Re: Top 13 OC Boys Basketball


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Posted by Bob MacDonald on October 20, 2025 at 12:10:33:

In Reply to: Re: Top 13 OC Boys Basketball posted by N-OC Fan on October 20, 2025 at 10:14:27:

: : : : : : : : While this board seems to have less traffic these days, here are my top 15 for OC (both public and private schools). What do you think?

: : : : : : : : 1) Santa Margarita- Loads of returners from a high quality team and good coaching from Justin Bell and his staff. The Trinity League is there for the taking. D1 talent is all over this roster with Kaiden Bailey, Drew Anderson, Brayden Kyman leading the way. Its Open Division or bust for this squad.

: : : : : : : : 2) JSerra- the international destination for basketball in OC the last couple of years has spread its recruitment efforts south to San Diego, getting one of the best guards in California in Jaiden Bailes from St. Augustine's. They are the best team money can buy in OC high school basketball, but they have some holes to fill after Brannen Martinsen left for $ierra Canyon, and they lost multiple high level contributors to graduation.

: : : : : : : : 3) Crean Lutheran- another team with billionaire donors with bottomless pockets, this team has absolutely loads of talent from D1 players PG Hunter Caplan, F Jacob Majok (loads of room to develop even more) and 7 footer Chadrack Mpoyi (who is an intimidating force inside- duh), Crean also added the top player from Oaks Christian in Nick Giarrusso. If the new (fairly unproven) coach can find a way to manage the many mouths to feed, this team can make a deep run possibly even into the open division.

: : : : : : : : 4) Mater Dei- MD has seemingly lost some of its historic allure as several players of note have left over the last few years (Martinsen, Demarcus Henry who was coaxed away by Arizona's Compass Prep, and Evan Willis who left for Crossroads??? Wha?) chasing promises from other schools, but this team still has top shooter in Californa 4 Star prospect Luke Barnett, high level pg Ritchie Ramirez, & Malloy Smith (who has taken his game to another level the last 2 years and earned himself multiple D1 offers). But Coach McKnight and staff are going to have to really do a great job to get back to their normal position atop the Trinity League.

: : : : : : : : 5) Fairmont Prep- Projected to return at least 8 players from their D2AA CIF Championship team, including D1 player David Abisogun (who is a player you just root for if you ever meet him- few more positive and good vibes players exist at this level). Coach Joely Gardner is a good coach and has a staff that can make this team a repeat champ.

: : : : : : : : 6) Corona Del Mar- What should be the top Public high school team in OC, CDM has so many high quality returning players (like last year's Los Alamitos) that coach Jason Simco and staff will be pinching themselves to make sure they aren't dreaming. Look for Luke Mirashemi, Oliver Nakra, and national prospect Maxwell Scott to lead the way. A great team to watch!

: : : : : : : : 7) La Habra- Great Point Guards make great teams. Acen Jimenez might be the best PG in OC. Coach Riekenberg has 10 dogs (including Jimenez) returning to this season's squad and even with a very tough league, this team could be another 20 win and title contending squad in 25-26.

: : : : : : : : 8) Tesoro- Steve Garrett and staff have a deep and experienced team that thrives on bulldogged defense and timely shooting. This will be the best team they've fielded since they won a CIF title in 22-23. Look for outstanding performances from the Hatch brothers ('26 Carson, and '28 Owen are both tough and skilled), and Dean Mika a '27 with a great shot and feisty demeanor. Defensive star Anish Pagidyala will likely draw the opponents best player and can make it difficult for them.

: : : : : : : : 9) Orange Lutheran- OLu alum Nate Kiltzing (and former Crean Lutheran coach) returns home to lead the Lancers back from mediocrity, and has the chops to do so (both on the recruiting side as well as the X's and O's). He inherits a roster with as many questions as returners, but the Dzabatou brothers will be a strong base to build from.

: : : : : : : : 10) San Clemente- What is in the water down there? Oh never mind, its just the pipeline of super physically developed hold backs that is pushing this school into the higher levels of OC basketball. Most of their players are big, strong, and spend a lot of time in the weight room and in the kitchen. Losing great players like Christian Fernandez and Christian Porter and a deep roster of contributors to graduation will be a really big deal, but this team has potential to be a problem in OC

: : : : : : : : 11) Canyon- Nate Harrison has found a pipeline of fast aggressive players and keeps bringing them in come hell or high water. This is supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Comanches after losing OC Player of the Year Brandon Benjamin to graduation, but they will play fast, aggressive defense, and have some very high upside youngsters on the roster.

: : : : : : : : 12) Servite- OGP Ceo and Grassroots visionary and Servite alum Matt Canne has people talking about Servite basketball for the first time in quite a while. Coming off of 6 consecutive winless seasons in the Trinity League sets the bar pretty low for this program, but they have some talent, and only 5 games vs the other trinity league schools on the schedule this season. Having the CEO of OCs biggest AAU/Grassroots program definitely won't hurt.

: : : : : : : : 13) Pacifica Christian- The tiny (but well funded) school in Newport Beach has a strong group of players coming back from a CIFSS 2AA finals appearance. While stars like Senior captains EJ Spillman, Logan Stewart and Owen Connell have graduated, Coach Berokoff has a group of high IQ players who can shoot the ball well and some size to boot.

: : : : : : : Mike Moore, you have multiple personalities, just list you are doing this instead of your imaginary friends

: : : : : :
: : : : : : Definitely not Mike Moore. Maybe you have something to add? Oh and truth social? more like Fascist Lies Social.

: : : : : Thank you Bob, you and those like you enjoy the lies I spread and make my job so much easier fooling you losers to vote for me and my satanic kind. Vote for Karen Bass as well, love it you are so stupid makes me laugh.

: : : : It is obviously not Mike Moore. That guy can barely spell his own name.

: : : So funny about Mike Moore. His facebook post and Instagram post are embarrassing.

: : Adding this list here, maybe someone wants to talk hoop instead of cult politics?

: : Ok, lets see if I can get this post going again (it seems responses were deleted inadvertently):

: : 1 CDM (excellent top 5, and good coaching)

: : 2 La Habra (Acen Jimenez is the best PG in OC Publics- could play anywhere- and good coach)

: : 3 Tesoro (good coaching, Hatch brothers lead a strong team ready for a deep run)

: : 4 San Clemente (young and big, incredible talent stream from the togethership)

: : 5 Canyon (recruiting on overdrive)

: : 6 Cypress (Ryan Gov is a legit PG and drives this team, Mitchell always coaches them up)

: : 7 Marina (Shane Gloger will be candidate for OC Player of the Year)

: : 8 Newport Harbor (Owen Saukkola is a monster, and good coaching)

: : 9 Foothill (young but good coaching)

: : 10 San Juan Hills (good coaching, returning only 2 starters, tough defensive team can make noise)

: : on the bubble:

: : Capistrano Valley (recruited in multiple players should help them compete in South Coast League)

: : Laguna Hills (2-3 young impactful stars, could easily be in the end of season list)

: : Tustin (quality coach replacing Bossmeyer after a strong season)

: : Yorba Linda (always competitive)

: : Esperanza (fast and aggressive defensively and can shoot!)

: : Los Al (Graduated 10 seniors+ and is rebuilding from within but Nate may be best coach in OC)

:
: PUBLIC SCHOOLS ONLY

: 1. Los Al - Their style is hard to prepare for and they're still 1 until someone beats them. Great coach.

: 2. La Habra - Their zone with Acen makes them a top team.

: 3. Canyon - Great guard play and the best coach in OC.

: 4. CDM - 3 really good guards and well coached.

: 5. Tesoro - Very well coached and return everyone. Hatch brothers with Mika are three very good players.

: 6. San Juan Hills - New faces and very well coached.

: 7. Cypress - Ryan Gov can lead them to beat anyone in OC. Coach Mitchell is as good as they come.

: 8. San Clemente - Their size is going to give everyone problems. Love their point guard.

:
: 9. Edison - Best public school player in OC in Derick Johnson with some size around him. He's my early pick for OC player of the year.

:
: 10. Marina - A lot of new faces have transferred in plus Gloger who could be a top scorer in OC.

:
: Top 10 including privates
: 1. Santa Margarita
: 2. Mater Dei
: 3. Crean Lutheran
: 4. J Serra
: 5. Los Al
: 6. La Habra
: 7. Pacifica Christian
: 8. Canyon
: 9. CDM
: 10. Fairmont Prep

Love the List. Thanks for being earnest in your response.

If you're going to put Los Al at the top of the list with 12 new varsity players- Nate Berger would have to be the best coach in OC to get that result.

With as much respect as possible, historically Canyon just takes the best players from other smaller nearby publics, Harrison hasn't really developed many players from with in- so for me he can't be the best coach in OC. They literally have the AAU to school pipeline filled with guys who are "supposed" to attend Sunny Hills, Orange, Loara, Esperanza and elsewhere. Its easy to win when you just bring in good players every other season.




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