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We haven’t even gotten to East Bay Athletic League play yet and the EBAL boys’ basketball is shaping up to be the toughest the league has shown from top to bottom, maybe in the history of the league.
It’s insane to be honest.
Just looking through last week’s holiday tournament action and you see the EBAL season will be a battle every game and a likely rollercoaster type season in the standings.
This is the type of season where a team can go out, play well each game and be lucky to win half their games. Let’s use our current EBAL Basketball Power Rankings as a starting point.
Granada (12-1): The Matadors lost their second game of the season 62-61 to Sacred Heart Prep and have not lost since. They ended the week of Christmas with a 75-69 win over a very strong team from Serra. At this point I had no choice but to move the Mats to the top spot.
De La Salle (12-2): The Spartans went 2-2 last week but it came in a high-powered tournament in Southern California. The two losses came to a strong Damian team from Southern Cal and Owyhee, one of the top teams from Idaho. Spartans may indeed be the team to beat.
Dublin (12-3): The Gaels dropped their first game of the season, then started winning. Also went to a tournament in Southern California, going 2-2. Ended the week with a loss to 14-1 Etiwanda, a traditional Southern California power.
Monte Vista (14-1): The Mustangs went south to the Torrey Pines tournament and ran the table to take the Governor’s Division of the tournament. The lone loss this season came by a 58-54 final to a 12-2 St. Mary’s of Stockton team.
Amador Valley (13-2): The Dons lost two games in a row in early December – one to Dublin – but have since run off seven wins, picking up two tournament titles along the way. And they are led by a freshman – Jaylen Smith – the MVP of the Lamond Murray Classic. Not as tough of a schedule as other teams have faced but when you keep winning … That’s our top five as of right now. Check out the teams that haven’t cracked the top five.
San Ramon Valley (12-3): The Wolves go down south and win their division of the Damian Classic, rolling to four wins. The three losses came in a row when the Wolves were 4-0 but the ship has been righted. Has played a tough schedule and will be right there in the battle for the title.
Dougherty Valley (11-4): Perhaps a bit down from their lofty standards, the Wildcats just two of three in their SoCal tournament. There has not been a bad loss of their four.
Foothill (11-3): The Falcons may be the most improved team in the area and are playing with confidence right now. They just brought home the title of the Tim Cole Memorial Classic in Fremont. Always a special tournament as I was friends with Tim and his family. We were roommates at the St. Mary’s basketball camp one year.
California (7-5): The Grizzlies have played a tough schedule and have still posted a winning record. This team can play and will play hard every time they take the court. Do not sleep on the Grizzlies.
Livermore (5-8): May have dropped their last two games but the Cowboys have fallen by three and seven points in those two games. I believe the Cowboys will pull off a couple shockers during the EBAL season. And something else – the EBAL girls are pretty darn good as well. Realistically, it is a two-team race for the title, there have been some impressive early season runs.
Take a look at the top teams.
San Ramon Valley (12-1): The Wolves were the best last year and despite losses to graduation, they are playing very well again, winning the Gold Crown Tournament in San Diego, beating Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas – the top ranked team in Nevada – in the title game 61-49.
Carondelet (10-1): The Cougars have been awesome as expected. Their holiday tournament came at the prestigious NIKE TOC in Arizona. Going 3-1, with the lone loss coming to Bob Jones High, one of the best teams in Alabama.
Foothill (13-2): The most improved team in the EBAL, not just in basketball but any sport. A team with a lot of players with 2-3 years of varsity experience, the veteran Falcons have been winning and winning. A level below the top two teams but the story of the year so far. The last four years Foothill has gone 22-59.
California (12-2): The Grizzlies have been sneaky good the last four years but get overshadowed by SRV and Carondelet. Cal is an “any given night,” type team. Will be a factor the final week of the season.
Dublin (9-3): The Gaels did lose 2-3 last week but are still
playing well and both losses came to strong teams. There has been a strong history in the Dublin program. With both leagues being strong it means that every week is a must-watch basketball in the EBAL.
Be sure to check the “What to Watch” section of the Playbook each Tuesday to see where the action will take place!
