CIF-SS Large Enrollment Division
Preview:
Mt. Baldy League 2001-02--(Nov. 9, 2001)
| MT BALDY LEAGUE Alta Loma Chaffey Etiwanda Montclair Ontario Rancho Cucamonga |
The Mt. Baldy historically features some of the strongest teams among the large-enrollment division schools, and last season, first place Ontario was a semifinalist in Division I-AAA, losing only to eventual section champion Upland, the No. 1 seed from the Baseline League. Etiwanda, the No. 2 team in the league, entered the playoffs unseeded, but mad eit to the second round, and ultimately lost to No. 2 seed Eisenhower of the Citrus Belt League which made it to the semifinals before losing to finalist Capo Valley. No. 3 Chaffey was unseeded as well, but also made it to the Division I-AAA playoffs, but lost in the first round to Ayala, the Sierra League's No. 2 team. Alta Loma made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, and was a wild-card entry as the No. 4 team in the league, and lost to Esperanza, which in turn lost to Diamond Bar in Division I-AAA. Neither Rancho Cucamonga, nor Montclair made the playoffs last season, so we know very little about who is returning this season. The top three teams should be again considered the favorites, but Alta Loma is poised to make a run this year, and will challenge last year's favorites.
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.
| Mt. Baldy League Rosters | Mt. Baldy League Schedules |
| Ontario--10-0,
22-5 (1st) "Jaguars" Returning players for 2001-2002 are anticipated to include: Marcel Mack 6'-3" Jr. G Update 11/21/01 from the LA Times Inland Valley edition: Coach: Rich Johnson (first year at Ontario; first year overall) [replaces Jerry DeFabiis] Top returners: Top newcomers: "Outlook: First of all, this is not the same Ontario team that went unbeaten in the Mount Baldy League last season. It's unclear yet which will hurt more, the loss of Marlon Mitchell to graduation or the loss of Coach Jerry DeFabiis. But the cupboard is not bare for Johnson. The Mack twins are a force and the offense will revolve around them and Dunn, who was a DeFabiis favorite. Newcomers Smith and Crews are also expected to play increased roles."
|
Ontario Coach: Rich Johnson D 3-8 @ Fullerton Tourn |
| Etiwanda--6-4, 14-11 (2nd) "Eagles" Returning players for 2001-2002 are anticipated to include: Gary Clark 5'-10" Jr. G The LA Times published their Mt. Baldy League preview on 11/21/01, and here's what they had to say: "Top returners: *Jacob Johnson
(6-4, F, Sr.); *D'ornoir Flax (6-1, G, Sr.)
|
Etiwanda Coach: Dave Kleckner N 27 @ Arlington |
| Chaffey--5-5,
11-13 (3rd tie) "Tigers" Returning players for 2001-2002 are anticipated to include: Danny McGhee 6'-2" Sr. G Here's what the LA Times had to say in their Mt. Baldy League Preview published 11/21/01: "Coach: Darren Gilbert (second
year at Chaffey, second year overall) Honest to goodness, that's what the
paper published!. So evidently they didn't find out anything we didn't either. Maybe
the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin will have a bit more helpful info. Or better
yet, maybe someone from the team will wake up and provide some info to the media. |
Chaffey Coach: Daren Gilbert N 27-30 @ San
Gorgonio Tourn |
| Alta Loma-5-5,
13-12 (3rd tie) "Braves" Rasheed Austin 6'6" Fr.
F Alta Loma HS "Braves 2001-'02 Team Roster 11/21/01: The LA Times published their Mt. Baldy League preview, and here's what they had to say about the Alta Loma Braves: "Outlook: The dean of discipline at Alta Loma High has been working to instill exactly that in the basketball program. It seems to be working. In Thomas' first season on the bench, Alta Loma's victory total jumped from six to 13. Look for another sizable increase with the addition of four talented newcomers. The crop is led by freshmen Carter and Austin, who turned heads during fall camps with their defensive presence under the basket."
|
Alta Loma Coach: Guy Thomas N. 17 Diamond Ranch
(scrim) |
| Rancho Cucamonga--3-7, 9-17 (5th) We've only heard about one up and coming young player who is anticipated to be on the roster this season: Travis Washington 6'-5" So. F We have a complete schedule at right. Update 11/21/01 from the LA Times Inland Valley edition: Coach: Bill Burke (second year at
Rancho Cucamonga; fifth year overall) Top newcomers: "Outlook: Burke blames part of last season's troubles on inconsistent guard play on both ends of the floor. The coach is hoping the additions of Dunagan and Vasquez, a transfer from Etiwanda, will raise the level of play from the back court. With its tremendous size, Rancho will be able to compete with any team in league. But the Cougars can't afford to turn the ball over as freely as they did a year ago."
|
Rancho Cucamonga Coach: Bill Burke N 27 Nogales |
| Montclair--1-9, 10-16 (6th) Montclair didn't make the playoffs, and thus we have no current roster information nor a media info sheet. We do have a schedule, at right. Update 11/21/01 from the LA Times Inland Valley edition: Top returners: Top newcomers: "Outlook: The key to the
Cavaliers' season is finding a way to win close games. Montclair was betrayed by losing
six league games by seven points or less last season. Blades' toughest job in fall camp
was restoring the confidence of a veteran team that has been bullied around by league
opponents for a half-decade. Montclair can be competitive this season, but its chief
concern is a lack of size. The Cavaliers gave up about 20 offensive rebounds a game in
2000-001." |
Montclair Coach: Bill Blades N 26 West Covina |
The LA Times also apparently hasn't given up entirely on prep sports coverage, and their Inland Valley Edition featured a nice preview of the Mt. Baldy League, a sort of overview focusing on the top players and teams in the league. While it covered both boys and girls teams, we've excerpted only those portions pertaining to the boys' teams. If you want the stuff about the girls, visit the Times' site (check the archives early, since this might not be available for long....we looked again a day after we first saw it and couldn't find it anywhere....).
INLAND VALLEY
Anything can happen in new-look Mount Baldy
Etiwanda teams look strongest, but newcomers give league a balanced feel.
Fresh faces and some old acquaintances dot the Mount Baldy League basketball landscape. In some cases, first-year coaches have taken over veteran teams with the hope of returning them to league prominence. Other teams will be reborn with freshman talent as a new wave of stars prepare to take over the league.
Etiwanda High's boys' team will receive a boost by the return of senior point guard Aaron Gipson, who started for the Eagles as a sophomore and led the team to a league title and CIF quarterfinal playoff appearance.
Gipson, who transferred back to the Eagles from Fontana High, is a deft ball handler with ability to penetrate the lane. His presence will remove some of the scoring demands on 6-foot-4 forward Jacob Johnson and 6-1 shooting guard D'onoir Flax. Coach Dave Kleckner said poor play at the point-guard position last season kept Etiwanda from seriously challenging Ontario for the league title. The experience and court-savvy of Gipson to distribute the ball and accelerate the pace of the offense gives the Eagles a more dynamic look. Most league coaches label Etiwanda as the Mount Baldy's unquestioned favorite.
"We're certainly more athletic [than last year], but that doesn't mean we're going to change our system," Kleckner said. "We want to run a controlled offense and avoid taking the quick shot each time down the court."
The Eagles' chief contenders will be talented Rancho Cucamonga and Alta Loma.
In its first season under Coach Bill Burke, Rancho Cucamonga was turnover-prone and struggled with shooting consistency, finishing fifth. The Cougars' downslide was expected since the team lost five starters to graduation after a 26-3 showing in 1999-2000.
A taller, more experienced Rancho team takes the court this season. In addition to returning key starters like 6-6 Justian Hamilton at center and 6-3 Marquette Brown at forward, the Cougars have a host of talented newcomers, led by 6-6 sophomore Travis Washington and 6-5 junior Mike Hamilton. The key position for Rancho will be point guard, where Etiwanda transfer Eric Vasquez is expected to take control.
Alta Loma is in a similar situation, hoping to find the right blend of young talent and veteran leadership. Although the Braves return a pair of starters with point guard Lionel Denson and forward Terrell Cade, Alta Loma's title aspirations could rest on how quickly a pair of freshmen, 6-4 guard Marcus Carter and 6-6 center Rashad Austin, adapt to their offensive responsibilities.
Defending champion Ontario returns three key starters: 6-4 forward David Dunn and the twin-brother tandem of Marcus and Marcel Mack. The new face that will be most closely watched is that of new Coach Rich Johnson, the Rancho Cucamonga grad who replaces Jerry DeFabiis. Johnson said DeFabiis, who still teaches at Ontario, has helped him feel comfortable in his new role and has provided advice on how best to deal with certain players.
Chaffey and Montclair will slug it out with the league's heavyweights and try to steal some games, but the Tigers and Cavaliers start the season considered playoff outsiders.
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