NorCal Issue 173, Nov. 24., 2019 by Sport Stars Magazine

BAY AREA EDITION NOV. 24, 2019 VOL. 10 ISSUE 173

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hen you cover high school sports for a living, there’s never a more exhausting time than November. That’s when the worlds of football and basketball come crashing together. And oh yeah, postseasons for girls volleyball, water polo, cross country, girls golf and girls tennis. Wrestling and soccer aren’t far behind, either. While it’s all happening out there, we still made time to crank out our 10th annual Basketball Preview special edition. We’ve got more than 25 pages of hoops coverage between our Bay Area and Sac-Joaquin editions. You’ll find four different features along with 30 of the top boys and girls players and 40 of the top teams. There’s even more at SportStarsMag.com as our NorCal Preseason Rankings are expanded to a Top 25 for both boys and girls, featuring comments for all 25 teams. SportStarsMag.com is going to be the place to be for all that aforementioned fall postseason coverage, too. We’ll have features from the football and volleyball postseasons, as well as updates and stories on water polo and cross country as well.

THE BIG 10 BEGINS

As if we didn’t have enough going on this month, we’ll also be beginning our Big 10 Project — a 10-month celebration of SportStars’ first decade covering NorCal Sports. The Big 10 will be a series of lists ranking the top 10 teams and individuals from the past decade across several sports. The first Big 10 Ranking will debut during the last week of November. We’ll also open our first fan vote of the project, featuring girls volleyball. As we near the start of this project, I want to put an open call out to coaches and fans to send in Big 10 nominations for any of the fall sports (football, girls volleyball, boys and girls water polo, boys and girls cross country, girls golf or girls tennis). We’ll be doing our own research, but it would be great to hear suggestions. Do you believe you coached, or coached against, an athlete or team you felt should be considered among NorCal’s best of the decade? Please email me at editor@sportstarsmag.com and let me know your thoughts. We’ll put a call out for the winter Big 10 nominations in mid-February. Which, of course, is just about the time that our sporting worlds clash again as spring invades the winter. But we’ll be ready. In the meantime, enjoy this welcome to the new hoops season. Perhaps as you wait for kickoff to one of Friday’s big playoff games. ✪

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Read Me. Recycle Me.

alden standley SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL-S.F. - VOLLEYBALL - SENIOR They say it’s hard to beat a good team three times. Try five! Standley delivered 44 assists and added eight digs on Nov. 9 as she and her Fightin’ Irish teammates defeated Archbishop Mitty-San Jose for the fifth time in 2019 — and claimed the Central Coast Section Open Division title. Sacred Heart Cathedral topped the Monarchs in straights sets, 25-23, 25-21 and 25-15. Standley, who is likely to eclipse 1,200 assists and 300 digs on the season, is committed to Washington University of St. Louis. The CCS title was the Irish’s eighth under legendary coach Margi Biema. They entered the CIF NorCal Open Division playoffs as the No. 2 seed behind top-seeded Marin Catholic-Kentfield.

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Send your nominations to: Editor@SportStarsOnline.com or tweet us using #SSOTW

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ll coaches are different, and while philosophical differences some times come into play, parental concerns around coaching start at the most basic level: Is my child safe in his or her care? It’s a question the USA Volleyball and the NCVA take very seriously. General info about NCVA’s background checks usually amount to this line from the USAV Parent Guide: “Every adult over the age of 18 working with USAV juniors has a comprehensive background check performed biannually.” But what information — social security verification, address search, county courthouse and/or statewide search, national database and sex offender registry search — disqualifies a potential coach? The following automatic disqualifiers are listed in the USAV Screening Policy: All sex offenses and homicides, regardless of time limit; felony violence and felony drug offenses in the past 10 years; any misdemeanor violence offenses in the past seven years; any multiple misdemeanor drug and alcohol offenses within the past seven years; or any other crimes (not listed) against children in the past seven years. Furthermore, individuals found to have pending court cases for any disqualifying offenses will be disqualified. If the disposition of the pending case does not meet the criteria for disqualification as listed above, the individual would be cleared and reinstated. But how are crimes collected? Are these background checks effective to filter out people unfit to work with minors? Who performs

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these background checks for NCVA? The answer is Southeast Security Consultants, Inc. SSCI’s motto is ‘Information is protection.’ Committed to finding the best methods for accurate and complete data, they also seek the cost of its absence. SSCI found in a 2016 case study by Randy Rodebaugh found other companies offer national database-only searches to screen applicants as a cost-cutter for volunteer-driven organizations. As a result, 23 of the 56 individuals disqualified by SCCI throughout the 2015-16 screening period would have slipped through the cracks using only a database search. Pending cases will not appear on a national database, another reason courthouse investigations are imperative. “We choose SSCI for their comprehensive background checks that include local and statewide search,” NCVA CEO Donna Donaghy said. “We feel it is imperative to use the best services out there as the first line of defense to minimize safety risks for our players and community.” Unfortunately, some offenders may not have a criminal record, breaching this defense; so it is the community’s responsibility to help ensure the safety of players. In addition to background checks, USA Volleyball’s SafeSport program is a collection of specific policies, training, supervision and grassroots feedback to help ensure the community identifies and reports abuse. SafeSport also helps coaches be self-aware to not commit misconduct, clearly defining standards for them to conduct themselves. SafeSport policies define sexual, physical and emotional misconduct; bullying, threats, harassment and hazing to provide a comprehensive picture of abuse, and how to identify as well as report it. USA Volleyball provides training on these issues. “It is important to be able to coach the game and recognize issues on the court, but it is equally important for coaches to address situations off the court,” Aftershock Volleyball Club Director Craig Hardesty said. “SafeSport training allows them to do that properly.” Additionally, the SafeSport Handbook has two proactive policies to reduce risk of abuse: The Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy and Travel Policy. If a club does not develop its own policy, these policies become their default. For example, the Communications Policy limits all electronic correspondence topics between adults and minors to team activities, and all content must be readily available to the public, ensuring transparency. Plus, minors must copy or include their parents in all electronic correspondence. This multifaceted approach ensures coaches and the community actively create an environment that deeply minimizes abuse and maintains professionalism. We owe our children a life free of violence; together, it is possible through active diligence. ✪ — Kim Lampi for NCVA Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, like us on Facebook!

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Left to right, Sophie Nilsson, Makena Mastora, Talana Lepolo and Malia Mastora

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Sisters Makena Mastora, left, and Malia e’ve all been there: Ms. Grunion’s English class, and it’s time to write a book report. Ms. Grunion, who settles for no nonsense, wants a theme. You know, with a topic sentence that states the theme, three supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Of course, you hated the book. It was probably “The Scarlet Letter” or something equally boring, and it was hard enough to slog through the Cliff Notes, much less actually read every page and come up with some kind of theme that would keep Ms. Grun-

ion off your back. Satisfying Ms. Grunion with a report on the St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda girls basketball team isn’t likely to require a long time searching for a theme. In fact, that theme wouldn’t even require a sentence — it’s just one word, but it runs through the entire program like the Pilots’ fast break running through a hapless opponent for yet another uncontested layup. The word? Competitive. Let’s start with coach Shawn Hipol, now in his sixth year at St. Joseph Notre Dame. He was a point guard at Alameda High back in the day, and one guy he had to guard twice a year was a guy who’s only in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Jason Kidd. “There wasn’t much you could do,” recalls Hipol, but he eagerly looked forward to playing Kidd — who not incidentally went to St. Joseph Notre Dame. “To me, it was great to play them twice. As a competitor, that’s what you’re doing this for.” Hipol went on to play at Chico State, and it was a natural progression for him to get into coaching. “As a point guard, you’re always helping guys at other positions,” he said. “You’ve got to know everything – and

Story by Clay Kallam Phots by berry evans iii 10

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Sophie Nilsson

you’re used to team dynamics.” He started out coaching freshman boys at Alameda, but when Felix Douglas asked him to help out with the Skyline-Oakland girls, he decided to give it a shot. “I went there to help my old coach,” he said. “I didn’t plan on staying — but then one year turned into 15. “I didn’t know what to expect coaching girls but I found they are so coachable,” he said. “They’re like sponges. Maybe they play below the rim, but these kids listen and they are committed.” When Douglas stepped down, Hipol took over as the head coach and went 95-46 in five years there, but then there was an opening at St. Joseph Notre Dame. “St. Joe’s was always the flagship school,” he said, especially for a guy from the Island. “An opportunity to coach there doesn’t come around very often.” But the program had hit a lull, with a .500 record in its prior two seasons, so immediate expectations were not that great. Hipol, though, is too much of a competitor to accept anything less than high-level success. He hit the ground running. St. Joseph Notre Dame made it to the North Coast Section Division V finals in his first season — and amazingly, has played in an NCS final every year he’s been at the school. Along the way, the Pilots have won two NCS championships, in Division IV and Division V, and reached the NorCal finals twice (losing to Eastside Prep-East Palo Alto both times). “A state championship has been our goal every year,” said senior guard Malia Mastora. “Coach Hip has held us to a high standard all four years I’ve been here.”

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That first season, two years before Mastora arrived, St. Joseph Notre Dame went 21-13. Since then, the record is 105-28. And sure, there’s talent at the school, but Hipol has put in more than his fair share of sweat equity. “He works so hard for us,” said Mastora, “and he’s proven he’s serious — so we have to work hard and show how serious we are.” And that hard work gets noticed by other coaches. “His preparation for an opponent is excellent,” said Steve Pezzola of Salesian-Richmond. “He’s able to get his team to execute great game plans.” But note the word “execute.” There are a lot of coaches who can draw up great plays and fancy defenses, but when it comes time for the players to make them work, too many times there’s a big gap between the vision and the execution. “We learn how to make decisions at crunch time,” said Mastora. “We’re confident we can do what we need to get done.” And everyone involved in the program is expecting a lot to get done this year. Even though two starters graduated — both of whom will play in college — there are 10 returners, including Sophie Nilsson, who missed last year with a torn ACL. Mastora and her sister Mykena, a junior, are expected to start, along with another sister act, Maila and Talana Lepolo. And though all of the starters are expected to be college players, the most highly regarded prospect is sophomore guard Talana Lepolo, who’s already being recruited by Power 5 schools. “It’s going to be amazing to watch her grow,” said Mastora, but she’s also excited about the return of Nilsson. “It’s great for us to have another versatile player,” said Mastora about the 6-0 Nilsson, who can shoot 3s but also gives the Pilots some size and rebounding — which they’ll need against a competitive (there’s that word again, Ms. Grunion) schedule. And in the brave new world of postseason basketball, Hipol knows he’s taking a risk by scheduling teams like St. Mary’s-Stockton and playing in the top bracket of the West Coast Jamboree against nationally ranked teams like Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth and Mater Dei-Santa Ana. “It could affect our seeding,” Hipol said, but just like his time playing against Jason Kidd, he’s up for the challenge. He’s also up for the challenge of the NCS Open Division, which he favors. He’s also OK with the state’s move to competitive equity placement, which put 400-student St. Joseph Notre Dame in the CIF NorCal Open Division last year against the biggest and best schools in this part of the state. So what will the team that has to play that schedule, and live up to all the expectations, look like? “You’re going to see kids that are ultra-competitive,” he said, “and you’ll be able to feel it in the stands.” And you’ll see it on the scoreboard as well. ✪

Talana Lepolo

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1. ARCHBISHOP MITTY-SAN JOSE (25-3)

Yes, it’s a cliché, but Archbishop Mitty does not rebuild — it just reloads. Usually, losing the top player in the nation to Stanford (Haley Jones), the top returner (Hunter Hernandez) to an ACL, and the third-leading scorer (Anna McNicholas, along with three other seniors) to graduation means a serious step back. But Sue Phillips has at least five Division I players and a program built to just keep on keepin’ on.

2. ST. JOSEPH NOTRE DAME-ALAMEDA (22-8) Shawn Hipol has taken the Pilots to five NCS title games in his five years there, and even though two starters graduated, the 10 returners — including Sophie Nilsson, who missed last year with an ACL— are more than enough to keep St. Joseph Notre Dame in the hunt for a third NCS championship.

3. ST. MARY’S-STOCKTON (22-9)

Led by 6-2 Amaya Oliver, the famed and ferocious St. Mary’s press will destroy the masses and worry the elite. The mix of experience (four seniors) and young talent (watch out for those freshman guards) will keep the Rams in the mix for the NorCal Open title. And St. Mary’s, as usual, will play one of the toughest out-of-area schedules around.

4. BISHOP O’DOWD-OAKLAND (24-10)

Malik McCord, like Sue Phillips at Archbishop Mitty, never seems to be fazed by the gaps left by graduation. Even though some key components have moved on, Amaya Bonner and Kennedy Johnson anchor yet another loaded O’Dowd roster. Plus, don’t worry about early losses — McCord designs his schedule to test the Dragons so they’ll play better in the postseason.

Archbishop Mitty’s Ashley Hiraki

5. MIRAMONTE-ORINDA (28-4)

The Matadors haven’t been able to get past Bishop O’Dowd the last two years, but with athletic junior Mia Mastrov and sharpshooters Erin Tarasow and Becca Welsh, Miramonte’s high-octane offense may have enough firepower to get the job done this time around. But rebounding will be an issue.

6. HERITAGE-BRENTWOOD (26-5)

When do-everything guard Jordan Sweeney graduated, it looked like Heritage’s home in the top 10 had been repossessed, but Milan Tuttle transferred from Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. Now the interior sister act of Amanda and Abigail Muse has someone to get them the ball.

7. CARDINAL NEWMAN-SANTA ROSA (24-5)

Any roster that starts with Anya Choice is going to be prime, and that 75-game North Bay League winning streak is likely to just keep on growing. There might be more challenges this year with a somewhat thinner roster, but Monica Mertle has won 162 games in the last six seasons, so odds are she’ll figure it all out.

8. ANTELOPE (31-4)

Thirty-one wins is a whole lot of wins, and with Jzaniya Harriel back to run the show, don’t expect much dropoff from Sean Chambers’s group. The schedule is daunting, though, with four tournaments — including one of the top brackets in the West Coast Jamboree — plus a couple of showcases. Still, Antelope will roll into postseason battle-tested and ready to do damage.

9. SALESIAN-RICHMOND (25-8)

Graduation hit hard in Richmond, as four of the top scorers and four of the top five rebounders have moved on, but the cupboard is far from bare. Juniors Amira Brown and Alexsandra Alvarado are ready for bigger roles, and senior Daylee Dunn is looking to have a breakout season.

10. PINEWOOD-LOS ALTOS HILLS (27-4)

There are those who will say this ranking is a gift, just another example of rounding up the usual suspects. However, those who have underestimated Doc Scheppler over the years wind up with egg on their faces and losses on their ledger. Courtni Thompson will lead the way for a small but dangerous lineup that won’t back down from anyone. 11. San Ramon Valley-Danville (26-5)

16. Sacred Heart Cathedral-SF (9-13)

12. Folsom (21-7)

17. West Campus-Sacramento (16-15)

13. Menlo School-Atherton (26-5)

18. Sacramento (25-8)

14. Oakland Tech (30-6)

19. California-San Ramon (22-6)

15. Valley Christian-San Jose (17-10)

20. Aptos (23-7)

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Anya Choice

First Team AMAYA BONNER

Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland / G / 5-11 / So. 2019 Averages: 12.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 spg Biggest Weapon: For Bonner, it isn’t “weapon,” it’s “weapons” — she can shoot, score, rebound, defend and run the offense (and she’s just a sophomore). From The Opposing Bench: “Amaya doesn’t need many shots to make a huge impact because she can change a game with her defense, rebounding and ball-handling as well as scoring. Her ability to defend at an elite level and play multiple positions, including point guard, makes her one of the best in her class, not just locally but nationally.” — Kelly Sopak, Miramonte-Orinda coach

ANYA CHOICE

CARDINAL NEWMAN-SANTA ROSA / G / 5-8 / SR. 2019 Averages: 22.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.3 spg Biggest Weapon: As with most of the first-team players, Choice can do pretty much everything, but her ability to get to the rim sets her apart. From The Opposing Bench: “She has a unique variety of moves, and when you combine that with her strength and quickness, it makes it really difficult to stay in front of her.” — Mike Wright, Ukiah coach

JZANIYA HARRIEL

ANTELOPE / G / 5-10 / JR. 2019 Averages: 23.4 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.9 spg Biggest Weapon: At 5-9, Harriel’s ability to affect the outcome as a rebounder is exceptional, but the 23.4 points a game isn’t a bad weapon, either. From The Opposing Bench: “She’s competitive and hates to lose. She has deep range and can attack the rim, and causes you to change your defense.” — Michele Massari, Sacramento coach

MIA MASTROV

MIRAMONTE-ORINDA / G / 5-11 / JR. 2019 Averages: 15.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg Biggest Weapon: Mastrov’s length, flexibility and footwork allow her to find paths to the basket that most cannot see. But if they sag off too much, the lefty will bury a 3. From The Opposing Bench: “From the first time I saw Mia play, I could tell she was a competitor. Mia comes to play and can kill you with the 3 or get to the basket with her quick first step and finish with either hand. She has continued to get better each year.” — Malik McCord, Bishop O’Dowd coach

TAMEIYA SADLER

ST. PATRICK ST. VINCENT-VALLEJO / G / 5-8 / SR. 2019 Averages: 17.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 7.6 apg, 5.7 spg, 1.2 bpg Biggest Weapon: Versatility — when a 5-8 guard averages 10.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks (to go along with 17.4 points, 7.6 assists and 5.7 steals), that gives you an idea of just how well-rounded her game is. From The Opposing Bench: “Tameiya has great court vision and an uncanny ability to split defenders and get to the basket. She is surprisingly quick and extremely strong with great handles and lateral movement. She is a player who can put her team on her back.” — Steve Pezzola, Salesian-Richmond coach

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Mia Mastrov

Mya Blake

second Team KENNEDY JOHNSON

Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland /Forward / 6-0 / Jr. Johnson averaged 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds for the North Coast Section champs.

MARLEY LANGI

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose / Wing / 6-0 / Jr. Don’t scout the stat line for Langi, who missed a lot of last season with an injury — she’s a coveted recruit for the top preseason team in Northern California.

MALIA MASTORA

St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda / Guard / 5-10 / Sr. A quiet dynamo for St. Joseph Notre Dame, Mastora just does what’s needed to be done, from scoring (14.8 ppg) to defending to blocking shots (1.8 per game).

ABIGAIL MUSE

Heritage-Brentwood / Post / 6-3 / Sr. Muse averaged a double-double, and blocked 148 shots to anchor the Heritage defense.

AMAYA OLIVER

St. Mary’s-Stockton / Wing / 6-2 / Sr. Oliver’s elite athleticism elevates St. Mary’s press into horror-movie status — and she can score.

third Team MYA BLAKE

Edison-Stockton / Guard / 5-4 / Jr. The diminutive Blake transferred to Edison from Bear Creek-Stockton, but her 20.4 ppg and disruptive defense won’t get lost in the translation.

AVERY LEE

Menlo School-Atherton / Guard / 5-8 / Jr. Lee is the engine for emerging power Menlo, with 16.9 points, 3.8 assists and 3.2 steals a game.

TALANA LEPOLO

St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda / Guard / 5-6 / So. Another player whose 2018-19 stats don’t tell much of the story. Lepolo is already high on the list of Pac-12 must-have recruits.

GABBY RONES

West Campus-Sacramento / Guard / Sr. Shooters gonna shoot and scorers gonna score, and Gabby Rones qualifies on both counts (36 percent on 250 3-pointers en route to 22.7 ppg).

BRIA SHINE

Christian Brothers-Sacramento / Wing / 6-0 / Sr. Shine averaged a double-double last year but the most impressive stat was the 101 deflected passes in her 31 games. ✪

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November 24, 2019

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fter winning a state basketball championship, coaches and players are apt to reflect on all the hard work that led to earning the high school game’s ultimate prize. That’s something Campolindo High believes in, and now it’s time to try to do it again. And not forget what it takes. “We have to play harder than the other team,” said Steven Dyer, embarking on his fourth season as Campolindo’s coach. “I think we did that a lot of times last year. We beat teams that were definitely more talented than us. The challenge now is we have a lot of talent, can we continue that mindset of being the team that needs to play harder?” That approach will be crucial from the get-go as Campolindo moves forward after finishing 27-7 and winning the program’s first boys state title in March. The Cougars play Archbishop Mitty-San Jose on Nov. 30 as part of the 13th annual NorCal Tip Off Classic at Newark Memorial High. They will be among steep competition in the Russ Peterich, Gridley and Modesto Christian tournaments. They’ll meet Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland as part of the 23rd annual MLK Classic on Jan. 20 at Saint Mary’s College. And they will do battle in the competitive Diablo Foothill League. The talent is there and that strong schedule should get them primed. But don’t mention the word “state” right now. “We can’t be looking at the end result of a state championship now,” senior guard Carter Mahaney said. “We have 27 games to get (to the playoffs) and we first are focused on Mitty on Nov. 30. One game at a time.” Carter forms an extra-potent guard combo with his brother, Aidan, the Cal-Hi Sports State Freshman of the Year a season ago. Carter’s 13.2 points per game and crunch-time heroics were a huge part of the championship run, as were Aidan’s 15.8 scoring average and his 81 3-pointers, fifth-best in the North Coast Section according to Maxpreps.com. But the Cougars move on without graduated guard David Ahazie, whose 16.5 points per game and defensive and leadership skills were so significant. “It’s going to be tough for us; he was our best defender, our best leader,” Dyer said. “He was the kind of guy who set the tone in practice every day. So there are people who are going to automatically think we are going to be as good or better, but they don’t factor in how good David was.” Junior forward Emmanuel Callas said: “If you went into a game and you weren’t ready, you looked at how hard he was playing and it made you play harder.” Now the leadership mantle falls to Carter Mahaney for his fourth and final season at Campolindo. He has learned the importance of digging deep and finding ways to win in tough circumstances. “It’s always easy when your shots are falling and the team is playing well,” he said. “There are so many times when the team’s not going to play well and shots are not going to fall and you just have to find ways to get it done.” Having committed to Northern Arizona in September, Mahaney is able to sign a national letter of intent before high school game action begins. He’s happy to put that decision to rest. And his teammates are pleased to see him reap the rewards for his talent and hard work. “He’s been a good leader and a good role model,” Callas said. “It’s good to see a guy who works on his game and he’s got good leadership qualities, which I look up to. It’s just good to see him succeed. There were times in the playoffs I’d get confused and ask Carter about something, and he reminded me of stuff I should do.” With Ahazie gone, Carter Mahaney will fully engage in that role. “He’s going to have to pick up the slack there,” Dyer said. “And we have seniors like Peter O’Donnell and Rex Curtiss who will probably also help with that. That’s one of the biggest things we have to figure out with this team: Who is going to be the tone-setter and the leader.” Callas missed the first half of last season because of inflammation related to Osgood-Schlatter disease (an inflamation of the knee ligament). He came on strong in the postseason, playing a major part in the 55-40 CIF Division II state championship win over Colony-Ontario with 19 points and nine rebounds. “Emmanuel Callas will be one of the guys for sure,” Dyer said. “We’re looking to replace David’s production. (Callas) was injured for the first half of last season and then he really came on at the end last year.” Sophomore Matt Radell is another key part of the equation. The 6-foot-6 Radell led the Cougars in rebounds (180) and blocked shots (21) in his first season. Campolindo has long been home for Dyer, who graduated from there in 2007 after playing on an NCS championship team as a junior. He was an assistant and JV head coach at rival Miramonte-Orinda before the Cougars head coaching job opened before the 2016-17 season. Both of Dyer’s first two teams also made it to the NorCal playoffs, but each suffered painfully close defeats.

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November 24, 2019

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Emmanuel Callas

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Aidan Mahaney November 24, 2019

SportStars™

In 2017, Campolindo lost 70-66 in overtime to Vista Del Lago-Folsom in the NorCal Division III quarterfinals. The next year, the Cougars fell 67-65 to St. Mary’s-Stockton in the Division II regional semifinals. Those losses were motivation and reinforcement in their run last season. “Everyone coming back kept that in the back of their mind,” Carter Mahaney said. “How quickly a game can change and how important each play was, not just in the last part of the game but in the first half, the third quarter, every defensive stop, every single play, and how huge it is.” Last season, it was Campolindo on the winning side of so many close games. There was a 70-68 overtime win over St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo in the NCS Div. III semifinals. And after a 64-53 loss to Salesian-Richmond in the NCS finals, the thrills continued with a 74-72 overtime defeat of Sacramento High in the NorCal quarterfinals and a 53-51 NorCal semifinal victory over Grant-Sacramento. “We were down by five with a minute left to Sacramento; we could have easily lost that game,” Carter Mahaney said. “I think Aidan made a 3 and we got back in the game. And then we pulled it off in overtime. That shows you how every play means something … We could have easily lost and then no one would have heard of us. But we found a way to get it done.” After getting it done against Serra-San Mateo 59-38 in the NorCal finals, and Colony in the state finals, the new season brings a fresh set of big challenges right away: the Tip Off Classic game with Mitty and the trio of tournaments. It was at the El Cerrito tournament last year when the Cougars were battling through a 4-3 start and a rash of injuries. That’s when Aidan Mahaney said he and his team found their identity. “Carter and David were injured during that tournament for two of those games, and we were without Emmanuel,” Aidan Mahaney said. “Those two games our three big scorers were out, so I had to step up, and I played pretty well and my confidence started getting going. And from there, I never really looked back as being a lesser option to score. I just wanted to do what I could and play like I knew how I could play.” Having roles fully formed and a healthy lineup will be key this season, since each opponent will be motivated to knock off NorCal’s only defending boys state champion. “I hope I will be able to help everyone get ready for every game, because every team is going to come out like it’s their state championship,” Aidan Mahaney said. “Knowing that we have a target on our back, we’ll be going harder than we ever have. Because every game is going to be a grind.” ✪

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November 24, 2019

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Photo by David Gershon

Steven Dyer holds up Campolindo’s state championship trophy last March.

1. SHELDON-SACRAMENTO (24-11)

With back-to-back CIF Northern California Open Division titles and SportStars’ reigning NorCal Player of the Year Marcus Bagley returning to the starting lineup, the Huskies are a pretty easy choice to open the year at No. 1. There’s much more returning to the floor than just the Arizona State-bound Bagley. Senior guards Xavion Brown and Xavier Brown are both back, as are senior posts Pierce Davis and Darren Tobias. Junior point guard Yaru Harvey will be one to watch, too.

2. SALESIAN-RICHMOND (31-1)

The Pride was 31-0 when its season ended in a CIF Open Division semifinal loss to Modesto Christian. The doggedly consistent McClanahan Twins (Jaden and Jovan) graduated, but almost the entire rest of the roster returns. That includes last season’s leading scorer, Shane Bell, along with fellow seniors Tyler Brinkman and Tejon Sawyer. Junior Demarshay Johnson Jr, sophomore Austin Johnson and freshman Courtney Anderson Jr. will all have impacts as well.

3. ARCHBISHOP MITTY-SAN JOSE (18-9)

Last season’s West Catholic Athletic League Player of the Year, Devan Sapp, moved to the East Coast. However, the Monarchs may still boast the best true backcourt in the Bay Area with senior Marcus Greene and Pepperdine-bound junior Mike Mitchell. Sapp’s exit will also be softened by incoming Stuart Hall-S.F. transfer Nigel Burris.

4. WESTON RANCH-STOCKTON (31-2)

Last year’s coming out party looks like it may have been just a warm-up for Cougars. Senior All-NorCal first-teamer Gavin Wilburn combines with juniors Donjae Lindsey and Mi’Son Coilton to comprise a daunting triple threat. The team also gains more inside firepower with the arrival of 6-foot-6 San Leandro transfer Jordahn Johnson.

5. DE LA SALLE-CONCORD (29-4)

While the Spartans are going to need to fill the leadership void left by graduating seniors Thomas Gregorios and Tim Kostolansky, there’s no shortage of talent remaining on the roster. The Spartans have one of the best young tandems in all of NorCal with sophomore wings Chris Bunch and Jeremiah Dargan.

6. RIORDAN-SAN FRANCISCO (18-9)

Cousins Bryce Monroe (Sam Houston State commit) and Jelani Clark are back as one of the Bay’s top scoring duos. The tandem’s supporting cast is a formidable one, featuring a massive frontcourt of 6-9 senior Riiny Riiny and 7-foot sophomore transfer Mor Seck.

7. MODESTO CHRISTIAN (26-9)

Injuries and eligibility rulings have clouded the outlook of last season’s NorCal Open Division runners-up. However, bet against this team at your own peril. Floor-leader Michael Pearson returns along with CSU Northridge-bound Alex Merkviladze, Stanislaus State commit Baljot Sahi and junior transfer Jaden Phillips (16.8 ppg with Foothill-Bakersfield).

8. BISHOP O’DOWD-OAKLAND (23-9)

Cal-bound senior forward Monty Bowser will lead the Dragons after a breakout summer. He’ll get help from junior wing Marsalis Robinson and much-heralded 6-8 freshman Jalen Lewis.

9. CAPITAL CHRISTIAN-SACRAMENTO (17-13)

New coach Matt Filer inherits a loaded roster with 6-4 senior wing Evan Johnson, a trio of talented junior guards — Caden Lewis, Sione Lose and Jonah Alvarez — and sophomore standouts James Freeman and Darrion Williams.

10. CAMPOLINDO-MORAGA (27-7)

NorCal’s lone defending boys state champions (Div. II) return nearly everybody. The Mahaney brothers, senior Carter and sophomore Aidan, will lead an extremely deep and cagy Cougars roster.

Sheldon’s Darren Tobias 11. Dublin (25-6)

16. Grant-Sacramento (26-8)

13. Vanden-Fairfield (20-9)

18. St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo

12. Bellarmine-San Jose (20-8) 14. Dougherty Valley-San Ramon (19-9) 15. Folsom (26-7)

17. Jesuit-Carmichael (21-9) (20-12)

19. Franklin-Elk Grove (19-10) 20. Rocklin (26-7)

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November 24, 2019

SportStars™

First Team MARCUS BAGLEY

Sheldon-Sacramento / W / 6-4 / Sr. 2019 Averages: 19.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2 assists Biggest Weapon: His strength. The Arizona State commit can score from anywhere on the floor, but when he puts his head down and heads to the paint, there are few defenders who can divert him. And if they resort to a foul, Bagley can typically finish anyway for the ‘and-1’. From the Opposing Bench: “He can shoot it, he can go down to the post, he can jump. He’s big and strong, so it takes a team effort to defend him” — Tim Kelly, JesuitCarmichael coach

DISHON JACKSON

St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo / C / 6-10 / Sr. 2019 Averages: 15 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3 blocks Biggest Weapon: He’s more than his size. He can dominate on the block and protect the rim with the best of them, but Jackson can also step out and sink a jumper. He’s holding offers from both Arizona and Cal. From the Opposing Bench: “He’s a game-changer. He blocks shots and he’s tough to guard. He can step out and make a jumper and he’s also really good from the free-throw line, so you can’t do the hack-a-Shaq approach.” — Bill Mellis, Salesian-Richmond coach

MIKE MITCHELL

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose / G / 6-2 / Jr. 2019 Averages: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.5 steals Biggest Weapon: His first step. The PepperMarcus Bagley dine commit is a proven scorer and strong on-ball defender, due in great part to his quickness. He can take a defender off the dribble, pull a step-back 3, and play suffocating defense. From the Opposing Bench: “Many of the best players in our league excel offensively, but this young man excels on both ends of the floor. That’s what separates him.” — Mark DeLuca, Valley Christian-San Jose coach

ISA SILVA

Jesuit-Carmichael / G / 6-3 / Jr. 2019 Averages: 21.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2 steals Biggest Weapon: Elusiveness. His ability to shake defenders led one evaluator to call him “a magician.” After leading Jesuit in scoring as a sophomore a year ago, Silva holds several offers, including Xavier, Arizona, Vanderbilt and Stanford. From the Opposing Bench: “Isa is a problem for sure. He’s a great ball handler, so you can’t gamble too much. He’s crafty with his finishes so it also makes it hard for defenders to block his shot. That’s how I’d describe his game; just crafty.” — Marcus Bagley, Sheldon-Sacramento All-NorCal wing

GAVIN WILBURN

Weston Ranch-Stockton / F / 6-4 / Sr. 2019 Averages: 11.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals Biggest Weapon: Versatility. Cougars coach Chris Teevan can maximize his talented and deep rotation because Wilburn can play and make an impact at whatever position he’s needed. Pure and simple, Wilburn will be an x-factor for a dangerous, experienced group. From the Opposing Bench: ““He’s one of those guys we thought we had figured out, and then he did the things that we thought he couldn’t do. ... He was just a nightmare to prepare for.” — Brett Lewis, former Manteca coach

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November 24, 2019

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second Team ROBBY BEASLEY

Dougherty Valley-San Ramon / W / 6-2 / Sr. After three years at Dublin, the Montana commit has a chance to be a difference-maker for the Wildcats following his family’s move to San Ramon.

MONTY BOWSER

Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland / F / 6-5 / Sr. After a breakout summer, Bowser became new Cal coach Mark Fox’s first commit in early October.

NIGEL BURRIS

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose / W / 6-4 / Jr. The versatile Burris will be out to prove he can hang against big school talent after starring at the smaller Stuart Hall-S.F. his first two years.

AIDAN MAHANEY

Aidan Mahaney

Campolindo-Moraga / W / 6-3 / So. Last year’s Cal-Hi Sports State Freshman of the Year was arguably the best all-around player for the state-champion Cougars.

BRYCE MONROE

Riordan-S.F. / G / 5-11 / Sr. The Sam Houston State-bound Monroe was the Crusaders’ leading scorer as a junior, averaging 17.7 per game to go with 4.3 assists.

third Team SHANE BELL

Salesian-Richmond / W / 6-3 / Sr. Bell will enter the season bristling with confidence after finishing his junior year as the leading scorer for the 31-win Pride.

JELANI CLARK

Riordan-S.F. / W / 6-3 / Sr. Clark does whatever the Crusaders need most from night to night. He averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Jelani Clark

TIEANO HARDEE

Vanden-Fairfield / F / 6-4 / Sr. A threat to score from anywhere, Hardee twice just missed setting Vanden’s singlegame scoring record (45) with efforts of 43 and 42.

MICHAEL PEARSON

Modesto Christian / G / 5-11 / Sr. Having already appeared in nearly 90 games for the Crusaders, Pearson will be the NorCal power’s unquestioned leader.

DAVION WRIGHT

Franklin-Elk Grove / G / 6-1 / So. He’s expected to make an even bigger impact this season after averaging 15 ppg as a freshman. ✪

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November 24, 2019

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November 24, 2019

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November 24, 2019

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