The Full-Time Hoops Top 50: 11-25

We continue our dive into the Top 50 with the group of squads that rest just outside of the Top 10, which include a host of teams that have their sights on a push to the Open Division.

Madison, Mira Mesa and Christian, three of the top 4 ranked Division 2 squads from a season ago, start things off at 11, 12 and 13, respectively. All three have good depth and playmakers in the post and perimeter. Rancho Buena Vista, which will rely heavily on superstar guard CJ Aldrich, and Bonita Vista, which also features a star guard in Jerry Stokes, round out the Top 15.

There's a run of talented North County teams from 16-20, as Mission Hills, La Costa Canyon, Poway, Rancho Bernardo and Sage Creek return lots of talent.

San Diego, under new head coach Kenny Parham, sits at 21, followed by Del Norte, La Jolla Country Day, Scripps Ranch and Maranatha Christian.

11. Madison

Key Returners: RJ Miller, 6-3 Sr. F; Eli Stevens, 6-1 Sr. G; Caleb "Mekhi" Gleason, 6-2 Sr. G; Tristen Moore, 6-4 Sr. W; Jorge Luque, 6-4 Sr. W; Luke Little, 6-0 Jr. G; Adein Lea'e 6-2 Sr. F

Key Newcomers: Braylon Lucas, 6-2 Sr. G

Outlook: After stunning Mira Mesa last year to win the City League and giving Olympian its toughest out during the D2 playoff race, the Warhawks level up to Division 1, where they are firmly an Open Division dark horse candidate. Miller, a conundrum for defenders due to his strength, girth and versatility, leads one of the most experienced rosters in San Diego -- they start five seniors -- which got a huge boost with the addition of Lucas, an all-Eastern League performer at Hoover a season ago. Lucas takes pressure off of Stevens, who since his freshman year has operated as the primary ball handler. Watch for Gleason and Moore, two vastly improved players over the course of their careers, who provide energy and defend at a high level.

12. Mira Mesa

Key Returners: Diego Ortiz, 5-10 Sr. G; Tim Dorn, 6-7 Sr. F; Jeremiah McCaleb, 5-11 Sr. G; Che Lesperance, 6-1 Sr. G; Shea Ferguson, 5-10 So. G; Jase Davis, 6-2 Sr. F; Ali Popal, 6-3 Sr. F; Justin Bingham, 5-11 Jr. G

Key Newcomers: Gabe Granger, 6-0 So. W

Outlook: Mira Mesa took the disappointment of a runner-up finish in the City League and converted it into a runner-up finish in a loaded Division 2 bracket last year, then made a deep run in the state playoffs. The core of this group returns, ready for unfinished business. Ortiz is honing in on 2,000 points for his career, one of the section's most unheralded stars over his four-year career, and Dorn is looking to build on a stellar debut after transferring from Hawaii. Senior stalwarts McCaleb and Lesperance are each capable of taking over a game in different ways: McCaleb with blinding speed and scrappy defense, and Lesperance with his crafty and slick playmaking and finishing. They'll need Ferguson, Davis and Popal to fill some of the roles vacated by the Marauders role guys from a year ago. If they do, they'll be right there in the Open/d1 cusp.

13. Christian

Key Returners: Julian "JuJu" Lebel, 6-5 Sr. W; Ronnie Scott, 6-3 Sr. W; Anthony Lee, 6-0 So. G; Dwight McDonald, 6-4 Jr. W; Connor Kiti, 5-11 Jr. G; Peyton Price, 6-2 Jr. G; Alex Williams, 6-0 Sr. G; Luke Sanchez, 6-0 Jr. W

Key Newcomers: None

Outlook: The last time we saw the Patriots, they were on the losing end of the biggest upset in the playoffs, falling the 14th seeded Helix in the first round of the D2 playoffs. Much of that core returns, led by Lebel, an all-CIF caliber talent who has been criminally underrated regionally. His versatility as a playmaker and slasher give them an unquestioned alpha. But the supporting cast, led by the all-leaguer Scott, is very good. In one of the fell-good stories in the section this year, Williams will make his return after a career-threatening health matter a season ago. He gives the Patriots a stocky scoring guard who averaged double figures during his first two years at Steele Canyon. The underclassmen group has to take the next step forward for the Patriots to achieve their ceiling, as McDonald, Price and Kiti have shown flashes throughout their careers, but have been inconsistent performers.

14. Rancho Buena Vista

Key Returners: CJ Aldrich, 6-1 Sr. G; CJ Garrett, 6-1 Sr. G; Marcquis Bradley Jr. 6-2 W; Jeremiah Justice, 5-10 Jr. G; Kia Gonzales, 6-1Sr. F

Key Newcomers: Amari Mitchell, 6-3 So. G; Wyatt Myers, 6-5 Jr. F; Marcus McFerran, 5-9 Fr. G

Outlook: The Aldrich-led Longhorns are one of two teams in top 25 where a lot of the preseason prediction rests heavily on a singular performer (see La Jolla Country Day). Can Aldrich, who averaged nearly 30 per game last season, lead a team of relative newcomers back to the top half of Division 1? I am banking on him being able to, as Aldrich, who has grown another inch since a season ago, has what it takes to take over a game at any level of SD hoops. While the varsity returners don't have a lot of big-game experience, Bradley, Justice and Garrett are solid supporting cast mates while the newcomers -- Mitchell and Myers both defected from rival Vista -- will be asked to shoulder a big load right away. McFerran, one of the section's top freshman guards, will have a big role early in his career.

15. Bonita Vista

Key Returners: Jerry Stokes, 5-10 Jr. G; Brandon Rosales, 6-0 So. G; Adam Mitchell, 6-5 Sr. F; Josh Hansen, 6-3 Sr. W; Giovanni De Lone, 6-1 Sr. W; Oshen Pena, 5-8 Sr. G

Key Newcomers: Jayren Sunico, 5-11 Jr. G,Sawyer Rhoades, 5-10 So. G; 6-0 Joey Boniske; Jacob Diaz, 5-10 So. G; Kai Gatdula Jr. G; Eli West, 6-6 So. F

Outlook: The Barons graduated a lot (League player of the year Aaron Owens headlines that list), but return one of the region's brightest stars in Stokes, whose game -- and confidence -- are at an all-time high after a dominant summer and fall. Flanking him are a mix of blue-collar workhorses in the vastly improved Mitchell, De Lone and Hansen and skilled guards in Rosales and Pena, one of the South Bay's best shooters. Expectations are as high as they've been since the state regional title team in 2021, and expect Stokes and Co. to deliver.

16. Mission Hills

Key Returners: Mykah Simmons, 6-2 Sr. G; Logan Vergenz, 5-11 Sr. G; Jake Vander Vorste, 6-1 Sr. G; Daxton Hyde, 6-3 So. WF; Vincent Giglio, 6-3 Sr. W; Michael Goodwyn Jr., 6-0 Sr. G; Oliver Savona, 5-10 Sr. PG; Perrin Blankenship, 6-3 Sr. F

Key Newcomers: Kaden Hall, 5-8 Jr. G; Lotanna Okeke 6-2 Jr. F

Outlook: Curtis Hofmeister quietly gets the job done year in, year out in San Marcos, and this year's team could be underrated at 16. The trio of Simmons, vander Vorste and Vergenz, which has led the program since their sophomore seasons, are all grown up, and Vergenz has taken a huge step forward this off-season, as evidenced by his recent commitment to NAIA Rocky Mountain College. Combine that with a dual-sport star in Hyde, a capable floor general in Savona, and solid role players off the bench, and this is a formula that typically delivers for Hofmeister. Watch for Giglio's return - the San Marcos transfer was the Grizzlies leading scorer a year ago, and is on the mend from a leg injury this spring.

17. La Costa Canyon

Key Returners: Brady Berlucchi, 6-5 Jr. W; Mason Jones, 6-8 Sr. F; Zeffen Herceg, 5-10 Jr. G; Caden Hannah, 6-0 Sr. G; Wyatt Brown, 6-5 Jr. W; Hagen Buechler, 6-0 Sr. G

Key Newcomers: Finn Lucas, 6-1 Jr. G; Wes Higgins, 6-5 Jr. F; Tyler Blackledge 6-1 Jr. G

Outlook: Graduation hit the Mavericks hard, but they returned just enough of the core to justify a Top 20 appearance. Berlucchi, who has grown to just under 6-6, is a sharpshooter who is evolving into a formidable three-level scorer. He showed during the summer he can take over games, but must become more consistent. Herceg, also a junior, is as fun a point guard to watch San Diego, as he blends confidence and dynamic playmaking. Jones is a wall inside and has improved year over year as a scorer, rebounder and enforcer. The rest of the supporting cast has an intriguing mix of size (Brown and Higgins are late bloomers), high motors (Blackledge and Hannah are tough) and scorers. Plus, they have one of the section's best coaches in Dave Cassaw.

18. Poway

Key Returners: Grant Rodriguez, 6-0 Sr. G; Daniel Mariduena, 6-5 Sr. F; Brody Chapman, 6-2 Sr. G; Gage Blakemore, 6-2 Sr. G; Ruben Lopez Avila, 5-9 Sr. PG; Cash Heverly, 6-4 Sr. W; Bryce Jones, 6-3 Jr. F; Kemfon Ekiko, 6-1 Jr. G; James Clifford, 6-7 Sr. F

Key Newcomers: None

Outlook: Will the real Poway please stand up? Is it the team that emerged last summer and again this summer as a force with its deep and versatile roster, or is it the team that buckled under the weight of expectations last season due to injury and other issues? I'm banking on the former, that the Titans finally live up to the promise that comes with having a deep and senior laden roster. Rodriguez and Mariduena have each made all-league teams in their career, and fellow seniors Chapman, Blakemore, Lopez Avila and Heverly are formidable guards, each bringing something to the table. The juniors, headlined by Jones and Ekiko, will add depth and athleticism as they wait their turn until next season.

19. Rancho Bernardo

Key Returners: Cyrus Sadri-Ahwazi, 6-3 Sr. G; Joaquin Padilla, 5-7 Sr. G; Blake Jordan, 6-2 Jr. G; Ryder Manuel, 6-5 Jr. F; Aryasb Kont, 6-3 Jr. G; Siraj Sharma, 5-7 Jr. PG; Brady Savage, 5-11 Sr. G;

Key Newcomers: Tyler Johnson, 6-4 So. W; Jacob Webb, 5-10 So. G; Xavier Knight, 6-1 Jr. W; Isaiah Ryden, 6-2 Jr. W; Greyson Flores, 5-8 Jr. G

Outlook: There's a lot of buzz surrounding this Broncos team, a year removed from a heartbreaking loss in the D3 semifinals. Much of the core has returned, and they have added talent from a JV team that was one of the county's best. The biggest addition is Johnson, who might be the team's best player as a sophomore. But the improvement of returners like Sadri-Ahawazi, Sharma, Padilla and Kont and the overall depth has also elevated the Broncos profile. In a Division 2 field that is fairly open, the Broncos start as the co-favorites along with Poway.

20. Sage Creek

Key Returners: Jordan Barnhart, 6-4 Sr. SG; Vaughn Young, 5-10 Sr. G; Sam Jahries, 6-5 Jr. F; Tegan Olson, 6-2 Sr. W; Jack Conkey, 6-1 So. G; Jaylon Davis, 6-0 So. G; Maxx Mitchell, 6-1 Sr. G; Oliver Bjorkman-Tracy, 6-1 Sr. W

Key Newcomers: Jayden Bringas-Duckworth, 6-2 Jr. F

Outlook: This will be a very different Bobcats squad, which played exclusively through all-everything forward Elijah Stephens to set up the team's dead-eye shooters. The sharpshooters remain, but Sage Creek will have to rely on crisp passing and assertive drives to set up the deep ball. It helps when you have two of the section's best shooters in Barnhart and Young, who use the threat of their shot to open up things off the drive. Key to set up will also be Davis, a physically built driver who can get paint touches to set up the open shooters. One reason the team should be fine on the interior is Jahries, who showed during summer that he is a more than capable rebounder due to his high motor and nose for the ball.

21. San Diego

Key Returners: Lamar Smith, 6-5 2027 W; Terry Gant, 6-2 2026 W; Chianu Masters, 6-3 Jr. W; Dominick Espalin, 6-1 Sr. G; Jaden Webb, 6-6 Sr. F

Key Newcomers: Landon Cullins, 6-4 Sr. F; Vic Diaz, 6-0 Sr. G; Rashad Simpson, 6-1 Jr. G; Head Coach Kenny Parham

Outlook: The Kenny Parham era begins at San Diego, as the longtime hoops coach from New York takes the reins from Bazz Fontenot, who is now at Mater Dei Catholic. Fortunately, the cupboard was not left bare for Parham, as his starting lineup will feature four players who had significant roles on last year's D1 quarterfinal team, including all-league player Smith, the steady senior Gant, gifted scoring junior Masters and the electric, albeit mercurial, Espalin. Diaz, a senior who did not play hoops last year, has been a revelation for the team this fall, and provides knockdown shooting and underrated steadiness. The Cavers could really take a leap forward if Webb can live up to the promise he displayed as a freshman and sophomore.

22. Del Norte

Key Returners: Riley Farrokhi, 6-3 Jr. G; Jackson Carpenter, 6-1 Jr. G; Oliver Cooper, 6-4 Sr. F; Grant Goldmann, 5-10 Sr. G; Matt Jacobi, 5-10 Sr. G, Alex Letu, 6-5 Sr. C; Kavan Dhami, 6-0 So. G; Casen Pollak, 6-2 Jr. W; Kruz Barnett, 6-1 So. W; Joe Freer 6-4 Sr. W;

Key Newcomers: River Reid, 6-4 Fr. F

Outlook: The Nighthawks have had a "next man up" philosophy under head coach Chris Johnson, and last season, rode it to a surprise third-place finish in the Palomar League. This season should be no different for Del Norte, which, despite losing three starters to graduation, still has enough in the fold to warrant Top 25 consideration. It helps when you have two dynamic guards in Farrokhi and Carpenter (who has grown 5 inches since the start of high school), who are a fire-and-ice combo that should be considered among the best in the section. Cooper, a wiry shooting forward, came on strong for the team in league play last year, earning honorable mention honors. He's prepared to take the next step. During the fall, the team unveiled a solid crop of players from last year's JV team that look to make an impact. If it all comes together, the Nighthawks should be a D1 dark horse.

23. La Jolla Country Day

Key Returners: Wyatt Tilson, 6-4 Sr. WF; Rayan Dahi, 6-1 So. G; Iris Matanza, 6-1 Jr. F; Alejandro Gonzalez, 6-6 Jr. F (out for season)

Key Newcomers: Egypt Dean, 6-3 Fr. W; Yigit Okur, 6-5 So. F; Wesley Buncum, 6-1 Fr. G,; Matt Onaitis, 5-11 So. G

Outlook: The Torreys outlook took a significant hit when Gonzalez was ruled out for the season with a knee injury, but Tilson's presence makes it hard to see them falling much further than this. He's a dynamic mismatch who can score in the post and on the perimeter, and will elevate the guys around him. He'll need to, as this is arguably the youngest Torreys squad in recent memory, as two freshmen and two sophomores will play significant minutes. The headliner in this group is Okur, son of former NBA All Star Mehmet Okur, who will need to accelerate his development to complement Tilson. Dahi and Dean, the son of R&B superstar Alicia Keys, will also have to grow up quickly to keep pace with Parker and Santa Fe Christian and stave off challenges from Maranatha Christian and Tri-City in the Coastal League.

24. Scripps Ranch

Key Returners: Gavin Hallock, 6-5 Sr. W; Alex Gerhant, 6-7 Sr. F; Eric “EJ” Newman, 6-6 Sr. F; Drew Corso, 6-1 Sr. G; Cody York, 6-1 Sr. G; Kihei Blas, 6-0 Sr. G

Key Newcomers: Peter Pampo, 5-8 Jr. G; Bryce McMillan 6-2 Jr. G; Daeshawn Layne, 6-0 So. G

Outlook: Arguably the most intriguing team in this top 25, the Falcons have serious "boom or bust" capability. If it comes together, Scripps Ranch has the prerequisite size (Gerhant is a freak athlete in the middle and Newman is a wiry, smooth-shooting four man); wing play (Hallock toes the line of dazzling and maddening more than any 2026 prospect in the class) and sound guard play between Corso, York and Pampo, to compete with any team in San Diego. They could also implode due to chemistry issues. Adding to the intrigue are the additions of McMillan (an upside-laden guard) and the Massachusetts transfer Layne, who was a high-scoring guard on a lower-level team as a freshman.

25. Maranatha Christian

Key Returners: Adrian "AD" Ownbey, 6-3 Sr. W; Dash Ekeroth, 6-1 Sr. G; Will Ralston, 6-2 Sr. G; Shane Piester, 6-5 Sr. C; Cole Niguidula, 5-8 Jr. G; Austin Quinn, 5-11 So. G

Key Newcomers: Xavier Prior, 6-1 Jr. G

Outlook: The Miracle Eagles pulled off one of the most improbable playoff runs in San Diego last season, withstanding the loss of Ownbey in the second round of the D3 playoffs to win the title with five contributors. Now, Ownbey is healthy, Ralston has emerged as a force and Ekeroth is back and improved, and suddenly, a top half of the Coastal League finish is very well in range. Ralston has emerged as one of the section's best players you've never heard of and Piester rebounds and scores in the paint with equal aplomb to give the Eagles a nominal paint presence needed to give cover to their perimeter barrage. Plus, there aren't many coaches in SD who maximize talent like Brooks Barnhard. Watch out for Prior, another sharpshooter who becomes eligible Dec. 12 after transferring from Mt. Carmel last season.