Oregon State-bound Ben Kone is the biggest reason why Archbishop Mitty is the top-ranked Central Coast Section team.
Photo by Dennis Lee
1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)Head coach: Tim Kennedy
2014-15 record: 20-11
The good news for the defending Northern California Division II champions is that they return one of the state's top post players, in broad-shouldered 6-foot-9 senior
Ben Kone, an Oregon State signee. The bad news is that 6-7 Sebastian Much, one of the top juniors in the state, transferred back to Southern California after transferring into Mitty as a sophomore. Still, Kennedy has built one of the top programs in Northern California and with eight players returning, the Monarchs should finish atop perhaps the best league in the state.
See last season's Central Coast Section boys basketball computer rankings
2. Saint Francis (Mountain View)Head coach: Mike Motil
2014-15 record: 22-6
The Lancers lost seven seniors to graduation, but with a 17-man roster, 10 remain for 2015-16, including one of Northern California’s top seniors in 6-9 post and UC Davis signee
Peter Hewitt. Motil also returns first-team All-WCAL guard
Noah Stapes and second-teamer
Giuseppe Benedettii.
See Central Coast Section boys basketball pro photo galleries3. Serra (San Mateo)Head coach: Chuck Rapp
2014-15 record: 23-6
The Padres lost more than half of their 15-man roster to graduation, but return one of Northern California's top players in 6-5 small forward
Jake Killingsworth, who has committed to Columbia. Rapp has always developed superb guard play and by adding in promising 6-9 sophomore
Jack Wilson, Serra will battle for WCAL, CCS and NorCal titles.
See last season's Central Coast Section boys basketball playoff brackets 4. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco)Head coach: Darrell Barbour
2014-15 record: 17-12
The Irish return the top junior recruit in the Bay Area in 6-6 wing
Alfred Hollins, a superb offensive and defensive player and rebounder. Hollins can get to the rim, shoot the 3-pointer effectively and has a nice mid-range game. He along with another 6-6 junior
Ramzi Carter have started since their freshmen seasons. SHC, a state champion in 2009, has been a state contender since Barbour took over in 2006-07.
See last season's Central Coast Section boys basketball stat leaders5. Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco)Head coach: Rich Buckner
2014-15 record: 18-11
Led by the return of leading scorer and one of Northern California's top 20 seniors
Eddie Stansberry, the Crusaders will push all four of the mentioned squads here for a WCAL title. Stansberry, a transfer from Serra, averaged a WCAL-best 18.5 points per game last year while averaging a team-best 6.1 rebounds per game. Eric Galindo (8.0 ppg) is another big threat.
