Never too early to discuss EBAL hoops for the upcoming season. Here are my predictions:
1. Amador Valley - Jaylen Smith (offers from Weber State, Montana, New Mexico, and LMU) has been tearing it up this summer on the 3SSB circuit with Team Lillard and is poised for a huge junior year. Add Cade Krueger (currently holds a D2 offer to Cal State Dominguez Hills and a D1 offer from High Point), Dante Ventura and Biruk Menna - very solid group and should contend for the top of EBAL. Jaylen Smith is early frontrunner for EBAL MVP.
2. California - Brayde Kuykendall (signed with Santa Clara), transfer from Dublin Jaiden Jones, Emeka Ifediora, Juremi Ejuwa and Logan Weger - all varsity returners, should also contend for the top of EBAL after qualifying for NCS open division last year.
3. Monte Vista - returns most of their starters from last year including Juniors Ian Desai, Gavin McMillan, Max Nishikawa. Incoming freshman Ryan Fierolli has been playing well for them this summer and should contribute at the varsity level. Coach Jones will have his squad ready for a big season.
4. De La Salle - After riding the tails of Alec Blair the last few years, it's going to be a down year for DLS unless they get some transfers. Ibrahim Monawar, Davit Pachulia, and Mariano Aarden-Lopez have been playing well this summer and look to have a solid upcoming season.
5. Dougherty Valley - returners Rylan Sevilla, Alonzo Walker and Rashad Cotton will look to anchor this DV squad that desperately needs a big man to help them compete in EBAL. Coach Hansen will have them playing hard as usual but it will be tough to replicate what they have done the last few seasons.
6. Dublin - losing Jaiden Jones to California is a big loss for Dublin. They return big man Cam Anderson (offer from Montana) who will have a huge season. Besides Cam, they will struggle.
7. Granada - Coach Johnson is back this season on the sidelines. Incoming 11th grader Brandon Hahn has been having a big spring and summer and 12th grader Damien Miles also played well this summer.
8. SRV - returning no starters from last season. Incoming 12th grader Tyler Smith will have a big role, but it will be a down year for SRV.
9. Livermore - Amari Chandler and Dylan Wherry will be big contributors this year. I predict Livermore will get their first league win in over 10 years.
10. Foothill - will not win a league game this year
1. Amador Valley - Jaylen Smith (offers from Weber State, Montana, New Mexico, and LMU) has been tearing it up this summer on the 3SSB circuit with Team Lillard and is poised for a huge junior year. Add Cade Krueger (currently holds a D2 offer to Cal State Dominguez Hills and a D1 offer from High Point), Dante Ventura and Biruk Menna - very solid group and should contend for the top of EBAL. Jaylen Smith is early frontrunner for EBAL MVP.
2. California - Brayde Kuykendall (signed with Santa Clara), transfer from Dublin Jaiden Jones, Emeka Ifediora, Juremi Ejuwa and Logan Weger - all varsity returners, should also contend for the top of EBAL after qualifying for NCS open division last year.
3. Monte Vista - returns most of their starters from last year including Juniors Ian Desai, Gavin McMillan, Max Nishikawa. Incoming freshman Ryan Fierolli has been playing well for them this summer and should contribute at the varsity level. Coach Jones will have his squad ready for a big season.
4. De La Salle - After riding the tails of Alec Blair the last few years, it's going to be a down year for DLS unless they get some transfers. Ibrahim Monawar, Davit Pachulia, and Mariano Aarden-Lopez have been playing well this summer and look to have a solid upcoming season.
5. Dougherty Valley - returners Rylan Sevilla, Alonzo Walker and Rashad Cotton will look to anchor this DV squad that desperately needs a big man to help them compete in EBAL. Coach Hansen will have them playing hard as usual but it will be tough to replicate what they have done the last few seasons.
6. Dublin - losing Jaiden Jones to California is a big loss for Dublin. They return big man Cam Anderson (offer from Montana) who will have a huge season. Besides Cam, they will struggle.
7. Granada - Coach Johnson is back this season on the sidelines. Incoming 11th grader Brandon Hahn has been having a big spring and summer and 12th grader Damien Miles also played well this summer.
8. SRV - returning no starters from last season. Incoming 12th grader Tyler Smith will have a big role, but it will be a down year for SRV.
9. Livermore - Amari Chandler and Dylan Wherry will be big contributors this year. I predict Livermore will get their first league win in over 10 years.
10. Foothill - will not win a league game this year
