Monterey Bay League 2001-2002 Boy's Basketball Preview

2000-2001 was a respectable year for MBL boy's basketball, highlighted by Salinas High rolling to an undefeated league championship and its first-ever NorCal playoff appearance. The showdown of the year came in league game #3 - Palma playing at a jam-packed Salinas High gym with the winner taking the inside track to the MBL title. The Chieftains entered the game as the top-ranked team in the section, but it was the Cowboys taking a 63-60 nail biter in the lone match-up between the two league powers. Alisal's young squad gave notice it would be a force in the 2001-2002 season, upsetting Palma late in the season to solidify 3rd place in the MBL.

The MBL's top three teams had the misfortune of running into the West Catholic Athletic League in the postseason. Alisal fell to Sacred Heart Cathedral in the CCS D3 second round, Palma lost to Saint Ignatius in the CCS  D3 semifinals, and Salinas lost to St. Francis in the CCS D2 finals. The WCAL wound up placing two of the five total Northern California teams into the state championships (St. Francis and Riordan), affirming its status as one of the top basketball leagues in the state.

Early Favorites
Alisal, Salinas and Palma again appear be the teams to beat in the MBL. But unlike last season, there is more parity in the MBL, with several quality teams ready to take on the early favorites. North Salinas enters league play having won their own preseason tournament title, in the process beating Monterey and Salinas. Gilroy pulled off a stunning upset of preseason state ranked Valley Christian. Live Oak went deep into the Los Gatos and Gunderson tournaments. North Monterey County again looks like a playoff contender as well.

MBL Returning Marquee Players

Players to Watch

Profile and Last Season's Order of Finish

Salinas

Despite losing the 2000-2001 League Most Valuable Player Kyle Taylor and All-League/County selection Nick Davis to graduation, the Cowboy's appear to have reloaded for another MBL title run. Returning from last season's MBL championship team are Enrique Mendez (16.5 ppg) and All-MBL honorable mention Adrian Knox (14.1 ppg), the Cowboys third and fourth leading scorers last season. Drew Sanchez will take over point guard duties, where he has averaged 14.1 points per game this season. Sanchez and Mendez were both named to the Santa Cruz Dad's Club All-Tournament team, and Mendez was named to the Carmel Invitational All-Tournament team and Bob Steinbach Classic All-Tournament team last week. The always-deep Cowboy rotation will expect significant contributions from Colin Sprenckle, Beau Blackwell, Casey Neligh and Chris Choate.

Palma

Graduated: All-Monterey County and All-MBL selections E.J. Rowland and Jordan Watkins

To say that last season's Palma team was talented is an understatement. Jordan Watkins now leads the University of San Diego in rebounds (through 11 games) as a freshman, and  E.J. Rowland is a starting freshman guard at Cal-State Dominguez Hills. All-MBL forward Luis Amaral will step into the leadership role for the Chieftains, where he will be expected to take on more scoring responsibility. Replacing his brother in the Palma paint is 6-9 big man Hayden Watkins. All-MBL honorable mention Michael Soto returns as Palma's most consistent rebounder. Seniors Nate Chandra and Shane Haag will handle the guard duties, with sophomore Thomas Duckett, Patrick Delorey and Anthony Barbosa providing significant minutes off the bench. Haag and Amaral were both named to the Scattini All-Tournament Team.

Alisal

Graduated: All-MBL selection Raphael Carriedo

Look for the talented Trojans to improve on last year's 3rd place finish and challenge for the MBL title. Leading the way will be the area's most physically dominating player, 6-6 All-MBL/All-County center Jose Robles. Robles was named to the Coach Wilson Memorial and Bob Steinbach Classic All-Tournament Teams. Jose Solis, named MVP of the Coach Wilson Memorial Tournament, may be the area's top defensive player. Sharpshooters Juan Esquivel and Julio Bejarano are among the preseason's 3-point leaders. Vantory Miles, a 6-4 transfer from Merced, has averaged 13.6 points in the preseason for the Trojans.

North Monterey County

2000-2001 was a breakthrough season for North Monterey County Basketball. The Condor's finished in 4th place in the MBL, and made their first postseason appearance since 1993 when they were members of the Santa Cruz Athletic League. Brandon Avila (13.5 ppg), named to the Fukushima Invitational All-Tournament Team, has developed into one of the area's top guards. Brothers Tanner (6-8, 8.9 ppg) and Travis (6-7) Bell will provide a strong presence under the basket for the Condors. Guard Carter Beck (9.7 ppg) continues to improve alongside Avila. Forward Zack Cook finished the preseason win consecutive double-digit offensive games. Three point specialist Adrian Machuca rained in six 3's in the preseason finale against Soledad. Sophomore Ray Alvarez has provided quality minutes off the Condor bench

Alvarez

Having lost every key player from last season's playoff squad, it looks like a rebuilding year for the young Eagles. If Alvarez's 1-8 preseason record is any indication, the Eagles will get ample opportunity to evaluate talent and provide valuable playing time during league play. Fernando Esquivel came on strong late in the preseason, including a 15 point effort against King's Academy. Esquivel is now averaging over 8 points per game. Junior Chris Kennada and sophomore Hazen Yasay are averaging over 5 points per game. The Eagles will also rely on Ray Saenz for offensive production. 6-5 sophomore John Flores will be learning the ropes and gaining valuable varsity experience.

Gilroy

Standing at 6-3 in MBL play and needing just one win in the their final four games to make the postseason and a necessary .500 league record, the Mustang's lost all of their remaining games and missed the postseason for the 4th consecutive year. The Mustangs look to turn that around, and if the preseason is any indication, they are up to the task. Gilroy first knocked off state ranked Valley Christian, then proceeded to win their own Bob Hagen basketball tournament. Guard Gabe Gonzales, named MVP of the Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament, is the playmaker that makes things happen for the Mustang's. Speedy guard Justin Nicholson and Anthony Romero excel at pushing the ball up court on the fast break. Returnees Danny Dubois, Roshan Patel and football standout Will Lawrence provide valuable depth and scoring balance. Erik Nelson is a very dangerous 3-point shooter off the bench.

Monterey

Hollister

Live Oak

North Salinas