Highlights: Birmingham takes on reigning state champion Etiwanda at H.O.P.E. Showcase

Even without Natalie Lopez and Lili Martinez, Birmingham looked good against the top team in the state

CYPRESS, Calif. - How good is Birmingham girls basketball going to be in 2023-24?

At the H.O.P.E. Showcase, the Patriots played the No. 1 team in California, Etiwanda, while missing All-City point guard Natalie Lopez and leading rebounder Lili Martinez. And at halftime, it was a two-possession game.

Etiwanda found another gear in the second half and went on to win 56-28, but it was still a noteworthy performance in a sense for the Patriots. And, even without two key pieces, Birmingham simply looked the part of a CIFLACS Open Division title contender.

To put it simply, Birmingham could be one of the deepest teams in recent City Section history. 

Just based its returners, it's a contender. Its senior core consists of players who were key contributors as sophomores to their 2021-22 Open Division title, including current leading scorer and wing DeeDee Berry, all-section guards Natalie Lopez and Sammy Velazquez, and another two-way wing in Sriaya Peters. Junior post Lili Martinez was also a star on that playoff run, and sharpshooting wing Annette Jones will also take a leap as a junior.

But there's more. Much more. The Patriots picked up a huge transfer class – all-section junior Aliyah Muhammad, and sophomore forwards Aniya Johnson (Chaminade) and Zoee Mitchell (Heritage Christian), the latter of whom averaged a double-double as a freshman.

Additionally, freshman Andrea Arosemena is expected to be an impact player in year one. And there are solid players yet who didn't get mentioned. Health permitting, Birmingham is on the verge of a special year.

MORE: WATCH ETIWANDA'S HIGLIGHTS AGAINST BIRMINGHAM

– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca