Divisional Preview: Division 2A Teams to Watch (Part II)

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">With the the 2019-20 boys basketball season ready to kick off next week, we’ll be rolling out some divisional previews taking a look at some of the top teams and players. In this piece, we breakdown some teams to watch in Division 2A based on research combined with what we’ve seen in person this fall.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Division 2A Teams to Watch</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Pacifica Christian/Orange County</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>2018-19 Record/Result: </b>24-9 overall, 5-3 San Joaquin League, lost in Division 4AA championship game, lost in State Regional second round</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Outlook: </b>The Tritons make a big jump this season from 4AA to 2A and rightfully so. Pacifica Christian had an impressive showing in the postseason last year and return the majority of its key contributors. St. Mary’s signee Judah Brown is poised to build on his 16.4 point, 10 rebound per game averages from last season and junior Houston Mallette is one of the better lead guards in all of Orange County. When you add in solid role players in Josh Sims, Riyaan Jiwani and Timmy Bahadoor to go along with talented guard transfer Charles Erving from Segerstrom, and you have a squad that can compete in a stronger division. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Palm Springs</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>2018-19 Record/Result: </b>26-7 overall, 8-2 Desert Empire League, lost in Division 3A championship game, lost in first round of Division III State Regional first round</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Outlook:</b> The Indians return two All-League First-Team selections in 6-7 senior Parker Hunt and junior guard Elijah Goad. Hunt averaged better than 17 points and eight rebounds per game last year, and with his size, footwork and sure-hands, is a tough cover no matter which division he’s competing in. But if Palm Springs is repeat its storybook run from last season, it will need someone to step up and fill in the big shoes of Damien King, who was also an All-League selection last season as a senior.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Peninsula</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>2018-19 Record/Result: </b>18-12 overall, 7-3 Bay League, lost in Division 2A second round</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Outlook:</b> The Panthers return their top two scorers in seniors J.D. Plough and Caleb Hall. Plough, a rangy 6-3 wing is more of a perimeter oriented threat who put up just under 16 points per game as a junior. Hall has come a long way with his all-around game. Not only is the 6-4 forward a high motor guy with intangibles, but he’s added some perimeter scoring skill to go along with his ability to create second-chance opportunities on the offensive glass. The question for Peninsula will be who will step up if Plough or Hall have an off night?</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Ribet Academy</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>2018-19 Record/Result:</b> 27-3 overall, 8-0 Harbor League, won Division 4A Section title and Division IV state championship</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Outlook:</b> When you talk about a pretty loaded team not skipping a beat, Ribet Academy has to be at or near the top of the list. The Division reigning Division 4A section champs and Division IV state champs basically return a starting five which includes 6-4 junior wing Tyler Powell, 6-0 sophomore point guard Barrington Hargress, 5-8 senior point guard Snookey Wigington, 6-3 junior wing Xavier Williams and 6-6 junior wing Marcus Reedy. The Fighting Frogs, like Pacifica Christian, made a big time jump in divisions and it will be interesting to monitor their progress throughout the season.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Gardena Serra</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>2018-19 Record/Result:</b> 12-17 overall, 4-4 Del Rey League, lost in Division I first round</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Outlook: </b>While last year’s version of the Cavaliers was extremely young and took some bumps and bruises over the course of the season, this Serra team is still young, but definitely more battle tested. Senior shooting guard Dominic Woods, if he can stay healthy, will be the team’s leading scorer and sophomore point guard Jeremy Dent-Smith is as good of a floor general as you’ll find, but those two need a couple of teammates to step up and help. Look for senior Malik Sparks to have a solid year along with sophomore forward Khamani Nelson. A potential x-factor is 6-5 sophomore swingman Justyn Martin who moonlights as a back-up varsity quarterback. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>La Habra Sonora</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>2018-19 Record/Result:</b> 19-10 overall, 7-3 Freeway League, lost in Division 2A first round</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Outlook:</b> There isn’t a year that goes by that Raiders’ coach Mike Murphy doesn’t put a quality product on the floor. Sonora is consistently one of the better public school programs in Orange County because of its toughness and discipline. The Raiders now have two explosive scorers to complement that in junior guard Daniel Esparza and sophomore forward Marqui Worthy. The unsung hero of this Sonora team is senior point guard Tobin Igros, who is a willing table setter for his teammates. Junior shooting guard Ian Jones is another key piece as he can fill it up at a high clip from 3-point range.</span></p>