PRESEASON ALL-AREA TEAM
Bryan Alberts, Village Christian, Sr., Guard
The Sierra Canyon-transfer has fit in extremely well in his two years on the Sun Valley campus. Alberts led the Crusaders to the Div. V state championship in 2012 after losing in the section semifinals. Alberts has signed with Gonzaga.
Larry Bush, Calabasas, Sr,, Guard
Bush has developed into a Division I prospect since transferring from Buckley to Westlake, and now Calabasas after his freshman campaign. Bush will be counted on to score for the Coyotes, who won a Division III-AA championship in 2012.
Robert Cartwright, Flintridge Prep, Sr., Guard
Cartwright’s stock soared with a huge junior year and offseason. A stellar student, who is committed to Stanford.
Devenir Duruisseau, Sylmar, Sr., Forward
The 6-foot-8 athletic low-post player hopes to lead the Spartans to the City Section Division II championship after a disappointing setback against Gardena in the semifinals last year.
Max Heidegger, Crespi, Soph., Guard
Heidegger might be small (5-8) but he has heart, toughness and can score. Heidegger has grown since his freshman year and will be counted on to fill the shoes of former Celts standout London Perrantes, now at Virginia.
Razhaun “Bear” Henderson, Village Christian, Sr., Wing
Henderson transferred out of Alemany in hopes of developing guard skills. Henderson emerged from under the radar two years ago while helping Alemany win a Division III state championship.
Aaron Holiday, Campbell Hall, Jr., Guard
The younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday was an All-Alpha League first-team selection last year and averaged 24 points per game. Holiday is ranked No. 24 in the Rivals.com Top 150.
Jeremy Lieberman, Calabasas, Sr., Guard
The Marmonte League Player of the Year two years ago led the Coyotes to a Division III-AAA quarterfinal appearance against Compton. Lieberman has signed with Wyoming.
Derick Newton, Harvard-Westlake, Sr., Forward
Newton recovered nicely from an injury-plagued freshman season to average 21 points and 12 rebounds as a junior. Newton was an All-Mission League first-team selection and is garnering Division I interest.
Devearl Ramsey, Sierra Canyon, Soph., Guard
All Ramsey did was make the USA 16-under national team this past summer after leading the Trailblazers in most offensive categories last year.
Julian Richardson, El Camino Real, Sr., Guard
Richardson has taken over leadership duties for the Conquistadores and has developed into a quality perimeter shooter. He is mulling over several Division I options.
Trevor Stanback, Chaminade, So., Guard
Stanback keeps improving. The 6-foot-10 left-hander is a high-major Division I recruit. Stanback’s brother, Chace, played at Fairfax, UCLA and UNLV.
Lewis Stallworth, Hart, Sr. Guard
Stallworth and Myles Franklin form one of the area’s most talented backcourts. Led the Indians to a 24-3 record a year ago. Will be a Division I player.
D.J. Ursery, Crespi, Sr, Guard
Ursery saw his stock rise with top performances on the travel-ball circuit. The improving left-hander has signed with University of the Pacific.
Evan Wardlow, El Camino Real, Sr., Guard
Wardlow came in as the most unheralded player in a talented freshman class three years ago and dealt with a injury-plagued ninth-grade season. Hard work paid off and Wardlow has signed with Santa Clara.
Jack Williams, Chaminade, Sr., Forward
The 6-foot-8 wing player has signed with Long Beach State and will team with sophomore Trevor Stanback to lead the Eagles in the Mission League. Williams is a double-double machine.
OTHERS TO WATCH
SENIORS
Aleks Abrams, Oaks Christian, Forward
Jacob Alonzo, Camarillo, Guard
Astin Beal, Buckley, Guard
Ryan Beddeo, West Ramch, Guard
Colin Bell, Campbell Hall, Forward
Brandon Boyd, Alemany, Guard
Devin Burleson, Highland, Center
Marc Cabrera, Canyon, Guard
Tyler Cartaino, Newbury Park, Guard
Gary Chivichyan, Alemany, Guard
Joe Colliatie, Simi Valley, Guard
Brandon Dozier, Granada Hills, Guard
Justin Eisen, Chaminade, Guard
Richard Elmoyan, Burbank, Guard
Rashid Ewing, Burroughs, Forward
Tim Howell, Viewpoint, Guard
Jordan Flannery, Oaks Christian, Guard
Christian Gonzalez, Kennedy, Guard
Maleke Haynes, El Camino Real, Guard
Jaleel Howard, Valencia, Guard
Chase Holliday, Buckley, Guard
Marsalis Johnson, Village Christian, Forward
Michael Morrissey, Chatsworth, Guard
Blair Orr, El Camino Real, Forward
Eric Patten, Crescenta Valley, Forward
Alex Puryear, Arleta, Guard
Shaq Russell, Cleveland, Guard
Chris Sandifer, Taft, Guard
Michael Sheng, Harvard-Westlake, Guard
Austin Smith, Calabasas, Forward
Marcos Soto, Westlake, Forward
Jamani Spencer, Sierra Canyon, Guard
Haig Terterian, Holy Martyrs, Forward
Jacob Tobon, Saugus, Guard
Amaad Wainright, Burroughs, Guard
Christian Ware-Berry, West Ranch, Guard
JUNIORS
Michael Alvarez, Oak Park, Guard
Serigne Athj, Birmingham, Guard
Justin Bessard, Calabasas, Forward
Bennie Boatwright, Village Christian, Guard
Isaiah Brooks, Westlake, Guard
Austin Butler, Buckley, Guard
Alex Copeland, Harvard-Westlake, Guard
Kevin Dinges, Crescenta Valley, Guard
Tristian Dohs, Northridge Academy, Guard
Ryan Ducar, Notre Dame, Guard
Robbie Feinberg, Sierra Canyon, Forward
Myles Franklin, Hart, Guard
Tyler Harris, Oaks Christian, Forward
Michael Hayon, Westlake, Forward
Ryan Hiepler, Oaks Christian, Guard
Kenneth Koffi, Oak Park, Guard
Kyle Leufroy, St. Francis, Guard
Jeffrey McClendon, Quartz Hill, Guard
Malik McCowan, Valencia, Guard
Austen Moye, Oaks Christian, Forward
Mitchell Mykhaylov, Crespi, Forward
Michael Oguine, Chaminade, Guard
Clifton Powell, Taft, Guard
Cesar Reyes, Poly, Guard
Kahlil Simplis, Campbell Hall, Guard
Kenny Smith Jr., Oaks Christian, Guard
Ben Taufahema, Canyon, Guard
Samson Young, Heritage Christian, Forward
SOPHOMORES
Jordan Alexander, Simi Valley, Forward
Grant Arthur, La Canada, Guard
Nick Brandon, Royal, Guard
Jordan Cohen, Campbell Hall, Guard
Shaquille Dawkins, Alemany, Guard
Kyle Hamilton, Simi Valley, Forward
Daron Henson, Alemany, Wing
Steven Hubbell, Burroughs, Guard
Christian Juzang, Viewpoint, Guard
Koko Kurdoghlian, La Canada, Guard
Ross Lee, St. Genevieve, Guard
Kyle Lord, Valley Academy, Guard
Nick Medavoy, Harvard-Westlake, Forward
De”Anthony Melton, Crespi, Guard
Travis Patrick, Chatsworth, Forward
Charles Terry, Canoga Park, Forward
Brandon Thomas, Taft, Guard
FRESHMEN
Nick Algiers, Providence, Guard
Brandon Davis, Alemany, Guard
Mekhi George, St. Genevieve, Guard
Chance Goring, Harvard-Westlake, Forward
Nick Heller, Agoura, Guard
Elijah Herman, Notre Dame
Ira Lee, Sierra Canyon, Forward
Remy Martin, Sierra Canyon, Guard
Terrence McBride, Sierra Canyon, Guard
Ethan Moss, Crespi, Guard
Cody Riley, Sierra Canyon, Forward
Jalen Riley, Village Christian, Guard
Adam Seiko, Sierra Canyon, Forward
FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Will El Camino Real win the City Section Division I championship?
The Conquistadores are loaded and ready to put it all together, but are still the underdogs against Westchester. The loss of Michael Thomas (Hawaii) will be difficult to overcome. ECR also lost oach David Rebibo, who led the Conquistadores to a City Section Division III championship appearance in 2010, the Division II title in 2012 and a Division I championship appearance last year. It will be an extremely hard task for first-year coach Joe Wyatt to go up against 12-time City Division I champion Westchester coach Ed Azzam.
2. Which local team benefitted the most from Southern Section playoff division realignment?
Chaminade. After losing in last year’s final, the Eagles stayed put in Division III-A, with state-power St. John Bosco moving up to Division II-AA. However, it might not mean a whole lot if Chaminade is moved to the brand-new Open Division with all the top teams.
3. Which area teams have the most to prove this season?
Alemany and Village Christian. One year after winning a Division III state championship, the Warriors were left out of the Division I-AA playoffs. Adding insult to injury, Alemany’s two best players transferred, as Razhaun Henderson and junior Bennie Boatwright both left to attend Village Christian. It’s now up to sharpshooter Gary Chivichyan and sophomores Shacquille Dawkins and Daron Henson to lead the Warriors. Coach Tray Meeks has his work cut out trying to keep pace in the ultra-tough Mission League. Despite winning a Division V state championship in 2012, Village Christian has yet to advance past the section semifinals. Much is expected from coach Jon Shaw and the quartet of Bryan Alberts, Marsalis Johnson, Henderson and the 6-foot-8 Boatwright.
4. Which local league underwent the most player movement?
Marmonte League. Calabasas gained Larry Bush from Westlake but lost Max Hoetzel to an East Coast prep school and Michael Hayon to Westlake. Thousand Oaks has Matt Hauser and Jake Hauser, who moved back to the area from Arizona and Trent Atkinson came over from Royal. Royal also lost Chris Terry to El Camino Real and Simi Valley welcomes Joe Colliatie from St. Louis
5. Which area team boasts the best freshman class?
Sierra Canyon. The Trailblazers boast one of the best ninth-grade classes in area history to all come in and play varsity together. Cody Riley (6-foot-8), Ira Lee (6-8) and Remy Martin (point guard) are the big three. Also expect big contributions from Adam Seiko and Terrence McBride. The group is the area’s version of the Fab Five.
TOP 25
1. El Camino Real
2. Chaminade
3. Crespi
4. Calabasas
5. Hart
6. Village Christian
7. Alemany
8. Harvard-Westlake
9. Westlake
10. Sierra Canyon
11. Oaks Christian
12. Campbell Hall
13. Sylmar
14. Thousand Oaks
15. Valencia
16. Taft
17. St. Francis
18. Burroughs
19. Notre Dame
20. Buckley
21. Poly
22. Viewpoint
23. Camarillo
24. Highland
25. Crescenta Valley
GAMES TO WATCH
Crespi at Viewpoint, Saturday
Westchester tournament, Santa Monica tournament, Maranatha tournament, Burbank tournament, Providence tournament and San Fernando Valley Invitational, Dec. 2-7
Beverly Hills tournament, Canyon tournament, University tournament, Ventura County Classic, Dec. 9-14
West Ranch at Village Christian, Dec. 13
Poly at El Camino Real, Dec. 14
Quartz Hill at Highland, Dec. 17
Mission Prep Christmas Classic, Dec. 18-21
Flintridge Prep at Sierra Canyon, Dec. 19
Chaminade tournament, Westlake tournament, Hart tournament, Ventura tournament, San Gabriel Valley Classic, MaxPreps.com Holiday Classic, Dec. 26-30
Chaminade at West Ranch, Jan. 3
Maranatha at Flintridge Prep, Jan. 3
Windward at El Camino Real, Jan. 4
Village Christian at Oaks Christian, Jan. 7
Calabasas at Westlake, Jan. 8
Oaks Christian at Oak Park, Jan. 10
Price at Sierra Canyon, Jan. 11
Hart at West Ranch, Jan. 14
Westlake at Thousand Oaks, Jan. 15
Poly at Grant, Jan. 15
Loyola at Crespi, Jan. 20
Taft at El Camino Real, Jan. 22
El Camino Real vs. Loyola at Fairfax, Jan. 25
Loyola at Chaminade, Jan. 31
Burroughs at Crescenta Valley, Feb. 3
Crespi at Chaminade, Feb. 5
Thousand Oaks at Calabasas, Feb. 5
Sylmar at Village Christian, Feb. 8
Valencia at Hart, Feb. 11
St. Genevieve at St. Anthony, Feb. 12
Burbank at Burroughs, Feb. 13