By Evan Barnes, evan_b on Twitter
You don’t hear the words rebuilding too often with Serra and Bishop Montgomery. You still won’t hear it much this year despite what both teams lost from last season.
Serra has won two consecutive CIF Division IV-AA titles but watched its starting backcourt of Ajon Efferson and Ellis Salahuddin transfer over the summer. Bishop Montgomery lost eight seniors, including Daily Breeze Player of the Year Lamond Murray, now at Pepperdine.
Yet both teams remain optimistic, as not only do they remain as the favorites in the Del Rey League, they both enter the year ranked in the Cal-Hi Sports preseason state rankings with Serra at No. 14 and Bishop Montgomery at No. 17.
“I don’t look at it with what we lost, I look at what we’ve gained ‘cause we have a good group of guys that will get it done,” Serra head coach Dwan Hurt said.
Hurt has a core of three players who are expected to provide leadership in seniors Tavrion Dawson and Ron Freeman, as well as junior guard Jason Richardson. Dawson has committed to Cal State Northridge and Freeman, 6-6, has committed to Cal State Fullerton.
“It takes a lot to rebuild what we had last year so we’re working to get back to that,” Freeman said, “We have to defend our title with integrity.”
Senior guard Chez Lister, a tenacious defender, and sophomore Lafayette Dorsey will also be counted on to contribute, as well as several members of the football team once they finish their season.
The Cavaliers expect to be more up-tempo this year to combat their lack of size, and it could be an adjustment with Richardson learning the offense, but it’s a challenge he and the team look forward to.
“Everyone’s going to give us their best shot, but we just have to come out and respond,” Richardson said.
Unlike Serra, Bishop Montgomery ended last season without any hardware despite going 32-2. Losing last year’s senior class will make it harder to get back there, but the Knights will make a run with one of the South Bay’s strongest backcourts.
Senior Justin Bibbins, who has committed to Long Beach State, has improved as a shooter to go along with his speed, while junior Stephen Thompson Jr. has developed as a better slasher to go with his already strong shooting stroke.
“Anybody who plays us will have to worry about them,” Knights head coach Doug Mitchell said.
The frontcourt will be manned by 6-4 juniors Blake Miles and Christian Yoshida, who showed potential when they played in last year’s regional semifinal win against Army/Navy in San Diego.
Sophomore Chris Barnes, a transfer from Compton, has been described as the Knights’ most physically talented player but has to get himself acclimated to the team’s system.
Freshmen Jordan Schakel and Ethan Thompson, Stephen’s younger brother, will also be counted on to contribute and “not play like freshmen” in Mitchell’s words.
With the Knights being strong in the backcourt, the key for them will be how well their frontcourt plays. Mitchell was quick to point out that while expectations are high, last year will not be an accurate measuring point for how well his team will finish.
“Each team is different and this team will play its best late in the season,” Mitchell said.
You don’t hear the words rebuilding too often with Serra and Bishop Montgomery. You still won’t hear it much this year despite what both teams lost from last season.
Serra has won two consecutive CIF Division IV-AA titles but watched its starting backcourt of Ajon Efferson and Ellis Salahuddin transfer over the summer. Bishop Montgomery lost eight seniors, including Daily Breeze Player of the Year Lamond Murray, now at Pepperdine.
Yet both teams remain optimistic, as not only do they remain as the favorites in the Del Rey League, they both enter the year ranked in the Cal-Hi Sports preseason state rankings with Serra at No. 14 and Bishop Montgomery at No. 17.
“I don’t look at it with what we lost, I look at what we’ve gained ‘cause we have a good group of guys that will get it done,” Serra head coach Dwan Hurt said.
Hurt has a core of three players who are expected to provide leadership in seniors Tavrion Dawson and Ron Freeman, as well as junior guard Jason Richardson. Dawson has committed to Cal State Northridge and Freeman, 6-6, has committed to Cal State Fullerton.
“It takes a lot to rebuild what we had last year so we’re working to get back to that,” Freeman said, “We have to defend our title with integrity.”
Senior guard Chez Lister, a tenacious defender, and sophomore Lafayette Dorsey will also be counted on to contribute, as well as several members of the football team once they finish their season.
The Cavaliers expect to be more up-tempo this year to combat their lack of size, and it could be an adjustment with Richardson learning the offense, but it’s a challenge he and the team look forward to.
“Everyone’s going to give us their best shot, but we just have to come out and respond,” Richardson said.
Unlike Serra, Bishop Montgomery ended last season without any hardware despite going 32-2. Losing last year’s senior class will make it harder to get back there, but the Knights will make a run with one of the South Bay’s strongest backcourts.
Senior Justin Bibbins, who has committed to Long Beach State, has improved as a shooter to go along with his speed, while junior Stephen Thompson Jr. has developed as a better slasher to go with his already strong shooting stroke.
“Anybody who plays us will have to worry about them,” Knights head coach Doug Mitchell said.
The frontcourt will be manned by 6-4 juniors Blake Miles and Christian Yoshida, who showed potential when they played in last year’s regional semifinal win against Army/Navy in San Diego.
Sophomore Chris Barnes, a transfer from Compton, has been described as the Knights’ most physically talented player but has to get himself acclimated to the team’s system.
Freshmen Jordan Schakel and Ethan Thompson, Stephen’s younger brother, will also be counted on to contribute and “not play like freshmen” in Mitchell’s words.
With the Knights being strong in the backcourt, the key for them will be how well their frontcourt plays. Mitchell was quick to point out that while expectations are high, last year will not be an accurate measuring point for how well his team will finish.
“Each team is different and this team will play its best late in the season,” Mitchell said.