Mission League boys basketball media day: Top players, quick notes

Harvard-Westlake, the defending CIF State Open Division champions, is eyeing its fifth straight Mission League crown

The Mission League hosted a boys and girls media day on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Harvard-Westlake.

Harvard-Westlake boys have won the league the last five seasons, one being a shared title with Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks in 2022. Sierra Canyon is the defending girls basketball Mission League champion.

The high school season begins November 13.

Here are quick notes on each boys’ team in the Mission League from Wednesday’s media day.

ALEMANY

Top players: Jared Mims, G, Sr.; Michael Baba, F, Jr.; Bourgeois Tshilobo, C, Jr.; Samuel Mbingazo, F, Jr.

Outlook: The Warriors have an influx of impact transfers that potentially make them a top four finisher in the league, which would grant them an automatic playoff qualifier.

Coach Mike Dulaney said: “We know there’s a higher expectation on the program when there’s new transfers and we are embracing that.” 

CHAMINADE

Top players: Bryce Goldman, G, Sr.; Jonas Thurman, G, Jr.; Amir Johnson, G, Sr.

Outlook: The Eagles’ top player, Ethan Johnson, transferred to Sierra Canyon and have no players over 6-foot-4. Chaminade will be an ultra-fundamental, hard-working and scrappy team.

Coach Bryan Cantwell said: “In years past, we’ve had players that we’ve been able to let go (KJ Simpson, Keith Higgins), but this group is challenging us coaches to be better because we have to be more fundamental.” 

CRESPI

Top players: Joe Sterling, G, So.; Peyton White, F, Jr.; Stephen Kankole, G, So;

Outlook: Under new coach Derek Fisher, a new identity will be formed with standout sophomore Joe Sterling and junior Peyton White, who is expected to have a big year.

Derek Fisher's 'passion for teaching' brings next challenge

Coach Derek Fisher said: “We’re still figuring out our last names … figuring out who we want to be with high expectations … asking a lot of sophomore and juniors.”

HARVARD-WESTLAKE

Harvard-Westlake basketball team participating in Mission League media day :: Tarek Fattal/SBLive

Top players: Trent Perry, G, Sr.; Nik Khamenia, F, Jr.; Robert Hinton, G, Sr.

Outlook: The Wolverines are the defending CIF State Open Division champions, but are still thirsty for more after falling short in the sectional playoffs. 

“The loss to St. John Bosco still stings,” Hinton said. “After we won state, it felt amazing, but when we started practicing in the summer, we realized we didn’t win everything.”

Coach David Rebibo said: “We started talking about this season last year after we won the state title.”

LOYOLA

Top players: Hugh Vandeweghe, F, Sr.; Jonas de Krassel, G, Sr.; Quincy Watson, G, So.

Outlook: The Cubs are very young and lost its top point guard Jaedyn Patterson to transfer (St. Monica Prep), but will rely on budding sophomore Quincy Watson to fill the role.

Coach Damaine Powell said: “I think we can be better in different way, and the way we’ve played in the fall has proven that,” Powell said after Patterson left.

NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks basketball team participating in Mission League media day :: Tarek Fattal/SBLive

Top players: Mercy Miller, G, Sr.; Angelino Mark, G, Jr.; Zach White, G, So.

Outlook: The Knights return three key players from last year’s CIF State Division I championship team, led by Houston-bound guard Mercy Miller. Bryce James, youngest son of LeBron James, is a new edition to the roster.

Coach Matt Sargeant said: “I think Mercy Miller is the best scoring guard in the country. If there’s a better one out there, I haven’t seen him.”

SIERRA CANYON

Sierra Canyon basketball team participating in Mission League media day :: Tarek Fatta/SBLive

Top players: Isaiah Elohim, G, Sr.; Justin Pippen, G, Sr.; Bryce Cofield, G, Jr

Outlook: There’s a revamped energy at Sierra Canyon with key returners and far less transfers this season — just two: Jordan Askew and Ethan Johnson.

Coach (asst.) Chris Howe said: “Our theme this year is based off a Japanese word, Kaizen, which means continual growth.’

ST. FRANCIS

St. Francis basketball team participating in Mission League media day :: Tarek Fattal/SBLive

Top players: Mazi Mosley, F, Jr.; Joe Hickey, F, Jr,; DeLan Grant, G, So.

Outlook: The Golden Knights are without question the hardest out in the Mission League every season under coach Todd Wolfson, who’s in his 17th year coaching in the league, and ninth at St. Francis.

Coach Todd Wolfson said: “We aren’t about the fluff. We compete and know if you do all the right things, the wins take care of themselves.”