Wolverines at the top in our IEC preview
Last season, the Inland Empire Conference had four teams make the post season after San Bernardino, Copper Mountain, Cerro Coso and Mt. San Jacinto all went to the playoffs. San Bernardino played solid basketball and made it to the Elite Eight before losing to Sequoias. Cerro Coso and Mt. San Jacinto both made the post season but lost in the first round of the playoffs. Copper Mountain picked up a win in the first round over Los Angeles Southwest but lost in the 2nd round against Riverside. Coming into the new season, San Bernardino looks like the team to beat and the conference looks a little bit down all around as well coming into the 2022-2023 season.
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Inland Empire Conference Preview.
San Bernardino (25-6): It was a standout season a year ago as San Bernardino Valley College won 25 games. The Wolverines started the season 0-2 but following the slow start, San Bernardino went on a roll and were a standout team in the state. San Bernardino went 14-2 in conference play and picked up a 3rd seed going into the post season. After a 2nd round victory against Cypress, the Wolverines followed that up with another victory over Riverside and found themselves in the Elite 8. A season ending injury to Dom Daniels hurt the Wolverines going into the Elite Eight and San Bernardino’s season ended against Sequoias in Lemoore last season. Coming into the new season, the Wolverines will return three players from a year ago. “5-9” Dominiuqe Daniels returns to the line up after averaging 21.3 points and 4.8 assists a year ago. Daniels is one of the best guards in the state and will look to have another standout season for the Wolverines. “6-1” Armon Muldrew (14.8 points) and “7-0” Chester Makoi (8.6 points) will return for the Wolverines as well. San Bernardino will welcome in “7-0” Andrew Graves, “6-3” San Jose State transfer Sebastian Mendoza, “6-1” Aamari Smith, “6-6” Derrick Nettles and “6-5” Chine Nwanevu to the team.
Projection: San Bernardino will be a very talented team that should have a great season. Daniels returns after a standout season where he was named Signal The Light Basketball Socal Freshman of the Year. The team will go as far as Daniels takes them as he controls so much with this team. Muldrew can score the basketball and the addition of Mendoza gives them another option putting the ball in the basket but is also a very good defender. Makoi gives them a solid front court player and Nettles gives them more defensive versatility. We really like their first five and know that this will be a team that gets better as the season moves along as we see them making a deep post season run. We project them to win the 2022-2023 conference championship in the Inland Empire Conference.
STLB best college prospect: Dominique Daniels “5-9”
Copper Mountain (17-13): The Fighting Cacti struggled early in the season and were hit with the Covid bug and struggled to find consistency in non conference action. The Fighting Cacti struggled to a 3-8 record but never gave up at any point during the season as they turned things around. Copper Mountain went 14-5 the rest of the way and finished 13-3 in conference action and brought home 2nd place in the Inland Empire Conference. The Fighting Cacti earned a 22nd seed and knocked off 11th seeded LA Southwest in the 1st round before losing to Riverside on the road to end their season. Looking into the new season, the Fighting Cacti have to replace two key pieces from their line up as Copper Mountain lost Hudson and Blackwell to graduation. The Fighting Cacti return seven players for this upcoming season and will look to replace their scoring by committee. “6-3” Jaylan Bradberry (7.3 points), “6-5” Nathan Kennedy (6.6 points), “6-6” Isarel Goldsmith (4.6 points), “6-2” Saiz Aguilar, “6-2” Lydell Boyd, “6-5” Troy Tuivati, and “6-2” Tyler White are all back for the sophomore seasons. “6-2” Jack Garrison IV comes in from Trinity International University, “6-10” Jaylon Lee (Arbor View) is going to be a one of the best newcomers in the state as the big man really made a solid showing at the Socal Juco Jamboree. “6-4” Devin Myers (East Meadow), “6-1” AJ Gullens (Chicago), and “6-4” Antonio Reviere (Allen Park) will all look to contribute as freshmen.
Projection: Coach Parham and company will look to build off of last seasons success but the Fighting Cacti did lose a lot of scoring. “6-10” Jaylon Lee will be one of the best big men in the state and Bradberry and Kennedy return to the lineup. Lee is going to get a lot of touches and will draw double teams, so the perimeter is going to have to come up big and they struggled at times at the showcase taking care of the ball and making shots. We still feel like this team has a change to challenge in the upper half of the conference and project them to finish in 2nd place in the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-10” Jaylon Lee
Mt. San Jacinto (18-11): Last season the Eagles struggled to win in non conference action as Mt. San Jacinto had a 5-5 record going into conference action. After a slow start in conference, the Eagles picked up their play and got extremely hot at the end of the season as Mt. San Jacinto won 8 of their last 9 games to make a post season run. The Eagles finished in a 3rd place tie and a 12-4 conference record and Mt. San Jacinto earned 17th seed in the playoffs but suffered a 1st round loss against Mt. San Antonio to end their 2021-2022 season. The Eagles come into the season with two players coming back and Trent Skinner takes over head coaching duties as Patrick Springer retired. “6-6” Isaiah Skinner is back after averaging 14.4 points per game last season. Skinner will be one of the best scorers in the state this upcoming season and will be a standout for the Eagles this season. “5-9” Cameron Durr is back to the squad after averaging 8.6 points per contest and will add experience in the back court. “6-4” Mateo Blocker (transfer from Chaffey), “6-5” Darius Mason Robertson (Transer Casper CC), and “6-5” Kyle Render are all sophomores expected to contribute. “6-3” Dasean Stevens (AOSS Prep), “6-2” Jackson Bernardo (Great Oak), “6-3” BJ Brown (Citrus Hill), and “6-6” Elijah Shirley (Perris HS) are all looking to contribute for the upcoming season.
Projection: The Eagles will be a team to that should compete for the Inland Empire Conference championship. Skinner can score the basketball and will be a tough match up for teams all season long. Durr gives them a solid guard, and Mason Robertson and Render will give them more at the offensive end as well. We project that the Eagles will finish 3rd place in the Inland Empire Conference for the 2022-2023 season and have a chance to make the post season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-6” Isaiah Skinner
Chaffey (13-15): Last season the Panthers had an inconsistent season and struggled to put together long winning streaks at a time. Chaffey started the year losing four of their first five games and seem to never really get it going after that. In conference action, the Panthers lost five straight at one point and finished in 5th place with an 8-8 record and missed the post season. Coming into the new season the Panthers will return four players from last season. “6-0” Eulysses Foston returns for his sophomore season after averaging 10.7 points per game last season. “6-2” Jozelle Carter returns for his second season after averaging 11.3 points per ccontest. “6-1” Michael Henry and “5-9” Isaiah Barcelo will both provide sophomore experience. “6-6” Johnathan Neal, “6-4” Marcus Green, “6-3” Miguel Robles, “6-6” Finnegan Coles and “6-2” Donyae Molett will look to contribute for the upcoming season.
Projection: The Panthers will return four players from a year ago including two players that averaged in double figures. Chaffey will be an improved team for the upcoming season as coach Klein does a great job year in and year out with the program. This upcoming season we project the Panthers will be in the middle of the pack and finish in 4th place in the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-2” Joezelle Carter
Cerro Coso (22-7): Last season, the Coyotes had a standout season after posting 22 wins and making a playoff appearance. Cerro Coso finished conference play with a 3rd place finish after posting a 12-4 mark within Inland Empire Conference play. The Coyotes made the post season as a 12 seed but suffered a first round loss against MiraCosta in the Southern California playoffs. As the new season approaches, the Coyotes will return four players off last seasons team that won 22 games. “6-5” Jordan Howard will be back for his sophomore campaign after averaging 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds last season. “6-4” Adam Claybourne Jr. (6.9 points), “5-11” Nate Jackson (6.9 points) and “6-4” Jalen Williams (9.5 points) all return for their sophomore seasons. “6-1” Jeffrey Bujan (transfer from Riverland CC), “6-4” Sincere Edwards (Pebble Hill), “6-6” Destin Jenkins (Sandy Creek), “6-1” Darnell Turner (Center Line) and “5-10” Ed Garner (Providence (NC) will all look to contribute this season for Cerro Coso.
Projection: The Coyotes will look to replace two double figure scorers including Josh Miller who averaged 17 points per game a year ago. Cerro Coso will look to generate points by committee, Howard gives them an option being able to get touches around the mid post, and Jackson had a scorers mentality at the jamboree and looks like have the green light for the Coyotes. Jenkins and Edwards are two freshmen that will help but overall we feel the Coyotes will take a step backwards for this upcoming season as we have them projected to finish in 5th place in the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-5” Jordan Howard
Victor Valley (4-24): Last season was a forgettable season for the Rams as Victor Valley won four games in the 2021-2022 season. Victor Valley struggled to find the win column and the Rams finished in the bottom half of the Inland Empire Conference. The Rams finished with a 3-13 record in the Inland Empire Conference and finished tied for 7th place. Coming into the new season, the Rams will return six players from last seasons team. “6-4” Blake Goodrow returns for his sophomore season after averaging 13.1 points per game in his freshman campaign. “6-0” Josh Ryan returns to the team after averaging 11.6 points per game last season. “6-5” Daniel Kitan Ogunbona (5.2 points), “6-5” Kayjohn Hillman (5.6 points), “6-6” Terrin Ross (5.7 points) and “6-2” Jordan Nyari will all add sophomore experience to the team. “5-10” Tyler Jean-Jacques (A.B Miller), “6-4” Jordan Clayton (Summit), “6-4” Cameron Davis (Cajon), “6-6” Mardohee Sambou (Renaissance), and “6-11” Alajaagie Janko Drammehwill are all coming into the program for the upcoming season.
Projection: Victor Valley will be an improved team for the upcoming season as the Rams added some quality pieces and some front line help. Goodrow and Ryan both averaged in double figures and will give them a solid 1-2 punch in the back court. The Rams have added some length on the wing in the lineup and have a lot of athleticism within their lineup. We project that the Rams are a team on the rise and will be an improved team and will finish in the middle of the conference for the upcoming season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-6” Mardochee Sambou
Desert (5-22): The Roadruners started the season losing their first seven games and never really found consistency in the win column last season. Desert picked up 3 wins in conference and tied for 7th place in the Inland Empire Conference in the 2021-2022 season. The Roadrunners will return two players from last seasons roster. “6-2” Joziaha Winfrey and “6-7” Garrett Hayden both return for their second season with the Roadrunners. “5-8” Isaiah Riley will bring quickness and back court depth to the program, “5-11” Isaiah Robinson (Perris), “6-2” Deandre Sanders (Palm Desert), “6-4” Tevin Nguru (Rancho Verde), “6-5” Adam Bell (Twentynine Palms), “6-0” Mohammad Tirmazi (Alta Loma) will all look to contribute as freshmen for the upcoming season.
Projection: The Roadrunners will look to put more wins together than a year ago as Desert looked like an improved team at the Socal Juco Jamboree. Riley adds quickness and Deandre Sanders showed he can score the ball and has a scorers mentality. Hayden gives the Roadrunners an inside force but they are still thin up front with depth. We see this team as an improved team but still project them to finish in the lower half of the conference for the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-7” Garrett Hayden
Palo Verde (12-16): Last season Palo Verde started off the season with a 4-1 record, but after the hot start the Pirates struggled to find consistency and picked up 12 wins in the season. Palo Verde had a streaky time in conference action as the Pirates flirted with a .500 record but ended the season losing five of their last six games. Coming into the new season the Pirates will not return a single player from last seasons team. “5-10” AJ Edwards (West Haven, CT), “6-3” CJ Shellie (Mellissa, TX), “5-11” Malik Russell (Plano East, TX), “6-4” Teren Smith (Hobbs, NM), “6-5” Montrae Shillie (Mellisa, TX), and “6-0” Cason Rice (Palo Verde) are all coming into the program and will look to contriubte.
Projection: The Pirates will come into the new season with plenty of questions throughout their lineup. Palo Verde does not return a single player and it will be a crap shoot to know where scoring, rebounding will come from. Judging by the roster and seeing them in person, the Pirates are thin in their front line, and could struggle rebounding the basketball. With that being said, we project that Palo Verde will finish in 8th place for the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-4” Teren Smith
Barstow (6-21): Last season was a struggle for the Vikings after finishing up the 2021-2022 season with six wins. Barstow finished conference action with a 2-14 record and a last place finish in the Inland Empire Conference. As the new season approaches the Vikings return three players from last seasons team. “6-0” Marc Docarmo returns after averaging 11.3 points in his freshman season. “6-2” Rashawn Burrell Bonam returns as well after averaging 8.3 points last season for the Vikings. “6-3” Jeremy Campbell will provide sophomore experience to the team. “6-2” Anello Hill Zanoni, “6-2” Matthew Taft, “6-2” Jayoni Moore, “6-5” Derek Eide, “6-1” Coby Seery, “6-6” Erik Jorgensen, “6-0” Jonathan Carrillo and “6-0” Zak Moore will look to contribute for the upcoming season.
Projection: Barstow will look to have a competitive season as the Vikings do not return a lot of experience to their 2022-2023 roster. The Vikings are thin in the front line and could have trouble rebounding the basketball. Barstow is a team that gets up and down the court and puts up a lot of points but the problem is the Vikings give up just as much as they score. We project the Vikings to have a below average season and project them to finish in the lower half of the conference and finish last place in the Inland Empire Conference for the upcoming season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-6” Erik Jorgensen
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Inland Empire Preseason All Conference team.
G: Dominique Daniels (San Bernardino)
G: Armon Muldrew (San Bernardino)
G: Sebastian Mendoza (San Bernardino)
F: Jordan Howard (Cerro Coso)
G: Blake Goodrow (Victor Valley)
F: Isaiah Skinner (Mt. San Jacinto)
F: Chester Makoi (San Bernardino)
C: Jaylon Lee (Copper Mountain)
Other Standouts: Chijindu Egeonu (Chaffey), Mardochee Sambou (Victor Valley), Deandre Sanders (Desert), Garrett Hayden (Desert), Nate Jackson (Cerro Coso), Adam Claybourne Jr. (Cerro Coso), Aamari Smith (San Bernardino), Kyle Render (Mt. San Jacinto).
Signal The Light Basketball 2022-2023 Inland Empire Conference Projection
1. San Bernardino
2. Copper Mountain
3. Mt. San Jacinto
4. Chaffey
5. Cerro Coso
6. Victor Valley
7. Desert
8. Palo Verde
9. Barstow
