Damien and new coach Mike LeDuc headline Tribune Pre-Season Boys Basketball top ten poll

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1. DAMIEN
Damien boys basketball standout Bryce Peters, who signed a national letter of intent with Colorado and is the headliner for the Spartans’ defending Division III state champions, was asked what it has been like since legendary area coach Mike LeDuc took over.
“He looks re-charged,” Peters said. “It’s been great. He’s excited for something new.”
LeDuc is one of the winningest boys basketball coaches in section history with 826 career wins. LeDuc won four CIF championships and 15 league titles in nearly 30 years at Glendora before deciding the time was right to return to Damien, where he began his coaching career from 1979-86 before moving to Glendora in 1987.
The opportunity to take over at Damien became available when Spartans coach Matt Dunn, who won a divisional and state title with the Spartans, bolted for St. John Bosco.
“I’m not coming in with the expectation of doing what they did last year, they had a real special team,” LeDuc said. “Our goal is to win as many games as we can and be the best we can possibly be.
“Last year was an incredible year for Damien basketball. Now, we’ve got a new group of kids who are going to write their own story.”
And that group is still pretty special, which is why Damien leads the way as the Tribune’s top-ranked squad as the season gets underway this week.
“The (change) has been great,” LeDuc said. “Of course Glendora was special and there are a lot of memories there. But this is something new and I’m excited about it.”
LeDuc always has let scorers score, so expect Peters to average more than 20 points with a supporting cast that will compete in the super tough Baseline League and be among the favorites in Division 1AA.
Along with Peters, the Spartans return junior Justin Hemsley, the brother of Jeremy Hemsley, who was the back-to-back player of the year now at San Diego State.
Add to that Elijah McCullough, Kaleb Wilborn and 6-foot-7 transfer Isaiah White from Upland to round out what will likely be the starting five.
Peters averaged 14 points last year as the third option behind Jeremy Hemsley and Malik Fitts.
“Bryce is a very, very talented player and this is going to be his opportunity to shine, lead and show what he’s capable of doing,” LeDuc said. “Last year he had to play a different role, this year it’s different and I expect him to have a fantastic season.”

2. DIAMOND RANCH
There was no doubt first-year coach Eric Cooper, who had won multiple section and state titles while at nearby La Verne Lutheran, would immediately turn the Panthers into a section power and he did, leading the Panthers to a 20-9 overall record and semifinal finish in the Division 3A playoffs, losing to Sonora, 76-56.
“This year it’s championship or bust,” Cooper said. “I think that every year, but I love what we have coming back and what we added. These guys are working extremely hard and are ready to leave their marks on the game.”
Diamond Ranch, which finished second in the Hacienda League behind Walnut, brings back 7-foot center Roman Silva, who averaged 13 points and eight rebounds, and 6-foot-1 point guard Tyler Mclean.
But the increased optimism comes from adding Etiwanda transfer Eric Wright (junior) and senior shooting guard Ryan Haywood, a transfer from Mater Dei.
Junior Ahmad Chambers, a transfer from Corona Centennial, won’t be eligible until January because of the sit-out period.
“We went through the summer and fall and beat some pretty good teams,” Cooper said. “I expect that we can keep the momentum going.

3. BONITA
After finishing third in the Palomares league Bonita caught fire in the Division 3AA playoffs, advancing to the semifinals before losing 84-73 under first-year coach Tim Godley.
With five key players back including two all-league selections, the Bearcats appear to be the favorite in the Palomares and a team eying a 3AA title.
Bonita finished 23-7 last year and bring back first-team all-league point guard Joe Quintana, who also was first team in Division 3AA. The ‘Cats also return senior first-team all-league guard Tyler Poepping, and key contributors Anthony Cascarano, Russell Hernandez and BJ McLaurin.
Newcomers to watch include sophomore’s Isaiah Horne, Jamaal Barnes and juniors Logan Zylstra and Andrew Williams.
“We are looking to our core returning guys to lead us,” Godley said. “They’ve done a great job through the summer and fall of setting the tone.”
On a league title?
“The Palomares is a tough league,” Godley said. “Ayala and Claremont return talented teams,” Godley said. “The rest of the league is tough also.”

4. WALNUT
The Mustangs beat out Diamond Ranch and Los Altos to win the highly competitive Hacienda League and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 1A quarterfinals — one of the toughest sections in the Southland outside the Open Division, losing in the quarterfinals to Loyola.
The Mustangs were 25-6 and bring back another solid group under second-year coach Joe Khouzam.
The Mustangs bring back first-team all-area and second-team Division 1A wing player Dwight Ramos, who averaged 18 points a game.
“He’s looking to improve his game,” Khouzman said. “He’s stepping into the role as the team leader at both ends of the floor.”
Also returning is junior center Eric Song and senior guard Jordan Montenegro, who averaged six points.
Walnut is excited about freshman guard Eli Ramos, who Khouzman said has a great feel for the game, along with junior guard Ryan Dai, who can fill it up.
“It’s a very competitive league this year,” Khouzman said. “The league has a lot of talent with good coaches. Would love to be competing for a league championship.”

5. LOS ALTOS
The Conquerors have been as consistent as anyone under longtime coach Jeff Lucas, in his 20th season as head coach and 28th overall at the school.
Los Altos was 20-9 last year and reached the Division 3AA quarterfinals, losing to eventual finalist Gahr.
Los Altos, winners of the Covina tournament last year, have three talented underclassmen.
Junior forward Cameron Martin can play above the rim and sophomore shooting guard Julian Lopez is an all-around player who made the varsity as a freshman. There is also 6-foot-1 sophomore shooting guard Bryant Howing, who can stretch the floor.
Speaking of freshman, Jarod Lucas, coach Jeff Lucas’ son, is a 6-foot-3 point guard expected to make an immediate impact and could be one the league’s top players.
“The Hacienda League will be very competitive with Diamond Ranch, Los Altos and Walnut being the top three teams and West Covina, Chino and Charter Oak all being better this season than last year,” Lucas explained.
On expectations?
“We have a very good young team, “ Lucas said. “We’ll have three sophomores and two freshmen part of the squad along with some juniors. We had a good team and good season last year with a 20-9 record. But this year we have a lot more depth, more height and more length at all positions, and very well could be a better team than last years.”

6. GLENDORA
For the first time in nearly three decades, legendary LeDuc won’t be roaming the Tartans’ sidelines.
LeDuc resigned to take over at Damien and leaves a big hole to fill.
Longtime assistant Marcus Bryan, who spent the past seven years under LeDuc, will take over a team that finished 25-5 and advanced to the Division 2AA quarterfinals before losing to Elsinore, 56-30.
The Tartans graduated 10 players from last year’s team, including standouts Brandon Brothers, A.J. Bigornia and Joseph Alvarez.
But Glendora basketball usually reloads and that’s what Bryan is banking on.
Junior guard Keith Sera is the lone returner and only player with varsity experience, but expect 6-foot-4 forward Jamie Strong to shoulder the scoring load.
“Jamie is the best scorer we have,” Bryan said. “He is a very good 3-point shooter and also a versatile player on the block.”
Senior guard Gerald Rodriguez and forward Daniel Miller are expected to make big contributions too.
“Gerald is our fastest player and a good shooter,” Bryan said. “Daniel is the most versatile player we have. He can play all five positions.”
The Tartans also are high on sophomore Jack Ravasdy, a transfer from Maranatha who got pulled up for the playoffs as a freshman last year and won CIF championship with the Minutemen.
So what are the expectations?
“We know that Ayala and Bonita both return a lot of players from some very good teams,” Bryan said. “They should be the class of the league while the rest of us battle out the bottom four spots.”

7. WORKMAN
Defending Montview League champion Workman, which finished 20-8 and advanced to the second round in Division 4AA, is expected to bring back another talented cast for coach Martin Flores.
The Lobos return senior guard Alan Matron, who averaged a double-double and was the Montview league player of the year along with all-league returnees Andres Yanez (6-foot-5) and Oliver Lopez (6-foot-4).
The Lobos will have size with newcomers Jose Macias (6-foot-7) and 6-foot-3 wing player Luis Flores.
“We will once again contend for the league title and look forward to another successful campaign,” Flores said. “We are once again in the tough 4AA division. As always it will be a challenge when you see the teams who have moved into the division but we are looking forward to getting over the hump and perhaps making a run. “
8. BISHOP AMAT
The Lancers return two key contributors from last year’s team that finished 20-9 and advanced to the second round of the Division 3A playoffs under 12th year coach Brandon Ertle
Returning is 6-foot-11 post machine Harrison Kay, an NCAA Division I prospect along with senior shooting guard/forward Ryder Ruiz, also the back-up quarterback on the Lancers’ football team.
The Lancers’ JV team won the league title last year and bring up sharp-shooting guard James St. Louis.
Like most years, Bishop Amat will likely have a better chance of advancing in the Division 3A playoffs that competing in the super tough Camino Real League, where they finished fourth a year ago.

9. SAN DIMAS
San Dimas finished a disappointing 11-16 under first-year coach Gordon Hamlow, who took over after years of producing steady teams at Rowland.
The Saints, who compete in the 4AA Division, return junior guard Russell Ocampo and sophomore Donnell Leffridge.
Other returners of note are 6-foot-5 junior Spencer Bandow, center Joey Castenada and forwards Ikenna Mbaruguru and Ronnie Rafeh.
“We should be pretty balanced,” Hamlow said. “Our biggest expectation is for each guy to be a great defender. There are four guys that should lead us offensively, Leffridge, Bandow, Rafeh and Mbaruguru.”
In terms of league expectations, Hamlow gives Wilson the edge.
“The league looks balanced with Wilson being the team to beat,” Hamlow said. “Rowland has some solid returners and a scorer up from (junior varsity). Covina has good size to complement their zone defense, however they graduated most of their starting five.
“ Northview has a solid point guard back and Nogales graduated everyone, but brings in a transfer from Rowland who could help them. That said, the Saints feel they can contend for a league championship this year.”

10. COVINA
The Colts finished 20-9 and advanced to the second round of the Division 4AA playoffs, losing to Oaks Christian.
Though the Colts lose some talented players, tenth-year head coach Will Bissman should have them battling for a Valle Vista league title again.
The Colts return four players, including seniors Dorian Robinson and Nicholas Valencia, both forwards, along with junior guards Angel Rivas and Steven Davila.
Bryan Gutierrez, a junior transfer from Azusa and freshman Gabe Baig also are expected to be key contributors.
“We lost most of our scoring leaders to graduation,” Bissman said. “However, we feel we have solid pieces to pick up where we left off. We will be led by our three junior guards (Davila, Gutierrez and Rivas) who can all shoot the three as well as get to the basket. Additionally, we are very excited about freshmen forward Gabe Baig, he is a true dual threat that can score inside and out.”
On favorites for the Valle Vista?
“The Valle Vista League will be very competitive once again,” Bissman said. “Rowland and Wilson are solid and will always reload. San Dimas has many returners and had a great summer. Northview and Nogales are much improved. The Colts have a good mixture of size, strength, and speed and feel like we should be right in the mix to compete again for a league title.”

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