LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY
Last year: 22-11 overall, 8-4 Coastal Conference (second to Foothills Christian).
Something new: Freshman twins James and John Hapgood, 6 feet tall.
Team motto or word: “Attack everything: on offense, defense, even water break and putting on your shoes.”
Coach’s insight incorporated into his program: Coach Ryan Meier: “Relationships. This year, more than any other year, we’re stressing relationships as a team. We think that will do more than anything else to make us successful.”
Key players: Three senior captains: Ryan Langborg, 6 feet 4 inches tall guard; Jayson Taylor, 6 feet 10 inches tall center; Ray Lu, 5 feet 9 inches tall guard. Plus Sam Coleman, a 6 feet 3 inches tall junior forward.
BISHOP’S
Last year: 17-11 overall, 5-7 Coastal Conference.
Something new: A new attack.
Team motto or word: “Focus on each of our roles. Control what kind of teammate we are.”
Coach’s insight incorporated into his program: Coach Nick Levine: “I’ve learned that you develop a relationship with each player, motivate each one to develop them as people and to make it a great experience for them overall.”
Key players: Christian Rose, 6 feet 6 inches tall senior. Zach White, point guard. Anthony Wood, 5 feet 10 inches tall junior guard.
LA JOLLA
Last year: 12-15 overall, 5-7 Western League.
Something new: Jett Wilson, a 5 feet 10 inches tall senior guard from Mira Mesa. He brings “intensity,” in Coach Paul Baranowski’s words.
Coach’s philosophy: Team play within the offense and defense.
This season’s approach: Forward Evan Brown and guards Gabe and Diego Solis are recovering from broken collarbones sustained in football. Be patient. Take what the season gives you.
Key players: Nick Hulquist, 6 feet 4 inches tall senior guard. Behzad Hashemi, 5 feet 11 inches tall senior guard.
CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC
Last year: 13-14 overall, 7-5 Western League. Lost in the Division 1 quarterfinals.
Something new: “Not really – one senior, like last year: A.J. Maisano, 6 feet tall guard.”
Team motto or word: Coach Will Cunningham: “Just be hungry. That’s going to be reflected in our play and in our style.”
Coach’s insight incorporated into his program: “Treat people the way you want to be treated. You’re a quote-unquote varsity player. People make you out to be more than you are. Be humble. Treat people with respect.”
SANTA FE CHRISTIAN
Last year: CIF Division 1 champs. 20-12 overall, 7-5 Coastal Conference (third behind Foothills Christian and La Jolla Country Day).
Something new: 6 feet 2 inches tall senior guard Chase Pagon, a transfer from Virginia.
Team motto or word: “Level 6.” Six levels of core values that build on each level: attitude, commitment, work ethic, accountability, trust, love. Based on a Christian worldview.
Coach’s insight incorporated into his program: “We’re going to go to Uganda this coming summer and build two basketball courts. Mission trips taught me to how to use my passion to honor the Lord.”
Key players: Sophomore Trevan Martin, sixth man last year, and 6 feet 5 inches tall senior Griffin Morris.
MISSION BAY
Last year: Open Division champions; lost in the state playoffs. Western League champs. 27-6 overall, 11-1 Western League.
Something new: “Nothing,” says Coach Marshawn Cherry. “We have everyone back, including all five starters.”
Team motto or word: “Family. We’re a family. We do everything as a family.”
Coach’s insight incorporated into his program: “Be a student athlete, not an athletic student. A student athlete takes care of their grades. An athletic student plays sports and lets the grades fall where they will.”
Key players: Four four-year starting seniors: Rejean (Boogie) Ellis, 6 feet 2 inches tall guard, CIF Player of the Year. Jamaryee Norton, 6 feet 2 inches tall. Ronnie Latting, 6 feet 7 inches tall. Andrea Scott, 6 feet 1 inch tall.