The upcoming 2022-2023 will not be any different than any other year when it comes to the Big 8 Conference. The Northern California conference is one of the most competitive in the state and is always a battle night in and night out. Last season, it was a tale of two halves in conference action as Folsom Lake took control early but faltered late, and San Joaquin Delta got hot late and ended up sharing the conference title with Santa Rosa. Three teams ended up making the post season but all three teams within the conference were out of the state tournament by the end of the 2nd round. This season will be a great race until the end as there is not a clear favorite for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Big 8 Conference Projection

Cosumnes River (17-11): Last season Cosumnes River finished the season with 17 wins. The Hawks started the season with a 9-3 and missed the post season after finishing 8-8 in conference action last year. The Hawks got hot late and finished the season 8-3 in their last 11 games and will look to build off their late season success. Cosumnes River lost two big pieces including big man Dillon Iyawe but return four key players back from last seasons team. “6-3” Ja’Rod Webb comes back after a solid freshman campaign as the guard averaged 13.1 points per game. “6-5” Kaleb Drake (10.0 points), “6-1” Kyree Dunn (8.9 points), and “6-3” Solomon Evans return to the squad. “6-5” Brandon Scott a transfer from Rider will be a key piece, “6-5” Ladarious Stanfield a transfer from Sacramento City College and “6-3” James Gill comes back after playing back in 17-18 for the Hawks. “5-10” Karlos Zepeda (Elk Grove HS) will bring outside shooting to the team, “6-6” Antonio Tercero (River City HS), “6-4” Shane Osby (West Campus HS), and “6-9” Montell Shelton will bring size to the front court.

Projection: Going into the new season, will the Hawks have enough to take home the championship in the Big 8 Conference? I really like their depth with the wings and their versatility within their lineup. Drake, Dunn, Scott, Webb are all pieces that make the Hawks intriguing. Cosumnes River showed in Southern California that they have the pieces to be fairly competitive. The Hawks have athleticism and we really like this group as they have talent across the board.They are one of the bigger teams within the conference but do lack height within their front line but we still like their chances of making the post season and taking home the 2022-2023 championship in the Big 8 Conference.

STLB best college prospect: “6-5” Brandon Scott

Santa Rosa (19-10): In the 2021-2022 season, Santa Rosa Junior College won 19 games and finished on top of the Big 8 Conference. The Bearcubs were running away with the conference championship but hit a mid conference slump and lost three straight games. At the end of the regular season, the co champions of the Big 8 Conference, Bearcubs found themselves in the post season as the 8th seed but suffered a home loss against Los Medanos in the 2nd round of the Northern California playoffs. Coming into the new year, the Bearcubs will return one player from last seasons team as “6-3” Teo Tomerlin returns after seeing limited playing time in his freshman season. “6-0” Muhammad Gilchrist (transfer from Florida Memorial), and the very athletic “6-4” Tyce Baldwin (transfer from Oklahoma Baptist) and “6-1” Justin Powell will provide sophomore experience. “6-1” Jayden Green (Washington Union HS), “6-4” Stephen Ransom (Benicia HS), “6-7” Justin Smith (Windsor HS), “6-4” Ezekiel Stallworth (Scots, AZ) and “6-7” Nolan Capurro (Cardnail Newman HS) will all be freshmen that are expected to contribute this season.

Projection: It is always a given that Santa Rosa will be near the top of the Big 8 standings and have a competitive team every season. Coach Craig Mcmillian is one of the best in the business and his teams usually peak later on in the season. The Bearcubs do not have a lot of experience and we may see them take some early losses. With that being said, there are a lot of questions about the team but we still have them finishing high in the conference and see the Bearcubs finishing in 2nd place in the Big 8 Conference and most likely making the post season in the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-4” Tyce Baldwin

Diablo Valley (14-15): The 2021-2022 was a disappointing end to the Diablo Valley basketball team. The Vikings were a very talented team that struggled to find consistency throughout the season and finished the season with a 14-14 record and a 9-7 and a 5th place finish in the Big 8 Conference. Diablo Valley did make a post season appearance as the 19th seed and almost played the spoiler role but ended up losing to Redwoods 91-83 in the 1st round of the Northern California playoffs. The Vikings lost a lot of key pieces from last seasons team including Casey Cappo, Josh Niusulu, Gordy Lindsay and Aaryn Anderson. As we enter the new season, “6-1” Malik Edwards leads the list of returnees as the point guard averaged 11.5 points per game and should be one of the better point guards in Northern California. “6-1” Niko Kieffer (2.2 points), and the athletic “6-4” Osumanu Nuhu (4.1 points) return to the team for their sophomore campaigns. “6-3” Camani Grace will be a great newcomer and “5-11” Joaquin Oporeza will add sophomore experience to the Vikings. “6-1” Yatyn Anderson (Granada HS), “5-11” Vinny Hurtado (Clayton Valley HS), “6-4” Elijah Keys (De La Salle HS), “6-2” Ben Tellez (College Park HS), and “6-0” Jakari Hynes-Akil will all be freshmen looking to contribute to the Vikings for the upcoming season.

Projection: The Vikings lost a lot of scoring from last seasons team but at the showcase looked like a team that will compete for the conference championship. We really like their back court with Edwards and Grace and the Vikings have some solid pieces in play to be one of the top teams that have the ability to contend in the upper half of the conference. It will be intriguing to see who that third guy to step up and be a consistent piece to their puzzle. Despite losing some key pieces, we really believe that Diablo Valley will have a chance to contend for a conference title and have them finishing 3rd place for the 2022-2023 season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-3” Camani Grace

Folsom Lake (16-12): It was a season to remember for the Falcons as Folsom Lake stormed on the scene and won 16 games. The Falcons contended for a Big 8 Conference championship but stumbled late losing five of their last seven regular season games and fell to a 10-6 conference record and a tie for 3rd place. The third place finished earned the Falcons a post season bid which saw Folsom Lake go on the road and lose in the 1st round against a talented Chabot team. Coming into the new season, Folsom Lake will have to replace a lot of scoring as the Falcons lost 49 points within their lineup from a year ago. The Falcons return five players including the talented “6-9” Dane Johnson who averaged 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in his freshman campaign. The big man will be a player to watch after having a standout season as the incoming sophomore was 2nd in the state in block shots. Folsom Lake will return “6-4” Joseph Schneider (6.2 points), “6-1” Donovan Cokley (4.3 points), “6-4” Phillip Polezhako (3.6 points) and “6-4” Sean Flaherty (2.3 points) all to the lineup with sophomore experience. “5-7” Jordan Hess (Elk Grove HS), “5-10” Te’And Indalecio (Inderkum HS) will bring quickness to the lineup, “6-3” Tariq Ali (Folsom HS), “6-6” Alan Davis Jr (Arizona Prep), “5-10” Anthony Arguelles (Mesa Verde HS) and “6-6” Keandre Burns (Davis HS) will all be freshmen that will look to contribute for the upcoming season.

Projection: What should we expect from this seasons Falcons team? Folsom Lake lost a lot of key pieces to their lineup and a lot of scoring from a team that made the post season. Dane Johnson returns to the lineup but will need to stay on the floor consistently this upcoming season. It will be interesting to see who will give them a perimeter threat at the offensive end from their back court players. We expect the Falcons to have a drop off from last season as a lot of guys will have to fill roles that they are not used to doing. We project Folsom to have a competitive team and finish right around the middle of the pack of a wide open conference race having them finishing in 4th place for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-9” Dane Johnson

San Joaquin Delta (18-11): Last season the Mustangs struggled in the early part of the season, but by the end of the season San Joaquin Delta was one of the better teams in Northern California. Delta finished off the regular season going 8-2 and bringing home a share of the Big 8 Conference championship going 12-4 and earning a post season bid. The 13th seeded Mustangs almost pulled off a major upset in the 2nd round but ended up losing 65-64 to 4th seeded Columbia to end their 2021-2022 campaign. This upcoming season the Mustangs welcome back five players off their 18 win season. “5-7” Dayton Magana returns back after having a standout season for the Mustangs. The Most Valuable Player of the Conference averaged 16.7 points and 4.0 assists last season and should have another solid season. “6-4” Kendrick Curry is another player that should have a great season after averaging 12.6 points in his freshman season. “6-1” Christian Cuevas (1.8 points), “6-1” Parm Khattra (1.2 points) and “6-2” Cameron Malone will return to the Mustangs. “6-5” Aadyn Phillips (Bear Creek HS), “6-5” Kai Martin (Liberty HS), “6-0” Ben Almaraz (Lincoln HS), “6-6” Dominic Perasso (St. Mary’s HS), “6-3” Logan Gillespie (Ripon HS) will be freshmen that could contribute this season.

Projection: The Mustangs will have to fill a big void left in the middle as big man Vince Olmo did not return for his sophomore campaign. San Joaquin Delta is slim up front but at the same time return two solid back court players that they will rely on heavy. In a conference wide open as it is, Coach Ressa and company will have a solid shot at finishing in the upper half of the conference. Coach Ressa and his teams are well coached and always seem to get better as the season moves forward. With that being said, we see them finishing in the middle of the pack and have them finishing 5th place for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-4” Kendrick Curry

Sacramento (5-22): The 2021-2022 season was a tough year for the Panthers. Sacramento struggled to find consistency in the non conference part of their schedule and towards the end of the year, the Panthers did not have enough players to put on the court due to covid. Sacramento was forced to forefeit five conference games and finished in 8th place and 2-14 in conference action. The Panthers lost a lot of pieces from last seasons team including Jake Paxton and will return two players from the squad from a year ago. Leading the list of returnees is “6-6” Khyri Marshall who averaged 14.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in his freshmen season. Marshall will be a standout front court player that should be a solid piece for the Panthers. “6-0” Samir Kahn (9.8 points) will bring experience and a scoring punch to the backcourt. “6-0” Drew Fisher (Liberty Ranch HS) showed play making skills at the showcase, “6-2” Jordan Lawrence (Mountain House HS), “6-2” Jeremiah Cardwell (Fairfield HS), “6-3” Andrew Ferrara-Jones (West Campus HS), and “6-8” Dajon Lott (Elk Grove HS) will look to contribute in their first season.

Projection: Coming into the new season, Sacramento will look to have a better season in the upcoming year. The Panthers have Khyri Marshall coming back that has shown that he can score the basketball and Samir Kahn will add some scoring to the back court. Drew Fisher and Dajon Lott are talented freshman that should impact Sacramento for the upcoming season. We will see more wins from this team but we expect them to fall into the lower half of the conference and finish in 6th place in the Big 8 Conference for the 2022-2023 season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-8” Dajon Lott

Modesto (4-24): The Pirates had a tough year last season after finishing their campaign with only four wins in the 2021-2022 season. Modesto picked up wins against Lassen, Marin, Hartnell and Sacramento but finished in 9th place going 1-15 in conference action. The Pirates will return seven players for the upcoming season after winning four games. The loss of Jacob Staton will hurt but “6-0” Lydell King returns for his sophomore season after averaging 10.7 points in his freshman campaign. “6-4” rebounding machine Josh Allen returns after averaging 12.0 rebounds per contest a year ago. “6-4” Carlos Hernandez (10.1 points), “5-10” Semaj Pearson (2.0 points), “6-3” Jordan McGrath (1.3 points), “6-4” Isaac Rodrigues (1.8 points) and Dylan Lopez will provide the Pirates sophomore experience. “6-1” Justice Chase (Manteca HS), “6-4′ Elijah Goluza (Reynolds HS), “6-1” Samuel Stewart (Lathrop HS), “6-4” Ethan Parker (West Allis Central HS), and “6-4” Benson Leavitt (Virgin Valley HS) will all be freshmen looking to contribute for the 2022-2023 season.

Projection: The Pirates return seven players as three of them played a solid role for Modesto a year ago. Allen, King and Hernandez will be key pieces for the Pirates and Modesto should be an improved team for the upcoming season. The Pirates looked more athletic and a team that will be improved but we still expect them to finish in the lower half of the conference. We project that Modesto will finish in 7th place for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-4” Joshua Allen

Sierra (15-13): In the 2021-2022 the Sierra College Wolverines had trouble finding consistency in the win column. The team from Rocklin was streaky and floated around the .500 mark all season long. When conference came around, Sierra lost four of their five games and finished conference action with an 8-8 record and finished tied for 6th place and missed the post season. Going into the new season, the Wolverines lost four sophomores but will only return three players off last seasons team. “6-2” Isiah Duve (9.9 points), “6-3′ Tamatoa humbert (8.0 points), and “6-4” Anthony mendez (5.6 points) return for their second season with the team. All three players were key components of the balanced attack at the offensive end for the 2021-2022 team. “6-3” Quintin Boomstra (Holland), “6-4” Pedro Leme (Brazil), “6-2” Mitch Hauxwell-Te Paa (Australia), “6-3” Cameron Frazior (Atwater HS), “6-5” Maurece Lattimore (Woodcreek HS), and “6-4” James Cook (Antelope HS) will all be freshmen looking to contribute to the Wolverines for the upcoming season.

Projection: The Big 8 is one of the hardest conferences to project as their are some very good coaches around the conference and most teams get a lot better as the season passes along. Sierra is not any different as head coach John Fusano is a very defensive minded coach and will have his teams ready to play. The Wolverines lack size this season but should never be counted out but we have them projected finishing 8th in the Big 8 for the upcoming season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-3” Tamatoa humbert

American River (17-10): Last season the Beavers had a solid season and finished the year with 17 wins. American River finished conference action with a 10-6 record and were one of the hottest teams in Northern California as the regular season ended. After ending the season with a 9-2 record, the Beavers earned a post season bid as a 16th seed but suffered a home loss against Cabrillo to end their season. Going into the new season, American River will return five players from a year ago. “5-10” Tyrell Minor (5.2 points), “5-8” Jadon Amiot (1.6 points), “6-5” Spencer Shoemaker (1.5 points), “6-5” Sam Shields (1.1 points), and “6-6” Jackson Nagle will provide sophomore experience and provide more offense to the team. “6-6” Prubhprit Sanghera returns back after playing in the 2019-2020 season, “6-8” Artem Zakharov (Ukraine) is an intriguing player, “5-8” Jaden Burgess (Las Plumas HS), “5-11” Alec Dennett (Del Campo HS), “5-5” Devon Haynes (Sheldon HS), “6-1” Lewis Sanchez (Sheldon HS), “6-3” Obinna Ibewiro (Sheldon HS) and “6-1” Jaevin Braund (Antelope HS) will be looked upon to contribute in their first year.

Projection: The Beavers do not return a lot of players that had significant playing time from a year ago but at the same time this is a wide open race for the most part. American River lacks a lot of size in the back court and will try and find out where their offense will come from this upcoming season. Coach Giorgi does a great job with his group and time will tell how quickly the freshmen will grow. We project that the Beavers will take a drop in the standings and finish in 9th place for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.

STLB best college prospect: “6-6” Jackson Nagle

STLB All Big 8 preseason 2022-2023 All Conference team

G: Dayton Magana (Delta)

G: Malik Edwards (Diablo Valley)

G: Camani Grace (Diablo Valley)

G: Ja’Rod Webb (American River)

G: Kendrick Curry (Delta)

F: Brandon Scott (Cosumnes River)

F: Tyce Baldwin (Santa Rosa)

F: Khyri Marshall (Sacramento)

F: Josh Allen (Modesto)

C: Dane Johnson (Folsom Lake)

Other standouts within the conference: Isiah Duve (Sierra), Lydell King (Modesto), Samir Kahn (Sacramento), Kyrie Dunn (CRC), Kaleb Drake (Cosumnes River)

Signal The Light Basketball Big 8 Conference Projection

1. Cosumnes River

2. Santa Rosa

3. Diablo Valley

4. Folsom Lake

5. San Joaquin Delta

6. Sacramento

7. Modesto

8. Sierra

9. American River