Basketball player Christian Ware-Berry transfers from Providence High

Boys’ basketball player Christian Ware-Berry didn’t exactly keep his transfer plans under wraps. In fact, the high-scoring guard posted on his Twitter account that he is transferring from Providence High to West Ranch in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Pioneers’ Coach Ernest Baskerville confirmed that Ware-Berry has left the program.

“I had an idea that it was coming because his family had to move,” Baskerville said Monday.

“It was unfortunate for sure, but I wish him the best. He is just a great all-around person; a great student, great kid, great basketball player, great leader, great teammate, all of those things. We had a team barbecue [Sunday] and he was there hangin’ with the other guys…he will always be a part of our basketball family.”

Last season, Ware-Berry was one of the most talented boys’ basketball players in the city.

“To me, he was the best — period,” Baskerville said.

During the 2012-13 season, Ware-Berry was called upon to be the leader for Providence and shoulder the scoring load when Pioneers’ All-State and All-Area Player of the Year Marcus LoVett Jr. was sidelined with an illness.

Then, when LoVett left the squad for good before the conclusion of the 2012-13 campaign, Ware-Berry became the team’s go-to player.

Instead of wilting under the pressure, Ware-Berry stepped up and took over the Pioneers, putting up big numbers and leading the team to the playoffs.

Ware-Berry was recognized for his exploits when the All-CIF Southern Section awards were released, as the junior earned a spot to the Division V-AA second team.

Ware-Berry, who earned All-Liberty League first-team honors, played a pivotal role in helping the Pioneers qualify for the postseason. The junior averaged 22.2 points a game to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

The Pioneers (9-18) placed third in the Liberty League Tournament and qualified for the CIF Southern Section playoffs as an at-large team. The team suffered a 72-66 loss in the first round to Lancaster Desert Christian. Ware-Berry poured in 37 points in the loss.

“He is a very good player, and I know he’ll do well,” Baskerville said of Ware-Berry playing at West Ranch.

Last season, West Ranch went 21-7 and won the Foothill League championship. The Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division I-A playoffs, falling to Dana Hills, 61-59. The team lost 10 seniors to graduation.