Boys basketball preview: Mitty hopes to go all the way this time

sfgate_get_fprefs();

(12-04) 22:08 Pacific Time --
Drew Gordon is finally a senior, Archbishop Mitty is loaded and the new transportation regulation likely volition not impede a Southern Golden State Division Iodine human dynamo from repeating as champions.

With six football game games still to be played, we take a peep inside the gymnasium where vacation tourneys and show window games have some of the best matchups of the season.

Can Northern Golden State happen salvation after losing four of five state-title games at Arco Sphere in March? Here's an early look:
Top Five Teams

1. Mitty (29-6 last season, 1-0 through Monday): The Monarchs lost to Ma Dei 69-64 inch overtime in the Division two state concluding and are the favourites to win the statute title this season. Gordon, a 6-foot-9 forward headed to UCLA, is one of four Division I scholarship participants in the lineup. Collin Chiverton (6-6, St. Mary's), Enoch Andoh (6-8 , Bucknell) and Toilet Sam Adams (6-6, Lehigh) are all seniors. The point guard is senior Chris Weber. Mitty, which already beat out Bishop O'Dowd 75-41, volition play Newark Memorial on Dec. Fifteen and Oak Grove-San Jose on Dec. Twenty-Two before playing in the Les Schwab Invitational in Portland, Ore., after Christmas.

2. McClymonds (28-4, 2-0): A 53-29 loss to Fairfax in the Division Iodine state-title game didn't reflect the Warriors' mulct season, which included a win over Mitty. With rebounding machine Frank Elisha Graves Otis returning, McClymonds could do another tally at a state crown, though Fairfax now have Renardo Sidney, a transportation from Artesia and the nation's No. One prospect in the social class of 2009. Elisha Graves Otis is joined by junior point guard William Cherry (10 points per game) and Damon Powell. Powell, a 6-5 junior who transferred back to McClymonds after a twelvemonth at San Lorenzo, poured in 23 points in a 66-61 win over Encina-Sacramento.

3. Branson (32-2, 4-0): The two-time defending state champs graduated four starters, including defensive plug Alexanders McNally (now playing at Denver), guard Isaiah Honick and centre Lewis Henry Morgan Livermore. Guard Joseph Oliveer McNally takes a solid returning cast of characters that includes Ryan McGuigan, William F. Cody John, Kalome Akhile and William Curtis Elijah.

Branson, which have got beaten Modesto Christian in each of the last two Division Volt NorCal statute title games, will not have to postulate with the Crusaders. Modesto Christian moved up to Division IV.

4. Delaware Lanthanum Salle (28-3, 0-0): After being eliminated by McClymonds in the 2nd unit of ammunition of the NorCal playoffs, Delaware Lanthanum Salle once again will be on the radar. Guard Ryan Silva is now playing at UC Davis, but returning participants include Brandon Ian Smith (all-league), Max Pitts (a 6-4 wing), guard Jose Rivera, Toilet McArthur (a 6-8, 230-pound sophomore) and Greg St. Jean (son of Garry St. Jean).

De Lanthanum Salle, which will play McClymonds Jan. Twenty-One at Cal's Haas Pavilion, also will play in the Les Schwab Invitational.

5. St. Mary's (29-5, 3-0): There might not be a more than draining squad to watch in the region. With blood brothers Will and Chris Brew leading the way, St. Mary's pressure levels full-court and military units oppositions to play at a helter-skelter pace. The Panthers lost to Cardinal Newman-Santa Genus Rosa 58-54 in the Division four NorCal statute title game last season. Not an complete outside shot team, St. Mary's volition see its share of zone defense. Top Five Players

1. John Drew Gordon (Mitty, 6-9 F): Few participants can change a game more on the defensive end, and Gordon makes it by combining great timing and strenuosity with ceaseless effort. With an evolving offense game, Gordon likely volition better on his norm of 14 points per game as a junior. He'll travel to UCLA adjacent year.

2. Joseph Oliveer McNally (Branson, 6-3 G): McNally scored 24 points as Branson beat out Position Park Homework 57-48 in the Division Volt state-title game. A jazz band guard who can beat out guardians off the drip and hit the mid-range jumper, McNally's best trait might be his competitiveness. He doesn't set up immense Numbers in manager Jonas Honick's system, but he have the ability to mark in lumps. McNally turned down a figure of scholarships from Occident Seashore Conference schools and programs to go to Harvard.

3. Frank Elisha Graves Elisha Graves Otis (McClymonds, 6-6 F): Otis, who averaged 14 points per game as a junior, endured a awful offense public presentation in McClymonds' loss to Fairfax in the state-title game. Nevertheless, Elisha Graves Otis always presents on defence and is one of the best rebounders in the area. A physical player, Elisha Graves Otis will play for former North Carolina manager Flatness Doherty at Southern Methodist adjacent year.

4. Collin Chiverton (Mitty, 6-6 G): Playing in the shadow of Gordon for his full career, Chiverton had his discovery last season, averaging 14 points per game and shot 52 percentage from the field. With a soft touching from the outside and a speedy first step, Chiverton will remain close to place next season and drama at St. Mary's.

5. Chris Mother Jones (Newark Memorial, 6-3 G): The Mission Valley Athletic League Player of the Year scored 20 points in his team's season-opening 67-62 win over Sacred Heart Cathedral. Jones, known for his ability to mark and close down opposing participants on defense, decided on Fresno State after a successful summertime on the AAU circuit.

Defending Champions

STATE: Division Iodine - Fairfax; Division two - Ma Dei ; Division three - Artesia; Division four - Joseph Campbell Hall; Division Volt - Branson.

NORCAL: Division Iodine - McClymonds; Division two - Mitty; Division three -Bishop O'Dowd; Division four - Cardinal Newman; Division Volt - Branson.

NCS: Division Iodine - Monte Vista; Division two - Richmond; Division three - Acalanes; Division four - St. Mary's-Berkeley; Division Volt - Branson.

CCS: Division Iodine - Oak Grove; Division two - Mitty; Division three - St. Ignatius; Division four - Palma; Division Volt - Bridgemont-S.F.

OAKLAND: McClymonds

SAN FRANCISCO: Lowell

E-mail Volition McCulloch at .