Boys’ Basketball Preview: Burroughs, Burbank look to pick up where they left off
Last season, the Burroughs High and Burbank boys’ basketball teams played their best at the end of year in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Although neither squad won a championship in the Pacific League, the Indians and Bulldogs had success in the postseason. While Burroughs advanced to the semifinals for the first time in 26 years, Burbank went to the quarterfinals for the first time in six seasons.
The programs will be looking to achieve postseason success again this season, albeit with different team makeups. Burbank returns a group of impact players from a season ago, while Burroughs lost a big chunk of its talent to graduation.
Much like Burbank, Bellarmine-Jefferson also has its share of key players returning. Over at Providence, the Pioneers have a new coach in Michael Westphal and Lycee International of Burbank has a new program and high expectations.
Here is a closer look at the teams.
BURBANK
The Bulldogs thrived last season, the first under coach Jamayne Potts. The team went 20-11 and 8-6 for fifth place in the Pacific League, but made a fine postseason run that ended with a Division II-AA quarterfinal loss to Loyola, 76-58.
“With the transition of a new coach, I thought we had a good year and the success was pretty quick,” Potts said. “The team had 20 wins last year and doubled their league wins from the previous year and then had that really good playoff run.
“We are all pretty confident going into this year. This team has worked extremely hard in the offseason and they are just focused on having a great season.”
The most decorated returner for the Bulldogs is senior Michael Woods, who was an All-CIF second-team selection as well as a first-team all-league pick. Woods averaged 11.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 blocks a game.
“We have seven seniors and seven sophomores, so we have a good balance of players,” Potts said. “The seven seniors that we do have are very hungry, they are confident and they are determined to make this team successful this season. Our practices have been really competitive, which is great.
“Michael Woods is looking really good. He is just so intense; he plays every possession like it’s his last. I never have to coach him about effort, because that’s always there.”
Another all-league returner for the Bulldogs is senior Faraz Khandaker (8.8 points, 6.3 rebounds), who will play alongside returning seniors Cameron Sweeten, Thomas Clark, Abdullah Kobaissi and Ben Chavez, as well as sophomore Erik Harutyunyan, who has yet to join the team because he’s been playing for the school’s football team.
“We are pretty deep, so I think that’s an advantage for us,” Potts said.
The team could also be bolstered by sophomore Tyrese Willis, a transfer from Village Christian who will have to sit out until January.
“As far as our league goes, I don’t think there’s a clear favorite,” Potts said. “Our league is just so tough you never know. But I expect us to be right there in the mix, I really do. I just think our league is very, very difficult and our league is underrated from the outside.”
BURROUGHS
The Indians (22-8, 9-5 to tie for third place) are coming off a season in which they set school records for wins and marched to the semifinals for the third time in program history, where they lost to eventual division champion Santa Monica, 68-45.
Adam Hochberg stepped down as coach after his seventh season at the helm. Allan Ellis, a Crespi High graduate who was an assistant coach at Westlake, Royal and Chaminade, has taken over.
“The guys have been extremely receptive to me since I took over and the guys have been really working hard getting ready for this year,” Ellis said. “It is a very coachable group and they are excited about the season and I think it’s going to be a real good year for us.
“Since we lost some from last year, I think that we might come in under the radar this season with other coaches not knowing what we really have.”
Burroughs graduated nine seniors from last season, namely All-CIF second-team honoree and Leader Boys’ Athlete of the Year Steven Hubbell, who averaged 11 points, five rebounds and two steals a game.
“We only have four returners from last year and just two of them got valuable minutes last year,” Ellis said. “The other two guys didn’t get a lot of minutes last year, but they got some valuable experience. I do expect big things from that returning core and we have a young group coming up behind them.”
The Indians return perhaps their most productive player from a season ago, senior Tristen Hull. Hull earned All-CIF first-team accolades after averaging 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game.
“Tristen has improved, he’s stronger, he’s more focused and I definitely think he is in better shape and he’s motivated and ready to go,” Ellis said. “He had some great fall league games and he put up some good numbers. ... I think he’ll be one of the best players in the area.”
The other starter who contributed last season is senior Justin Henderson. Seniors Austin Marx and Brannan Shepherd are the other returning players.
Some newcomers who Ellis has high hopes for are senior Ryan Del Castillo and juniors Stefon Foster, Omar Searcy and Zion Bazzell.
“In our league, I definitely expect it to be tough,” Ellis said. “There is a lot of talent in this league, so we have to be ready every night. But really, I think we have a chance and we will compete every single night.”
PROVIDENCE
Westphal, the son of former NBA player and coach Paul Westphal, takes over the program after coaching at Moorpark High the past two seasons. Last season under Chris Madigan, the Pioneers went 9-18 and finished last in the Liberty League with an 0-6 record.
Providence earned a spot in the Division V-AA playoffs, where it fell to No. 1 Santa Maria St. Joseph, 82-48.
“We did lose some players from last year,” said Westphal, whose squad graduated nine seniors. “But we do have some key players back and the guys have been practicing and getting ready for the season.
“Everything has been running smoothly and the guys have been willing to learn and put in the work. They have been open to the way I do things and I’m looking forward to a good season.”
Four returners who should give the Pioneers experience are seniors David Grigoryan and Matthew Meza, along with juniors AJ Bautista and Kirk Helling.
“A lot of what we’ll be doing is based on the personnel that I have,” Westphal said. “I see what I’m working with and I will try and highlight our advantages and try and kind of hide our weaknesses.”
A promising freshman who could make an instant impact is Bryce Whitaker.
The Pioneers move from the Liberty League to the Independence League this season and will face off against Holy Martyrs, Glendale Adventist Academy, Canoga Park Armenian General Benevolent Union, de Toledo, Oakwood and Pacifica Christian.
“I really don’t know that much about the league. But I will do my research prior to league so we will be ready,” Westphal said.
BELLARMINE-JEFFERSON
Coach Ray Witt returns for his second season at the helm for the Guards after finishing 4-17 and 2-8 for fifth place in the Camino Real League. Bell-Jeff didn’t qualify for the playoffs.
However, with his share of returning players, Witt believes the Guards will be able to make it back to the postseason.
“Unequivocally, I think we are are going to make it to the playoffs,” Witt said. “And with the players that we have, I really think we have a shot to win a league championship. We have everybody returning with the exception of two kids. In addition, we’ve added four impact players to the team, so that really gives us some talent. We also have the addition of some international players and I think we should do well.
“We have been working hard and we are getting ready for the season. We did some fall stuff, played some bigger teams and we did pretty well. I’m looking for us to compete a lot better than we did last year. There is a lot to be excited about.”
Two of the team’s returning players are all-league juniors Paulius Kasteckas and Tomas Butkus, who are fresh off a successful football season.
“We are looking for good things from Paulius and Tomas,” Witt said. “We did a 45-day boot camp to get the players ready and we’ve had a trainer come in to help the guys get in shape. It was a very rigorous fall and summer for the kids and they have really benefited from the training.”
Two other returners are brothers Samuel and Ettiene Roberts, who are juniors.
A newcomer who could impact Bell-Jeff is freshman Rameon Witt, the coach’s son who has a wealth of basketball experience. Unfortunately, the freshman will miss some of the early season after breaking his collarbone.
A first-year player who could also see substantial playing time is Mahmut Gokmen, who is from Turkey. Witt said there are also some other potentially key players who are waiting for clearance by the CIF.
In the Camino Real League, St. Genevieve joins the ranks.
“St. Genevieve should be a good team,” Witt said. “But La Salle always has good teams and they should be tough.”
LYCEE INTERNATIONAL
The Lions embark on their first season of CIF Southern Section competition under coach Marilyn Dubon, who also coaches the school’s girls’ team.
“I have high expectations for both our boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams this year,” Dubon said. “We may be the new kid on the CIF [Southern Section] block, but we have worked hard to put our name on the map.
“I want everyone to know the LILA Lions are here to compete. We have waited long enough for our chance to be recognized.”
The Lions will compete in the tiered International League.
Seniors Thomas Gareton and Alvaro Cana are expected to be key players for the Lions.
“Our first goal is a playoff stint, but our ultimate focus is a league championship,” Dubon said.
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Jeff Tully, jeff.tully@latimes.com
Twitter: @jefftsports