CIF-SS Large Enrollment Division
Preview:
Miramonte League 2001-02--(Nov. 2, 2001)
| MIRAMONTE LEAGUE Charter Oak Diamond Ranch Garey Los Altos Pomona Wilson/Hacienda Heights |
The Miramonte League is considered one of the "large enrollment" division leagues, and generally has schools at the Division II CIF level. How competitive the league is and will continue to be this season is always subject to much debate. Pomona is usually the wild card, and whether Charter Oak will be able to repeat again this year as league champ is very much in doubt given the numbers of graduating players. Team information is listed according to the order of league finish (from first to last) from the 2000-01 season, and not in alphabetical order. Here's what we know:
Miramonte League |
Miramonte League Schedules |
| Charter Oak--8-2, 21-5 (1st) "Chargers" Charter Oak won the league title, but whether they'll be able to repeat is very much an open question. Sharif Elkhaidy is a solid scoring threat, and Joshua Behar adds some strength and depth at the wing and forward spot, but after that, lack of varsity experience will be a factor. The schedule appears to be somewhat conservative, so this team won't be overwhelmed from a scheduling point of view. Here's the list of players who should be returning from last year: Joshua Behar 6'-4" Sr. F The schedule for 2001-02 is at right----->
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Charter Oak Coach: Randy Thatcher N 27 South Hills |
| Pomona -- 7-3, 21-8 (2nd) "Red Devils" The Red Devils are always a competitive team and somehow always find a way to reload. This season, if Odell Howard can keep everything under control, he will likely be the team's offensive leader. The big problem will be how Coach Wooldridge goes about replacing 9 seniors from a 13 man roster from last season. Here are the returning players. Michael Beard 5'-5" Sr. G Game to watch: Pomona v. Santa Margarita, December 3 at Pomona. Update 11/21/01 from the LA Times Inland Valley edition: Coach: John Wooldridge (third year at
Pomona, 11th year overall) Top newcomers: "Outlook: It's rare to hear a
successful basketball coach reel off a roster of players smaller than six feet, but
Wooldridge acknowledges the Red Devils are tiny. The biggest questions facing Pomona are
whether they can rebound and if teams are going to try to pound the ball inside against
them. Howard is the only real known commodity. The athletic Walker has never played
organized basketball before and Germany is a transfer from Claremont. Howard should expect
to see plenty of defensive pressure, forcing the Red Devils' guards to bury perimeter
shots." |
Pomona Coach: John Wooldridge N 26 @ Loara Tourn |
| Diamond Ranch-- 6-4, 18-8
(3rd) "Panthers" Players this season should include: Aaron Williams 5'-9" Jr. G A third place finish last season, along with a solid record ought to help them build for this season. It will be interesting to see who steps up to become the go-to player this season. Update 12/01/01: Coach Mike Power sent us a preview, and it doesn't get better than that for accurate roster info: The following is our roster for 2001-02: Coach Mike Power
|
Diamond Ranch Coach: Mike Power D 3-8 @ San Dimas Tourn |
| Los Altos--5-5, 16-10
(4th) "Conquerors" The official 2001-2002 roster is as follows: Jeremiah Barnes 6'1" Sr G We also heard from Head Coach Jeff Lucas, who gave us his thoughts on this year's team: Coming off last season's two point loss to Artesia at the buzzer in the second round of CIF playoffs, this year's team will be led by the guard play of returning shooting guards (Jr) Anthony Garcia and (Soph) Dylan Rogers and the new additions of point guard (Sr) Jeremiah Barnes and swing guard (Sr) Glenn Phillips, along with (Jr) Kyle Muragishi from last years JV Team. The outstanding guard play, along with team quickness, appears to be the Conquerors strength this season. Inside, Los Altos will be led by (Soph) Brigham Harwell, (Jr) Jason Hawk and (Sr) Matt Brude. This team has a good mix of experienced players and young players that will contribute to the Conquerors success this upcoming season.
|
Los Altos Coach: Jeff Lucas N 28 @ Santa Fe |
| Wilson/ Hacienda Heights--
4-6, 16-10 (5th) "Wildcats" Returning players should include: Jermaine Johnson 6'-5" Jr. F (reportedly transferred out) Andy Juo 5'-10" Jr. G Larry Parker 6'-0" Sr. G Patrick Chen 6'-0" Sr. G Michael Moreno 6'-0" Jr. G Anthony Salgado 6'-4" Jr. F Jeff Emfield 6'-1" Sr. G Wilson graduated 6 players and will be tested early at the Ocean View TOC. We've been told that Jermaine Johnson is no longer on the roster, having transferred back east somewhere, but the Wildcats reportedly picked up Donte Holloway who transferred from St. Paul. The schedule is at right----------------> |
Wilson/ Hacienda Heights Coach: Willie Allen N 27 @ Don Lugo |
| Garey--dnr This school is a huge mystery. Didn't even report their results last season to the CIF, so we don't have any idea. No coach? Who knows. Here's the schedule at least---------------> Update 11/21/01 from the LA Times Inland Valley Edition: Coach: Earl Blackmon (first year at
Garey, 15th year overall) Top returners: Top newcomers: "Outlook: The Vikings, with two freshmen in the starting lineup, are younger than most junior varsity teams. Blackmon, the former Ganesha coach, still believes Garey can be competitive. With just one key senior, it should be a challenging winter. "It's going to be another year before we're really fluid in the system and believe in the system," Blackmon said. He came into the program with little knowledge of what transpired prior to his arrival and is still trying to grasp what his program can achieve."
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Garey Coach: TBA N 26 @ Nogales |
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