SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: Boys Basketball Previews: San Gabriel Academy, San Dimas
SGA is projected to having a huge season; San Dimas is well equipped to repeat as Valle Vista League champions.
San Gabriel Academy at Section 7 summer tournament in Arizona this past summer. (Photo: Twitter)
San Gabriel Academy HS
Coach: Kevin McCloskey
2021-22 Record: 15-11
Assistant Coaches: Terrence Littlefield, Rob Summers
Projected Guards Returning
Ethan McCloskey 12 6'3 185 PG: All Area, All Section 7, All Damien, - Visits to Oberlin, Westmont, CBU, UCSB. Being recruited by Colorado College, UCSC, CSDH
Jayden Mojica 12 6'0 175 G: 28pt game in damien, 23ppg section 7. Recruited by Redlands, Metro State, Cal Maritime
Mazin Lumori 12 6'5 170 G: Coming off ankle dislocation that kept Maz out all last year he will return and provide dynamic scoring at all levels
Jadis Langston 12 6'1 150 G
Projected Forwards Returning
Michael Baba 10 6'8 185 F: Lead team in rebounds, blocks, had some 20+ pt games in Damien and throughout season
Scotty Pan 12 6'8 225 SF: Good shooter coming off broken foot last year
Projected Centers Returning
Bourgious Tshilobo: 10 6'8 215 C
Top Newcomers
Marquis Humphreys, 9 5'9 155 PG: Freshman starting for us currently
Jenovie Kabeya 10 6'4 175 G: Transfer from Etiwanda
Moe Traore 9 6'4 175 G: Freshman playing well for us
Coach McCloskey’s Comments: 2022-23 should be the deepest SGA team for years with a heavy mix of youth (5 freshman/sophomores) coupled with seniors (5). This year’s team has length and size along with athleticism and shoots the ball well. Guard play will lead the way for SGA as will defense.
2022-23 Schedule: San Gabriel Academy Boys Basketball Schedule 2022-23
Crystal Ball: You be sure that this will be a top-5 area team this year. Kevin McCloskey has been part of some very good teams, when he says that this team is the “deepest SGA team for years” you can believe. It all starts with sweet shooting guards Ethan McCloskey, who made Frank Burlison’s All-Tournament Team from the Section 7 Tournament this past summer in Arizona. Jayden Mojica is another guard that is a scoring machine and Michael Baba gives SGA nice presence in the paint along with 6-foot 8, 215-pound sophomore Bourgious Tshilobo. Throw in Etiwanda transfer Jenovie Kabeya and freshman Marquis Humphreys into the mix and you can see why many (including this observer) thinks that SGA is LOADED this year. This team has a lot going for themselves and look for them to have a 20-win season.
(Photo: Twitter)
San Dimas HS
Coach: Jeremy Ketterling
2021-22 Record: 21-6
Assistant coaches: Nick Galloway, Eli Jackson, Jonah Ronquillo
Projected Guards Returning
Aaron Park 12 5'10, 12ppg 4 asst, (1st team League 11th and 10th grade)
Ethan Chavez 12 6'0, 12ppg, lead team in 3's (1st team All-League)
Logan Hodson 11 6'3, 4ppg as 10th grader
Projected Forwards Returning
David Liese 12 6'3, F
Top Newcomers
Eli Arvizu, 6'5, F
Levi Sinclair, 6'3, C
Nathan Yearout, 5'7, G
Coach Ketterling’s Comments: I love this team because they are high character kids who represent our school well and are really fun to coach. We are not the biggest or most athletic, but we do have some pretty skilled players who can really shoot it. We will be solid in the back court, led by our captains Aaron Park and Ethan Chavez. We are expecting big things from Logan Hodson, who has the potential to be our best player. I am really excited about newcomers Eli Arvizu who should really help us defensively and on the boards. This will be Levi Sinclairs 1st year in the program, he is strong and athletic, and we are really excited about him. Weaknesses: League will be tough, there are great coaches that will have their teams prepared. We will be playing in tough tournaments Prestesater Classic, Glendora Tournament, and the Damien Classic.
2022-23 Record: San Dimas HS Boys Basketball 2022-23 Schedule
Crystal Ball: Looking for your favorite to win the Valle Vista League, look no further than right here. There is not a better 1-2 guard combination that Aaron Park and Ethan Chavez. Both are 1st Team All-League players and will be counted on more this year. The program has huge expectations for Logan Hodson, one of the better underclass players in the area, and Eli Arvizu will be a work in progress for coach Ketterling. The league is competitive, but I think it’s not out of the realm to see this team win 20 games this year. My expectations for this team is sky high in 2022-23.