CIF-SS Large Enrollment Division
Preview:
Empire League 2001-02--(Nov. 4, 2001)
| EMPIRE LEAGUE Century Cypress El Dorado Katella Kennedy Loara |
The Empire League sent every team to the playoffs last season in various divisions, including several "wild card" entries, but the league didn't enjoy much post-season success, with Kennedy, the 4th place team, making it the farthest, into the second round; everyone else either lost in the first round or in the wild card rounds. But that's not a sign at all that the league is not competitive, far from it. This league historically has produced some of the best teams in Orange County (well, ok, we're excluding whatever leagues Mater Dei, Santa Margarita and Mater Dei have been in over the past decade), and they do have one of the top players in Orange County again this year, David Patten. From where we're sitting right now, with limited roster information, we'd have to say that the favorite for the league title appears to be El Dorado, which will be led by Patten, a 6'-9" legitimate D-I prospect and All-CIF player. El Dorado also appears to be returning much of it's team from last year, despite having graduated 5 seniors. Who else will step up this year is really something only time will tell, but from the standpoint of a league race, this league is always extremely competitive.
What follows is what we know about the teams thus far this season, which means we're looking at old rosters and trying to predict 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, not on the message board, please) and any other information about their teams so we can update the previews and rosters as the season progresses.
| Empire League Rosters | Empire League Schedules |
| Loara--9-1,
20-8 (1st) "Saxons" We would expect to see the following players at a minimum: Hassan Cook 6'-1" Sr. F Update 11/20/01 from OC Register: Returners: Bryce Sheldon 6'-2" Sr. G (12 ppg) Newcomers to watch: Delandor Dean 6'-3" G [Note: Why is it that some coaches don't provide the class/year of their players?It's a small detail, but it influences how a player may be viewed....there is a difference after all between a senior and a freshman or soph....] OC Register Outlook 11/20/01: "The Saxons, who graduated four starters, will use the preseason to gain experience for league." SoCalHoops original review 11/4/01: "The Saxons graduated 6 seniors from last season's roster, and their biggest league challenge appears to be from El Dorado, which looks to be bigger, and perhaps faster and deeper this year. Loara had a very good season last year, and qualified for the I-A playoffs by virtue of the league title, but had a disappointing experience, losing in the first round to St. John Bosco. Whether they will have the talent this year to repeat as league champs is an open question. |
Loara Coach: Ed Prange N-26/D-1 Loara Tourn |
| El Dorado--8-2, 22-5 (2nd) "Golden
Hawks" At a minimum, we'd expect to see the following players: Adrian Burnett 5'-9" Sr. G Roster Update from 11/20/01 OC Register: Other newcomers: Jeff Barrette 5'-10" Sr. G SoCalHoops analysis: El Dorado, while returning a lot of starters, did graduate 5 seniors from last season's roster, but they appear poised for a run this year. David Patten is one of the regions top big men, a mobile and agile forward who will clearly play the post on his high school team but who probably projects as a very face-the-basket foward who can step out and hit the jumper, either long or short. We have no idea who else will step up, but Patten will certainly be the big target for all of El Dorado's opponents this season. El Dorado last season made the playoffs in I-A, and like Loara, lost in the first round, defeated by Canyon Anaheim, which went on to the quarterfinals, and they are looking to improve on that performance this season. El Dorado will also host their own tournament again this year, which will feature Chino, Diamond Ranch, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Corona, Corona Santiago, Blair and Warren From the Register: |
El Dorado Coach: Ryan Mounce N-26/D-1 @ La Habra
Tourn |
| Cypress--6-4, 15-10 (3rd) "Centurions" Based on last season's playoff rosters, we'd expect to see these guys returning: Austin Choi 5'-10" Sr. G Roster Update OC Register 11/20/01: Returners: OC Register Outlook: "The Centurions hope to use a good shooting touch to land a playoff berth." SoCalHoops Outlook: Cypress made the playoffs in II-AA, and lost in first round to La Quinta (La Quinta). They'll need to bring some solid players up from the ranks of the JV to help these returning players if they are to have a shot at the league title, particularly given the fact that El Dorado and Loara return a lot of very good players. |
Cypress Coach: Jeffery Russell N-26/D-1 @
Cerritos Tourn |
| Kennedy--4-6, 14-12 (4th) "Fighting Irish" Roster Update from the OC Register 11/20/01: Rhyema McKnight 6'-2" Sr. G/F Newcomers to watch: David Arreguin 6'-3" Jr. F OC Register Outlook: "The Fighting Irish have a good mix of experienced returners and are looking to challenge for the league title." SoCalHoops original outlook: Kennedy made the playoffs in Division II-AA, but lost in the second round after defeatring Los Amigos in first round. The loss which knocked them out was to Santa Margaraita, which made it to the semifinals of the division race. Like a couple of other teams in this league, we don't have current roster information on these guys, but we do know that they graduated one of their leading scorers, All-CIF player Chris Johnson, and will look for someone to take over that responsibility. So why are we posting a "preview" without complete info? Why not. There are just too many teams and not enough hours in the day to call every coach. Besides, in a few weeks, all the roster info will become clear anyway. Unfortunately, the boys team doesn't have a website (the girls team does though), so we can't give you a current update.
|
Kennedy Coach: Pat O’Hern N-26/D-1 @ Buena
Park Tourn |
| Century--2-8, 11-15 (5th) "Centurions" Century went to the playoffs as a wild card entry in division I-AA, losing to Palmdale (which also lost the first round game to University). Unfortunately, we don't have their roster information, but we do know that they lost their leading scorer, All-CIF player Ruben Pineda to graduation. Century has a basketball website, but it hasn't been upadated since prior to the 2000-01 season (last year in other words). Still, it serves as a great reminder that Century has had some great players in the past (e.g., Mike Zepeda who is at UCR, Ike Harmon who played at CSUF, etc), and they will likely have some great players come through again. Century also hosts one of the more competitive local tournaments in December, which this year is slated to have El Modena, Santa Ana Valley, Cypress, Sunny Hills, Los Amigos, Pacifica, Rancho Alamitos, GG Santiago, Saddleback, Santa Ana, Calvary Chapel Santa Ana, Orange Lutheran, Laguna Beach, St. John Bosco, and Dana Hills. OC Register 11/20/01 Update: Returners: Vince Martinez 5'-8" Sr. G Newcomers to watch: Outlook (Register): The Centurions are young and will need to rely on their quickness to stay competitive.
|
Century Coach: Greg Coombs N 26 Santiago |
| Katella--1-9, 12-14 (6th) "Knights" These are the players we'd expect to see returning: Mo Nabulsi 5'-9" Sr. G Robert Alvarez 6'-0" Jr. F Brett Avery 5'-9" Jr. G Pat Parker 6'-2" Sr. F Chris Alva 6'-2" Sr. F Eric Zinser 6'-5" Sr. C OC Register update 11/20/01: Returners: Chris Alva 6'-3" Sr. F Newcomers to watch: Nick Araiza 5'-9" Sr. F SoCalHoops original 11/4 analysis: Katella graduated 5 seniors, 3 starters from last year's roster. The Knights entered the 1-A division playoffs last season as a wildcard entry, played Ventura and lost (Ventura went on to lose their first round game to section finalist Corona Centennial, which as we all know, lost to Mater Dei). Again, we don't have better roster information right now, but rather than delay things, at least we've got an accurate schedule. 11/20 OC Register outlook: "The Knights have experienced returners and will look to challenge for a playoff berth."
|
Katella Coach: Sal Glorioso N-26/D-1 @ Buena
Park Tourn |
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