Happy New Year to all! Just wanted to start a thread on who is going to win the coveted WCAL title for 2020.
Mitty is the reigning WCAL champion, who got upset over SHC last year in the CCS Open Quarterfinal. They return all of their key scorers, but lose WCAL POY Devan Sapp. The Monarchs add 6-6 Nigel Burris to fill the void.
Bellarmine returns several starters and players from its terrific undefeated JV team and is 10-0 in non-league.
Riordan returns the best guard combo in the Bay Area along with several players that saw action last year and add tall and athletic newcomers to the roster.
All three teams' matchups last year were very competitive. Mitty and Riordan - split separated by an avg of 2 points. Bellarmine and Mitty split. Riordan took 2 of 3 vs Bellarmine in games they won by double digits, but the win in OT by Bellarmine occurred in the CCS Open Semis.
The rest of the league fall below the top 3 with Serra once again looking competitive, SF, SHC and SI reloading with young players. VC has height and some frosh scorers and could even add another 6-10 big if he becomes eligible.
The 2019 non-league SOS saw Riordan and Mitty playing the the most challenging lineup of games with a nod to Riordan as they faced NorCal Open hopefuls in Campo, Dublin, Weston Ranch and Capital Christian. Riordan opened up a with an impressive win vs SoCal power JSerra who just upset Sheldon at Torrey Pines.
Mitty takes the consolation at Torrey Pines in the top National division, and Bellarmine takes the lower division title at Torrey Pines beating SJND for a second time.
Ok, let's start with my initial picks for this season. Who you got?!?
2019-2020 WCAL Picks
Mitty is the reigning WCAL champion, who got upset over SHC last year in the CCS Open Quarterfinal. They return all of their key scorers, but lose WCAL POY Devan Sapp. The Monarchs add 6-6 Nigel Burris to fill the void.
Bellarmine returns several starters and players from its terrific undefeated JV team and is 10-0 in non-league.
Riordan returns the best guard combo in the Bay Area along with several players that saw action last year and add tall and athletic newcomers to the roster.
All three teams' matchups last year were very competitive. Mitty and Riordan - split separated by an avg of 2 points. Bellarmine and Mitty split. Riordan took 2 of 3 vs Bellarmine in games they won by double digits, but the win in OT by Bellarmine occurred in the CCS Open Semis.
The rest of the league fall below the top 3 with Serra once again looking competitive, SF, SHC and SI reloading with young players. VC has height and some frosh scorers and could even add another 6-10 big if he becomes eligible.
The 2019 non-league SOS saw Riordan and Mitty playing the the most challenging lineup of games with a nod to Riordan as they faced NorCal Open hopefuls in Campo, Dublin, Weston Ranch and Capital Christian. Riordan opened up a with an impressive win vs SoCal power JSerra who just upset Sheldon at Torrey Pines.
Mitty takes the consolation at Torrey Pines in the top National division, and Bellarmine takes the lower division title at Torrey Pines beating SJND for a second time.
Ok, let's start with my initial picks for this season. Who you got?!?
2019-2020 WCAL Picks
- Archbishop Riordan
- Tough non-league, returning all WCAL guard combo, 5 players 6-7 and taller including a 7-1 soph makes the Crusaders my pick. Roster is versatile and can go small and big, with athleticism at every position. Battle tested in facing high scoring, athletic, disciplined and tall lineups. Newcomers started to gel as the non-league progressed and team is steadily improving. Need to keep this up to take the title away from the Monarchs. NorCal Open contender.
- Archbishop Mitty
- Fast, disciplined and all can shoot the 3! Live and die by the 3? Not intimidated by anyone. How do the newcomers in Burris and returning 6-8 big man from injury factor in this season as they will need to combat the bigs from Bellarmine and Riordan. Depth could be key. 9-1 in non-league. NorCal Open contender
- Bellarmine
- Deep, confident and well-coached squad. Bells have very good height and skill at the point guard position. 10-0 in non-league, but schedule was not as challenging as the Monarchs and Crusaders. NorCal Open contender
- Serra
- Always in the hunt, but are rebuilding this season. Best wishes to Coach Rapp on a speedy and complete recovery. Serra returns some height, but needs to replace its top 3 scorers from last season. Won the Bambauer Classic vs Marin Catholic. Always play tough in the Jungle.
- St. Francis
- Young team replacing several scorers. Returns a solid big man. Played a an OK non-league. Wins are tough at their bandbox gym.
- Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Defending CCS Open Champs lose their 2 leading scorers and 6-9 big man to transfer. Gain a scoring guard from across town from Riordan and have 2 very good returning guards including an athletic soph. Can the Luck of the Irish do it again?
- St. Ignatius
- Another squad that lost its 2 top scorers and replaces them with several underclassmen including a terrific freshman point guard who has got to have the best name in Norcal - King Jhassani Wilhite.
- Valley Christian
- Solid team on paper that has 2 freshman phemoms! If the 6-10 transfer is eligible, the Warriors could make a statement.