The high school basketball season begins Monday. Here is the San Gabriel Valley boys basketball Top 10 to begin the season:
1. LA MIRADA
2023-24 record: 21-8 (lost in first round of CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs)
Top players: The Matadores return two of the area’s best players, senior Julien Gomez and sophomore sensation Gene Roebuck. Gomez was the Whittier Daily News Player of the Year as a sophomore and is a three-time San Gabriel Valley first-team pick. Gomez averaged 18 points and four rebounds as a junior. Roebuck was one of the top freshmen in the country last season, averaging 24 points. Senior MJ Smith is a 6-foot-5 guard who coach Randy Oronoz says is a potential Division I player in college and at times is La Mirada’s best player on the floor. The Matadores also have junior King-Riley Owens, who transferred last year from Mayfair but was ruled ineligible by the CIF-SS. Oronoz said Owens was their missing piece in big games last season. Others to watch include 6-foot-7 Santiago Lopez, a transfer from Mexico, and Jarrett Cole and Jaydin Cox
Noteworthy: When Oronoz says this is the best team he’s ever had, that’s saying something. The Matadores beat Damien last season and beat Damien again over the summer. So they start the season No. 1 in the area rankings.
2. DAMIEN
2023-24 record: 28-6 (lost in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals)
Top players: Senior 7-footer Nate Garcia, a two-time San Gabriel Valley player of the year, is committed to Cal Baptist. Garcia averaged 20 points with 14 rebounds a year ago and is one of the best bigs in Southern California. The Spartans also bring back Eli Garner, a 6-foot-6 junior forward, and junior point guard Elijah Smith. Both are returning San Gabriel Valley All-Area and All-Baseline League selections. Seniors Jayden Avina, Lucas Arrieta, Jacob Allen and sophomores Zaire Rasshan and JC Corneille should round out the Spartans’ rotation.
Noteworthy: The Spartans have a great coach in Mike LeDuc and an an experienced roster full of players who helped the team advance to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals a year ago. Garcia has improved each season, and he has plenty of shooters around him.
3. LA HABRA
2023-24 record: 30-5 (CIF-SS Division 3AA champions)
Top players: The Highlanders return key players from last year’s championship team, including junior guard Acen Jimenez, who was a San Gabriel Valley second team all-Area selection and Freeway League MVP. Senior forward Jaedon Anderson also returns after being named a Freeway League first team selection and All-SGV third-team pick. Senior Sebastian Esparza was a key shooter during their title run. Senior forward/center Vai Fetuli is also back along with durable forward Christian Howlin.
Noteworthy: The Highlanders lost one of their best players in guard Grayson Sinek, who was the Division 3AA player of the year. He transferred to JSerra, but the Highlanders still have a lot back.
4. PASADENA
2023-24 record: 25-4 (lost in second round of CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs)
Top players: The Bulldogs bring back 11 players, headlined by 6-foot senior guard Desmond Every, an All-Pacific League first team pick and All-San Gabriel Valley second-team selection. The player everyone is raving about is 6-foot-11 sophomore Josh Erving, who coach Tony Brooks said has made the most improvement in one season than any player he’s ever coached. Senior forward Brandin Carpenter returns after earning first-team Pacific League honors.
Noteworthy: The Bulldogs look like the Pacific League favorites, though Arcadia is not far back. They have a strong group back and the improved play of Erving, with his size, will be key.
5. ARCADIA
2023-24 record: 21-10 (lost in second round of CIF-SS Division 3AA playoffs)
Top players: The Apaches have a trio of juniors who should shoulder the load. It starts with 6-foot-7 wing Mateo Ingersoll, who was a Pacific League honorable mention last season, and combo guard Noah Eteuati Edwards, a second team all-league selection who averaged 10 points and six rebounds. Tyrese Butler is a 6-3 wing expected to pick up the scoring pace.
Noteworthy: Two freshmen who should help are Wallace’s son, point guard Nick Wallace Jr., and 6-foot-7 freshman Owen Eteuati Edwards. The Apaches are long and athletic and will challenge for the Pacific League title.
6. ST. FRANCIS
2023-24 record: 20-11 (lost in second round of CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs)
Top players: Junior guard DeLan Grant is a returning SGV All-Area selection. He averaged 14 points a year ago. The Golden Knights also return senior forward Joe Hickey, who averaged 10 points. Senior forward Aaron Matthews returns after missing last season with a torn ACL and seniors Noah Henry and Dyllen Domingo will get lots of opportunities on a squad that will need contributions from everyone.
Noteworthy: Coach Todd Wolfson is one of the best coaches in CIF-SS and the Golden Knights have plenty of talent to be among the best in the SGV.
7. BLAIR
2023-24 record: 15-12 (lost in second round of CIF-SS Division 3A playoffs)
Top players: Vikings junior Tim Anderson won a championship as a freshman and averaged 33 points with eight assists last season to earn All-SGV first-team honors and was a Rio Hondo League first team pick. Junior forward Sam Deme should be a double-double machine and senior Tarynce Price is back after averaging 12 points and nine rebounds.
Noteworthy: Coach Devon Richardson believes this could be the best Vikings team he has had, partly because it has more depth than in years past.
8. ST. PAUL
2023-24 record: 9-19 (missed the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs)
Top players: The Swordsmen return last year’s leading scorer, junior William Bryson, who averaged 19.6 points, along with senior Tong Mawein, who averaged 15 points. They also bring back Osami Macei, who averaged 15 points. Junior Corrian Bonan and seniors Derek Samano and Mark Flores will also play key roles. Coach Patrick Roy said they also have two international players who will check in this week and he expects them to be a big help.
Noteworthy: St. Paul’s record last season was due to a very difficult schedule, but in terms of talent, it was among the SGV’s top teams.
9. GLENDORA
2023-24 record: 21-8 (lost in first round of CIF-SS Division 2A playoffs)
Top players: The Tartans return one of the area’s best forwards in 6-foot-5 Colton Gray, who averaged 16 points, seven rebounds. Gray was a San Gabriel Valley first-team All-Area pick and Division 2A first team pick. They also bring back junior Max Hilgenfeldt, who was second-team all-league and averaged eight points, and senior guard Sebastian Demano, a second-team all-league selection who averaged seven points. Senior Vincent Montalbo will play a bigger role this season.
Noteworthy: Freshman Cameron “CJ” Murray Jr., the son of former Glendora standout Cameron Murray, checked into the school a month ago and will be one to watch. The Tartans have a good mix of experience and youth.
10. BONITA
2023-24 record: 20-7 (lost in second round of Division 3AA playoffs)
Top players: The Bearcats have two All-Palomares League selections returning in senior guard Hunter Smith, who averaged 10 points last season, and senior forward Andrew Sanchez, who averaged 9 points and 8 rebounds. Junior James Kim is back after averaging eight points. Senior forward Sam Kolody and junior forward Beau Rudometkin give them depth.
Noteworthy: Coach Tim Godley likes his team’s chances in a revamped Palomares League that includes Walnut, Ayala, Glendora, Diamond Bar and Claremont.
—Fred Robledo
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