Cloverdale Clovers Open Gym Notebook

Cloverdale has a rich history of excellence in Boy's Basketball with legendary coach Pat Rady and his son Patrick Rady leading the Clovers to a combined five sectional titles. Phenomenal players with historic scoring careers like Cooper Neese and Jalen Moore. Both who are in the Top 20 in State History in scoring. Coach Joey Hart enters his second season as the head coach at Cloverdale coming off a 9-15 season a year ago. The Clovers have the challenge of replacing 20.3 points per game from last seasons leading scorer Jahaven Duncan, who they lose to graduation. With a young core returning as well as a key transfer. The future is bright for Cloverdale. Here is what the Clovers will put on the floor this season:   KEY RETURNERS:    When it comes to premier big men in the class of 2028 in-state, there is an argument that the list should start with [player_tooltip player_id='2617833' first='Ishmael' last='Kiteka']. The improvement that I've seen from him since my first viewing back in April is incredible. He's a true center that's working to extend his game. Good hands that catches everything. Soft feet with footwork that continues to improve. Soft touch on his shot with range that has improved out to the three-point line. Plays with a high motor on both ends. Defensively he's a big time shot blocker that does a good job keeping his blocks inbounds turning them into fast breaks. Averaged a double-double last year and will only improve on those numbers this season. Big time player with big time potential.     Versatile shooting guard that played a role as a freshman last season. Good sized guard that showed the ability to stretch the floor. He has a nice compact shot with a quick release. Comfortable putting the ball on the floor. Thought he did a good job staying on balance through contact on his drives. Defensively he uses his length and physicality well to guard multiple positions as well as being a solid positional rebounder.    KEY ADDITIONS:    Junior transfer in from Owen Valley that was the leading scorer at just under twelve point per game. He comes to the Clovers as a smooth scorer that can put the ball in the basket in a variety of different ways. Solid three-point that thrives on getting in the lane. Really good with the midrange pull-up. Can stop on a dime and rise up over defenders while shooting with soft touch. Will provide a scoring punch and leadership for the young squad.     Like his brother Toby, Jack is also a versatile shooting guard that defends multiple positions on the floor. Offensively I love his ability to get to the basket. Although he's right handed, from what I saw he is looking to get back to his left hand where he was able to finish in a variety of different ways while also taking contact. Will be a depth piece off the bench that should bring a spark defensively.     Another depth piece at the guard spot for the Clovers that can relieve the ball handlers and is able to hit open threes. High motor kid that looks to push the tempo in transition. Played really well in the pick and roll. Was under control and stayed on balance. Defensively he's a scrappy guard that can up in his matchup and slow them down.     Freshman guard that really impressed me in the scrimmage portion of open gym. Has great feel and sees the floor extremely well. Needs to play harder and try and get paint touches instead of settling for his jump shot, but has the potential to be a game changer in the future. Pushes the ball up the floor. Can handle against pressure and is a good size kid that can take a bump and play through it.    UNABLE TO ATTEND (Football):   • Tre Henderson - 6'0” 2026 Guard   • Trey Schabel - 6'0” 2028 Guard   • Evan Mann - 5'11” 2028 Guard

Cloverdale has a rich history of excellence in Boy's Basketball with legendary coach Pat Rady and his son Patrick Rady leading the Clovers to a combined five sectional titles. Phenomenal players with historic scoring careers like Cooper Neese and Jalen Moore. Both who are in the Top 20 in State History in scoring. Coach Joey Hart enters his second season as the head coach at Cloverdale coming off a 9-15 season a year ago. The Clovers have the challenge of replacing 20.3 points per game from last seasons leading scorer Jahaven Duncan, who they lose to graduation. With a young core returning as well as a key transfer. The future is bright for Cloverdale. Here is what the Clovers will put on the floor this season: