CIF-SS Small Enrollment Division
Preview:
Tri-Valley League 2001-02--(Nov. 11, 2001)
| TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE Bishop Diego Carpinteria Fillmore Oak Park St Bonaventure |
This is, from what we've heard and read, the last year of the Tri-Valley League as we know it, and next season will bring about a releaguing process which will see some of the teams in the Frontier League and the Tri-Valley combine in various sports; we're not sure exactly what the league will look like, but we don't need to be concerned about that for the 2001-02 season, because it will have the teams listed at the left this year. Unfortunately, we have very little current roster information on those teams for trhe 2001-02 season, so we're working off last season's expected returners, i.e., the varsity and jv players who were listed on the rosters submitted for the playoffs, sans the seniors who graduated last June. The schedules are from the Southern Section CIF office, so they should be reliable, at least as reliable as schedules which were submitted in mid-June can be in November.
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.
| Tri-Valley League | Tri-Valley League Schedules |
| St. Bonaventure-- 7-1,
17-6 (1st) "Seraphs" Players expected to return: Jack Swisher 5'-11" Sr. G St. Bonaventure made it to the IV-AA playoffs, beating Morrow Bay in the first round and then losing to St. Paul in the second round quarterfinal matchup. With a completely reconfigured playoff division this year, we would expect to see much stiffer competition this year in post-season play, and hence a tougher road for St. Bonaventure should they make it to the post-season this year, particularly after graduating much of last year's roster.
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St Bonaventure Coach: Gil Kim D 04 @ Villanova Prep |
| Oak Park--6-2,
17-8 (2nd) "Eagles" Oak Park graduated about half their team last June, and these should be the returners: Monty McNair 6'-1" Sr. G The Eagles qualified for the playoffsin IV-AA, and made it as far as the semifinals, losing to Crespi, the eventual CIF Southern Section champions. They did manage to beat Murphy in the first round (Santa Fe League #2), and Orange Lutheran (Olympic League #2). Update 12/03/01: We received the following info from one of the coaches: Returners: Newcomers:
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Oak Park Coach: Ed Chevalier D 3-8 @ Thousand Oaks Tourn |
| Bishop Diego--3-5,
7-14 (3rd) "Cardinals" Bishop Diego graduated 8 players from an 11 man roster, and hence they are starting virtually from scratch. The only three returners are: Pat Minehan 5'-11" Sr. G Bishop Diego qualified for the first round of Division V-AA playoffs, but were eliminated by Dunn, the No. 2 team from the Condor League. Update 12/04/01: The Santa Barbara News Press featured some previews of the teams in their coverage area, and Bishop Diego was one. Here's what the paper added: BISHOP DIEGO * 2000-01 record: 7-14, 3-5 (3rd Tri-Valley League). CIF playoffs: Lost first round. 2001-02 record: 3-1 A mix of experience and raw athletic talent has combined to give veteran Coach John Ward one of his deeper teams. "We're very well balanced," said Ward. "I have 13 guys and I can use them all." The erstwhile leader is 6-1 senior guard Pat Minehan, who has led the Cardinals in scoring in every game so far, including 29 in one game. Minehan was injured a good part of last year but is one of three players who got considerable time last year. Another is Marcus Brown, an athletic 6-2 junior forward. A. J. Cavaletto (6-0 junior guard), David Elmerick (6-0 senior) and J. D. Dunn (6-1 senior) all join the team after starring for the Cardinals in football. For Elmerick, one of the school's best athletes, it's his first basketball since his freshman year. "Dave's been a pleasant surprise," said Ward. Other players to watch include Rafael Mitchell, a 5-11 sophomore with "great potential," 6-2 freshman Andy Aijian and defensive ace Matt Um.
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Bishop Diego Coach: John Ward N-28/D-1 Bishop Diego TournD 05 Villanova Prep 07 Cate 11 @ Santa Clara 13-15 @ Carpinteria Tourn 19 Arrowhead Christian 26-29 @ Fresno Tourn J 04 Kilpatrick 09 *Carpinteria 11 *Fillmore 16 @ *St Bonaventure 18 @ Laguna Blanca 23 *Oak Park 25 @ *Carpinteria 30 @ *Fillmore F 01 *St Bonaventure 08 @ *Oak Park |
| Fillmore--dnr We'd like to say something about Fillmore, but we don't have a roster. They will host a tournament with other small schools in December which should be reasonably competitive. As far as we can tell, the Fillmore tournament will have: Fillmore, Los Angeles Baptist, Village Christian, Nordhoff, Santa Paula, Mojave, St. Bonaventure, Hillcrest Christian GH, |
Fillmore Coach: Chris Cone N 26 Nordhoff |
| Carpinteria--dnr Carpinteria didn't make the playoffs, and since we didn't see them last year, we don't have a roster or any notes on their top returning players. The schedule is at the right, and if you have a roster, send it in. Update 12/04/01: The Santa Barbara News Press featured a preview of Carpinteria (among other schools in their coverage area). Here's what the paper had:
CARPINTERIA * 2000-01 record: 2-16, 1-7 (5th Tri-Valley League). CIF playoffs: Did not qualify 2001-02 record: 0-0 The Warriors have improved from young and inexperienced to just young this year. Sophomores David Horton (6-1, guard) and Julian Lopez (5-8 PG) both played as freshmen and will be premier players in the area at some point, said second-year coach DeRon Carbajal. Senior leadership comes from 6-0 Ernie Lopez, the team's top 3-point shooter, and 6-3 forward Brett Zoldos. Other plays to watch include 6-4, 220-pound junior center Justin Lamar, 6-3 senior Devon Hildebrand and 6-1 sophomore Evan Boardman. The Warriors will be host for two tournaments, starting with the four-team Frank Carbajal Classic Dec. 6-8. The first-time event features teams coached by individuals who played or coached under DeRon's father, Frank, a former SBCC coach and one of the winningest basketball coaches in junior college history. The visiting teams will be Lakewood, Righetti and Buchanan of Fresno. The following weekend is the longtime staple, the Holiday Classic, featuring teams such as Bishop Diego and Santa Ynez. |
Carpinteria Coach: DeRon Carbajal D 04 @ Cate |
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