I have seen every team at least twice (Miramonte & Campolindo more then the others cause of where I live), no one should ever have to watch Alhambra twice. These are my own opinions and I welcome any feedback, cause 2 or 3 games doesn't always give someone a proper take on a team, player or coach.
Dougherty Valley (19-1 & 6-0) - Very impressed with this squad and I would be the first to say I had them finishing 3rd or 4th at best to start the year. Giving everything coach Hansen has been through this off-season and losing a 1st team all league player in Fadal, he is coaching his very best right now and his kids are responding well. They have 4 legitimate players that can all score, shoot, dribble, defend and rebound and they shoot a pretty high percentage from the line. They are deserving of being where they are and this team defends better then any other team I have seen all year, in all leagues. Congrats Coach Hansen and the Wildcats and I am hoping a league title is coming your way.
Dublin (17-4 & 4-2) - This team is playing well and after seeing them come from behind last night at Campo, I am even more impressed. This team is still figuring things out but last night might have answered a bunch of questions about this squad and I know it did for me. The key to this team is getting 3 to 4 players scoring, when this happens, this team is tough to beat. Costello and his team have been thru some emotional ups and downs but like any veteran coach, he sees the big picture and the light at the end of the tunnel. He was constantly coaching his squad up last night and they were believing and it showed on the court. If Falls can get some constant scoring and rebounding help, this team will be in it at the end of the year and Friday's game against Dougherty is do or die as far as the league title is concerned.
Miramonte (14-6 & 4-2) - I have seen this team more then any other in this league and I think they might have the most talented team in the league but they are still trying to find themselves as far as playing well together. McDonald has his hands full, he has 8-9 guys that can score but not very many consistently. They play a style of basketball on the offensive end that very few in this league can play, if they figured out how to play just as hard on the defensive end, this team would be hard to beat.
Campolindo (9-10 & 3-3) - Some say coaching doesn't make a difference, well this is an example that it does.
Watson is the biggest missing piece in this league, if he was still coaching this year, this team would be in the thick of things. Injuries have also played a role in this teams won & loss record and when fully healthy, this team is as good as anyone in this league. Watson is the person that makes everything go and without him, this team will continue to struggle. Hoping to admin and parents will finally see how important a great coach is and should welcome him back with open arms.
Las Lomas (12-8 & 2-4) - I thought this team was the going to be much better and I have been sadly mistaken. This team doesn't nothing but shoot from the outside and tries to kill you from 3 point land. No inside game, no toughness and still trying to find away to beat teams in this league. When shots are falling, this team can score with the best of them but the problem is they give up more points then they can score. Henik must not teach defense what so ever, I saw it first hand at Dublin were they gave up almost 90 points. Defense wins championships and if you haven't figured that out, look who's leading your league and who held your team in the 40's.
Acalanes (9-11 & 2-4) - Young and inexperienced along with some costly injuries along the way has this team where it is. Not by lack of effort or coaching, this team in the 2nd half of the league will probably shock a few teams and should not be taken lightly, just ask Las Lomas. I like how this teams plays, they can play up and down or slow it down, they are well coached and play as hard as any team in this league, good things wil happen to this team when healthy.
Alhambra (6-13 & 0-6). Not much to say here other then these kids deserve better. Ertola has been the problem at this school for years. Head coach and athletic director and now the Athletic Director and hired his son as he head coach, things won't get better anytime soon. Alhambra admin needs to step in and fix this ongoing problem. Last year, they played hard, passionate and showed that this program had a little life in it, now another coaching change, for the worse and this program is where it deserves to be.
MVP Canidates in my opinion:
Grabow (Dougherty)
Falls (Dublin)
Ionescu (Miramonte)
Consideration for All League:
Dougherty: Grabow, Manansala & Samra
Dublin: Falls, Nguyen, Toney
Miramonte: Ionescu & Hocking
Campolindo: Hicks, Yamamoto & Strother
Las Lomas: Prince & Payne
Acalanes: Kinnear & McNamara
Alhambra: Ramirez
Best home crowd: Dougherty
Worst home crowd: Las Lomas
Best Gym: Dublin
Worst gym: Miramonte
Best Announcer: Dublin
Best 6th Man: Dougherty
Worst 6th Man: Las Lomas
Best Snack Bar: Campolindo & Miramonte
Worst Snack Bar: Las Lomas
Best Cheer Squads: Dublin & Dougherty
Dougherty Valley (19-1 & 6-0) - Very impressed with this squad and I would be the first to say I had them finishing 3rd or 4th at best to start the year. Giving everything coach Hansen has been through this off-season and losing a 1st team all league player in Fadal, he is coaching his very best right now and his kids are responding well. They have 4 legitimate players that can all score, shoot, dribble, defend and rebound and they shoot a pretty high percentage from the line. They are deserving of being where they are and this team defends better then any other team I have seen all year, in all leagues. Congrats Coach Hansen and the Wildcats and I am hoping a league title is coming your way.
Dublin (17-4 & 4-2) - This team is playing well and after seeing them come from behind last night at Campo, I am even more impressed. This team is still figuring things out but last night might have answered a bunch of questions about this squad and I know it did for me. The key to this team is getting 3 to 4 players scoring, when this happens, this team is tough to beat. Costello and his team have been thru some emotional ups and downs but like any veteran coach, he sees the big picture and the light at the end of the tunnel. He was constantly coaching his squad up last night and they were believing and it showed on the court. If Falls can get some constant scoring and rebounding help, this team will be in it at the end of the year and Friday's game against Dougherty is do or die as far as the league title is concerned.
Miramonte (14-6 & 4-2) - I have seen this team more then any other in this league and I think they might have the most talented team in the league but they are still trying to find themselves as far as playing well together. McDonald has his hands full, he has 8-9 guys that can score but not very many consistently. They play a style of basketball on the offensive end that very few in this league can play, if they figured out how to play just as hard on the defensive end, this team would be hard to beat.
Campolindo (9-10 & 3-3) - Some say coaching doesn't make a difference, well this is an example that it does.
Watson is the biggest missing piece in this league, if he was still coaching this year, this team would be in the thick of things. Injuries have also played a role in this teams won & loss record and when fully healthy, this team is as good as anyone in this league. Watson is the person that makes everything go and without him, this team will continue to struggle. Hoping to admin and parents will finally see how important a great coach is and should welcome him back with open arms.
Las Lomas (12-8 & 2-4) - I thought this team was the going to be much better and I have been sadly mistaken. This team doesn't nothing but shoot from the outside and tries to kill you from 3 point land. No inside game, no toughness and still trying to find away to beat teams in this league. When shots are falling, this team can score with the best of them but the problem is they give up more points then they can score. Henik must not teach defense what so ever, I saw it first hand at Dublin were they gave up almost 90 points. Defense wins championships and if you haven't figured that out, look who's leading your league and who held your team in the 40's.
Acalanes (9-11 & 2-4) - Young and inexperienced along with some costly injuries along the way has this team where it is. Not by lack of effort or coaching, this team in the 2nd half of the league will probably shock a few teams and should not be taken lightly, just ask Las Lomas. I like how this teams plays, they can play up and down or slow it down, they are well coached and play as hard as any team in this league, good things wil happen to this team when healthy.
Alhambra (6-13 & 0-6). Not much to say here other then these kids deserve better. Ertola has been the problem at this school for years. Head coach and athletic director and now the Athletic Director and hired his son as he head coach, things won't get better anytime soon. Alhambra admin needs to step in and fix this ongoing problem. Last year, they played hard, passionate and showed that this program had a little life in it, now another coaching change, for the worse and this program is where it deserves to be.
MVP Canidates in my opinion:
Grabow (Dougherty)
Falls (Dublin)
Ionescu (Miramonte)
Consideration for All League:
Dougherty: Grabow, Manansala & Samra
Dublin: Falls, Nguyen, Toney
Miramonte: Ionescu & Hocking
Campolindo: Hicks, Yamamoto & Strother
Las Lomas: Prince & Payne
Acalanes: Kinnear & McNamara
Alhambra: Ramirez
Best home crowd: Dougherty
Worst home crowd: Las Lomas
Best Gym: Dublin
Worst gym: Miramonte
Best Announcer: Dublin
Best 6th Man: Dougherty
Worst 6th Man: Las Lomas
Best Snack Bar: Campolindo & Miramonte
Worst Snack Bar: Las Lomas
Best Cheer Squads: Dublin & Dougherty