Can Trailblazers put it all together to make a run at high school basketball's national championship?
Video: Breaking down the High School Top 25Marvin Bagley III, Cody Riley and Sierra Canyon begin season at No. 1.1. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Head coach: Ty Nichols (98-24 in four seasons at Sierra Canyon)
2015-16 record: 26-5
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marcus Bagley (6-6, Fr., G/F) … Highly-touted freshman
Marvin Bagley III … No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2018
Michael Feinberg (6-3, Jr., G) … Good utility player and threat from 3-point arc
Stefan Klajic (6-8, Sr., F) … Montenegro native sat out all of last year
Remy Martin (5-11, Sr., G) … Committed to Arizona State
Terrance McBride (6-3, Sr., G) … Experienced contributor in the backcourt
Cody Riley (6-8, Sr., F) … Committed to UCLA
Adam Seiko (6-3, Sr., G) … Committed to San Diego State
Experience on the big stage and big time talent make Sierra Canyon our choice for preseason No. 1.
Photo by Heston Quan
* The future at Sierra Canyon looks bright with the Bagley brothers in the program but this is the year Nichols has been building toward since Martin, McBride, Riley and Seiko began their high school careers together. Last season was filled with big wins (Bishop Montgomery, Chaminade, La Lumiere) offset by heartbreaking losses (Cathedral Catholic, Moreau Catholic, Oak Hill Academy by a combined five points). The Trailblazers also lost to Montverde Academy and eventual national champ Chino Hills. The schedule was unforgiving and that will be the case once again in 2016-17.
* Marvin Bagley III will be interesting to watch at Sierra Canyon this season. He was the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2014-15 after helping Corona del Sol (Tempe) win a state title in Arizona but sat out last year after transferring to Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix) then Sierra Canyon in a matter of months. Bagley is a monster talent but how will he integrate with an established core of veterans?
KEY DATESDec. 15 – vs.
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) @ ESPN Tip-Off
Dec. 17 – vs.
Centennial (Las Vegas) @ Tarkanian Classic
Dec. 27-30 – Les Schwab Invitational
Jan. 12-14 – Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions
Jan. 16 – vs.
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) @ Spalding Hoophall Classic
Feb. 4 – vs.
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) @ Nike Extravaganza
