Fullerton is our favorite in OEC
The Orange Empire Conference is traditionally one of the best conferences in the state of California when it comes to Junior College basketball. Fullerton, Santiago Canyon, Riverside, Saddleback, Irvine Valley, Cypress all made it to the post season a year ago Six of the nine teams within the conference all had records above .500 and it was a battle every night within the conference. In the post season, the Orange Empire went 3-6 in the post season and no teams made an appearance at the Elite Eight in Lemoore. Coming into the new season, we do not see much changing as the Orange Empire Conference will be a standout conference in the state.
Signal The Light Basketball 2022-2023 Orange Empire Conference Preview
Fullerton (25-4): The Hornets were an elite team last season and Fullerton was a standout team in the 2021-2022 season. Fullerton won their first eight games of the season and following the loss against LA Southwest, the Hornets continued to pile wins together and finished the regular season with a 24-3 record and tied for 1st place in conference with a 14-2 record. This upcoming season, the Hornets will return three players for the upcoming season. “6-2” Kobe Newton returns back for his sophomore season after averaging 13.3 points per game in his freshman season. “6-4” Javon Jones (6.2 points), and “5-11″ Coree Joseph are both back to add sophomore experience for the 22-23 season. 6-2” RJ Banks and “6-1” Sean Newman are back as well after sitting out last season due to injuries. “6-2” Shaquil Bender is a transfer coming in from Mt. San Antonio College, “6-11” Sammy Howlin is a transfer from William Jessup University. “5-11” Godfrey Little, “6-3” Jermiah Davis, “6-5” Jackson Hopps, “6-8” Mike Ofoegbu, “6-9” Mason Vanbeenen and “6-9” Donovan Avery are all looking to contribute for the upcoming season for the Hornets.
Projection: Fullerton is a well coached team and Perry Websters teams are one of the best defensive teams in the state. This season will not be any different as we expect the Hornets to compete for the Orange Empire Conference championship and make a deep post season and compete for a state championship this upcoming season. The only question mark could be in the front court, but will great guard play especially in California is huge we expect them to have a big year.
STLB best college prospect: “6-1” Sean Newman:
Santiago Canyon (22-6): Last season the Hawks had a standout season and were an elite team in Southern California. The Hawks went 11-1 in non conference action and went into conference action as one of the three teams that had a chance to win the Orange Empire Conference. Santiago Canyon started conference with a 5-1 record but the Hawks lost three straight games and were knocked out of championship contention. Santiago Canyon finished conference play with a 12-4 record and earned a fifth seed going into the post season but suffered a 2nd round loss against MiraCosta to end their season. Coming into the new season, the Hawks will return three players for the upcoming season. “6-3” Aaron Wadman returns to the squad for his sophomore season after averaging 13.2 points per game last season for the Hawks. “6-6” Harrison Wiese (6.7 points), and “5-10” Jason Naranjo (4.7 points) will both return for their sophomore seasons. “6-5” Jake Conerty is a transfer coming in from St. Ambrose University, “6-9” Garrett Andre and “6-3” Mike Mahlen coming in from Irvine Valley College and all three will add sophomore experience to the team. “6-3” Kai Smith (La Habra), “6-2” Zach Ibbetson (Norco), “6-0” Damien Parker (Villa Park), “6-2” Adam Holod (St. Paul Academy) and “6-3” Isaiah Arthurton (Valencia) are all looking to contribute.
Projection: Santiago Canyon has become a household name within the Orange Empire Conference and a program that you are starting to see in the upper half of the conference every year. This upcoming season, we do not see that changing as well. The Hawks are fun to watch and play great team basketball and they share the basketball with a lot of players touching the ball within the offense. Aaron Wadman is a solid player, Ibbetson can shoot the rock, Weise and Andre give them some solid front line play and the Hawks will be right in the mix of things for the upcoming season. We have them project at a 2nd place finish for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-3” Aaron Wadman
Riverside (23-7): Last season the Tigers were a standout team in the state but Riverside started the season off looking to find consistency. Riverside went 7-4 in non conference action but suffered losses to very good teams in a difficult stretch. When conference rolled around, the Tigers started off the season with a 2-2 record but ran off 12 straight wins to end conference play and take home a share of the Orange Empire Conference championship with a 14-2 record. Riverside earned a 6th seed in the post season picked up a 2nd round win over Copper Mountain but lost in the sweet 16 against San Bernardino to end their 2021-2022 season. Coming into the new season, the Tigers are returning five players from last seasons team that made the sweet sixteen. “6-3” Jalen Monroe (6.6 points), “6-4” Courtland Moffatt, “6-4” Lynden Paul “6-3” Dondre Bausley, and “6-3” Julian Alvarez are all returning for their second season. “6-6” Khalifah Muhammad “6-9” Raymond Hawkins, “6-6” Reggie Ward, “6-4” Bryce Hall, “6-3” Christian Hamilton, “6-4” Darius McClaine, “6-5” Darvelle Wyatt, and “6-0” Mekhi Bentlley will all be contributors this upcoming season.
Projection: The Tigers have a lot of experience and will be in the upper half of the standings in the conference. Coach Phil Mathews and company have a lot of talent and will challenge Fullerton and Santiago Canyon at the top of the standings and would not surprise us if they make a deep post season run and finish at the top of the standings. Hawkins is talented and will be a standout big in the state, and the Tigers have a lot of length and athleticism this season. We project Riverside will be in the mix of things but we see them finishing 3rd place in the orange Empire Conference for the 2022-2023 sesason.
STLB best college prospect: “6-9” Raymond Hawkins
Saddleback (17-12): Last season, the Bobcats had a solid season and were one of the standout teams in Southern California. Saddleback went 7-4 in non conference action and played some solid teams before conference started. Saddleback started conference action winning their first three games, but followed that up losing their next three and struggled finding consistency in the rest of conference action. Saddleback finished Orange Empire Conference play with a 9-7 record and earned an 18th seed in the playoffs. In the post season, the Bobcats suffered a first round loss on the road against San Diego Miramar to end their season. Saddleback comes into the season with eight players returning from last seasons team that won 17 games. “5-11” Jimmy Reyes (11.9 points), “6-0” Eli Al-Debaran (8.4 points), “6-0” Nick Bowden (13.3 points), “6-10” Gerald Jones (7.4 points), “6-3” Derek Rubidoux, “6-1” Selah Robins, “6-9” Torrance Farr, “6-0” Qahhar Burns are all back after their freshman seasons. “6-6′ James Burries (Moon Valley), “6-6” John Mcfadden (San Juan) and “6-8” Myles Ward will come into the program for the 2022-2023 season.
Projection: Experience is the key word when we talk about the Bobcats. Saddleback is returning the most players within the conference back from a team that won 17 games. Al-Debaran, Reyes and Bowden give the Bobcats a very respectable back court that is capable of putting up a lot of points. Coach Oliver brought in some solid wing length, and Jones and Farr give the Bobcats front court depth for the upcoming season. We like the Bobcats and feel like they will be a team that will be in the mix of things when it comes to the race within the Orange Empire Conference. Saddleback will be challenged as well as the Bobcats play one of the toughest schedules in the state and will be battle tested as conference rolls around. We project them to finish fourth in the Orange Empire Conference for the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-10” Gerald Jones
Irvine Valley (18-11): Last season the Lasers had a good season as Irvine Valley finished the season with 18 wins. In conference play, the Lasers went 9-7 and earned a 4th place finish and made the post season. In the post season, the Lasers were seeded 13th and suffered a first round loss against Long Beach to end their 2021-2022 season. Coming into the new season, Irvine Valley will return one player from a year ago. “6-8” Charlie Henderson returns to the team after averaging 6.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game a year ago. “6-7” Jordan Montross and “6-7” Ethan McCanless are two players that will add sophomore experience and depth to the front court. “6-3” Roman Swizek (Hemet), “6-4” Luke Farrington (Mission Viejo), “6-0” Christian Griffin (Bishop Lamont), “6-1” David Ogunlade (Kings Christian Academy), “6-6” Makai Caruth (Phoenix), “6-3” Marcus Carter (Torrance) will all to look contribute for the young Lasers this season.
Projection: The Lasers will be a very young and inexperienced team for the upcoming season. Henderson is the only player back from last years team that won 18 games. Henderson will need to take more of a scoring role for the season for this team to have success. Irvine Valley has some size and some solid pieces that are coming into the program but very inexperienced for the new season. Coach Hernandez is one of the best in the business and will have this program competitive but we see them finishing in the middle of the pack and have them projected at 5th place for the 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-8” Charlie Henderson
Orange Coast (7-19): Last year the Pirates struggled throughout the season and finished non conference action with a 4-6 record. In conference, Orange Coast had trouble finding the win column and limped to a 3-13 record and a 7th place finish in Orange Empire Conference play. This upcoming season, the Pirates will return five players off the team that won seven games. “5-9” Jydon Hall returns to the squad after averaging 18.0 points per contest in his freshman season. “6-1” Logen Howard (9.9 points) “6-6” Clifton Brown (4.6 points), “6-5” Harry De Koning (1.2 points), and “6-4” Trent Williams (4.7 points) are all back for their sophomore season. “6-4” Noah Simmons is a transfer from Southwestern, “6-5” Sam Hunter “6-0” Terrell Jones-Kyndle, “6-6” Jaiden Greene, “6-6” Christian Hilbert, “6-5” Jayden Johnson “6-1” Josh Lee, “6-6” Alshaun Rodgers, “6-3” Aiden Stewart and “6-4” Christian Willis are all coming into the program looking to contribute.
Projection: Orange Coast will be a competitive team for the upcoming season as the Pirates return five players for the upcoming season. The Pirates have more size than usual and have plenty of experience coming back into the program. Jydon Hall gives the Pirates a scoring threat on the perimeter and Logen Howard averaged in double figures last season as well. Orange Coast will look to be in the middle of pack and have a competitive 2022-2023 season but we have them projected at 6th place for the upcoming season.
STLB best college prospect: “5-9” Jydon Hall
Cypress (17-13): Last season the Chargers had an up and down season and struggled finding consistency throughout the season. Cypress went into conference play with an 8-4 record non conference record. The Chargers lost their first two games in conference but followed that up with four straight wins and were in the race in the upper half of the standings. Cypress followed that up with three straight losses and finished conference action with an 8-8 record and made the post season. Cypress picked up the 19th seed in Southern California picked up a first round win over Palomar but lost the San Bernardino in the 2nd round to end their 2021-2022 season. This upcoming season, the Chargers will return three players from last seasons team that won 17 games. “5-10” Grant Sii is back for his sophomore season after averaging 12.3 points per game as a freshman. “6-5” Hadi Essayli (6.0 points) and “6-3” Mathis Aiassa are both adding sophomore experience to the squad for this upcoming season. “6-5” Allen Wright (LA Premier Prep), “6-2” Luke Ballard (Valencia), “6-3” Blake Ballard, “5-11” Jordan Taylor (Los Osos), “6-5” Trevon Morris (St. Anthony), “6-5” Luke Washington (Ocean View), and “5-9” Cristian Butler will all look to contribute in the 2022-2023 season for the Chargers.
Projection: Cypress lost a lot of pieces from last seasons team that won 17 games, Sii returns to the line up and he will provide back court depth for the Chargers. Essayli will provide front court depth and freshman Allen Wright showed some promise at the jamboree with his versatility. The Chargers are not a big team and could struggle on the glass, but coach Alhadeff will have his team ready as they will be a very competitive team. We project them to finish in 7th place in the upcoming 2022-2023 season in the Orange Empire Conference.
STLB best college prospect: “6-5” Allen Wright
Santa Ana (5-21): Last season was a season of streaks for the Dons as Santa Ana finished the season winning five games. Santa Ana struggled throughout the season and in conference and finished 2-14 record in Orange Empire Conference action. The Dons return two players from last seasons team that won five games a year ago. “6-4” Miles Sulka return for his second season after averaging 3.3 points per game last season. “5-11” Russel Malone returns as well after playing in 10 games a year ago and averaging 13.0 points per game last season. “6-5” Thomas Billinger, “6-3” Sam Aryan, “6-0” Janavon Castillo, “6-6” Shan Courtney, and “6-2″ Darrian hammonds,” 6-5″ Tyler Woods, “6-2” Edward Spencer, “6-3′ Sam Aryan, “5-10” Kody Uyesveski and “6-5” Court Franklin will look to contribute this upcoming season.
Projection: This upcoming season, the Dons will look to stay competitive for the upcoming season. Santa Ana does not return a lot of players this upcoming season and will look to have a better season than a year ago. We project that the Dons will stay in the lower half of the conference and finish in 8th place in the Orange Empire Conference for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.
STLB best college prospect: “6-6” Cortney Shan
Golden West (7-21): Last season the Rustlers struggled throughout their 2021-2022 campaign. Golden West College posted seven wins last season and went 1-15 in Orange Empire Conference action. For the upcoming season on paper the Rustlers return four players from their roster listed on their website. “6-3” Micah Harkey (3.2 points), “6-5” Daniel Yardley, “6-8” Crash O’ Shea and “5-7” Drew Vargas are all back for their sophomore seasons. “6-0” Damion Byrd II (Las Vegas, NV), Ashton Kimes-Dunn (Eisenhower), “6-4” Michael Renest (Rialto), “6-1” Noel Camejo (Miami, FL), “6-1” Dominic Mcbride (Houston, TX), “6-7” Alex Ball (Texas), “6-7” Trevor Lyles (Pottsville, AR), and “6-5” David Byrne (Calvary Chapel) are all coming into the program for the 2022-2023 season.
Projection: Golden West will look to have a competitive upcoming season after winning seven games a year ago. The Rustlers return four players from last season but there is a lot of unknown for the upcoming season when it comes to this team. Golden West does not return a lot of experience and they will look to stay competitive and we see them finishing in the lower half of the standings in the Orange Empire Conference for the 2022-2023 season.
Signal The Light Basketball 2022-2023 Preseason All Orange Empire Conference team
G: Sean Newman (Fullerton)
G: Shaquil Bender (Fullerton)
G: Kobe Newton (Fullerton)
G: Jimmy Reyes (Saddleback)
G: Jydon Hall (Orange Coast)
F: Charlie Henderson (Irvine Valley)
G: Aaron Wadman (Santiago Canyon)
F: Harrison Wiese (Santiago Canyon)
C: Raymond Hawkins (Riverside)
F: Reggie Ward (Riverside)
Other Standouts in Orange Empire Conference: Nick Bowden (Saddleback), Eli Al-Debaran (Saddleback), Grant Sii (Cypress), Garrett Andre (Santiago Canyon), Jake Conerty (Santiago Canyon), Sammy Howlin (Fullerton), RJ Banks (Fullerton), Julian Alvarez (Riverside), Khalifah Muhammad (Riverside)
2022-2023 Signal The Light Basketball Orange Empire Conference Projection
1. Fullerton
2. Santiago Canyon
3. Riverside
4. Saddleback
5. Irvine Valley
6. Orange Coast
7. Cypress
8. Santa Ana
9. Golden West
