UCLA commit Lonzo Ball will team with brother LiAngelo once again this season at Chino Hills.
Photo by David Hood
Steve Baik (92-29 in four seasons as head coach at Chino Hills)
2013-14 record: 29-6, Southern Section Open Division runner-up
KEY RETURNERSLiAngelo Ball (6-5, So., G)
Lonzo Ball (6-6, Jr., G) – UCLA verbal commitment
Chazz Smith (6-7, Jr., F)
IMPACT NEWCOMERSAndre Ball (6-4, Fr., G/F)
Shane Hopkins (6-8, Jr. F)
Jared Nyivih (6-6, Jr., G)
Elizjah Scott (6-4, So., G)
HUSKY STORYLINES* Five of the team's six losses a year ago came against programs that appeared in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, including a four-point loss to eventual national champ Mater Dei. The Huskies notched impressive victories over Wesleyan Christian Academy of North Carolina and Redondo Union. With the Ball brothers back, it's tough to envision Baik's club taking a step backward – even in a loaded Baseline League that includes Etiwanda and Damien.
* Lonzo and LiAngelo shared MVP honors at one of the fall's major events on the West Coast – the Ron Massey Memorial Fall Hoops Classic. Chino Hills overcame a field that included Bishop Gorman of Nevada and Maranatha to take home the first-place trophy. LiAngelo averaged nearly 30 points per game in the event, including 35 in the championship game. They will be joined by cousin Andre on the Husky roster this year.
* The Chino Hills basketball family suffered through a heartbreaking tragedy over the summer. Nnamdi Okongwu, a 6-9 post player who would have been a senior this season, suffered a serious head injury in a skateboarding accident and died a few days later. "Nnamdi was truly a light in our community," Baik said. "He was so positive and it was just a huge loss for us. Our kids are out to make it a special season for him." Okongwu's younger brother, Onyeka, will join the third Ball brother, Melo, in next year's freshmen class at Chino Hills – one that Baik thinks could be special in his program.
KEY DATESDec. 17-20 – Tarkanian Classic
Jan. 3 – TBA at Jordan Take Flight Classic
Jan. 15-17 – Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions
Jan. 23 – vs.
Etiwanda (Calif.)Feb. 6 – vs.
Westchester (Los Angeles) at Nike Extravaganza
Feb. 10 – at Etiwanda
