Top 50 Southern California high school boys basketball teams countdown: Nos. 30-26
With the 2019-20 high school basketball season tipping off the week of Nov. 18, Scorebook Live California is previewing the Top 50 boys basketball teams in Southern California. Our Top 50 list spans the Southern, L.A. City and San Diego Sections.
Here are numbers 30 to 26 in our team rankings.
- More preseason rankings: California Top 25 | SoCal Top 25 | San Diego Top 20
- SoCal Top 50 Preview: Nos. 50-46 | Nos. 45-41 | Nos. 40-36 | Nos. 35-31
30. San Gabriel Academy | 2019-20 schedule
Head coach: Kevin McCloskey
Last year’s record: 23-8
Division: Southern Section Division 2AA
Top player: Boubacar Coulibaly
Outlook: Senior big man Boubacar Coulibaly has an offer from Cal, per 247Sports. He makes up a massive front court for San Gabriel Academy along with Alassane Sene. Both players are 6-foot-10. Ian McCloskey, son of head coach Kevin McCloskey, returns to captain the Eagles as a senior. He provides an outside shooting threat for a San Gabriel Academy team that will battle Ribet and Renaissance Academy for a Harbor League title.
29. Santa Clarita Christian | 2019-20 schedule
Head coach: James Mosley
Last year’s record: 11-23
Division: Southern Section Division 2AA
Top player: Caden Starr
Outlook: Santa Clarita Christian had to forfeit the majority of their regular season victories a year ago due to fielding an ineligible player. With that behind them, James Mosley's team is ready to fight for both league and sectional championships this season, like they did last year even with the forfeits. The Cardinals made the Southern Section Division 3AA Championship back in February. They lost to Rolling Hills Prep in the title game.
Junior forward Josh O’Garro and senior forward Caden Starr will be the premier players for Santa Clarita Christian in 2019-2020. Junior transfer Ty Harper spent time at Fairfax this summer, but is enrolled at Santa Clarita Christian and will be eligible to play immediately for the Eagles when the regular season begins. That's a very athletic trio that few teams can match in Division 2AA.
28. Taft | 2019-20 schedule
Head coach: Derrick Taylor
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Last year’s record: 18-9
Division: LA City Section Division 1
Top player: Ramel Lloyd
Outlook: Taft is loaded this season and could very well be a top 25 team by the end of the season. Senior guard Demetrius Calip can shoot from anywhere. Senior forward Khalil Haywood is a tremendous athlete who shoots well but can also score inside. Those are head coach Derrick Taylor's senior leaders.
Taylor also has a great group of sophomores at his disposal this season. Point guard Ramel Lloyd transferred from Calabasas and is already drawing comparisons to NBA players that Taylor has coached in the past (Jordan Farmar and Spencer Dinwiddie). Jason Hart Jr., a shooting guard, and Duke Gipson, a 6-foot-9 forward, have transferred in from Dorsey but will have to sit until December 29th. The team has a ton of depth.
27. Brentwood | 2019-20 schedule
Head coach: Ryan "Moose" Bailey
Last year’s record: 23-7
Division: Southern Section Division 1
Top player: Christian Moore
Outlook: Sophomore forward Christian Moore is Brentwood's best player. He holds an offer from Denver. The Eagles don't have a roster filled with high profile talent; instead it's a group of smart role players that Ryan Bailey will get the most out of. Junior guards Freedom Rhames and Cameron MacDonald are reliable shooters and junior forward Zach Mellon is a terrific rebounder. The Gold Coast League is loaded this year, but Brentwood will be competitive and most likely finish third behind Sierra Canyon and Windward.
26. Heritage Christian | 2019-20 schedule
Head coach: Paul Tait
Last year’s record: 24-6
Division: Southern Section Division 2AA
Top player: Skyy Clark
Outlook: Sophomore guard Skyy Clark is a special talent. He already holds a multitude of scholarship offers and by the time his senior season comes around, he'll be able to play collegiately wherever he wants. Clark hurt his shoulder this offseason, but has recovered quicker than expected and will be ready to play when the season tips next Monday.
The question for Heritage Christian is who will complement Clark? Junior guard/forward Justin Rochelin will help take the pressure off his star teammate. Rochelin is a star himself with offers from Arizona State, Florida and other programs. Junior Kyle Frelow will help on the interior as well. Heritage Christian has a lot of talent and will compete for league and sectional titles this season.
