CIF-SS Large Enrollment Division
Preview:
Desert Sky League 2001-02--(Nov. 26, 2001)
| DESERT SKY LEAGUE Barstow Burroughs/Ridgecrest Granite Hills Silverado Victor Valley |
The Desert Sky League has been one of those mysterious leagues that continually produces these desert giants (like 6'-11" Rory O'Neil), teams that we read about often, and that are seen rarely. While most of the teams in the league, in fact all but Granite Hills last season qualified for the playoffs, either as an "automatic" entry or as an at-large, none of the teams were very successful in their respective divisions. Whether that will hold true this year or not, is something only time will tell. The Burros again look to be the favorites, but whether they have enough firepower to make another run at what we believe would be the third consecutive league title, is also something that only time will tell. What follows is what we know about the teams thus far this season, which means we're looking at old rosters and predicting who will be returning and which younger players will be stepping up. The schedules are accurate as far as we know, We encourage coaches to send us their official rosters (via e-mail) and any other information about their teams so we can update these previews.
| Desert Sky League Rosters | Desert Sky League Schedules |
| Burroughs/Ridgecrest--8-0, 21-3 (1st) "Burros" Burroughs graduated 4 seniors from last year's league champioons and III-AA No. 3 seed. Graduated seniors included 6'-11" Rory O'Neil who is now at USC, as well as the solid shooting Levi Steinmetz. The Burros blasted through their league last year, but then stalled when they hit the playoffs, taking an early exit in their only contested game (they received a first round bye) losing to Chaminade in the second round. Based on last year's roster, here's who we would expect to return. Travis Kincaid 5'-11" Sr. G Subsequent to drafting the above, we received an
e-mail from someone obviously in the know about the 2001-02 Burros. Our observer added the following commentary: "This team has a good nucleus but really cant afford to substitue alot. Their starters really work well together and are all able to score at any time. All their starters can pull up and bury a 3 except the center. If this team is on they will be dangerous. This team will likely go 8-0 in league with the lack of competition in the Desert Sky League and they'll make it past the first round...after that it will be tough but can be done. People shouldn't doubt this team so much after losing USC signee Rory O'Neil and outstanding shooter Levi Steinmetz." Time will tell.....
|
Burroughs/Ridgecrest Coach: Robert Campbell N 26 Lancaster |
| Silverado--5-3,
16-10 (2nd) "Hawks" Silverado finished second in league, making it to the I-AA playoffs, where they beat Rancho Verde in the first round and then lost to San Clemente in the second round. We don't have a complete roster, but here's who should be on it at a minimum: Kyle Lewis 5'-9" So. G
|
Silverado Coach: Kurt Herbst N-28/D-1 @ Serrano TournD 04 Centennial 13 Ayala 19-22 @ Arroyo Grande Tourn 26-29 @ San Bernardino Tourn J 02 Serrano 04 @ *Barstow 08 *Burroughs/R 11 @ *Granite Hills 15 @ Rim of the World 18 *Victor Valley 22 @ Apple Valley 25 *Barstow 29 @ *Burroughs/R F 01 *Granite Hills 05 Rim of the World 08 @ *Victor Valley |
| Barstow--
4-4, 10-15 (3rd) "Aztecs" Like Silverado, Barstow qualfied for the playoffs with an "automatic" spot, but the Aztecs were unlucky enough to draw a surprisingly good Fullerton team in the first round, and Barstow went home after making the trip to Orange County. And like Silverado, we don't have a complete roster, but we can tell you who we believe will be returning based on last year's roster: Daniel Robinson 6'-3" Sr. G This is a pretty good nucleus with not a lot of size, but perhaps enough to make a difference. The big question is who will be coming up from JV, and what incoming students will make a difference, and lastly, how much some of these guys have grown since last February when the rosters were previously compiled.
|
Barstow Coach: Andre Clemmer N 26 @ Littlerock |
| Victor Valley--3-5,
12-12 (4th) "Jackrabbits" The Jackrabbits made it to the Division II-AA playoffs as an "At Large" entry and lost in the firs round. They took a hit over the summer when the Dillon brothers, Kevin and Josh tranferred out to Victor Valley Christian, but the rest of the squad returning looks like it should be sufficient to at least form the core of a nice group which will be competitive. DeJesus Brown 6'-1" Sr. F Josh Dillon 5'-9" Sr. G (transferred to Victor
Valley Christian)
|
Victor Valley Coach: Matt Denny N-28/D-1 @ JW North TournD 04 @ Crescenta Valley 6-8 @ Sanger Tourn 11 Apple Valley 13 @ Sultana 18 @ Rialto 26-29 @ San Gorgonio Tourn J 04 Hesperia 08 @ *Granite HIlls 11 *Barstow 15 *Burroughs/R 18 @ *Silverado 25 @ Hesperia 29 *Granite Hills F 01 @ *Barstow 05 @ *Burroughs/R 08 *Silverado |
| Granite Hills--0-8,
7-17 (5th) Granite Hills didn't qualify for the playoffs, and tghey finished last in league a year ago, so we don't have much to say about them. We did receive what we believe is a pretty accurate roster. Here's what we know about the 2001-02 Granite Hills team: Nick Alexander 6'0" Jr. G . Head Coach-Tom Dudgeon The coaching staff also sent us a small preview of the team for the upcoming season: "Granite Hills will have a new look this year
in the schools third year of
|
Granite Hills Coach: Tom Dudgeon N -28/D-1 @ Serrano TournD 04 Desert Hot Springs 11 Sultana 14 Hesperia 17 @ Serrano 20 @ Antelope Valley 28-29 @ Highland Tourn J 04 @ *Burroughs/R 08 *Victor Valley 11 *Silverado 15 @ *Barstow 18 Apple Valley 25 *Burroughs/R 29 @ *Victor Valley F 01 @ *Silverado 05 *Barstow 08 Apple Valley |
©Copyright SoCal
Hoops 1997-2002
All rights reserved
E-mail: jegesq@socalhoops.com
