Rams favored to win Coast North
The Coast North Conference has been one of the best conferences in the state and this upcoming season we do not see that changing. Last season, San Francisco, Chabot, Las Positas and San Mateo all made the post season as the Rams brought home the state title. Chabot picked up a win in the first round but lost to West Valley, San Mateo lost in the 2nd round and Las Positas made the Elite Eight a year ago. Coming into the new season, we feel like this conference will be better as last season it was a top heavy conference with teams that struggled at the bottom of the conference.
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Coast North Conference Preview
San Francisco (32-1): It was another year and another banner added to the City College of San Francisco program. The Rams started the season winning four straight games and suffered an early loss against West Valley, but after that San Francisco did not see the loss column the rest of the season. San Francisco won 28 straight following the loss, went 14-0 in Coast North Conference action and brought home the 2021-2022 state championship. Coming into the new season, some of the faces change but the expectations will not as Coach Labagh and company are looking to bring home another state title. City College of San Franisco returns five players from last seasons championship squad but are bringing in a lot of talent that will push them right back into the conversation of elite status in the 2022-2023 season. “6-5” Emmett Neal (7.2 points), “7-0” UCSB committ Mezziah Oakman (7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds), “6-0” Jamir Thomas (11.5 points), “6-4” Matt Williams III (3.7 points) and “6-8” Nathan IIunga (4.3 points) all bring back championship experience back for the Rams. “6-8” Cal Baptist transfer Te’Jon Sawyer and “6-3” Kadeem Nelson (Linn Benton CC) and “6-6” Lawrence Long (Arizona Western CC) will also add sophomore experience to the team. “6-2” CJ Hardy (LA Premier Prep), “6-1” Corey Yerger (Grant HS), “6-6” Dante Sawyer (Salesian HS), “7-0” Will Dominguez (Mountain View HS), and “6-4” John Harris (Kimball HS) are all other pieces that should contribute for the upcoming season.
Projection: The Rams come into the season with championship aspirations just like every year. City College of San Francisco returns some solid pieces as Thomas and Neal bring a nice scoring punch and Hardy and Yerger are two other guards that are special and add depth to a deep back court. Sawyer gives the Rams a different element and Mezziah in the middle is going to be a force this upcoming season. The Rams are loaded and should make another deep post season run. We project that the Rams will win the Coast North Conference and will be a team to watch when you talk about state championship.
STLB best college prospect: “7-0” Mezziah Oakman
Chabot (18-11): Last season, Chabot had an up and down season as the Gladiators finished the season winning 18 games. In conference action Chabot finished 8-6 and finished Coast North Conference play in fourth place. The Gladiators picked up a 15 seed in the post season and opened up 1st round play with a win over Folsom Lake, but their season ended with a loss against West Valley in the 2nd round. As the new season approaches, the Gladiators will return three players from last seasons team that won 18 games. “6-1” Diggy Winbush returns for his sophomore season after averaging 9.3 points per game as a freshman. “6-2” Jaiden Rivera (11.4 points) and “6-9” David Ogunleye (10.7 points) both return and are expected to play huge roles this upcoming season. “6-4” David Hector (transfer from San Francisco), “6-10” Terrence Craft returns after sitting out last season. “6-0” Lorenzo Abellar (Liberty HS), “6-8” Micah Allen (Oakland Tech), “6-5” Pawilos Habtom (Valley Christian), “6-5” Mateo Hamilton (Alameda HS), “6-4” Zach Broadous (Arieta HS), and “6-2” Makaio Mims (James Logan) will all look to contribute this season for the Gladiators.
Projection: Chabot will be a team to watch closely this season as the Gladiators have some pieces in place to be a very good team this season. Winbush, Rivera, and Ogunleye give them three pieces that return from last seasons team and you have Hector who brings in experience an winning pedigree from City College of San Francisco. We really like Abellar as he gives Chabot a different look at the point guard position and Broadous is going to be a player to watch as the season develops. We project the Gladiators to finish in the upper half of conference and finish 2nd for the upcoming season and the Gladiators have a chance to make a deep post season run in the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-9” David Ogunleye
Skyline (14-14): In the 2021-2022 season, the Trojans started off the season winning six of their first seven games. Following the hot start, Skyline struggled to find consistency and did not finish the same way as they had started out the season. Skyline was inconsistent and had some good wins but the team could not find their way in conference and struggled to a 6-8 record in Coast North play and finished in 5th place and missed the postseason. This upcoming season, the Trojans are returning six players from last years team that won 14 games. “6-5” Julius Alcantara leads the list of returners after averaging 10.0 points and 8.6 rebounds in his first season. “6-0” Ryan Wilson (7.2 points), “6-5” DeAndre Minor (6.9 points), “5-8” Dimitri Koutsogeorgas (3.8 points) “6-4” Dominic Wilson (4.4 points), and “6-9” Toyoshige Kano (3.8 points) return for their sophomore seasons. “6-0” Jesse Mateo is a transfer coming in from University of Valley Forge, “6-4” Ofek Sirkis is coming in from Fort Lewis (Colorado) and both will bring sophomore experience to the Trojans. “6-2” Damascus Shields (Foothill HS), “5-11” Sean Richardson (Burlingame HS), “6-2” Caelan Wallace (Washington) will look to contribute for the upcoming season.
Projection: Coming into the season we feel that Skyline will be a team that will challenge in the upper half of the conference. Kano is a big man that has made major strides and Alcantara and Minor give the Trojans a solid front court with athleticism. Sirkis is a great pick up and we really feel like this team has a chance to make some noise this upcoming season. The one area where the Trojans could struggle is on the glass as they are thin up front but at the end of the day we like the improvement of this team and project them to finish in 3rd place in the Coast North Conference in the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-9” Toyoshige Kano
Las Positas (27-4): The Hawks had a great season a year ago after winning 27 games a year ago. Las Positas made an Elite Eight appearance and finished in 2nd place in Coast North Conference action. The Hawks were an elite level team and had a season to remember in the 2021-2022 season. Coming into the new season, the Hawks will have to replace two players that averaged in double figrues from their back court but still have some solid pieces coming back. The Hawks return four players from last seasons team and will look to build off last seasons success. “6-6” Jordahn Johnson returns to the lineup for his sophomore season after averaging 16.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest. Johnson shot 75% from the floor and the physical big man is one of the best bigs in the state returning this upcoming season. “”6-7” Brandon Fisher is back and will add depth to the front court after averaging 9.5 points per game in his freshman season. “6-2” Isaiah Victor (7.6 points) and “6-5” Evan Johnson (5.1 points) both will return and add sophomore experience to the team. “6-6” Jaden Phillips is transferring in from Casper College and will give the Hawks depth in their back court. “6-1” Jalen Patterson is coming in from Western Arizona CC, “6-7” Jajuan Mitchell-Cox (Mt. Eden HS), “6-5” Nay’veon Reed (Green River CC), and “5-9” Jaden Saunders (Dublin HS) will look to contribute this season.
Projection: Last season we slept on the Hawks for about half of the season as Las Positas won 16 of their first 17 games. After an appearance at the Elite Eight the Hawks lost two key pieces from last seasons team. We love their front court of Fisher and Johnson but the Hawks have questions with their back court and overall depth for the upcoming season. Johnson, Victor and Phillips are pieces as well that will help but overall we see this team taking a step backwards and finishing 4th in the Coast North Conference for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-6” Jordahn Johnson
San Mateo (20-9): Last season the Bulldogs started the season off winning eight of their first ten games. San Mateo had a solid non conference part of their schedule and when conference came, the Bulldogs were in the mix of competing for a conference championship. San Mateo played good basketball but could not get over the hump in conference and the Bulldogs finished 9-5 in conference play and made the post season as a seven seed but lost in the 2nd round at home against Yuba. Coming into the new season, the Bulldogs will look to replace two players that averaged in double figures and some other key pieces but return six players back to the team. “5-10” sharp shooter JD Carson (6.5 points) returns for his sophomore season, “”5-11” Antonio Abyeta (6.7 points), “6-0” Shakur Blaylock (4.3 points), “6-2” Saveon Campbell (4.5 points), “6-4” Zion DeBerry, and “6-8” Oscar Cheng will all return this upcoming seaon. “6-1” Shawn Cotton Jr is a transfer from Pacific University (Oregon), “6-4” Adrian Juilland-Johnson is coming from Santa Barbara City College and “6-2” Justin Milch comes over from Skyline College and all will be sophomores this upcoming season. “6-2” Malik Merchant showed the ability to score the basketball, “6-5” DeSean Johnson (Riordan), “6-6” Alex Martin (Washington), “6-7” Jack Busenhart (Santa Cruz), “6-7” Tim Netane (Saint Francis), and “6-7” Kiahn Nice (Sequoias) will all bring depth to the front court as freshman this upcoming season.
Projection: The Bulldogs struggled with frontline depth last season and coach Marcial and staff added some size for the upcoming season. San Mateo speeds teams up and plays a lot of people and guards have never been the problem for the style of basketball the Bulldogs play. This season the Bulldogs have more size and will be an improved team but we still see them being in the middle of the pack. We project the Bulldogs will finish in 5th place but we see this team making the post season as we feel they can play with anyone within the conference.
STLB best college prospect: “6-7” Kiahn Nice
Foothill (7-21): Last season the Owls could not put together a lot of wins in consecutive manner and struggled in the 2021-2022 season. Foothill started the season with four straight losses and struggled throughout the season with losing streaks throughout the year. In conference action, Foothill could not find the win column and ended the season with five straight losses and the Owls finished in 6th place in Coast North Conference with a 4-10 record. As the new season approaches the Owls return four players from last seasons team that won seven games. “6-4” Jalen Williams leads the list of returning players for the upcoming season after the versatile player averaged 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. “6-5” Ethan Jew (7.0 points), “5-11” Timmy Yee (4.5 points) and “6-4” Richie Corona will all add sophomore experience to the team. “6-4” Jamal Frenchwood is coming in from Citrus College, “6-4” Malcolm McCray, and “6-5” Daniel Combs are all sophomores coming into the program. “6-4” Jaylin Leslie (Hayward), “6-4” Alijah Washington (Piedmont), “6-7” Brendan Passanisi (Riordan) and “6-7” Durrell Laury (Kipp Academy) will look to step up as freshmen this upcoming season.
Projection: The Owls will be an improved team as they looked to have a lot of athleticism in their lineup at the jamboree. Williams is a versatile player that should have a standout season,”6-7″ Durrell Laury adds scoring and size and Alijah Washington should be another solid piece for Foothill this season. The Owls will need to take care of the ball and show discipline at the offensive end this season to have a shot to get into the upper half of the conference. We like the talent of this team, and feel they will be a better team but project the Owls to finish 5th place for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-7” Durrell Laury
Ohlone (2-25): Last season was a disappointing season for the Renegades as the failed to register a lot of victories in the win column. Ohlone picked up wins against the Simpson JV and Reedley College for their only victories of the season. Ohlone finished last place in conference action and will look to have an improved upcoming 2022-2023 season. Coming into the new season, the Renegades return one player from a year ago in JP Patague who averaged 4.4 points per game last season. Ohlone also made a coaching change as Jordan Lee was named head coach in the off season and has brought in a brand new attitude and it has rubbed off throughout the entire program. Josh Niusulu will be the staple of newcomers coming into the program as the “6-5” wing is coming in from Diablo Valley after being one of the most efficient players in the state. Niusulu averaged 14.9 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 57% from the floor, and shooting 42% from downtown . “6-0” Jayelen Jones is coming in from Pacific University (Oregon) and will provide sophomore experience for the Renegades. “6-3” Jude Jennings (Australia), “6-6” Michael Fastion (Australia), “5-11” Matthew Villanueva (Hayward), “6-6” Nebiyu Teklemariam (Alameda), “6-5” Khalid Elmi (Australia), “6-5” Ryan Unkelbach (Las Vegas) will all look to contribute as freshman this upcoming sesason.
Projection: Coming into the new season, we had a chance to see Ohlone and it is evident that the Renegades will be a much improved team for the upcoming season. The culture is changing right before our eyes and although Ohlone only returns one player, it is apparent that we could see them finishing in the middle of the pack. The Renegades play hard and have one of the best players within the conference in Niusulu. Fastion gives them a force inside but they do lack frontline size and athleticism but with that being said they will be an improved team. Ohlone is a very dangerous team that you can not overlook and although we project them at 6th place this could be a team that could finish in the middle of the pack and beat some teams in the upper half of the conference because of the culture instilled by the coaching staff.
STLB best college prospect: “6-5” Josh Niusulu
Canada (6-21): Last season was a difficult year for the Colts as Canada only won six games all season long. Canada finished the season winning three of their last four games and finished conference action with a 3-11 record and a 7th place finish. As the new season approaches the Colts will return four players from last seasons team that won six games. “6-1” Dahareeha Allen leads the list of returners after the guard averaged 7.8 points per game last season. “6-1” Ray Goda (3.7 points) and “5-10” Seth Godtfredsen (3.9 points), “5-10” Lawvan Johns (6.4 points) are both back after playing last season. “6-0” Brylan Lunday (St. Francis), “5-10” Asa Mobley (Galileo), “6-2” Daylen Fleming (Castro Valley), “6-4” Wesley Burns (Irvington), and “6-5” Sean Crowley (Pioneer) all come into the program and will look to contribute this season.
Projection: The Colts will look to have an improved 2022-2023 season after winning six games last season. Canada returns two solid back court players but do not have a lot of size coming into the upcoming season. The Colts lack a lot of front court depth and could struggle rebounding the basketball. The team has a lot of back court players but will need to figure out how to compete on the glass and with athleticism. We project the Colts will finish in the lower half of the conference and have them finishing 8th place in the Coast North Conference.
STLB best college prospect: “6-1” Dahareeha Allen
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Coast North All Conference Preseason Team
G: Jamir Thomas (CCSF)
G: Dahareeha Allen (Canada)
W: David Hector (Chabot)
G: Jalen Williams (Foothill)
W: Josh Niusulu (Ohlone)
G: Emmett Neal (CCSF)
F: Jordahn Johnson (Las Positas)
F: Julius Alcantara (Skyline)
F: Te’Jon Sawyer (CCSF)
C: Mezziah Oakman (CCSF)
C: David Ogunleye (Chabot)
C: Toyoshige Kano (Skyline)
Other standouts within Coast North Conference: CJ Hardy (CCSF), Nathan IIunga (CCSF), Zach Broadus (Chabot), Jaiden Rivera (Chabot), Durrell Laury (Foothill), Alijah Washington (Foothill), Evan Johnson (Las Positas), Isaiah Victor (Las Positas), Brandon Fisher (Las Positas), Jaden Phillips (Las Positas), Kiahn Nice (San Mateo), Malik Merchant (San Mateo)