The last time the Serra boys basketball team made news was Oct. 19, when 6-foot-10 junior center Emmanual Ndumanya shattered a backboard with a slam dunk during a practice at Serra High.
Before that, it was last February, when Serra was forced to miss the CIF Southern Section Division III-AA playoffs and forfeit its games because of alleged use of an ineligible player (Ndumanya).
Serra appealed the decision to no avail. Ndumanya is from Nigeria but played briefly at St. John's College High School in Maryland before transferring to Serra, and there were alleged paperwork issues.
Now there is no question that the left-handed Ndumanya - who has played basketball for only a few years but has tremendous upside - is eligible and more than ready, as his emphatic slam dunk illustrates.
Ndumanya and fellow Nigerian Daddy Ugbede (6-7 senior forward) give Serra serious post presence.
"Emmanual is further along defensively, and getting better offensively every day," Serra coach Dwan Hurt said. "Daddy is really raw and still learning the game, but is looking a lot better."
Serra has a lot going for it beyond the post. The Cavaliers are playing with a chip on their collective shoulder after last season's unfortunate ending, and boast a deep and talented team to work with in Hurt's 25th season at the helm.
"We are so deep and have a lot of great athletes," Hurt said. "This team has a chance to be one of the best - if not the best - I've ever coached."
Serra boasts three returning starters in Dakarai Tucker (6-6, senior guard), Kajon Mack (6-2 senior guard) and Marc Rodgers (6-0 junior guard).
Rodgers, who missed some time with a knee injury last season, is back healthy and will have plenty of weapons to pass the ball to.
"Tucker is an outstanding shooter, definitely a go-to guy for us," Hurt said. "And Mack is our most athletic player.
"He's capable of making spectacular plays."
Other key players who figure to log big minutes for Serra include Roland Wyatt (6-4 junior forward), Cameron Hailey (senior guard), Jerred Cook (6-0 senior guard) and Ellis Salahuddin (5-9 freshman guard).
Wyatt is athletic and a good rebounder, Hailey will be a key contributor at shooting guard or small forward, Cook is Serra's back-up point guard and Ellis is the only freshman who could see quality minutes.
The Del Rey League figures to come down to Serra and Bishop Montgomery - as it usually does.
Serra captured the league title on the court last year before it was stripped of all of its wins, and Bishop Montgomery took second.
"I have a lot of respect for that program and Coach (Doug) Mitchell," Hurt said. "He'll have his team ready."
Serra is shooting for a league title, CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA championship and a state crown.
"I don't think it's far-fetched," Hurt said. "We're definitely focused on the (nonleague season) and league, then we'll let it play out. I'm really excited about this team."
Before that, it was last February, when Serra was forced to miss the CIF Southern Section Division III-AA playoffs and forfeit its games because of alleged use of an ineligible player (Ndumanya).
Serra appealed the decision to no avail. Ndumanya is from Nigeria but played briefly at St. John's College High School in Maryland before transferring to Serra, and there were alleged paperwork issues.
Now there is no question that the left-handed Ndumanya - who has played basketball for only a few years but has tremendous upside - is eligible and more than ready, as his emphatic slam dunk illustrates.
Ndumanya and fellow Nigerian Daddy Ugbede (6-7 senior forward) give Serra serious post presence.
"Emmanual is further along defensively, and getting better offensively every day," Serra coach Dwan Hurt said. "Daddy is really raw and still learning the game, but is looking a lot better."
Serra has a lot going for it beyond the post. The Cavaliers are playing with a chip on their collective shoulder after last season's unfortunate ending, and boast a deep and talented team to work with in Hurt's 25th season at the helm.
"We are so deep and have a lot of great athletes," Hurt said. "This team has a chance to be one of the best - if not the best - I've ever coached."
Serra boasts three returning starters in Dakarai Tucker (6-6, senior guard), Kajon Mack (6-2 senior guard) and Marc Rodgers (6-0 junior guard).
Rodgers, who missed some time with a knee injury last season, is back healthy and will have plenty of weapons to pass the ball to.
"Tucker is an outstanding shooter, definitely a go-to guy for us," Hurt said. "And Mack is our most athletic player.
"He's capable of making spectacular plays."
Other key players who figure to log big minutes for Serra include Roland Wyatt (6-4 junior forward), Cameron Hailey (senior guard), Jerred Cook (6-0 senior guard) and Ellis Salahuddin (5-9 freshman guard).
Wyatt is athletic and a good rebounder, Hailey will be a key contributor at shooting guard or small forward, Cook is Serra's back-up point guard and Ellis is the only freshman who could see quality minutes.
The Del Rey League figures to come down to Serra and Bishop Montgomery - as it usually does.
Serra captured the league title on the court last year before it was stripped of all of its wins, and Bishop Montgomery took second.
"I have a lot of respect for that program and Coach (Doug) Mitchell," Hurt said. "He'll have his team ready."
Serra is shooting for a league title, CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA championship and a state crown.
"I don't think it's far-fetched," Hurt said. "We're definitely focused on the (nonleague season) and league, then we'll let it play out. I'm really excited about this team."
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Source: Dave Thorpe, Staff Writer, Daily Breeze