SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone Boys Basketball Preview: Glendora, Diamond Bar
Glendora looking to improve on a 17-win season; Diamond Bar positioned for a run at a Hacienda League basketball title.
Glendora HS
Coach: Gordon Hamlow
Assistant Coaches: Cliff Hamlow, Derek McGee and David Newkirk
2021-22 Overall record: 17-10
RETURNING STARTER (Name/Pos./Ht./Yr./key stats/honors)
Chris Lee G 6’2 11 Jr.
OTHER RETURNING PLAYER
Benji Holt G 6’1 11 Jr
TOP NEWCOMERS
Colton Gray F 6’4 10 Soph
Ian Wang G 5’10 11 Jr
Landon Barragan G 5’10 12 Sr
Coach Hamlow’s Comments: Strengths: Great shot selection; strong low post presence and tough defensive play will be the staple of this team. The Tartans believe they will be a strong contender in the Palomares League. Weakness: Youth is a question mark as the Tartans feature only 1 senior projected to start. Last year’s JV team was strong and several of those players will have to step up. They will also rely on three strong sophomores to bolster their attack. Goals: This season Glendora is prepared to apply a sound team concept. The Tartans will play aggressive defense including a solid full court press. The goal offensively is a balanced attack, featuring a combination of good outside shooting, dribble penetration, and low post scoring. Coupling this with a healthy transition game, Glendora expects to provide its fans with an exciting season
2022-23 Basketball Schedule: Glendora boys basketball schedule
CRYSTAL BALL: Life after Luke Jacobson and Braydon Wooldridge begins at Glendora. Both are off to college and the Tartans will have to hit the reset button this year. With only senior on the roster, this will be one of the younger teams that Hamlow will be working with this year. Benji Holt will garner most of the workload on offense, along with follow guard Chris Lee, but the one player intrigues us sophomore Colton Gray. A 6-4, the sophomore will either play the strong forward (4) or the center (5) position. The league will be no joke as Colony has one of the better teams in Southern California, with Ayala being right there, but if Glendora can sneak in with a 20-win season, it would be a huge feather to Hamlow’s resume.
DIAMOND BAR HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Henry Frierson
Assistant Coaches: Sam Slay Eric Ingram Omar Nasir
2021-22 Record: 15-11
Projected Guards
Dior Brown 12 6' 150 PG 2022 All league
Ethan Alfonso 11 5'10" 150 G
Gozi Ejike 12 6' 150 G
Kingsom Maik 12 5'8" 150 G
Projected Forwards Returning
Malcolm Bell 12 6'5" 200 G/W 2022 1ST TEAM ALL LEAGE / ALL CIF
Alex Kim 12 6'4" 215 W 2022 2ND TEAM ALL LEAGUE
Caleb Wright 12 6'2" 190 W
Projected Centers Returning
Max Gao 10 6'6" 170 F
Top Newcomers
Max Gao 10 6'6" 170 F
Reed Bevans 10 6'1" 160 g
Jedi Chow 9 6'1" 160 pg
Robert Neighbors 11 6'3" 230 F
Coach Frierson’s Comments: Strengths would be us being a veteran team with decent athleticism. A weakness for us would being a bit undersized. Aspirations for the year are 1st to win a league title after having finished 2nd the past two years behind Los Altos (2021 outright, 2022 tied with Walnut), and to have a deep run in CIF. We had a great summer against some tough competition and look to build upon that.
2022-23 Schedule: Diamond Bar Basketball Schedule
Crystal Ball: If you are looking for a major contender to challenge Walnut for the Hacienda League title, look no further. We are huge fans of Malcolm Bell, who is one of the more electrifying players in the east region of the valley. He is fun to watch. Alex Kim, a 6-4, 215 forward, is the perfect complement to Bell. Size is a bit of an issue, but we’ll worry about that when the playoff hit. For now, We have big expectations for the Brahmas this season. We’ll be watching these guys early in the season.