Boys Basketball: Your Mid-Season Fab Five

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If you were naming a mid-season all-area team, this would be my top five, all of whom are legitimate player of the year candidates. A lot can change between now and when CIF and state champions are crowned, but considering the individual seasons and how these players have impacted their teams, these are your front runners. Those teams/coaches who do not report season or individual game-by-game stats, sorry, I lean heavily on players I can follow. If you don’t want the pub or recognition, as Hammer says, that’s your prerogative. But I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I’ll bet every coach who regularly does not post stats or rosters loved seeing their name/career followed in the paper during their high school days.

Highlights of Reyes, having a monster year for Damien …

In no particular order …
Nick Colletta, Glendora — The sophomore transfer from Lutheran is leading the area with 24 points a game for the 15-4 Tartans. If they make a run in playoffs, he’ll be in the mix for sure.

Daniel Rodriguez, Bishop Amat — Great numbers across the board, averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the 15-5 Lancers, who have a great shot at winning the Del Rey League and making noise in the playoffs.

Chris Reyes, Damien — If you took a poll, Reyes would probably be the front runner for player of the year, averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks on the area’s top-ranked team with an impressive 16-1 overall record. A force on both ends of the floor, he will get tested in Saturday’s game against Mission Viejo.

Grant Jerrett, La Verne Lutheran — In terms of pure talent and size, he has it all. The University of Arizona commit is averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds for the 10-3 Trojans, who have tackled a tough non-league schedule with several out-of-state games, and will be tested in the playoffs now that they’re in the same Division as Price, who they will meet on Saturday

C.J. Cooper, La Verne Lutheran — He’s the straw that stirs the drink, averaging 16 points and five assists. He could probably average 25 points a game on most teams, but does what is needed to help the Trojans win.

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  • Basketball watcher

    Talking about the best players in the valley is tough. There are many good ones and there are plenty of all stars. Everyone talks about those two guys from La Verne LU and knows what they can do. Evryone knows what Chris Reyes from Damian can do. He is also 6’8″. Then there are those two guards from glendora and bishop amat. The guard from glendora I see potential, but he only scores for his team. I don’t see him create shots for his teammates. Glendora just runs good offense. The leading candidate for Sgv valley player should be Daniel Rodriguez from Bishop Amat. Im not saying he is the best player in the valley but every single night he is the guy that gives the amat lancers the victory. I have seen one of the best on ball defenders on him, Serra #2 Lee, and the other teams best defender. There is not a knight where he has a horrible cuz he fills up the stat sheet with rebounds, assists, and points at only 6 feet tall. He plays with the most heart i believe. He is probably the least athletic guy on your list to and I know you have seen what he has put together. I see fast, quick, tall, and big guard him and you dont stop his team from scoring. He is smart with the ball even with his lack of athleticism. Even when he plays against a team with 6’8″ and 6’10″ guys he will still average 10 rebounds. He will win those close games for any team. If him and Reyes were on the same team then i would have to say the mexicans would rule the valley this year. Everyone else is execellent player and wouldnt be surprised if the received this award but i would just say #3 from bishop amat earned it after three good varsity years of Bishop amat basketball.

  • Keith

    Rodriguez is good, I know that but before you give him credit for stopping Lee of Serra, just know Marquis is one of the top football players in the state and he will even tell you he is not that good at basketball.

    I personally would give it Grant, there hasn’t been a kid who can stop him, yes including Reyes, his numbers are off the charts, his potential is even more of the charts that his numbers.By his ranking now even tho its early, with him that highly ranked in the top 15 juniors in the country, that is McDonald’s All American Game if he keeps this up. I don’t remember the last player from this area who you could honestly say nationally he has a chance to play in that game and Jerrett does. He is my leading candidate for player of the year.

  • Lut Fan

    Lut fan to Keith said: First i want to commend Fred for bringing the attention to local basketball at a high level!Both APU Shoot and the caeliteshowcase will bring HS basketball to the valley to the attention that it deserves both showcases deserves the support by all surrounding areas! Coach Cooper brpught the best from the socal (SD) best teams Lincoln top 10 Nat. rnk and Hoover a traditional powerhouse with two top LA are top teams in Price and Lutheran and top top teams from cal north Salesian and Sacramento that is why it is call elite 3 state champs and 4 Cif finalists! the debate between Chris Reyes, great kid and parents the heart and soul of Damien !Grant 6ft9 from La Verne top Nat. rnk #12 by 2012 rivals , ESP #2 in the state class of 2012 was also named all tournament team at the beach Classic #2 tourney in the nation and followed up all tournament team in the bass Pro tournament of champion you be the judge come and see the best of the best talent in the caeliteshowcase! Best of luck to all players and teams!

  • Basketball watcher

    You are all right. I just like the way this kid Rodriguez plays. Most un athletic guy makes super athletic guys look stupid. But when i refered to Lee i was talking about his athleticism guarding Rodriguez. #3 also had 32 points tonight against a struggling cathedral team. Grant is one of the best players i have seen but like you said he is 6’9” and his rebound and point average is still lower then rodriguez and you cant disagree with that fact.

  • daily ref

    Fred- good list, great kids but suspect without Johnson-NView and Northrop Bonita to name a couple. Johnson puts up same numbers as bigs here but is out of position, just doing what he needs to. Northrop well…another level certainly on par with Cooper numbers and role wise, amat-bonita game is example top scorer, assists, steals so on. These schools must not report. Add in the Rowland kid and Walnut too, also like English too.

  • Living Legend

    Hey Fred you going Saturday to see the alumni game at Wilson High School between this years squad and the 86 squad that featured Scott Willams and won state. Scott is going to be there as well.

  • Voice of the Trojans

    Don’t be fooled by Grant Jerrett’s numbers. Until the Morningside game, he had not played more than half of any game they have played in the state of California. The Lutheran starters only play the entire 1st and 3rd quarters. The bench plays the 2nd and 4th.

    Grant, CJ Cooper or Bruce English could all be averaging 30 points per night playing on a different team.

  • just sayin’

    Voice of the Trojans – you don;t get out much, do you? You forget – those teams don’t have California School for the Deaf on their schedule. There is a little different talent level guarding those players. MAYBE, Jarrett on the right team but English and CJ are nice HS players – but 30?

  • There is our Glendora friends!

    I knew it was just a matter of time before the LVL basher came on to talk smack about the Lut trio. The fact is, YES, CJ and Bruce WOULD score 30 if they played on just about any team in the valley. Of course, since you have made the point about the weak teams in the Arrowhead league and the Braile Institute, California School for the Deaf etc…. ad nauseaum, even Stevie Wonder can see where you are coming from. The bottom line is, LVL would beat the heck out of your team to be sure and most teams in the SGV PERIOD end of story and end of discussion. By the way, Cooper doesn’t recruit, does coach many kids who play under him or his summer or travel ball programs etc etc etc yada yada yada blah blah blah. We have all heard it before hater, find another story to tell for Pete’s sake. Have fund with BP tomorrow night. You should beat them by 30 and then you can toute your great record and how awesome you are. What happened in the Baseline League tonight? Just curious