MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 4 Long Beach Poly

Sharrief Metoyer has put together an impressive resume in nearly a decade as head coach at Long Beach Poly (Calif.), including Southern Section titles in 2004 and 2011 and an overall winning percentage of .783.

But despite all that success, a state title has remained out of reach for the Jackrabbits under Metoyer. His 2012-13 squad may have the talent to change that, though the task just got even tougher as the CIF moves to an open division format that is meant to bring the state's top eight teams together in a single bracket.

Poly came close in 2010-11, winning 31 games and a section title with current Boston College sophomore Ryan Anderson in the lineup.

"This team is a little different than 2011," Metoyer said. "That was a more mature group. This group is more talented and sky is the limit but they can't afford to slack off."



Leading the way will be All-American candidate Roschon Prince, a 6-foot-5 wing who has been a difference-maker for the Jackrabbits since his freshman season. Prince posted 21.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a junior. Before heading to USC next year, he could become Poly's all-time leading scorer.

"I think he is immensely better than even this summer," Metoyer said. "He is shooting the ball well, he's better off the dribble, he added a mid-range jump shot. We are going to need his scoring and rebounding."

Also crucial to Poly's success will be recent Oregon pledge Jordan Bell, a 6-7 forward regarded as one of the nation's most athletic players. He's a highlight dunker and major force on the defensive end, averaging more than eight points and rebounds per game as a junior to go along with nearly five blocked shots.

Joining the all-star senior duo of Prince and Bell will be Portland, Ore., transfer Kameron Chatman, a 6-6 wing who adds a shooter to the lineup. Chatman has offers from the likes of Arizona, Memphis, UCLA and Washington.

The Jackrabbits open the season Nov. 26 at the Pacific Shores Tournament in Redondo Beach.

Long Beach Poly's last five years:
2011-12 – 29-3 (Sharrief Metoyer)
2010-11 – 31-2 (Sharrief Metoyer), Southern Section Division I-AA champions
2009-10 – 28-5 (Sharrief Metoyer)
2008-09 – 23-6 (Sharrief Metoyer)
2007-08 – 19-9 (Sharrief Metoyer)



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Classification/Division:
CIF Southern Section Division I-AA (State Division I)

Enrollment:
5,090

Head coach:
Sharrief Metoyer (10th year)

Career record:
210-58

Former Jackrabbits playing college/pro basketball:
Ryan Anderson (Boston College sophomore forward)
Tyus Edney (former UCLA, NBA standout)
Alexis Moore (Penn sophomore guard)

Other notable alumni:
Mark Carrier (NFL Pro Bowler)
Cameron Diaz (actress)
Tony Gwynn (Baseball Hall of Famer)
DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles)
Billie Jean King (tennis great)
Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Willie McGinest (NFL Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion)
Snoop Dogg/Lion (rapper)
Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies)
Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed)



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Key returners:

Roschon Prince (6-5, Sr., G/F), Class of 2013 Top 100 prospect, USC verbal commit

Jordan Bell (6-7, Sr., F), Oregon verbal commitment

Brandon Staton (6-0, Sr., G)

Ke'jhan Feagin (5-9, So., G)

Newcomers:



Kameron Chatman (6-6, Jr., G/F), Class of 2014 Top 100 prospect, transfer from Jefferson (Portland, Ore.)

Kameron Murrell (6-2, Jr., G), transfer from St. John Bosco (Bellflower)

Chris Sullivan (6-2, Jr., G)

Circle the date:
The Nike Extravaganza is always a key section and state tournament primer in early February, and the Jackrabbits will get a major test in the form of nationally ranked St. John Bosco. The Braves are led by five-star senior guard Isaac Hamilton, who averaged more than 26 points per game as a junior. He has plenty of help in junior brother Daniel and transfer sophomore guard Tyler Dorsey. Poly will also make the trip to the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., to take on Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.).

Tournament time:
This is starting to feel like a broken record as we preview the 2012-13 season, but the Jackrabbits are – you guessed it – headed to the City of Palms Classic. Some quality teams are going to get their feelings hurt in Fort Myers with 12 nationally ranked teams in the field. "It's the premier tournament in the country. To be invited kind of validates the hard work you put in and we had to accept that invitation," Metoyer said. Poly will also trek to Texas after Christmas for the Whataburger Tournament and opens the season at the Pacific Shores Tournament in late November.

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