19. Loyola (Los Angeles)Head coach: Jamal Adams
2010-11 record: 25-6, CIF Southern Section Division I-A champions
Players to watch: Justin Childress (5-11, 150, Sr., G),
Julian Harrell (6-5, 190, Sr., G, Pennsylvania verbal commitment),
Jacob Hazzard (5-11, 160, Sr., G),
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5-10, 150, So., G)
Cubs scouting report: Loyola is no stranger to success, averaging 24 wins per season since 2007-08. But a talented returning backcourt is ratcheting expectations up a notch for the Los Angeles school, located less than two miles from the Staples Center.
Julian Harrell is the reigning league and section MVP.
Photo by Nick Koza
"One of my favorite things about our guys, I never have to worry about them answering the bell," Adams said. "I know they are going to compete and put their best foot forward."
Leading the list of 10 returnees is Harrell, a four-year starter that earned Southern Section Division I-A most valuable player honors a year ago after posting 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Sophomore Jackson-Cartwright is also back after a promising freshman campaign (10.4 points, 4.9 assists per game). He is ranked No. 14 in the MaxPreps Class of 2014 Top 50 and could be destined for stardom at the high school level and potentially beyond.
"He is an outstanding young man and has a lot of great offers from Pac-12 schools," Adams said. "He got a lot better over the summer."
Childress and Hazzard round out the embarrassment of riches in the backcourt. The duo combined to average nearly 20 points per game a year ago. The Cubs aren't entirely perimeter-oriented, however. Four other returners are in the 6-5 to 6-6 range and 6-11 sophomore Tom Welsh could be a factor, according to Adams.
Loyola's depth will be needed against a schedule that three December tournaments and showcase games against SoCal powers
Orange Lutheran (Orange) and
Taft (Woodland Hills). The Cubs also play in a highly-competitive league that will see them square off twice against
Crespi (Encino),
Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood) and fast-rising
Alemany (Mission Hills).
