Boys Basketball: Checking in at Taft

I just got off the phone with Taft coach Derrick Taylor and he couldn't be happier about the upcoming season.

You can't blame him when he says, "I have 21 guys on varsity right now and they all can play. I have to find a way to drop some guys down to JV."

Taylor may have the most talent-laden team in the area.

Taft returns seniors Justin Hawkins, Terran Carter and Michael Williams. Hawkins is headed to UNLV, Carter is receiving interest from CSUN, Montana St. and Boston College and Williams is looking at Northern Arizona as a possible place to unleash his lethal 3-point stroke.

The Toreadors also are welcoming several newcomers who are turning heads during sixth-period basketball class.

Taylor has been impressed by David Shepard-Dykes, a point guard from Oxnard.

"If we had our first game today, he would be the starting point guard," Taylor said.

The other newcomers are 6'7 junior De'Andre Daniels from Renaissance Academy, junior Bryce Jones from View Park Prep, sophomore Dominique Evans from Van Nuys and Dorsey's Sam Natt.

Don't forget about freshman Landon Drew either.

"Landon is going to play a lot," Taylor said. "He is so far ahead because he has grown up in a gym practically."

Taylor is also high on sophomores Khiry Williams and Spencer Dinwiddie.

"One college recruiter told me he thinks we have 13 Division I players when it's all said and done."