season, but has developed his game in the off-season, and is one of the Royals top athletes and best defender.

Senior, Kyle Botsch (6’3, Center), provided quality minutes last season as Traore’s backup and will look to do the same this year. A member of the Royals’ football squad, Botsch will provide strength, toughness and a strong work ethic to the Royals squad.

Also coming off of the bench for the Royals will be Kevin Hassler (6’1 Junior, JV most valuable player last season), Cody Quinton (6’3 Sophomore), James Yanez (6’1 Sophomore), Connor Johnson (6’0 Sophomore), Chris Miller (5’8 Senior) and Patrick Goschke (5’9 Freshman)

Head Coach Tom Mott enters his second year as the leader of the Royals. Mott graduated from Mission Prep (1991) and Santa Clara University (1995). Mott played professional baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization from 1994-1999 before arm injuries forced him to retire from one love and begin another.

The Royals will once again host a prestigious Christmas tournament, the Mission Prep Christmas Classic, from December 19-22, 2001 at Cal Poly and Cuesta College. The Royals will also play in the Santa Barbara Invitational at the UCSB Thunderdome on December 14^th vs. San Marcos and December 15^th vs. Santa Barbara. The Royals also eagerly anticipate a rematch with Price (January 19^th) and will meet Upland at a date unavailable at press time.

Here's the rest of the schedule: 

If you need more information about Mission Prep, give Coach Tom Mott a call at 805 543-2131 x16.

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