EMPIRE LEAGUE PREVIEW

LEAGUE FAVORITE

Katella: The Knights went 9-1 to win the league championship last year, and could be just as good this year. Katella's strong group of guards is led by Richard Santiago and Kevin Ramirez, both all-league first-team selections last season. Taller teams have given Katella problems thus far.

PROJECTED LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Christian Mack, Valencia: He is averaging 18 points a game for the Tigers. Mack, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, was all-league first-team last season, when he averaged 11 points and seven rebounds. He is a four-year varsity player.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Brian Berkley (Valencia, 6-5, Sr., C); Garrett Brown (Kennedy, 6-3, Sr., G); Le Quan Carpenter (Cypress, 6-5, Sr., C); Justin Igawa (Cypress, 6-0, Sr., G); Mike Jones (Loara, 6-2, Sr., F); Joseph Lee (Cypress, 6-5, Sr. F); Martin McCall (Pacifica, 6-5, Sr., F); Jeff Mutabazi (Valencia, 6-3, Sr., F); Jacob Nungaray (Pacifica, 6-1, Sr., G); Kevin Ramirez (Katella, 5-10, So., G); Richard Santiago (Katella, 6-1, Sr., G)

TEAM ON THE RISE

Valencia: The Tigers finished second last year with a 6-4 league record, but should challenge for the league championship this year with a strong group of senior returnees led by Mack, Berkley and Mutabazi.

TEAM UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Pacifica: With five juniors and five sophomores, many expected to make key contributions, the Mariners came into the season as a young and inexperienced group. The transfer of 6-4 Marcus Watts, honorable mention all-league last season, to Murietta Valley did not help.

TOP GAMES

Valencia at Katella, Jan. 21; Katella at Valencia, Feb. 6; Pacifica at Cypress, Feb. 13

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.