harbor league preview

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SoCalHoops High School Previews

SD-CIF: City Conference
Harbor League Preview--(Nov. 27, 2002)

The San Diego Coaches Association has been really good to us this year. In the past, getting information out of San Diego has been like pulling teeth, but this year, we've gotten a slew of league and team capsule preview from our friends down south. While the Eastern League of the City Conference is a blend of mostly D-I, II and III teams, the Western League is filled with mostly Division III and IV teams, and one D-II (Hoover). We probably know the least about this league, other than the fact that El Cajon Christian is going to be a lot different given all of the guys who transferred out. What follows are previews and predictions from the Coaches' Assn. (no these picks are not ours), including some pre-season picks for MVP and All-League players. Teams are listed in the order of finish; again these are the Coaches' Association's picks, so if you don't like them, blame them, not us.

1) Coronado (Division 4, Coronado)

Head Coach: Sandy Dillon (10^th Year)
Last year’s record: 20 – 6 (6 – 4, 2^nd)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in quarterfinals.
Key players: Tony Moore (Jr, 6’03"), Brett Milke (Jr, 6’02"), Jimmy Harrison (Jr, 5’09")
Losses to overcome: Mike Axelson (graduation), Cole Dunlap (graduation), Ian Burris (graduation)
Summary: This looks like the year that perennial powerhouse, Christian, relinquishes its grasp on the league crown, and the Islanders look to be the heir apparent. Moore and Harrison lead the charge in a fairly balanced league.

2) Crawford (Division 3, San Diego)

Head Coach: Chris Burns (3^rd Year)
Last year’s record: 10 – 16 (4 – 6, tied for 4^th)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in quarterfinals.
Key players: Mark Banks (Sr, 5’08"), Jerrett Harris (Sr, 6’01"), Chris Jones (Sr, 6’03"), Robert White (Sr, 6’05")
Losses to overcome: Moses Coleman (graduation), Franklin Egypt (graduation)
Summary: The improved Colts have enough talent to make a run at the league title. Banks and Harris form arguably the best backcourt in the league, and the addition of White should open things up offensively for Crawford.

3) Hoover (Division 2, San Diego)

Head Coach: Dion Moore (3^rd Year)
Last year’s record: 8 – 20 (5 – 5, 3^rd)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in 1^st round.
Key players: Kenneth Maye (Jr, 5’10"), Wahid Abdi (Jr, 5’10")
Losses to overcome: Robert White (transferred to Crawford), Tyrell Spain (graduation), Fernando Forde (transferred to Baltimore)
Summary: The Cardinals should make some noise in the league with talented point guard, Maye, who can put the ball in the basket. Not much size up front, but league overall lacks size.

4) Clairemont (Division 3, Clairemont)

Head Coach: Brian Kaiser (1^st Year)
Last year’s record: 8 – 15 (4 – 6, tied for 4^th)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in 1^st round.
Key players: Kenny Barker (Jr, 6’00"), Mike Williams (Sr, 5’10")
Losses to overcome: Severen Gates (transferred to Las Vegas)
Summary: Barker is a quality athlete but loss of Gates is significant. Lack of size and quality depth will make it an uphill battle for the Chieftains.

5) Madison (Division 3, Kearny Mesa)

Head Coach: John Lavery (5^th Year)
Last year’s record: 1 – 19 (1 – 9, 6^th)
Last year’s playoffs: None
Key players: Travis Gibbs (Sr, 5’11")
Losses to overcome: Nick Tili (graduation), Mario Kimble (graduation)
Summary: It can’t get worse than last year’s one-win season, so the Warhawks do look to be improved. However, a lack of any kind of size will be hard to overcome.

6) Christian (Division 4, El Cajon)

Head Coach: Tobin Wilkins (1^st Year)
Last year’s record: 20 – 9 (10 – 0, 1^st)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in semi-finals.
Key players: Michael Singleton (Sr, 5’11"), Joel Allen (Sr, 6’02"), Kevin Epps (Sr, 5’11")
Losses to overcome: Moulaye Niang (Kansas University), Jake Wohlfeil (transferred to La Jolla), Wai John Wai (transferred to La Jolla), Ben Wohlfeil (graduation)

Summary: Huge question marks surround the Patriots as the defending league champs start over with new players and a new coach. A lot depends on who comes out to play off the football field. If Singleton and Allen play, then Christian could surprise some league opponents.

Pre-Season Player of the Year:
Tony Moore (Coronado)

Pre-Season All-Harbor League:
Mark Banks (Crawford)
Jerrett Harris (Crawford)
Kenneth Maye (Hoover)
Tony Moore (Coronado)
Kenny Barker (Clairemont)