Coach K's Northern California Pre Season Juco Rankings

Will start with the Top 2 on my list and add teams daily, so stay tuned as this is time consuming!

*Okay, the California Community College Men's Basketball season begins next week, so their is no longer any excuse for me to continue my blogging sabbatical.  (I never knew hosting a blog was so much work!)    Based on the information I have received or seen in the fall showcases, here is how I would place the Northern California Top 15.   The Fall Showcases were very exciting, but I can't wait to see these teams in regular season form!

Coach K's UNOFFICIAL Northern California Pre-Season Top 15 Rankings (with last years record)

1 - Santa Rosa (24-8)

photo courtesy of CCCAAsports.org

When you take home the State Championship I feel you always deserve to be the pre-season favorite.  Taking down Fresno, on the road, then Chaffey and San Bernardino on the way to the State Title was not a walk in the park and congratulations is still in order for a great 2013-14 season.
Now, onto 2014-15........
Always loaded with shooting and great team chemistry, Santa Rosa should be a team to worry about this season.  Incoming names to note: Markel Leonard, a speedy transfer from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and former Salesian standout, 6'5 skilled wing Siann Rojas from Concord, and 6'7 all-around player Jordan Hickman from St Pats St Vicks.  Returning speedy PG Davone Oliver (10 pts per game), 6'6 big man Corey Hammel (8 pts) and  redshirt Jajuan Hammond (10 pts as freshman) should be heavy contributors this season as well.  The loss to freshman All-State guard Matt Hayes, who took his talents to Loyola Marymount University, will undoubtedly hurt, especially early in the season.  But Santa Rosa has shown to take it's bumps early in the season well, after starting the season 3-6 last year before their run to the State Crown.   They will start their season again with a tough schedule by facing Southern California power, Mt. San Antonio, on Nov 7th in the CCSF tournament that features a heavily loaded bracket of 8 teams.
Santa Rosa 2014-15 Roster Can Be Found here
SRJC 14-15 Schedule found here


2 - Chabot  (25-8)

photo courtesy of David Soriano

Making the Final 4 after taking down the State's #1 team, CCSF, on the road is enough to keep Chabot a pre-season Top 2.  Against SBVC in the Final 4 game Chabot almost had the comeback of the year after cutting a 15 point deficit to only 3 with 1:02 to remain. But the Gladiators couldn't get any closer.
In what could a 'changing of the guard' in Northern California and the Coast-North Conference, Chabot has an impressive class of newcomers to compliment an experienced group of returners.  Last years team was heavy with ball-handlers and slashers, but this years team seems to be more balanced.  The loss to leading scorer Leo Smith (now at Merritt) would seem to hurt the Gladiators early, but after the fall showcase it seems they have reloaded, particularly with Angelina College transfer DeCarlos Frank and Rae Jackson Jr. from El Cerrito. Starting PG, Khalil James, is also back as floor general.  Manning the paint are the physical trio of 6'6 Chris Patterson, 6'8 Jadarius Davis and the returning 6'7 Adrian Crump.  6'7 newcomer Shanquel Watson also looks to mix things up along with transfer Kellen Sweetwyne.  6'2 Yasin Omar is a deep 3 pt threat who will spread the floor and neutralize zone defenses.  The high flying 6'5 Raymond Baldwin (11 pts & 8.5 rebs) returns along with Noel Briones that should add needed experience to another deep roster.
Chabot begins the season on November 13th as they host the Chabot Tip Off Tournament and face Siskiyous, in a rematch of last years 2nd round playoff game.
Chabot 2014-15 Roster Can Be Found here courtesy of Kevin McCarthy
Chabot 14-15 Schedule found here


3 - Fresno City (30-3)


FCC is no stranger to the top of the list.  The Rams always seem to overachieve based on what you see 'on paper'.  Unfortunately for the opposition, the Rams look really good on paper this year!
Back from last years Final 8 team are key returners 6'0 Dejon Budreaux (9 pts, 85% FT) & 6'3 Jermaine O'Neil (7.5 pts).  6'9 returning post Kyle Ingram (4pts, 58% FG) is expected to be a big contributor this season for Ed Madec's squad. The incoming prospects look impressive with Merced Player of the Year 6'8 Josh Sykes from Golden Valley, 6'6 Liam O'Reilly from Sacred Heart Cathedral, and high flying 6'4 BJ Shelton from Bakersfield.   With the remaining core looking solid and the Madec system in place, this year's Ram squad is looking to be very competitive.  Look for a great opening weekend in San Francisco as Fresno faces Yuba to begin the season on November 7th at 4pm in the first round of CCSF Tip Off tournament.
Fresno City 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster can be found here
FCC 14-15 Schedule found here


4 - San Jose City (19-10)

Last year was up and down for the Jags, who would rack up big wins, and then follow them up with losses to inferior opponents.  Lost in the first round of the NorCal playoffs to Butte after breezing through the Coast-South Conference as Co-Champs.
Percy Carr is said to have a great group this season, and could have an argument to be ranked even higher based on what I am hearing.  They are deep, athletic and will pester the opposition for 40 minutes defensively.
Key returnees from last year are: 6'7 Maurice Joiner (9.5 pts & 7 rebs), 6'4 Stevinair Young (7 pts), 6'5 Ty Oaks, 6'4 shooter extraordinaire Josue Salaam, Uzo Nwadugbo and the speedy TJ Viney.  The 6'4 skilled Chris Sterling has transferred in from Fresno City.  Sterling averaged 24 pts and 15 rebs at Delano High, so he seems to be a great fit with the Jags.  Also new to the roster are 6' Devonne Nolan and 6'2 Junior Anderson, both from Connecticut.  Freshmen 6'6 Lucious Brown and 6'9 Akil Douglas will cement the interior for the Jags in what should be another run for the Coast-South crown.
SJCC starts off the season by putting themselves up against Cosumnes River in the SJCC Tip Off Tourney on Nov 6th at 6pm.
San Jose City 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster can be found here
SJCC 2014-15 Schedule found here


5 - Lassen  (19-14)

With a 2nd place finish in the Golden Valley Conference last season, the Cougars and Coach Devin Aye have come back with a vengeance in 2014-15.   The Cougars have a mix of height, athleticism, shooting and ball-handling which will make them tough to match-up with.
Back from the Conference Championship team from 12-13 are 6'1 Sammy Allen (12 pts) & 6'6 Leroy Anderson (9 pts).   Key returners from the 13-14 campaign are leading scorer Marvin White (14 pts), 6'8 shot-blocking phenom Juandrico Walker (8.5 pts, 8 rebs & 3.3 blks), and 6'7 T.J. McCauley.  With this group of returners it almost seems unnecessary to reload with such talents as 6'2 Murshid Randle of Central HS in Fresno, 6'1 Eric Duncan of Weston Ranch and the shooting of 6'1 Diondrey Holt.   Cementing a big front line are 6'6 George Jackson and 6'8 Wilson Markus of Brazil.   The Cougars bring a great combination of experienced contributors and incoming talent.  The most important recruit for Coach Aye though, seems to be an Assistant Coach in Will Freedman.  No longer will Coach Aye's name be alone at the bottom of the roster.
The Cougars begin their season in a home opener against Simpson JV on November 2nd.  Then they are off to the San Jose City Tip-Off Tournament on November 6th against Merced College at 2pm.
Lassen College 2014-15 Men's Basketball Roster found here
Lassen 14-15 schedule found here


6 - City College of San Francisco (29-2)

The Rams have a combined record of 60-3 over the past two seasons as they dominated the state as the top team, only to fall short of their championship expectations in the playoffs.   In recent years past the CCSF roster would be filled with big names and big-time athletes ready to abuse opponents in transition and on the glass.  Although the 2014-15 roster isn't riddled with big names, they are still a very talented team that shouldn't be taken lightly.   In place of the traditional group of elite athletes this years group looks like they may prosper at a slower pace, where they can utilize their skills and high basketball IQs.
Back from last years squad are 6'6 Utah signee Gabe Bealer (13 pts & 6 rebs) and PG Vincent Golson.   Redshirts 6'7 LaDonovan Wilder of Castlemont in Oakland and 6'6 Jonathan Bennett of Half Moon Bay are back as well.  Loyola Marymount transfer Blair Mendy out of Bellarmine Prep should make a big impact as well as 6'6 wing Mitchell Rubio from Goodrich.  The 6'8 Josh Kahlon from Brookside Christian in Stockton will help secure the post position while the 6'5 Jerrod Nodar of St Mary's will pose problems with his versatility.  Don't be surprised if this years team beats the expectations this time around!
CCSF opens up the season by hosting their Tip Off tourney that is stacked with several of the state's top teams.   They open the season against Marin on November 7th at 6pm.
CCSF 2014-15 Men's Basketball schedule found here
CCSF 14-15 roster found here

7 - Yuba (21-6)

Falling in their first playoff game last year at home to Cabrillo in OT was not part of the plans for the 49ers, who ran through the Bay Valley Conference for an 8th consecutive title.  With a very impressive recruiting class the 49ers look to be apart of the mix all season long.
Transferring from CRC is 6'6 Miguel French (5 pts).  Incoming freshmen in the backcourt include highly touted 6'2 Jo Jo Zamora out of Newark Memorial and 5'7 PG Jalen Coates from Burbank.  The interior looks loaded for Yuba this year as they bring in newcomers 6'8 Kirk Gunderson from Winward Prep, 6'10 Sukham Suman from Canada, 6'6 Vasilije Saraba from Del Campo HS, 6'9 Brady Anderson of Jesuit and the biggest name of them all, 6'8 Manny Malou of Australia.   Malou was out with an injury in the fall showcase, but is said to be ready for the season.   If he is healthy and as good as advertised, he will be a lot to handle for the opposition.
The key name from last years squad has to be 6'6 wing Barry Ogalue (13 pts) who will bring needed experience to a very young roster.
With a long and historically light conference schedule Coach Cornelius typically loads up his early schedule with as many competitive games and tournaments as possible.  Wasting no time they open the season against Fresno City in the CCSF Tip Off Tournament on Nov 7th at 4pm.
Yuba College 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
Yuba 14-15 Schedule found here

8 - Cosumnes River (23-9)

The Hawks looked as if they were going to take the Big 8 Conference title last season, before SRJC got on a roll.  Finishing 2nd was enough to give them a home game in the State Playoffs.  Losing a close one to Fresno in the Sweet 16 gives the Hawks sophomores experience and determination to make another deep run this year.
Returning are key players 6'2 Mitchell Love (6 pts) and 6'5 David Straughter (4 pts & 4 rebs).  Phil Randles has transferred in from Fresno Pacific adding some needed experience to the roster.   Manning the middle is shot-blocking extraordinaire 6'11 Donald Mims who redshirted last year, 6'8 Bolaji Famuyiwa from England, and 6'6 Ty'Quan Neal of Edison High.  Newcomers in the backcourt are Demoriaye Hart-Spikes from Fairfield High, Joshua Johnson of Cosumenes Oaks, Will White from Roseville, Kenneth Daye of West High, 6'5 Daylon Potts of Edison, and Elijah Calloway of Valley High in Sacramento.   Overall, this years CRC squad looks deeper and with the shot blocking of Mims should be a solid defensive squad as well.  Coach Giacomazzi's team will definitely be in the mix all year in conference and state.
The Hawks open up the season at the San Jose City Tip-Off tournament and face host team SJCC on November 6th at 6pm.  Winning this game will definitely make a statement for either team.
Cosumnes River 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
CRC 14-15 Schedule found here

9 - Ohlone (23-7)

Coach John Peterson is gone to Loyola Marymount, but new Coach Scott Fisher looks to pick up where the Renegades left off, as one of Northern California's top teams.   Expect the Ohlone roster to still be stocked with European talent, as Fisher has ties from his coaching years in Australia.   This years team has three new freshman from 'Down Under'.   From the fall showcase, it looks like Ohlone will be more offense-oriented compared to the defensive genius Ohlone has been known for during the Peterson era.  Coach Fisher knows what it takes to win, taking 4 NBL teams to the Australian finals in his 4 years as a head coach.   Team chemistry and shooting seem to be strengths this year from my observation in the fall.   Keep an eye out for 6'6 Mike Bethea, who only averaged 2 pts as a freshman but looked like one of the top players in the fall showcase. (Figured he may not have mastered the defensive mechanics of Coach Peterson or he just shot 5000 shots per day in the summer!)   Either way, he will have a breakout year this year.  Another recognizable name is Kamar Reese out of Dougherty Valley of San Ramon.  6'7 Javier De La Blanca (6 pts) is back from last years team to help man the middle with newcomer 6'8 Dani Busto of Spain.   It looks like a mostly new roster for the Renegades as several of the key players from last years team did not return for their sophomore season (common with coaching changes).   Look for the Coast-North Conference to be a battle this year.
Ohlone tips off the season by hosting the John Wallace Memorial Tournament November 6-8.  They open up against Shasta at 7pm.
Ohlone 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
Ohlone 14-15 Schedule found here

10 - Sierra  (11-17)

Nothing will motivate a program more than underachieving.  Coach Fusano's program is typically a competitive one, and finishing 7th in the Big 8 with no postseason is not within his comfort zone.  The Wolverines have looked good in both the summer and fall showcases and should be back to old form this season.
Sierra returns 6'3 Jaquan Dupree (7 pts) along with floor generals 6'2 Cole Preston and Devin Campbell.  6'6 athletic Glenn Lemmon and 6'9 Isiah Quintero of Antelope will secure the frontcourt.   Much is expected from greyshirt freshman 6'6 Isaiah Piniero of Placer.  He is touted to be a versatile and physical player with a high motor that should help greatly in Sierra's quest to regain a spot in the top of the Big 8.
Opening the season Sierra hosts the Sierra College Classic in a 4 team tournament on November 8th & 9th.  They tip off against Reedley at 5pm on the 8th.
Sierra College 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
Sierra 14-15 schedule found here

11- DVC  (20-9)

One of the teams that will shine as the season moves along, so not fair to totally make judgement from fall showcase.  They have some very nice additions to their roster, including FCC transfer and 3 pt shooting specialist 6'3 Olajuwon Gardner, 6'7 Rico Nuno of Half Moon Bay, 6'7 Jaques Carraway of McClymonds, 6'7 Damion Badford of Newark Memorial and CSU Monterey transfer Jalen Headspeth.With a solid group of size, basketball savvy and 3 point threats, once they learn Coach Steve Coccimiglio's playbook, watch out, as they will likely compete with any team in the state.

DVC 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
DVC 14-15 schedule found here

12 - Butte (21-8)

I am sure I'm not giving enough respect to the 10-0 Golden Valley Conference Champs from 14-15, but their record was 11-8 outside of GVC play, so I guess I'm a bit concerned how they will perform against the rest of the state.  They have almost all their key players back, so they should give Lassen and the rest of the GVC a serious run this year for those wanting to take the GVC crown.
Returning are: Arthur Caldwell (20 pts & 7 rebs), Jud Salisbery (11pts & 4 assts), 6'4 Nikolas Petruk (10pts & 4 rebs), 6'4 Dominic Paris and 6'8 Connor Morningstar.   New additions to this years team are 6'7 Michael Shoemaker of Corning, Josh Martin from Chico and 6'7 Cameron Moore of Vacaville.
Butte 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
Butte 14-15 schedule found here

13 - Merritt (17-11)

I know Merritt looked great in the showcases.  My only concern is that the summer showcase roster was drastically different from the fall showcase.  Key names from the summer roster are missing once school started, so it makes me wonder if the same will be true once the regular season starts.  Chabot transfer Leo Smith and Denzell Bellott (11 pts & 4 rebs) will lead the way on the offensive end, while SFCC transfer 6'6 Travon King will hold down the paint with his physical play and athleticism.   Rodney Pope of Freedom High brings solid play at the PG position and Jamelle Corbino is back from a NJCAA program to join the Thunderbirds.   Depth seems to be an issue, and the showcases were mostly running clock or shortened games.  If Leo Smith & Denzell Bellott can carry the load offensively this group could work it's way up the rankings and contend for the BVC title.
Merritt 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
Merritt 14-15 schedule found here

14 - Contra Costa (16-12)

The Comets have a solid looking incoming class this year that should put them in the hunt in the Bay Valley Conference.   Dawson Johnson (15 pts) has transferred from De Anza, Tajai Johnson has transferred from UC Riverside, and 6'4 Larry Wickett (10 pts & 5 rebs) is back after a season off.  These three should combine for a solid triple threat this year as all of them can score in a variety of ways.  Just from looking at the roster, rebounding may be a concern when they face bigger lineups.
Contra Costa 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here thanks to Kevin McCarthy
Contra Costa 14-15 schedule found here


15 - TIE
Monterey Peninsula  (12-15)

MPC should be in the hunt this year in the Coast-South Conference.  Returning are floor general Devin Koeplin (9 pts & 4 assts), 6'6 Will Burkett (5 pts) and 6'8 Mitch Wood.  6'6 Stephen Dorsey is back and should be one of the top players in the conference.  Also new to the roster this year are 6'6 Shane Suttles of Gilroy, Deondre Otis of Sacared Heart Cathedral, 6'8 Malik Washington from Bakersfield, 6'5 Ty Peacock from Oregon, and 6'3 Jaskam Bajwa of Fremont.  With leadership, size, athleticism and depth, this years team looks to fight for a playoff spot and Coast-South Conference title.
MPC 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
MPC 14-15 schedule found here

De Anza  (13-13)

Returns a solid class from last years squad that crept up in the Coast-South Conference play.  Should be led by Nate Vieira (14 pts) this year.   Also returning are Kyle Conner (10.5 pts) and DJ Rodriguez (10 pts).  A nice looking recruiting class comes in with 6'9 Matt Thomas of Newark Memorial, Chris Turner from San Jose, and Cal Maritime transfer Jordan Belton.
The Coast-South Conference is more balanced this year, so it will be a fight for the top spots this time around.
De Anza 2014-15 Men's Basketball roster found here
De Anza 14-15 schedule found here


Honorable Mention:   Foothill College, Cabrillo College, Skyline College, College of the Sequoias, Modesto, Delta, West Hills-Coalinga, & Sacramento City

*My Pre Season rankings are completely unofficial and based on limited information accessed in person and/or via internet research and hearsay.  Hope you enjoyed the information!