San Diego Hoops – Winners from the month of June

<p>The month of June is in the books, and for the most part, so is high school summer ball. But as kids head back to their respective travel teams for July's AAU season, we take a look back at which San Diego teams made statements during June.</p> <h2>San Diego Hoops - Winners from the month of June</h2> <h2>Cathedral Catholic</h2> <p>The Dons are rapidly establishing themselves as the top team in San Diego heading into the 2019-2020 season. The big reason: the long-awaited addition of Beon Riley to the lineup. Riley sat out last season after transferring from Mater Dei Catholic, and took the time off to grow as a player. The result? Cathedral has very few weaknesses. Barring any major player movement, the Dons will likely open up as the preseason No. 1 in San Diego.</p> <h3>Foothills Christian</h3> <p>After graduating program leaders Derrick Carter-Hollinger and Jaren Nafarrete, many expected the Knights to take a step back. Instead, the Knights rattled off a 20-1 month in June, the only loss coming to Riverside Poly in the championship game of the Section 7 Team Camp. Senior point guard Yassine Gharram (who announces his college decision today) has been outstanding. But it's the growth of the role players - especially 6-5 senior forward Jalai O'Keith and 6-5 junior Derrien Carter-Hollinger - that has Foothills looking like a top-3 team once again. Add into the mix junior transfer wing Nico Meza and an improved rising sophomore in 6-3 Jaden Lebel, the Knights are likely the second-best team in SD.</p> <h3>Santa Fe Christian</h3> <p>Folks tend to count the Eagles out perennially when discussing San Diego's top teams. But each year, Chad Bickley gets his crew to buy into his system, play hard and win with seemingly lesser talent than their private school counterparts. This season, however, SFC has the talent to go along with the system. 6-4 junior guard Trevan Martin is blossoming into a mid-major talent, fellow 6-2 junior Keatten Smith hasn't missed since last season and 6-2 junior point guard Hayden Gray and 6-3 senior SG Sam Dudley round out the formidable back court group. T</p> <p>The Eagles quietly dispatched Saint Augustine in a June game at the Eagles Nest. While I don't put a ton of stock into these games, it definitely registers as an eye-opening performance.</p> <h3>San Ysidro</h3> <p>No team came into June with more hype - and questions - than the Cougars, who boast one of the nation's top freshmen in 6-2 G Mikey Williams. The Cougars answered those questions - emphatically, rattling off 13 straight wins to open the month. This stretch included a championship at the SDSU Team camp and a 5-0 performance at the USD team camp, with wins over Torrey Pines, Mater Dei Catholic and Carlsbad.</p> <p>6-2 sophomore guard DJ Dudley was electric throughout the month, as were senior leaders Kailen Rains and Philix Kilbourne. The surprise (to some) might be the emergence of 6-3 freshman guard Jurian Dixon, who rounds out the starting five.</p> <p>The Cougars are the overwhelming preseason favorites in Division 3, but they certainly look like a Top 10 team overall. </p> <h3>Christian</h3> <p>No team has had a more tumultuous off season than the Patriots, which parted ways with head coach Davion Famber, hired his replacement and subsequently rescinded the job offer before school ended. </p> <p>But you couldn't see any turmoil when the Patriots took the court. In fact, despite graduating one of the best players in program history - 6-7 Jackson Larsen - the Patriots might be a better team this season than last year. They are certainly deeper, thanks to the addition of Mater Dei Catholic transfers Jake Tawhiao and Vincent Warren. And their returners all have improved, in some cases dramatically, none more so than 6-6 SG Kobe Sanders, who notched a Cal Poly offer after a dominant performance at the Section 7 Team Camp. </p> <p>With Mission Bay in rebuilding mode and St. Augustine having an uneven month, the Patriots could challenge for second place in the always-tough Western League this season.</p> <h3>Other teams who "won" June </h3> <p>Bonita Vista - Don Dumas' group is undersized, but very talented. </p> <p>San Marcos - Knights look poised to weather the defections of Chris Howell and Elijah Randall.</p> <p>San Diego - Three straight section titles isn't out of the question for the Cavers</p> <p>Mission Hills - Grizzlies are emerging as a challenger in D2</p> <p>Scripps Ranch - Along with the Cavers and Serra, the Eastern League title will be a gauntlet</p>