The Full-Time Hoops Top 50: 26-50

It's that time of the year again!

We kick off basketball season with our look at the top 50 ranked squads in San Diego County, beginning with the teams that comprise the back half of the top 50. This group includes several likely League champions, contenders in Division 2, 3 and 4, including the presumed front runners for the latter divisions, and includes a number of San Diego's top individual talents, including several league player of the year candidates.

26. Army Navy Academy

Key Players: 6-4 Yanler Ramos, 6-7 Ivan Marchenko, 6-8 Earnest Donkoh, 6-6 Kevin Sun, 5-9 Skyler Dawson, 6-5 Bentlee Easterday, 6-4 Daniel Fan, 6-1 Johnny Zhang, 6-1 Andrew Vinckier

Outlook: The Warriors are MASSIVE - boasting four players taller than 6-5, including incoming transfer Donkoh, who is an athletic specimen as a rim runner. But their best player - and arguably one of the best players in the section - is Ramos, who scores and rebounds at a prolific rate. If the Warriors guard play is improved, they will be the favorites in a crowded top of Division 3.

27. Steele Canyon

Key Players: 6-6 Chayse Miles, 6-9 Jacob Allen, 5-11 G Alex Andrews, 6-1 Chris Alexander, 6-3 Salim Underwood, 5-10 Sagean Curley, 6-0 Jacob Henton, 5-10 G Tyler Starr, 6-4 Jack Masterson, 6-0 Marcus Hunt.

Outlook: Despite graduating 20 ppg scorer Caleb Thach, the Cougars are poised to make it five consecutive years atop their league (2 in the Grossmont Valley, 3 in the Grossmont Hills). The trio of Miles (one of the region’s most improved prospects), Allen and the speedy Andrews is one of the most unheralded in the region, and should help them compete in Division 2. Watch out for the junior duo of Hunt and Curley off the bench as havoc generators.

28. Tri-City Christian

Key Players: 6-3 Jeramiah Turner, 6-3 Dre Cleaves, 6-1 Caleb Williams, 5-10 Donovan Cronkhite, 6-7 Chase Frushone, 6-4 Zane Kilmer, 6-0 Viktor Streagle, 5-10 Noah Lopez, 5-10 Jackson Bray

Outlook: Led by the last two Pacific League players of the year in Turner and Cleaves, the Division 4 champions a season ago have moved up to the Coastal League and Division 3, where they will be contenders again. The addition of Frushone and the return of Kilmer after a knee injury sidelined him last year are both huge. Much of their season hinges on whether Williams and Cronkhite can play with the same defensive intensity as graduates David Turner and Gerry Dillard did last season.

29. Del Lago Academy

Key Players: 5-10 Junior Galvan, 6-7 Kyeler Burns, 6-5 Dawere Tut, 6-5 Max Johsnon, 6-8 Maddox Mendoza, 6-1 Malakai Acker, 5-7 Makaiah Solomon-Soriano, Joseph Krug, Alex Garcia

Outlook: The addition of Mendoza and Acker after the sit-out period will give the Firebirds one of the more dominant starting fives in the region with a 6-8 (Mendoza), 6-7 (Burns) and 6-5 (Tut) front court and two heady and capable guards to set the table for them. Johnson gives them size and a scorer who can finish in the paint and step out from distance. The battle between them and Army Navy in the Pacific League will be fierce.

30. Patrick Henry

Key Players: 6-8 Alex Newlands, 6-4 Isaac Weatherred, 5-9 Ali Ghafouri, 5-9 Owen Anderson, 6-1 Roman Campisi, 5-9 Aiden Lerner, 6-4 Abele Tedros, 6-1 Madin Gardini

Outlook: Kenny Caesar has one of his best squads since the Cam Marshall era, and it is the vastly improved Newlands anchoring them. Newlands gives them a legit post threat that should attract lots of attention, and Weatherred is a physical slasher who can get hot from deep. If the guard play can keep up (watch out for Campisi, one of the region's most underrated shooters), the Patriots are sleepers.

31. La Jolla

Key Players: 6-0 Leo Hawkinson, 6-2 Brody Sessa, 5-11 Cole Hein, 6-1 Carson Diehl, 6-4 Lino Maricic, 6-1 Conlan Rute, 6-1 Keivon Kashani, 6-3 Jake Riney, 6-6 Lawrence Duffin (out)

Outlook: The Vikings bring back one of the most dynamic back courts in the City Conference in Hawkinson - who was a revelation in Year 1 after transferring from St. Augustine - and Sessa, a Swiss Army knife-type who scores, creates and leads. Hein has taken a big leap as well, but the Vikings’ fortunes took a hit when Duffin was ruled out for the season (knee).

32. Westview

Key Players: 6-7 Lawrence Lam, 6-1 Shervin Kamsi, 6-0 Connor Reardon, 5-8 Micah Paguyo, Branden Luo, Caleb Hardy, Brody Alexander,

Outlook: Lam is poised to have the breakout season regionwide that eluded him a season ago due to injury and inconsistency, and the supporting cast is full of guys who understand their roles, plus Kamsi, who makes winning plays during crunch time. Consistent scoring outside of Lam will dictate the team’s upside.

33. Helix

Key Players: 6-1 Jason Black, 5-10 Donovan Bryant, 6-1 Tre Cavazos, 6-4 Kristian Giordano, 6-2 Lee-Norman Lester, 6-0 Jaden Harden, 5-11 Jahlil Johnson, 6-2 Sergio Vasquez, 6-0 Ziggy Robinson, 6-5 Brian Hammerstrand, 6-5 Glenn Payne, 5-11 Noah Noriega

Outlook: Can the Lancers find the chemistry with a roster that can go 10 deep at times? That’s the question looming for head coach Jason Cavazos, who will have to strike the right balance between his returning varsity mainstays (Black, Vasquez, Cavazos and Giordano), up-and-coming youth (Harden, Johnson and Hammerstrand) and transfer Bryant, who brings experience and dynamic combo guard play after two years at Mater Dei Catholic.

34. Montgomery

Key Players: 6-5 Xavier Guerrero, 6-1 Darius Montgomery, 5-8 Kyden Eleazar Martin, 5-11 Villi Trollinger, 5-10 Jayden Hawkins, 5-10 Qasim Williams

Outlook: The defending Open Division champions clearly lost a lot via graduation: the foursome that led them on the most successful stretch in program history. But Guerrero was there for most of those battles, and now takes the next step as the unquestioned leader, while Montgomery looks ready to regain the form he had as a sophomore, where he was a 20 ppg scorer at Mar Vista. Martin will need more from his point guard, the younger Martin, who is often unselfish to a fault.

35. University City

Key Players: 6-1 Jeein Kim, 6-1 Matthias Baluyot, 6-1 Stefan O’Neill, 6-7 Tucker Wojdowski, 6-5 Isaac Hudson, 6-1 Roman Murallo, 5-9 Jrue Frazier, 5-8 Cyrell Harris, 6-4 Chris Mandrell

Outlook: The Centurions have an unheralded collection of players, from the junior trio of Kim, Baluyot and O’Neill to underrated sophomores Hudson, Murallo and Frazier. Durability has been a concern, as well as their lack of a closer, but if the core can remain healthy and Kim or Baluyot can fill the leadership void left by all-everything graduate Dylan Griffin, this is a dark horse squad.

36. Bishop’s

Key Players: 6-6 Romeo Wright, 6-1 Josiayah “JoJo” Bryant, 6-3 Zack Chen, 6-2 Neil Koura, 6-0 Gregory Calame, Sherwin You, 6-3 Grayson Blatt, 5-9 Adrian Cervantes

Outlook: This ranking is more of a nod to the alchemist that is Nick Levine, who tends to get more done with less than anyone in the section. This year’s team only returns three key contributors, but Wright was an all-Coastal league performer a season ago, and Chen and Bryant are formidable. The supporting cast will learn on the fly.

37. Point Loma

Key Players: 5-10 Jax Meyers, 6-4 Na’Sean Hardy, 6-3 Myles Caldwell, 6-4 Leo Ramenofsky, 6-5 Graham Murdock, 6-5 Trevor Rutt, 6-0 Willy Conquest,

Outlook: This Pointers team, led by the underrated duo of Marple and Hardy, has a lot of interchangeable pieces and height, which usually is a winning combination. Ramenofsky, a bruising freshman who also plays football for the Pointers, should contribute right away.

38. Lincoln

Key Players: 6-1 Josiah McDowell, 6-0 Mason Zennedjian, 6-2 Malachi Harris, 6-2 Kyle Harris, 6-1 Riley Harvey. 6-3 Jayross Navarro, 6-4 Maurice Lindsay, 6-3 Kendarious Coleman

Outlook: Jeff Harper-Harris’ team returns a pair of starting guards in McDowell and Zennedjian that have a combined 8 years of varsity experience, and Harris who is a streaky, yet potent lefty shooter and a physical defender. The youngsters are also talented, including Harris (a talented baseball prospect) and Harvey, who will play a big role as a sophomore. Consistent offense will be key to reach their ceiling.

39. El Camino

Key Players: 6-1 Wyatt Cann, 6-5 Noah Casias, 6-1 Aaron Williams, 6-1 Austin Guerzon, 5-11 Donny Punter, 6-4 Ian Diaz, 6-0 Micah Sega, 5-11 Misa Chavez, 5-9 Tygrr Durr

Outlook: A lot of the Wildcats fortunes hinge on the durability of Cann, who when healthy is one of the most unheralded guards in the section, capable of scoring 20+ per game. Without him, head coach Derick Jones will rely on a largely unproven supporting cast in the wake of the transfer of 6-6 Justin Johnson. Sophomores Punter and Durr have a lot of promise, and will cut their teeth against a tough non conference schedule before Avocado League play, where they will be the favorites.

40. Coronado

Key Players: 5-9 Austin Brown, 6-2 Ah’Mahn Oliver, 6-1 Derick Ritter, 6-4 Aiden Roberts, 5-8 Trey Stallworth, 5-10 Roberto Soberanis

Outlook: When you have a pair of players who can give you 20 a night, you’re going to be a tough out. That’s what the Islanders have in returning all-league guard Brown and rising sophomore Oliver, who burst onto the scene and was one of the region’s top freshmen. Ritter is also a capable scorer that has been underrated since his transfer from St. Augustine. The Islanders will again be undersized, but Anthony Ott’s squad plays hard and will speed you up.

41. Pacific Ridge

Key Players: 6-1 Gavin Fletcher, 6-1 Lucas Rubino, 5-9 Alex Besio, 6-1 Zane Patel, 6-11 Malick Jallow, 6-2 Shadi Naber, 6-0 Rey Dickey, 6-1 Jed McDonald

Outlook: Last year’s Division 5 champions added one of the biggest roster additions of any team in San Diego – literally - in the 6-11 Jallow, a wiry rim runner and underrated passing post. Paired with the criminally underrated Fletcher - arguably one of the region’s best point guards - and fellow guards Rubino and Besio, the Firebirds will be the favorites to repeat as CIF champions, this time in Division 4.

42. Ramona

Key Players: 6-7 Aiden Bestul, 6-5 Jack Schaeffer, 6-1 Tayden Bryant, 6-7 Eric Lopez, 6-2 Bryce Corbin

Outlook: Will this be the year where Steve Jones has the prerequisite guard play to complement his elite size and improved front court play? Bestul has evolved into a versatile swingman at the four, Schaeffer has athleticism and strength and Lopez, a volleyball standout, is a pogo stick. The difference this year is the improvement of Bryant, a crafty scoring guard with deep range on his jumper, and Corbin, a consummate PG with good size and length. The Bulldogs figure prominently in a very good D3 race.

43. Monte Vista

Key Players: 5-7 Daesean Jenkins, 6-1 Jaren Wright, 6-2 Garret Tully, 6-0 Gabriel Alcantar, 6-2 Kaseem Conley, 5-8 Travarius Florence,

Outlook: After a .500 season that saw the Monarchs start three freshmen and battle admirably in the Grossmont Hills League, the team returns most of the core and is ready to take the next step forward. Jenkins could make a push for player of the year, and the infusion of Alcantar, who had academic issues last season, gives them a talented playmaker and late bloomer who complements Jenkins in the back court. Tully and Wright are dynamic wings with starkly different approaches to the game, but will give teams fits. If the youth take the next step, they could be contenders in the Hills.

44. Mater Dei Catholic

Key Players: 6-1 Jonathan Hawthorne, 5-9 Kannon Seals, 6-1 Jasir Fontenot, 5-10 Jaden Jonson, 6-0 Orlando Duarte, 6-0 Tre Rush, 6-4 Aaron Shafer, 6-3 Jonathan Okhueleigbe, 6-5 Marcus McNeill

Key Additions: 6-7 Enock Okito

Outlook: The Crusaders hit reset on their program with the midseason departure of head coach Jason Bryant, and hit a home run during the offseason with the hiring of Bazz Fontenot, the three-time CIF championship winner from San Diego High. Fontenot has a daunting rebuilding task ahead of him, but has some solid parts to work with, first and foremost with Hawthorne, a dynamic scorer who could be one of the region’s top scorers this year. Transfer addition Seals gives them a reliable playmaker and shooter and Jasir Fontenot - one of the world’s fastest hurdlers - provides them with an elite athlete. If Okito - who returns to Mater Dei after an injury plagued sophomore year- and McNeill can provide interior resistance, the Crusaders will rise rapidly.

45. Otay Ranch

Key Players: 5-10 Nyno Lopez, 6-1 Quincy Washington, 6-1 River Diaz, 6-1 Alyjah Pitterson,

Outlook: After injuries and program departures decimated the Mustangs last season, this squad looks ready to rebound behind some talented guard play, headlined by Southwest transfer Diaz, one of the region’s best pure scorers. Washington is a mismatch will his combination of strength and skill and Lopez is an electric scorer and playmaker that earned all league honors a season ago. Rebounding and interior defense will dictate how far they can go in league and Division 3.

46. Mt Carmel

Key Players: 5-10 Makai Orje, 6-6 Matthew Muttoni, 6-3 Caleb Hourani, 6-3 Tommy Burian, 5-9 Exavier Bandoy, 6-2 Jaylon Bond, 5-9 Ryder McCoy

Outlook: The team lost its best player during the offseason with the transfer of Tyler Humphrey, but the Sundevils – under Greg Lanthier in his return - have the pieces to make a dark horse run in Division 3. Orje, Bond and Muttoni (who hit a late growth spurt to get to 6-6) are battle tested and each have made big strides, and the team has shooters galore. Watch out for Bandoy, who Lanthier said is as good a PG as he had during his time in Rancho Penasquitos, which includes 2022 point guard and D2 champion Jaden Matusalem.

47. Mount Miguel

Key Players: 6-4 Brooklyn James, 5-10 Micah WIllis, 6-4 Trae Williams, 5-8 Jerome Radcliff, 5-11 Jaidyn Landers, 6-1 Jayden Crayton-Sherman, 6-2 T’Marrion Williams. 5-7 Issa Baudler

Outlook: On paper, this team has as much physical talent as any team in East County, anchored by a rapidly rising prospect in James, versatile albeit undersized guards in Willis, Landers and Radlciff, an athletic wild card in Williams and a steady glue guy/ shooter in the improving Crayton-Sherman. At times in the summer and fall, when it’s clicked, this group looks dynamic and explosive. But continuity and chemistry will be paramount for them to fully realize their upside.

48. Crawford

Key Players: 6-2 Mickleson Laguerra, 5-10 Keontae Lewis, 5-10 Abdullahi Abdullahi, 5-10 Damian Monroy, 6-7 Mustafa Abdi, 6-0 Nate Rodriguez, 6-1 Denis Cange, 5-9 Salah Mohamed

Outlook: The Colts, which are coming off of a 25-5 season that saw them ascend to the top of Division 4, returns one of the most underrated guards in Southern California in Laguerra, and he’s surrounded by a more than competent supporting cast including the crafty Lewis, steady Monroy and Abdullahi and the rugged Cange. But significant reinforcements head the Colts way from Hoover, including the return of Abdi, who played his freshman year at Crawford, and Rodriguez, who was a key reserve for the Cardinals.

T-48. West Hills

Key Players: 6-0 Ethen "EJ" Shaw, 6-2 Malekai Dillon, 6-3 Cameron Toups, 6-0 Dalex Morris, 5-8 Dru Bullard, 6-7 Miles Masek, 6-5 Jackson Davis, 5-7 Nat Barahona, 6-4 Brayden DeAngelis, 5-3 Blu Shaw

Outlook: The strength of the Wolfpack is in its back court, where Shaw, a double-figure assist threat, and Dillon - an elite shooter who is hitting a big growth spurt - comprise one of the county's best duos. Bullard, Morris and Barahona all have solid moments as well, giving West Hills a lot of options on the perimeter. Watch out for Masek, who has a lot of physical upside and is a late-bloomer to track.

49. Canyon Crest Academy

Key Players: 6-1 Max Navarro, 5-11 Zain Fadlu-Deen, 6-2 Alon Katchalski, Ben Du, 6-1 Ayden Pargal, 5-11 Taha Ibrahim, 6-4 Ethan Peters, 6-1 Ian Bates, 6-3 Ram Chirapu, 6-0 Jordan Falstad, 6-4 Seth Hornsten, 6-2 Marcus Lee

Outlook: The Ravens are always a tough out due to their ability to force teams to play at their pace, and this year’s squad continues the tradition of having an underrated senior who will fill it up in Navarro, a tough slasher and capable shot maker from deep. This year’s team however, will also feature a freshman starter for the first time in a decade in Fadlu-Deen, a sharpshooter who will have an immediate impact.

50. Kearny

Key Players: 6-4 Cameron Ackerman, 6-2 AJ Minton, 5-8 Jace Anderson, 6-3 Bobby Latson, 5-11 Carmelo Pulido, 6-1 Jalen Barnhill, 5-10 Caleb Robel, 5-10 Kailoa Yamamura-Haith

Outlook: The Komets bring back one of the more exciting underclassmen duos in San Diego in the athletic, wiry wing Ackerman and the prolific sharpshooter Minton, who averaged 14 points per game as a freshman. Suddenly, Kearny has become a transfer destination, adding Anderson from St. Augustine, Latson from High Tech Mesa and Pulido from Mission Bay. Once all the pieces are in place, the Komets will be a major contender in Division 4.

Next Up: Valhalla, Eastlake, Mar Vista, Morse, High Tech SD, Canyon Hills, Santana, Granite Hills