It’s that time of year again – yes, high school basketball – and the teams that comprise the Empire League Cypress High, Western, Pacifica, Yorba Linda, and Tustin are ready for action. Last year, Tustin dominated the Empire League. It posted a 33—4 overall record and 12-0 mark in league play to capture the league crown.
It’s that time of year again – yes, high school basketball – and the teams that comprise the Empire League Cypress High, Western, Pacifica, Yorba Linda, and Tustin are ready for action. Last year, Tustin dominated the Empire League. It posted a 33—4 overall record and 12-0 mark in league play to capture the league crown.
Yet Tustin didn’t survive long in the postseason, falling to Cerritos in the first round, which many considered an upset. Tustin will have plenty of competition, if it plans to repeat. Cypress High, on the other hand, delivered a 21-8 record and 9-3 mark in league to settle for second place and earn a trip to the playoffs. The Centurions actually went further than any other Empire League team, reaching the second round before falling to Santiago (Corona).
The Centurions graduated a large senior class, but will return a few established players like Quinten Pounds, who just started practicing due to football obligations Western ended with a 18-11 overall record and 6-6 mark in league. It actually earned a tie for third place and qualified for the postseason, where it suffered a loss in the first round against Don Lugo.
The Pioneers will return Jayson Williams, who led his team in scoring the last two years. Two years ago, he made 284 points, which included 44 3-pointers. He then impressed again last year, when he made 152 points. The senior owns 438 career points. Pacifica High, which shared third place, also snagged a playoff berth despite falling in the first round. The team finished with a 16-11 overall mark and 6-6 league record.
The Mariners will return Brian Alvarez, who finished the season with 280 points – the second highest total on the team – and a 46 percent shooting percentage from behind the arc. Additionally, Tarek Soubra, who has scored 100 points for two straight years, will rejoin the team. Yorba Linda, Kennedy, and Valencia all shared the bottom spot in the league standings with a 9-3 mark.
The Empire League will not begin until after Jan. 1, 2014, but all of the teams will battle other local squads in non-league contests. Here is a list of their upcoming scrimmages and opening games: Dec. 2 Yorba Linda vs. Irvine (Godinez) 7:45 p.m.; Dec. 2 Valencia vs. Anaheim (Coyotes Classic) 7:45 p.m.; Dec. 2 Pacifica vs. Oxford Academy (Tournament) 7:45 p.m.; Dec. 2 Cypress vs. San Juan Hills (Godinez Tourney) 7:45 p.m.; Dec. 3 Kennedy vs. Santa Fe (BP High) 4:30 p.m; Dec. 4 Western vs. Marina (Tourney) 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 9 Tustin vs. University (Corona del Mar Tourney) 8 p.m.
