Full-Time Hoops Preseason Top 25, 11-25
11. La Jolla- Shooting Guard Reed Farley has blossomed into a special talent as a senior, and the supporting cast is solid. Charlie Gal will need to take the next step as a junior, and 6-6 sophomore Nathaniel Gates will need to fill a Pitrosfsky-type role in the interior
12. Mater Dei Catholic- The loss of Miles Norris hurts, but the Crusaders return almost everyone else from the Division 1 semifinalists, including junior forward Trey Anderson and seniors Cliff Kidd, Brandon Keyes and Jacob Viss. Junior Josh Tawhiao is a sleeper.
13. Orange Glen- The talented quartet that won a Division 4 title as freshman is all grown up. Michael Diaz, Devin Diaz, Trevor Owens and Gabe Macias comprise a formidable core, but the key to this season will be the emergence of junior point guard Damien Miller.
14. Kearny- Robby Robinson and Joseph Davis are the lone contributors back from the Division 1 title team, but watch out for senior Emmanuel Akot and junior transfer Brenton Bell (Point Loma).
15. El Camino- Jalen Flanagan will emerge as the leader of the new-look Wildcats, and senior forwards Trevor McFeely and DeVante Shepherd intriguing pieces. The Wildcats will need one of their younger players to emerge to rise the ranks. Freshman Logan Cremonesi is a future star.
16. LCC- The Mavs return all but one of their players from a rebuilding season, so this might be low for them. Graham Cook appears primed to be the next big star and the school’s first D1 prospect since the 2015 trio of Tommy McCarthy, Travis Fuller and Brady Twombly.
17. Rancho Bernardo- The loss of junior sharpshooter Knox Winkler for most of the nonconference will hurt, but senior
18. Patrick Henry- The most talented Patriots team in a while, look for Jahloni Mitchell, Josh Burton and junior transfer Christian Choice to lead the way.
19, Mission Bay- Don’t let the youth fool you. The sophomore quartet of Boogie Ellis, Ronnie Latting, Andre Scott and Jay Norton is a formidable core.
20. San Marcos- A rebuilding year is on the way for the Knights, after graduating Johnny McWilliams, Jason Simmrin and Mikey Howell. But the talent is there to keep them competitive, including junior marksman Kody Clouet, freshman stud Elijah Randall, and a 6-6, 6-5 and 6-6 front line.
21. Army Navy- Richard Polanco is one of the top prospects in the 2017 class and JC Canahuate is a capable junior floor general, but the Knights don’t possess a ton of depth.
22. Canyon Crest- Don’t sleep on the Ravens, who have shooters galore headlined by Ryan Michaels and junior Tyler Elsom, but the big surprise will be Torrey Pines transfer Jakob Travis.
23. West Hills- There might not be a more underrated backcourt duo than Cameron Barry and Marquell Cool, and the front court is long and tough, including Spencer Moyer, Nate Ball and Scott Bettoney.
24. Scripps Ranch- The Ranch returns five of its top 7 scorers from last year, including leading scorer Baturay Koyuncu, sophomore wing Michael Barcia and sharpshooter Sean Kelly. Glue guys Kyle Mullen and Matt Jewell will need to take next step.
25. San Ysidro- The Young Cougars could start three freshmen from Day 1, including a potential D1 point guard in Philix Kilbourne. Seniors Aaron Williams and Brandon Edwards are underrated utility wings. If 6-9 senior David Garcia rounds into form, watch out.
T-25. Coronado- The Islanders return each of their leading scorers from last year's .500 team, but the pieces are super underrated: Senior forward DJ Jackson is a rebounding machine, junior guard Myles Manning is a three-level scorer and sophomore Caden Gentry was on of the region's top freshman and a starter from Day 1. Islanders must overcome an anemic schedule.
Others receiving consideration: Morse, Oceanside, Westview, Mt. Miguel, Bonita Vista, Bishop's, Sweetwater
