SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – It’s been more than eight months of spring, summer and fall leagues; grassroots “shoe circuit” and “non-shoe circuit” competition; and enough other camps and “showcase” events to enable me to stack hard-copy programs, rosters and “media/coaches’ packets” to the ceiling in a home office that has long since reached an absurd level of clutter.
Come Monday and running through the evening of the March 11, 2023, CIF State Open championship game in Sacramento, it’s “real high school basketball season” time!
And Coach Josh Giles’ Corona Centennial program returns three core elements from the teams that were a combined 54-3 over the past two seasons.
And the Huskies, with a win next March 11, will wrap up the 2022-23 season the same way they did in ’21 and ’22 – The top team in California.
Even with a hefty “national” schedule (trips to Scottsdale, AZ; Ft. Myers, FL; Raleigh, NC; and Springfield, MA), the two most important games the Huskies will play to get to Sacramento on March 11 are scheduled for Feb. 25 and March 7.
Those are the tentative dates for the respective CIF Southern Section and State Southern Regional Open championship games. And the competition for Giles’ crew, should it advance to each contest, could be the same opponent.
That would be Dave Rebibo’s Harvard-Westlake program – which, FYI, holds the only victory by a CIF SS opponent over the Huskies since the last game Centennial played, on March 4, in the 2019-20 season.
The Wolverines beat the Huskies in that game (63-55), a State Southern Regional Open contest, and picked up that lone victory by a CIF SS squad over Centennial in that current 57-game stretch (70-65), on May 28, 2021 – the “COVID 19-altered” season – during a CIF SS Open pool-play contest.
The Huskies return three players, in Duke-bound Jared McCain (pictured) and future LMU Lion Aaron McBride and UCLA Bruin Devin Williams, from that remarkable two-season run.
But now-seniors Brady Dunlap (who signed with Notre Dame last week) and Jacob Huggins (Princeton), as well as current juniors Trent Perry and Robert Hinton, are still around from the team scored that last CIF SS win over the Huskies.
And Rebibo also returns rapidly growing and improving sophomore, 6-foot-7 Nikolas Khamenia, and 6-4 junior Christian Horry (Robert’s son), from a team that was 25-4 last season – including a 68-48 loss to the Huskies in the Southern Section Open final in Corona.
That’s why the Huskies (who added a quality senior guard in Mike Price and have a much-improved junior in Eric Freeny) and Wolverines were easy choices at No.’s 1 and 2 in the BurlisonOnBasketball Preseason Top 60, among programs from the Southern and L.A. City sections.
Four of the other six programs in the Southern Section’s Open Division bracket last season are also among the top eight in the Top 60.
And it obvious – to me, anyway – why Bishop Montgomery is No. 3.
The Knights return five of the top eight players from their 21-4 squad from last season, including senior starters Will Smith, Xavier Edmonds, Kelcy Phipps, and Christian Jones.
They were 3-2 in Open (sectional and regional) competition last spring, with the only losses coming at Centennial and wins against Mater Dei, Damien, and Crean Lutheran teams – the latter two on the road – that were a combined 83-16.
Barring significant injury (especially “multiple” and/or “long-term) or other calamity, Centennial, Harvard-Westlake, and Bishop Montgomery will return to the Southern Section’s Open field on Feb. 4, when it is scheduled to be announced.
And, assuming they avoid the caveats attached to the above three teams and their transfers blend with reasonable cohesiveness, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, and Sierra Canyon – like the Wolverines, part of the of Mission League – could fall into that “near-lock” category of Open candidates as well.
Assuming those five are part of the field, take your choice for the other three spots from any of the other Southern Section programs in the remainder of the “Top 17”, including Trinity League programs at No.’s 8, 10, 13 and 17, Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, Santa Margarita and JSerra, respectively.
Anyway, on to 1-30 (with 10- and 20-team subsets in alphabetical order to hit 60):
Southern California (CIF Southern and L.A. City Sections) Preseason Top 60
Top 30
- Corona Centennial
2021-22: 33-1
In a sentence: No “easing into the season” for the Huskies with games at San Ysidro (Mikey Williams is back after two years on the North Carolina “prep school “circuit) Friday and at home to No. 15 Rancho Verde Saturday.
- Studio City Harvard-Westlake
2021-22: 25-4
In a sentence: A “Take Flight Challenge” game with Bishop Montgomery at Redondo High on Jan. 7 could pit unbeatens.
- Torrance Bishop Montgomery
2021-22: 21-4
In a sentence: Toughest pre-2023 competition will come in San Luis Obispo (Mission Prep Christmas Classic/Dec. 17 &19-22).
- Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
2021-22: 21-8
In a sentence: Gonzaga-bound Dusty Stromer was joined by transfers Caleb Foster (Duke) and Mercy Miller (Houston although he’s only a junior).
- Chatsworth Sierra Canyon
2021-22: 26-5
In a sentence: Bronny James (you may have heard of him) is joined by four noteworthy transfers but an Open bid is precarious if the team’s best player, junior Isaiah Elohim, isn’t close to 100 percent by January after late-summer knee surgery.
- Playa del Rey St. Bernard
2021-22: 24-8
In a sentence: The Vikings return Southern Section Division I Player of the Year, guard Tyler Rolison, from the division’s champion and Sectional runner-up.
- Valencia West Ranch
2021-22: 21-8
In a sentence: A strong returning core, including Boise State-bound Andrew Meadow, was joined by high-profile transfers in Jazz Gardner (Los Altos) and Darrell Morris (Crean Lutheran)
- Santa Ana Mater Dei
2021-22: 26-5
In a sentence: Gary McKnight has one of his better freshmen classes (led by Che Brogan and Brannon Martinsen) but three returnees – senior Zach Davidson and juniors Brady Karich and Scotty Belnap – aren’t losing starting jobs.
- Etiwanda
2021-22: 21-7
In a sentence: A roster flushed with gifted veterans, including forward Curtis Williams and guard Jimmy Baker Jr., should help Eagles bounce back from a “disappointing” (for them) season.
- Bellflower St. John Bosco
2021-22: 22-10
In a sentence: Junior Jack Turner and sophomores Elzie Harrington and Kade Bonam were quite impressive in Pangos events played during the last two months at McBride High in Long Beach.
- Temecula Rancho Christian
2021-22: 8-17
In a sentence: Six-eleven Martin Gumwel (Pepperdine) and 6-6 Rodney Brown (Cal) will be joined by multiple quality transfers for the team’s Dec. 27 at Classic at Damien Platinum Division opener.
- Riverside Poly
2021-22: 26-3
In a sentence: Top three players (Brayden Burries, Isaac Williamson, and Kory Dodson) started as freshmen last season.
- RSM Santa Margarita
2021-22: 20-4
In a sentence: Lots of quality vets plus transfers Preston Lee and Dallas Washington and freshman Brayden Kyman = strong Trinity and Open challenges.
- Harbor City Narbonne
2021-22: 17-11
In a sentence: The day he’s-oh-so-good Marcus Adams re-enrolled (he spent last season at a prep school in Corona) and was joined by 6-6 freshman brother Maximo, the Gauchos became favorites to win the L.A. City Open title.
- Moreno Valley Rancho Verde
2021-22: 22-8
In a sentence: Six-ten Jacob McFarland signed with Houston last week and guards Jermaine Washington and Anthony Smith are as relentless as McFarland is tall.
- Rancho Cucamonga
2021-22: 29-7
In a sentence: Guards Shadale Knight (division POY) and Aaron Glass (just a sophomore) are back after leading program to CIF SS 3AA title win over Rancho Verde last Feb. 25.
- San Juan Capistrano JSerra
2021-22: 20-11
In a sentence: Juniors Sebastian Rancik and Aidan Fowler are just two of the reasons why the Lions are prowling for a Trinity title and Open bid.
- Eastvale Roosevelt
2021-22: 20-8
In a sentence: Junior guard Darnez Slater is the best prospect the program has had since Matt Mitchell and Jemal Baker were seniors on a state D-I championship squad.
- Newport Pacifica Christian
2021-22: 17-13
In a sentence: Northwestern-bound guard Parker Strauss and sophomore E.J. Spillman give Tritons early lead in “best non-Trinity team in Orange County” race.
- Long Beach Poly
2021-22: 22-7
In a sentence: Sophomore Jovani Ruff primes them for deep D-1 run after moving up following runner-up finish in 2-AA.
- Manhattan Beach Mira Costa
2021-22: 18-7
In a sentence: Seven players 6-5 or taller for Neal Perlmutter’s underrated-everywhere-else Mustangs.
- Northridge Heritage Christian
2021-22: 22-5
In a sentence: Paul Tait’s got a dandy sophomore class that includes forwards Tae Simmons and Dillan Shaw.
- Lake Balboa Birmingham
2021-22: 18-9
In a sentence: A nice mix of veterans and newcomers will keep the Patriots as Narbonne’s prime L.A. City Open title competition.
- Redondo Beach/Redondo Union
2021-22: 13-12
In a sentence: It’s not bold to suggest the Sea Hawks could climb as many as 10 spots in these same ratings a year from now.
- Ontario Colony
2021-22: 25-3
In a sentence: This program seems to produce a future major college player in every senior class. This season it may be 6-5 Denzel Hines.
- Anaheim Canyon
2021-22: 25-5
In a sentence: Top 5 team in Orange County was moved to CIF Division I playoff division from 2-AA earlier this fall.
- Oak Park
2021-22: 20-6
In a sentence: A leg injury kept 6-7 Isaiah Sherrard sidelined from early spring to late fall, but he seems healthy now and a lot of college recruiters will take notice shortly.
- Beverly Hills
2021-22: 16-9
In a sentence: Jarvis Turner has a quality senior guard in Jameson Caruso and a (for now) much-underrated junior in 6-6 Jon Mani.
- Sun Valley Village Christian
2021-22: 28-5
In a sentence: With four key returnees and a couple of newcomers, the elevation to the CIF Southern Section D-1 playoff division should be manageable for the program that won the 2-AA title last February.
- San Gabriel Academy
2021-22: 15-11
In a sentence: With senior guards Ethan McCloskey and Jayden Mojica at the helm, the Eagles get a pop at Harvard-Westlake at Redondo High on Dec. 1 during the Ryse Williams/Pac Shores Showcase.
Next 10 (Alpha listing): Santa Monica Crossroads School (13-11); Anaheim Fairmont Prep (17-7); Lakewood (21-6); Hesperia Oak Hills (23-8); Downey Pius X/St. Matthias (19-8); San Pedro Rolling Hills Prep (21-2); Santa Monica St. Monica Prep (14-9); Santa Fe Springs St. Paul (22-11); L.A. Venice (21-10) and L.A. Windward (17-10).
Twenty More to Watch (Alpha listing): Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley (12-13); Irvine Crean Lutheran (25-7); Encino Crespi (17-9); La Verne Damien (32-4); L.A. Fairfax (16-7); Santa Ana Foothill (31-4); Riverside Hillcrest (16-14); Long Beach Jordan (10-16); La Mirada (18-15); L.A. Loyola (22-7); Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos (15-13); Orange Lutheran (16-12); Lakewood Mayfair (18-8); Newport Sage Hill (15-11); Long Beach St. Anthony (18-10); Ventura St. Bonaventure (10-13); La Canada St. Francis (25-6); Woodland Hills Taft (17-7); Valencia (5-20) and L.A Washington Prep (8-21).
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