This has been a very interesting year with Dublin & Dougherty Valley joining the league and some thought this league might be to much for both squads and how wrong could they be. Dublin has been the most impressive team in this league, we all knew or thought De La Salle was going to be good but I myself had no idea Dublin was going to be right there with them and I can't wait for the showdown in the finals. San Ramon might be my surprise team of this league, they had a down year last year and I didn't see much hope for a rebound but they just fight, battle and have stayed together so much that they are in 2nd place in a tough northern division. Amador and Foothill are two teams I just can't figure out, Amador should be the 2nd or 3rd best team in the EBAL but they are underachieving to say the least and Foothill isn't far behind them. Dougherty Valley is another team that I have been impressed with, after disappointing losses to Monte Vista & San Ramon and a very close loss to De La Salle, they have found there rhythm and have been very tough defensively. Monte Vista is mess right now and I don't see things changing anytime soon. Injuries, poor play and missing someone who can consistently knock down an outside shot has been there recipe for disaster. Cal high was struggling but has since found themselves scoring when the outside shots are dropping but defensively, they are one of the worst in the league. Granada is talented but poorly coached and Livermore is well coached with very little talent and this is why they are at the bottom.
Awards: Keep in mind, this is thru the halfway point, not predicting the final outcome.
MVP: Falls & Manansala, both have been vital to there teams successes. Falls is hands down the best player offensively in this league and Manansala is solid offensively and a lock down defender in my eyes.
Coach of the Year: San Ramon Boteen & Dublin: Costello I do give a ton of credit to Argenal at De La Salle but with his team returning and talent, I give the nod to the other two.
Defensive Player of the Year: Udenyi & Manansala. Udenyi on the interior and Manansala all over the floor. Both are having great years but since Manansala plays almost the entire game, he has to be mentioned.
Freshmen of the Year: Beasley, he hasn't played a league game but I was lucky enough to see him play before he got hurt and he is going to be something special.
Best 6th Man: San Ramon, by far they are the best. Home games is crazy and this group travels on the road better then anyone team in the bay area. Dublin & Dougherty Valley have great home 6th Man but when they are on the road, they are a no show but when San Ramon goes on the road, they outnumber even the home teams 6th Man.
Gym: Dublin, hands down end of discussion.
I am looking forward to a thrilling finish in this league. Does Dougherty Valley have enough to take over 2nd in the North from San Ramon? Will Amador hold on to 2nd in the South? Do we get to see a rematch of Dublin & De La Salle in the league finals and if so, where will this game be held at? Does best record host or a neutral site?
De La Salle A+ Very well coached and well balanced at both ends.
Dublin A Same as above but just a little behind them defensively.
San Ramon A- Impressive, Boteen is doing a fantastic job with very little talent.
Dougherty Valley B+ Hansen has his team buying in and locking things down defensively.
Amador B Talented but zero floor leaders and to much one on one and shooting the 3 ball.
Foothill B- They are just good enough to almost beat anyone or lose to anyone.
Monte Vista C Lack of guard play and consistent outside shooter is hurting this team.
Cal C- They are exciting to watch if you don't like defense.
Granada D+ They rely to much on two players and no one knows there role.
Livermore D Team plays hard and the coach coaches even harder but very little to work with.
Awards: Keep in mind, this is thru the halfway point, not predicting the final outcome.
MVP: Falls & Manansala, both have been vital to there teams successes. Falls is hands down the best player offensively in this league and Manansala is solid offensively and a lock down defender in my eyes.
Coach of the Year: San Ramon Boteen & Dublin: Costello I do give a ton of credit to Argenal at De La Salle but with his team returning and talent, I give the nod to the other two.
Defensive Player of the Year: Udenyi & Manansala. Udenyi on the interior and Manansala all over the floor. Both are having great years but since Manansala plays almost the entire game, he has to be mentioned.
Freshmen of the Year: Beasley, he hasn't played a league game but I was lucky enough to see him play before he got hurt and he is going to be something special.
Best 6th Man: San Ramon, by far they are the best. Home games is crazy and this group travels on the road better then anyone team in the bay area. Dublin & Dougherty Valley have great home 6th Man but when they are on the road, they are a no show but when San Ramon goes on the road, they outnumber even the home teams 6th Man.
Gym: Dublin, hands down end of discussion.
I am looking forward to a thrilling finish in this league. Does Dougherty Valley have enough to take over 2nd in the North from San Ramon? Will Amador hold on to 2nd in the South? Do we get to see a rematch of Dublin & De La Salle in the league finals and if so, where will this game be held at? Does best record host or a neutral site?
De La Salle A+ Very well coached and well balanced at both ends.
Dublin A Same as above but just a little behind them defensively.
San Ramon A- Impressive, Boteen is doing a fantastic job with very little talent.
Dougherty Valley B+ Hansen has his team buying in and locking things down defensively.
Amador B Talented but zero floor leaders and to much one on one and shooting the 3 ball.
Foothill B- They are just good enough to almost beat anyone or lose to anyone.
Monte Vista C Lack of guard play and consistent outside shooter is hurting this team.
Cal C- They are exciting to watch if you don't like defense.
Granada D+ They rely to much on two players and no one knows there role.
Livermore D Team plays hard and the coach coaches even harder but very little to work with.