A Season of Change - A FTH Summer Primer
- Aaron Burgin
- 3 days ago
- 14 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
It's summer scholastic hoops in San Diego, and the world of the summer is "change."
Players leaving. Players Transferring. Coaches moving.
It's been a lot to digest.
What will all of these changes mean for the landscape of San Diego hoops come November? I don't think anyone really knows, but June will give us at least some idea of where everything will shake out.
The tree shaking begins in earnest today, with most of the top teams in San Diego in action at SDSU for the second session of the Aztec Team Camp.
Here's a look at all of the comings and goings in San Diego high school hoops.
Wide Open at the Top
After a four-year stretch where predicting the Open finalists and champion weren't difficult tasks, the 2025-26 season will open up as one of the more wide open races we've seen in a while.
One thing is certain: it's highly unlikely we will get Montgomery vs Carlsbad, Part 3.
Several teams will stake a claim to the preseason No. 1 spot, which we probably won't know until after the June scholastic period once we take stock in all of the team's performances.
Who are the primary contenders (in alphabetical order)?
Francis Parker
The Lancers return the region's best prospect in 6-2 rising junior Tavid Johnson, who has positioned himself to make a dark horse run at becoming the county's first McDonald's All American on the boys side since Jaylen Hands and Brandon McCoy in 2017. They also will debut a motivated 6-2 Ezekiel Walker, who after sitting last season due to CIF denying his transfer from Maranatha Christian appears to be a different player, both physically and skill wise. The team is young, with only one senior (6-6 Deven Dubois) expected to be in the rotation, but the youngsters -6-0 Kai Jones, 6-2 Nico Whitchurch and 5-10 sophomore Columbus Palmer - have been battle tested and will take turns having an impact for the team. Watch out for incoming freshman Kamran Shirazi, a member of the vaunted San Diego Soldiers 2029 group. He's one of the best shooters and scorers in the 2029 group.
Olympian
Of all the teams in the mix, Olympian is the only one that returns its entire core in tact from a squad that ran through Division 3 and Division 2 the last two seasons, respectively. The Eagles return the most potent back court trio in San Diego in rising seniors JJ Walker and Sammell Humphries and rising junior guard Tristan Anderson, who became the program's first All-CIF selection last season. The supporitng cast around them is deep and experienced, including bookend bigs Yaseen Chemsi and Xavier King, sharpshooters Mathew Huertas and Koa Cardeno and veteran reserve guard Nijil Sherrard, among others. They'll be the co-favorites in the South Bay this season along with Victory Christian.
Mission Bay
While to start the summer the Buccaneers have been uneven, you can't look at the personnel and depth and not see a team capable of making a run to the Open Division title in San Diego. Caleb Newton returns as an All CIF second teamer, and when he's dialed in he has the upside to be one of the best scoring guards on the West Coast, but throughout his career he's struggled with staying consistently engaged on both ends. Alongside him is the high upside Clay Grebing, who at 6-7 has the size and skill to be dominant in SD this season. So far this summer, the brightest star on the Bucs roster has been the vastly improved senior guard Jocori Bartlett, who blends physicality, IQ and confidence. The Bucs will need 6-4 late bloomer Travis Hasley, 6-5 Amari Council, improved 6-1 senior Cole Mattingly and young guards Alijah Cheeks and Lucky Davis to take the next step forward for this team to reach its fullest potential.
San Marcos
The Knights have one of the deepest pools of talent in the entire region, enough so that so far this summer, the loss of sophomore standouts Richie Ramirez and Jackson McCall to transfer haven't fazed them, as evidenced by their impressive performance at the SoCal Summer Preview, which netted them a berth to Section 7 (which they did with minimal contributions from returning all-CIF guard Jalen Williams, who is battling an injury). Williams, fellow rising senior Mike Brown and rising junior guard Nico Mott will be the Knights' primary offensive weapons, but expect contributions from improved senior Chris Crowell and Tyjah Knowles and the intriguing collection of rising sophomore wings, 6-4 Isaiah Hill and 6-5 twins Ryan and Kyle Jacobs.
Santa Fe Christian
First-year head coach and San Diego legend Johnny Dee inherits a squad that returns almost all of it's key contributors from a team that made a surprise run to the Open Division playoffs and Coastal League title. Dax Hall, the 6-1 senior point guard, is a legit CIF Player of the Year candidate, and he is surrounded by a cast of shooters, including rising senior Coen Sponsel, rising junior and returning all-leaguer Chase Othick and undersized - and underrated - performers Carson Gile and Caden Doucette. The Eagles also have one of the region's best glue guys in the rapidly improving 6-2 senior Jaden Hitipeuw, who made the All Coastal League team after filling in capably for the team after they lost senior Drew Konsmo to injury, as well as 6-5 Jairus Bolden, who turned a corner for the team the second half of the season. If Dee - who on paper fits this team perfectly given his pedigree as an undersized shooter who played the game with a chip on his shoulder throughout his career - dials up the right numbers, the Eagles will be back in the Open Division.
St. Augustine
Despite the loss of their leading scorer Bailes and the graduation of All-CIF forward Manny Cortez, the Saints should still be in the Open Division mix, a year after failing to qualify for the top division for the first time in program history. Their returning core of Lincoln Grogan, Anthony Etheridge, Paisios Polamalu and Drew Parker is still one of the region's best, and the addition of Jackson McCall from San Marcos gives them a trio of versatile wings with length. Expect rising sophomores Kai Blue, Gustavo Tellez and Luciano Fiorentini to figure into the rotation, as well as incoming freshmen Kiefer Johnson and Will Spurgiesz.
Torrey Pines
Death, taxes and Torrey Pines contending for Open Division glory. While the Falcons do lose the heart and soul of last year's team in 6-3 Cody Shen, they return several significant contributors, headlined by 6-4 rising senior Tevaris Green, the team's second leading scorer who has developed into a sleeper college prospect. Alongside him in the senior class are 6-2 Zander Ovies, who has battled through injuries most of his career, but looks ready to have a breakout senior campaign, 6-6 Chase Rogowski, who has blossomed into a late-blooming face-up four prospect, and 6-4 Harris Notrica, who has also improved significantly over the past two seasons. The addition of 6-5 Mt. Carmel sharpshooter Tyler Humphrey is a significant one, as now the Falcons will have a starting lineup with four players over 6-4. They will need some of their JV standouts from last year to come along, including juniors Andre Chung and Hollis Sohn, sophomore Brady Clark and Teddy Malewicz.
Who are some dark horses?
Carlsbad
Don't bury the Lancers just yet. As they proved with their run to the finals of the Summer Preview St. John Bosco event last week, Carlsbad has plenty of firepower left after the graduation of all-time leading scorer Jake Hall and All-CIF guard Jordan Garner. The returning rising senior core of Briggs Young, Trenton Mehl, Jayden Garner and Dylan Sims are battle tested and tough, and rising sophomore Braxton Rolf is a star in the making. Add in underrated senior to be Cole Manley and some intriguing pieces from last year's JV squad, and there's enough here for Clark Allard to make a push for the Open Division again.
Cathedral Catholic
The Dons had significant departures via graduation, losing the three leading scorers from last year's team. But third year coach Graham Bousley returns enough to make a push for strong finish in the Western League and a third trip to the Open Division playoffs. Seniors Max Meza, Kai Carlson and Tyler Vosburgh should form a trio that will rapidly become household names in SD. Add in 6-6 Scripps Ranch transfer Charlie Barajas, who should have an immediate impact, 6-6+ Talan Blach and the rapidly improving 6-6 sophomore Boone Thompson, and this Dons team has lots of size and length to deploy. Depth may be an issue, but if underclassmen such as 2027s Breylon Jones, Maverik Denton and Mason Moeller and exciting incoming freshman Anthony Ali Nayab can hit the ground running, the Dons will be right there.
Christian
Last year's Patriots squad was amid a dream run that quickly became a nightmare after a first round Division 2 playoff upset at the hands of 14th seeded Helix. They return two of their three All-League players in 6-5 Juju Lebel -- who should finally make an All-CIF team this season - and 6-3 Ronnie Scott, one of the most underrated players in the 2026 class. Also returning are rising sophomore Anthony Lee, who surprisingly led the team in minutes played as a freshman, and the improved junior trio of Peyton Price, Connor Kiti and 6-4 Dwight McDonald - who is still scratching the surface of his immense upside. That core six, plus rising junior William Conway, will have to shoulder the load as the Patriots navigate their return to Division 1.
Madison
The Warhawks embody the brashness of their longtime coach Mike Stutz, and return every significant piece from a squad that stunned pundits by winning the City League title over favorite Mira Mesa and made the Division 2 semifinals a season ago, leading eventual champions Olympian deep into the fourth quarter of that game. Leading the charge is 6-3 rising senior RJ Miller, who is perhaps the most unique player in San Diego. Built like a defensive tackle, but blending the agility, footwork, shooting and scoring ability of a guard, Miller is a walking mismatch. He's flanked by perhaps the most underrated 2026 core in San Diego: 6-1 Caleb Gleason, 6-0 Eli Stevens, 6-4 Jorge Luque and 6-4 Tristen Moore. Don't be surprised to see the Warhawks on the doorstep of the Open Division at some point next year.
Mira Mesa
Another team that brings back much of it's core from last season's Division 2 runner-up run, the Marauders enter the season with the most hype of any Mira Mesa squad since the 2016 team that made a run to the D2 title game. Now a senior, 5-9 Diego Ortiz -- perhaps the most unheralded player soon to cross 2,000 points in their career -- is back for one last ride, and his running mate, 6-7 senior Tim Dorn, looks sharp thus far in spring and summer play. Fellow senior guard Jeremiah McCaleb has experience and speed to spare, and Che Lesperance could be one of the most overlooked varsity contributors in SD over the past two seasons. Rising sophomore Shea Ferguson will have an expanded role, as will seniors Ali Popal, Jase Davis and rising juniors Justin Bingham and Gabe Granger. But this team will go as far as it's senior quartet can take it. My bet is that it goes pretty far.
Victory Christian
The Knights graduated several key pieces to last year's team, but so far during early summer action look like they haven't skipped a beat. Rising senior Jaden Gray looks like he is returning to the form of his first two high school seasons, during which he was one of the top 2026 players in the class. Rising sophomore and reigning freshman of the year Troy Tominna has also looked excellent during play at the Summer Scholastic Tip Off and SDSU Team Camp. Add in an underrated playmaker and glue guy in Chato Garcia, improved play from 6-4 senior Kaerym Araiza and rising sophomores Mikee Harvey and Khalil Curry, and the Knights have looked prepared to continue their ascent -- all without the services of their 6-2 All Mesa League first team performer Isaiah Owens, who has yet to play this summer due to injury. When they add him, this team will definitely be in the mix for an Open Division berth.
The way too early Top 10
St. Augustine
Francis Parker
Torrey Pines
San Marcos
Mission Bay
Olympian
Santa Fe Christian
Victory Christian
Carlsbad
Cathedral Catholic
Just outside:
Madison - Very few players are tougher to cover than 2026 F RJ Miller
Mira Mesa - The senior quartet of Diego Ortiz, Tim Dorn, Jeremiah McCaleb and Che Lesperance is solid.
Christian - Juju Lebel and Ronnie Scott will shoulder much of the load.
Bonita Vista - Junior guard Jerry Stokes will be one of the section's breakout stars.
La Costa Canyon - 6-7 C Mason Jones and rising juniors Brady Berlucchi and Zeffen Herceg return
Mission Hills - Jake van der Vorste leads an underrated and hungry Grizzlies squad.
Rancho Buena Vista - CJ Aldrich is capable of taking over any game in San Diego. He'll need to.
Poway - Titans look to rebound after a disappointing 24-25 campaign.
Rancho Bernardo - D3 semifinalists have taken a big step forward this offseason.
La Jolla Country Day - Rising senior Wyatt Tilson will need help from supporting cast
Tri-City Christian - Defending D4 champs return All League duo of Jeramiah Turner and Dre Cleaves
Del Lago Academy - One of the biggest front courts just got bigger with addition of 6-7 Maddox Mendoza
Army Navy - Yanler Ramos + a HUGE front court will be a problem for most
Steele Canyon - Senior big Jacob Allen and rising juniors Alex Andrews and Chayse Miles will be East County standard bearers once more
Helix - Scrappy and tough Highlanders squad are led by Jason Black, Kris Giordano and rising sopomore Trey Cavazos.
Pacific Ridge - Watch out for the defending D5 champions, which add 6-11 United Kingdom prospect Mallick Jallow
San Diego - whoever gets the Cavers job will have one of the best juniors in the city in 6-4 Lamar Smith
Maranatha Christian - The defending D3 champs don't have a ton of depth, but their core 6 gets the job done.
Transfer report
Who's Gone?
Shortly after the high school season ended, two of San Diego's top basketball players announced they would be leaving the region for the 2025-26 season, significantly altering the hoops outlook in the process.
St. Augustine rising senior Jaden Bailes announced he would transfer to JSerra Catholic in San Juan Capistrano, which last year made the 10-team CIF Southern Section Open Division; and San Marcos rising junior Richie Ramirez actually checked into Santa Ana Mater Dei shortly after the state playoffs.
The Saints, which were set to return four starters from a team that finished the season as D1 champions and the No. 3 team in San Diego after starting the season 3-12, and Knights, which were the No. 3 seed in the Open Division and would have returned most of it's key rotation players, would likely have started the fall as two of the top three teams in San Diego.
Given what each returns, they very well could still be in that position, but it certainly narrows the gap between them and their primary contenders.
El Camino also suffered a significant blow with the loss of 6-5 rising junior Justin Johnson, who reportedly will attend prep school in Arizona.
Who's On The Move?
Several key players have also changed addresses within the section.
San Marcos lost another key member of last year's team, 6-5 rising junior Jackson McCall, who coincidentally has checked into St. Augustine. Known for his versatility and multi-faceted offensive game, McCall joins a team that will rely heavily on its junior core of Anthony Etheridge, Drew Parker and Paisios Polamalu, along with senior-to-be Lincoln Grogan. While it doesn't replace what was lost in Bailes, it certainly helps the Saints cause.
6-5 rising junior Tyler Humphrey makes the move west on the 56 Freeway from Mt. Carmel to Torrey Pines. Humphrey, who averaged nearly 12 points per game in his first full varsity season with the Sundevils, gives the Falcons a big shooting wing that has typically thrived in John Olive's system.
Another pending transfer that could have implications on the region is the potential return of the Ingram brothers -- 2026 G Ty and 2028 F Taj -- to San Diego after a season at Los Angeles Westchester. The pair played at the first SDSU Team Camp with Foothills Christian, but it isn't clear if they will land there or elsewhere or stay put in Los Angeles.
Scripps Ranch's leading scorer from a season ago, 6-6 rising senior Charlie Barajas, is now at Cathedral Catholic. The athletic lefty four man is also a standout on the gridiron, but third-year coach Graham Bousley foresees him playing a significant role in the hardwood, likely as a starter.
Other significant transfers, newcomers:
6-72027 F Maddox Mendoza from Escondido to Del Lago Academy
6-11 2026 F Mallick Jallow to Pacific Ridge (via United Kingdom)
6-8 2028 F Earnest Donkoh to Army Navy
Coaching Changes Abound
Mater Dei Catholic
OUT: Jason Bryant
IN: Bazz Fontenot, San Diego HS head coach
Skinny: The Crusaders made the splashiest hire of a busy coaching cycle, bringing in the 3-time CIF champion and 2020 CIF Coach of the Year in Fontenot, who replaces Bryant, who mutually parted ways with the school midseason.
Scripps Ranch
OUT: Matt Nash
IN: Travis Pettey, Scripps Ranch assistant varsity coach
Skinny: Nash departed after one season on the job, and the Falcons moved quickly to hire Pettey, who as interim coach during the 2023-24 season guided the team to the CIF Division 1 championship game.
Hoover
OUT: Wilder Felusme
IN: Derke Crenshaw, Hoover girls varsity head coach
Skinny: Hoover's coaching search was far from a smooth one, as they originally hired alumnus Miles Nolen-Webb, who then stepped down in May. Crenshaw now takes over after leading the girls program following the death of former coach Carey Miller.
Escondido Charter
OUT: David Vidosic
IN: Gabe Macias
Skinny: Vidosic stepped down after a successful 12-year stint. In his place, the White Tigers hire Macias, an Orange Glen alumnus and director of the local Adapt Academy San Diego travel basketball program.
Mt. Carmel
OUT: Tanner McEntee
IN: Greg Lanthier, Rifle (CO) varsity head coach
Skinny: McEntee stepped down after three season, and the Sundevils moved to rehire Lanthier, who led the program to the Division 2 championship in 2022.
Grossmont
OUT: Jacob Ober
IN: Greg Clark
Skinny: The Foothillers let go of Ober after back-to-back 6-win seasons, and hired Clark, a 1995 graduate and one of the school's most decorated basketball players.
Mar Vista
OUT: Shane Crumrine
IN: Derrick "Scoot" Davis, Olympian assistant coach
Skinny: The Mariners parted ways with Crumrine after three seasons, hiring Davis, who helped lead the Eagles to back-to-back CIF championships.
Mission Vista
OUT: DJ Foster
IN: Antonio Burke, Mission Vista varsity assistant
Skinny: Foster, the program's longest tenured head coach, stepped down in April after eight seasons. The Timberwolves replaced him with his varsity assistant and JV head coach.
San Diego
OUT: Bazz Fontenot
IN: TBA
Skinny: The Cavers are currently searching for a program leader after Mater Dei Catholic hired away Fontenot, who led a resurgence at the downtown campus.
St. Joseph Academy
OUT: Terry Tucker
IN: Sean Howard
Skinny: Tucker, who previously coached at Crawford and San Ysidro before a stop at Norco, stepped down after a season with the Crusaders.
Foothills Christian
OUT: Joey Turk
IN: TBA
Skinny: Turk, who led the Knights to their best record since the departure of Brad Leaf, stepped down in May.
Where will they be?
San Diego Teams return to Section 7, Boys Cali Live, WIBCA events
A year after being largely on the sidelines of the two largest evaluation period events during the June scholastic period, San Diego will have a bit more representation at the Boys California Live and Section 7 Team camps.
Boys California Live (June 27-29) is back in Orange County after being held in Roseville last season, and will be consolidated in two venues -- Open Gym Premier Ladera and San Juan Hills High School - after being held at six locations in Irvine in 2023.
Twelve teams received bids to the event, while several others will compete in a qualifier event the week before the tournament.
Six teams will participate in Arizona's Section 7 event, which for the first time since 2019 will not be played inside of State Farm Stadium. This year's event will be held at the new Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, AZ.
And one local team - Tri-City Christian - will head to Washington June 28-29 for the WIBCA June 1 Recruiting event.
Key Camps and Leagues
San Diego State Team Camps
Session 2: June 13-14
Point Loma Nazarene Team and Elite (individual) Camps
Elite Camp Session 2: June 29
Elite Camp Session 3: Aug. 2
Elite Camp Session 4: Aug 3
UC San Diego Team and Elite camps
Prospect Camp Session 1: June 25-26
Team Camp Session 1: June 27-29
Prospects Camp Session 2: July 31- Aug. 1
San Diego Hoops Summer League
Dates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, June 10- TBA
Location: Lincoln HS
Maranatha Christian Summer League
Dates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, June 3-July 1
Locations: Maranatha Christian and San Pasqual
Monte Vista Summer League/ Tournament
Dates: July 5-7, July 12-14
Location: Monte Vista
Rancho Buena Vista Summer League
June 10- July 3
Location: Rancho Buena Vista HS
