SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: 2023-24 Boys Basketball Preview: La Mirada, Arcadia
La Mirada welcomes one of the top freshman guards in the US; Arcadia is poised to be a major threat to Pasadena/Crescenta Valley for Pacific League Supremacy
La Mirada’s Julien Gomez (Escarcega)
La Mirada HS
Coach: Randy Oronoz
2022-23 Record: 25-10 (CIF-SS Div. 2AA Runner Up)
Assistant Coach: David Martinez
Incoming freshmen guard Gene Roebuck (Sports Passports)
Projected Guards Returning
Julien Gomez JR 6’3 178lbs G 25.6 ppg/ 8 Rebs D2 wooden award.
MJ Smith JR 6’4 185 G First team All League
Gene Roebuck FR 6’5 190 G Top Freshman in the Nation
King Riley So 6’2 155 PG
Projected Forwards Returning
Isaiah Valenzuela Sr 6’2 185 SF
Mikey Torres Sr 6’5 190 F 2nd team all League
Jarrete Cole JR 6’3 205 F
Tristan Partida So 5’8 145 G
Projected Centers Returning
Jaydin Cox JR 6’6 230 C
Chris Perez JR 5’10 150 G
Chris Cuevas SR 6’4 210 C
Adrian Hernandes SR 5’6 140 G
Top Newcomers
Ezra Aceves SR 6’1 165 G
Coach Oronoz Comments: “This is the most talented team we’ve had.
Our ability to score the ball from multiple positions makes us constantly
A threat. We hang our hat defensively so we know that always gives us
A chance to be in any game. This should be a great season for the
Matadores.”
CRYSTAL BALL: La Mirada’s questionnaire has now become one of the most anticipated questionnaires that we can’t wait to receive. Matadores lose two of their most scoring threats in Sean Cervantes and Athan Sierra (three point specialist) However, they do have one of the most widely anticipated freshmen to hit the court in Gene Roebuck. Many online recruiting websites have tabbed him as one of the top 25 incoming freshmen in the United States. One look at his online video and you can understand why those inside the program are on pins and needles for the season to begin. He is the perfect compliment to Julien Gomez, who is easily the best basketball player in the Whittier area and one of the premier guards in Southern California. Chris Cuevas is another player with varsity experience that will give La Mirada tremendous low post presence. And we are excited to see the progress that Tristian Partida has made from his freshman to his sophomore year. Make no mistake about it, this team should be in the conversation as one of the top teams in the area. We’ll be seeing this team a lot in 2023-24.
Arcadia HS
Coach: Nick Wallace
2022-23 Record: 19-10
Assistant Coach: Wendell Jackson, Nick Sanderson
Projected Guards Returning
Jordan Dollar 12 6'3 SG top 150 in cali pre prep hoops
Noa Eteuati Edwards 10 6.3 CG top 2026 in socal per prep hoops
Projected Forwards Returning
Brian Ching, 12, 6-3, W
Tyrese Butler, 10, 6-2, W
Projected Centers Returning
Lucas Li, 12, 6-4, F
Top Newcomers
Masseur Sanneh, 12, 6-5, F
Mateo Ingersoll, 10, 6-6, W/F
Jaydon Price, 10, 6-1, PG
Robert Winn III, 10, 6-4, CG
COMMENTS FROM COACH WALLACE: “Arcadia Boys Basketball will be fun to watch this upcoming season,we have two returing guards from last season team Jordan & Noa who are experience & part of the group that split with PHS for the first time in decades. We have a mixture of youth & experience that should help us compete for pacific league title this upcoming season.”
CRYSTAL BALL: For the first time in many years, Arcadia has become a legitimate threat to Pasadena and Crescenta Valley for supremacy in the Pacific League. Although Pasadena will be the favorites, the Apaches should be considered the second choice behind the Bulldogs. Dollar and Edwards should be able to score from anywhere on the court and are tw of the better guards that you will see in the area. We are very interested to see how Sanneh develops as he could give them some much needed size in the low post. Losing Domino (Transfer from Arizona) and Kwon to graduation is a blow for the program. But don’t feel sorry for Wallace and company. This team should also be considered for a spot on the first top-10 ranking when they come out very soon. Apache fans should buckle up for what should be a great hoops season.