Giants are favored in CVC in 22-23
Last season was a great year for the Central Valley Conference in the regular season. Sequoias, Columbia, and Porterville were teams that had stellar seasons. The Giants won the conference, made a final four appearance and were a standout team in the state. Columbia started the season on a role, and were another top team in the state despite there late season struggles. Porterville, under new head coach Amaurys Fermin led the Pirates to 20 wins and made a post season appearance. West Hills Lemoore and Fresno floated around .500 but both were competitive teams within the conference. As the new season approaches, the conference appears to be on the rise and one of the top conferences in the state for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Central Valley Conference Preview
Sequoias (27-5): Last season the Giants were one of the standout teams in the state. Sequoias won 27 games, finished 13-1 in Central Valley Conference action and earned a three seed in the Northern California post season. The Giants picked up wins over Redwoods, Contra Costa to get to the Elite Eight and followed that up with a win over San Bernardino before losing to City College of San Francisco in the state semi final. Coming into the new season the Giants are going to have to replace eight sophomores off that 27 win team. Coach Jensen and his staff brought into a very talented recruiting class as the Giants only return one player from a year ago. “6-8” Terri Miller returns for his sophomore season after averaging 7.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in his freshman season. Miller will be a standout player in the Central Valley Conference and one of the best bigs in the state this upcoming season. Coming into the program, “6-3” Javohn Garcia is coming in from the University of Massuchussets and will be one of the best guards in the state. “6-3” Tyjean Burrell is a transfer from Yuba that can flat out score the basketball. “6-7” Takari Fields , “6-6” Lazamion McGruder, “6-5” Jincho Rivera will all come into the program and add sophomore experience. “6-7” Samuel Bazunga (St. Joseph), “6-9” Cameron Clark (Grayson), “6-4” Tyree Gill (Luther), “6-5” Tre’von Martin, “6-0” Omari Nesbit (Luther) will all look to contribute in their first season.
Projection: The Giants are a talented bunch for sure and may have one of the best starting back courts in the state with Garcia and Burrell. Miller, Fields and Bazunga give them front court depth but the one thing that could hurt the Giants is experience. Sequoias has a lot of new players coming into play and lack all of the sophomore experience that took them over the hump a year ago. Losing eight sophomores is going to hurt and the Giants could take their lumps early but by mid season this could be a team that could have it rolling. We do project them fairly high coming into the season and we have them winning the Central Valley Conference and having a chance to make a post season run in the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-3” Javohn Garcia
Porterville (20-8): Last season, Porterville jumped out to a 6-1 record and flew under the radar in non conference action. The Pirates continued to win and went into Central Valley Conference play with a 9-3 record. The Pirates lost three of their next four games in conference but down the stretch proved to be one of the best teams in CVC play and went 9-1 the rest of the way and finished conference action with a 10-4 record and a 2nd place finish. The Pirates earned a post season bid as a 12th seed but suffered a loss against Las Positas in the 2nd round. Coach Amaurys Femrin is building something special in the central valley and coming into the new season the Pirates will return two players off last seasons squad. “6-0” Cameron Walker returns and will be a player to watch this season as the point guard averaged 5.8 points and 3.9 assists last season. We expect his numbers to go up and his production to take off this upcoming season. “6-5” Julio Phipps returns after averaging 8.5 points and 7.6 rebounds last season. Phipps is another player that will be a standout player this season for the Pirates. “6-4” Kiya McQueen, “6-7” Jalen Foy (Canyon Springs), “6-2” Jake Abrams (Turlock), “6-5” Assad Madassalia (NYMA Prep), “6-7” Jaden Pena (Scotland Prep), “6-2” Maurice Peyton (Keller Fossil Ridge), “6-3” Mylo Santos (Dohn Prep), and “6-3” Elijah Sterling are all players expected to contribute this season.
Projection: Porterville continues to be on the rise and we do not see that changing for the upcoming season. Walker and Phipps are two players off last seasons team that are difference makers and the recruiting class that coach Fermin and staff has brought in looked extremely gifted at the Socal Juco Jamboree. This is a very athletic bunch but one question mark could be outside shooting but the Pirates play extremely hard and have bought into the system which goes a long ways. We project the Pirates to be a standout team in Northern California and finish 2nd place in the Central Valley Conference challenging Sequoias at the top.
STLB best college prospect: “6-7” Jalen Foy
Columbia (24-6): Last season the Claimjumpers started off the year with 16 straight wins and were playing solid basketball in non conference action. Columbia started conference off winning two straight games but ended the season going 3-3 and finished Central Valley Conference action with a 9-5 record earned a fourth seed going into the post season. Columbia picked up a 2nd round win against San Joaquin Delta but suffered a loss against Las Positas in the sweet 16 to end their 2021-2022 season. As the 2022-2023 season gets closer to starting, the Claimjumpers will return two players off their 24 win campaign from last season. “6-3” Aurrion Harris who averaged 5.3 points per game comes back and looked like a different player at the American River Jamboree. Harris showed he can score the basketball in a lot of ways and will be a standout for Columbia this upcoming season. “6-0” Caleb Chiang returns to the lineup after averaging 4.9 points per game and will stretch the floor for the Claimjumpers. “6-0” Keshawn Hall (Transfer from Humboldt State), “6-6” Marques Sales II (Transfer Eastern Arizona), “6-5” Daniel Rico (RS transfer Fresno City), “6-1” Jacob Cassaretto (Sonora HS), “6-5” Parker Tuttle (Crean Lutheran), “6-1” Kobe Nunes (Oakdale HS) are all players that will look to contribute for the Jumpers this season.
Projection: You cant sit here and look the other way and realize that Columbia has been one of the most elite programs in the state the last 4-5 years. Coach Hoyt is one of the best in the business and for that reason alone is why you never count the Claimjumpers out in any conference race. Columbia lost four players that averaged in double figures from a year ago and it will be interesting to see who will step up and provide scoring. Columbia will be a competitive team but we feel that they may take a step backwards in the conference but still a chance to be a very competitive team that makes the post season. We project the Claimjumpers finishing 3rd place in the Central Valley Conference for the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-3” Aurrion Harris
West Hills Lemoore (12-13): The Golden Eagles had an up and down season a year ago but struggled to find consistency throughout the season. West Hills Lemoore won 12 games, finished tied for fifth place with a 6-8 conference record in the Central Valley Conference. The Golden Eagles were a team that got better and finished the season winning three of their last four in the 2021-2022 season. As the new season approaches, the Golden Eagles will return two players from last seasons team. “6-4” Damari Tate returns for his sophomore season after averaging 5.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists last season. Tate is one of the most versatile players in the conference. “6-6” Jose Martinez comes back after averaging 4.1 points per game in his freshman campaign. “5-11” Jaylan Walton (Hoover), “Kesean Bazile (Victorville), “6-7” Trey Booker-Lowery (Murrieta Valley), “6-4” Kvon Ragin (Mount Dora), “6-10” Hamilton Wallace (Bull City Prep), and “6-0” DJ Torrance are all coming into the program this upcoming season.
Projection: The Golden Eagles are a team that will be improved for the upcoming season. West Hills Lemoore lost a lot of pieces from last season but Tate, Walton, and Torrance are all expected to give the Golden Eagles back court depth. Booker-Lowery is a program changer and Wallace gives them front court depth along with Martinez. We see the Golden Eagles as a team that is going to be in the upper half of the standings and has a chance to make some noise this season. We project West HIlls Lemooore to finish in 3rd place in the Central Valley Conference for the 2022-2023 season and a good chance to make the post season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-7” Trey Booker-Lowery
Fresno (12-13): Last season was an up and down season for the Rams as Fresno won 12 games in the 2021-2022 season. At one point in the season the Rams won seven of eight games but hit the wall late in conference. Fresno lost six of their last seven games and finished conference action with a 6-8 record and missed the post season. As the new season approaches, the Rams will return six players from last season. “6-0” Asrin Hackett leads the list of returnees as the guard averaged 13.3 points per game a year ago. “5-9” Sage Borbon returns to the lineup as well after putting up 11.8 points per game in his freshman campaign. “6-5” Nash Wobrock (9.0 points), “5-10” Grimmett Glenn (7.7 points), “6-7” James Quince and “6-7” James Hannah (5.7 points) will all be sophomores for the upcoming season. “6-4” Ja’Tarious Johnson (Edison), “6-5” Jalen Royster (Freedom), “6-2” Darius Eason (Santa Maria) will look to contribute in the 2022-2023 season.
Projection: The Rams return some solid pieces to the back court as Hackett, Borban and Glenn will give Fresno depth at the guard position. Wobrock is a floor stretcher and an underrated scorer for the Rams. Hannah is a front line player that gives them depth at the forward position. We like the Rams back court but feel like they need another piece in the front line to put them into the upper tier in the conference. We project them to finish in 5th place for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-5” Nash Wobrock
Merced (9-18): Last season the Blue Devils had trouble finding the win column consistently throughout the season. Merced lost 11 of their first 13 games in non conference action but found the win column in conference action. After losing their first two games in conference, Merced finished out the season 7-6 the rest of the way and won three of their last four games to end the season. Merced missed the post season but the Blue Devils were a team that improved in the 2021-2022 season. Coming into the season, the Blue Devils return five players for the upcoming season. “6-0” Mike Teal leads the list of returners back this upcoming season. The electrifying guard returns after averaging 21.1 points per game and will be one of the best guards this upcoming season. “6-3” Rob Smid is also back for his sophomore campaign after averaging 8.9 points per game. “6-2” Katzuya Sasaki (4.3 points), “6-7” Jaysen Dillard, “5-8” Shingo Takeuchi are all back for their sophomore season for experience. “5-11” Isaiah Parker, “6-4” Nico Thomas, “6-1” Sergio Elenes, “6-8” Deyon Bell, “5-9” Kourtland Armstrong and “5-11” Thomas Grissom will look to contribute for the upcoming season.
Projection: Merced will look to continue to improve off their improvement late in the season. The Blue Devils return one of the best guards within the conference in Mike Teal and the scoring guard can flat out score the basketball. Smid returns as well but the Blue Devils lack front line depth and could struggle on the glass for the upcoming season. We feel like Merced will be an improved team but still struggle and be in the lower half of the pack for the upcomings season as we project them to finish in 6th place in the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-0” Mike Teal
West Hills Coalinga (9-19): The Falcons had an inconsistent season a year ago and found themselves in the bottom half of the conference. West Hills-Coalinga ended the regular season losing seven of their last eight games and finished the 2021-2022 campaign with a 9-19 record and a 4-10 record in Central Valley Conference action. As the new season gears up, the Falcons will return three players from last seasons team. “6-3” Khyree Reese returns to the lineup after averaging 10.2 points per contest a year ago. “6-7” Devion Edwards will add depth to the frontcourt after averaging 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in his freshman season. “6-4” Luis Perez will also bring sophomore experience to the team for the upcoming season. “6-6” Elisee Ehuie is coming in from Gordon State , “6-4” Tydrick Harrell (Marksville), “6-0” Christian Kirk (John Muir), “6-1” Supreme Niles (Xaverian), “6-2′ Daemar Potts, “5-11” Noah Richmond (Wilson) and “6-4” Terrell Travis (Victor Valley) will all look to contribute this upcoming season for the Falcons.
Projection: The Falcons will look to stay competitive for the upcoming season as West Hills-Coaling returns three players for the upcoming season. Edwards will give the Falcons a solid big, and Reese comes back and will give West Hills-Coalinga a scoring threat as well. Supreme Niles, Elisee Ehuie have good moments at the showcase and will be guys to watch this upcoming season. The Falcons do not have a lot of height which could hurt them rebounding the basketball especially against bigger teams. We project the Falcons to finish in the bottom half of the conference and a 7th place coming into the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-7” Devion Edwards
Reedley (5-23): The 2021-2022 season for the Reedley was a season to forget as the Tigers posted five wins. The Central Valley based team struggled to find the win column and could not find a lot of success in conference action as well finishing 1-13 in Central Valley action and a 8th place finish. Coming into the new season, Reedley returns three players from a year ago. “6-6” Juelz Fox leads the list of players coming back to the team after averaging 9.8 points per contest a year ago. “6-2” Josiah James (9.8 points) and big man “6-9” Justin Parks (5.7 points) will return for the upcoming season for the Tigers. “6-1” Malik Cota (Lincoln), “6-3” Malachi Hogg-Madden (Centennial), “6-5” Obadiah Curtis (Edison), “6-1” Damond Jordan (Hoover), “6-1” Lachlan Maddern (Australia), and “6-4” Mikale Hoggatt (Hoover) will all look to contribute for the 2022-2023 season.
Projection: The Tigers will look to stay competitive for the upcoming season. The Tigers have Fox and James that will look to up their scoring averages after putting together solid freshmen campaigns. Curtis will add athleticism to the lineup and Parks will be a force on the defensive end. Parks will need to play major minutes to anchor the front line but the Tigers are slim up front and a different team when Parks is not on the floor. Reedley has some pieces in the back court but will it be enough to beat teams in the upper half of the conference. We project the Tigers to finish in the lower half of the conference and we have them at 8th place in the 2022-2023 season in the Central Valley Conference.
STLB best college prospect: “6-6” Juelz Fox
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Central Valley Conference All Conference Preseason team
G: Cameron Walker (Porterville)
G: Aurrion Harris (Columbia)
G: Mike Teal (Merced)
G: Javohn Garcia (Sequoias)
G: Asrin Hackett (Fresno)
G: Tyjean Burrell (Sequoias)
G: Damari Tate (West Hills-Lemoore)
F: Trey Booker-Lowery (West Hills-Lemoore)
F: Terri Miller (Sequoias)
G: Juelz Fox (Reedley)
F: Julio Phipps (Porterville)
F: Devion Edwards (West Hills-Coalinga)
Other standouts within CVC: Parker Tuttle (Columbia), Marques Sales II (Columbia), Jalen Foy (Porterville), Jaylon Walton (West Hills-Lemoore), Samuel Bazunga (Sequoias), Takari Fields (Sequoias), Justin Parks (Reedley), Nash Wobrock (Fresno), Sage Borbon (Fresno),
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Projection
1. Sequoias
2. Porterville
3. Columbia
4. West Hills-Lemoore
5. Fresno
6. Merced
7. West HIlls-Coalinga
8. Reedley
