ALL-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Player of the Year
LONZO BALL, CHINO HILLS
By TYLER DRAGON
Prep2Prep
Point guard Lonzo Ball was the leader of one of the most dominant teams that we’ve seen in high school basketball history. Ball led Chino Hills to an unblemished 35-0 record and capped
off his fantastic season with an Open Division state championship. The UCLA-bound point guard averaged 23.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 12.9 assists on the season and was a clear
choice as Prep2Prep's first-ever Southern California Player of the Year.
When asked what his favorite moment was during Chino Hills’ magical year, Ball told Prep2Prep winning the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Florida was his fondest memory.
“That was the hardest (competition),” Ball said.
The 6-foot-6 point guard won Prep2Prep’s top winter sports honor for his superb season. Ball also won the Naismith Player of the Year and several other awards.
Part of his success was the team chemistry that the Huskies played with all season. A key factor in the team’s success was that Ball played with his two younger brothers Li’Angelo and LaMelo Ball.
“It’s pretty easy because we have been playing (together) our whole lives," the point guard said.
Camaraderie is a major reason why some are hailing the Huskies as one of the best teams of all time. Ball has heard such talk and is humbled by the chatter.
“It’s kind of crazy because a lot of people played and a lot of different teams came up," he said. "To be considered one of the best is kind of crazy.”
He did, however, proclaim to Prep2Prep that Chino Hills was the best team in the country this year.
Now that his high school basketball season is over, Ball plans to finish out his high school senior year strong, prepare for UCLA and watch his favorite player LeBron James in the NBA playoffs.
If all goes as planned for Ball, he’ll be playing against or with his favorite player relatively soon.
The point guard, who often gets compared to Jason Kidd, wants to go to the NBA and hopes his play at UCLA is good enough where he can leave Westwood early.
“Yeah I’m trying to,” an optimistic Ball said when asked if he wanted to declare for the NBA Draft early.
Opposing coaches who have game-planned against the all-around point guard see a player who can eventually play in the NBA.
“The guy (Lonzo Ball) is probably a multiyear pro. This is what they look like in high school," Sierra Canyon coach Ty Nichols said after his team lost to Chino Hills.
Professional scouts will definitely have their eyes on the guard while he hopes to lead UCLA to the NCAA tournament after a down year. If Ball does have a good freshman campaign,
Bruin fans can expect his time in Westwood to be short-lived.
For now, though, Ball is closing the chapter in what has been an outstanding high school career. A few months from now, the Prep2Prep Player of the Year will be at UCLA trying to
build a legacy just like the one he left at Chino Hills.
Coach of the Year
STEVE BAIK, CHINO HILLS
Steve Baik led Chino Hills to an undefeated season and California Open Division championship.
By TYLER DRAGON
Prep2Prep
Steve Baik was blessed this year for having probably five Division I basketball players in his starting lineup. Some will argue that any coach would have been successful with the talent
that the Huskies had. But going 35-0 and playing a national schedule is nothing to scoff at.
“I have the best point guard, the best player in the nation with guys that he’s played with his whole life,” Baik said.
Baik did enjoy a talented roster, but somebody had to coach them.
“I feel that he’s a great coach. He doesn’t try to over-coach. He kind of just let’s you do your thing. He’s an easy guy to get along with,” Chino Hills point guard Lonzo Ball told Prep2Prep.
Senior of the Year
T.J. LEAF, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN
The UCLA-bound Leaf led Foothills Christian to a 25-5 mark overall, scoring 28.4 points per game to go along with 12.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Foothills Christian
reached the Southern California Open Division semifinals, losing to Chino Hills.
Junior of the Year
BRANDON MCCOY, CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC
McCoy is considered one of the nation's top juniors. An excellent defensive player, the 7-0 center also averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds to go along with four blocks
per game in leading Cathedral Catholic to the second round of the Southern California Open Division playoffs with an upset of nationally ranked Sierra Canyon.
Sophomore of the Year
DAVID SINGLETON, BISHOP MONTGOMERY
Singleton helped Bishop Montgomery reach the Southern California Open Division championship game, where the Knights lost to Chino Hills. Singleton averaged
18.9 points per game, hit 69 3-pointers and shot 92 percent from the free-throw line.
FIRST TEAM ALL-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills
Position: Guard
Year: Senior
The Naismith Player of the Year put together a spectacular season with averages of 23.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 12.9 assists per game to lead Chino Hills
to an undefeated season and the California Open Division championship.
Brandon McCoy, Cathedral Catholic
Position: Center
Year: Junior
Cathedral Catholic-San Diego center Brandon McCoy is one of the nation’s top juniors. The 7-0 center averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks per game for Cathedral. Look for McCoy to
compete to be California’s top prep basketball talent next season.
SECOND TEAM ALL-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
THIRD TEAM ALL-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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