2009-2010 harbor college men's basketball season preview

 Outlook

The Harbor basketball team opens the 2009-10 season with renewed hope and a fresh attitude toward the future. With new facilities set to open in January and an outstanding recruiting class coming in, the excitement around the program is growing. This will be Head Coach Tony Carter-Loza's ninth year at the helm of the Seahawks' program.

"I am truly confident and excited about this year's group with the strength we have returning in the backcourt and the depth in the frontcourt," Carter-Loza said. "This team has the chance to be the most talented and deepest team I have ever had at Harbor."

With a mix of returning players and incoming freshmen, the upcoming season should be exciting for the Seahawk faithful.

Returning Backcourt Players

Joining him in the backcourt is 5'11 sophomore Gerald Johnson from Mira Costa High School. Johnson had a solid year in 2008-09 for the Seahawks and is one of the most versatile players on the team. Coach Carter-Loza said he feels that "John and Gerald are the backbone of this team and their leadership both on and off the court will help the overall success of our program."

Joining this dynamic duo is 6'0 sophomore guard Chris Avery, who is back off a redshirt season last year. Chris will provide athleticism and outside shooting to this group and is considered one of the leaders of the team.

Returning Frontcourt Players

The lone returning frontcourt player from last year's team is 6'6 forward De'jon Prescott from Morningside High School. Although he is the lone returner, much is expected from Prescott this season. After finishing the season strong, Prescott dedicated himself to the weight room and the improvements have shown.

"No player in my time here at Harbor has increased their physical attributes in one off-season as De'jon Prescott has," Coach Carter-Loza said of the lone returning forward.

Newcomers

With only four sophomore returning, the newcomers to the Seahawks program will be relied on early to compete at a high level. This transition into the Seahawks program will be easy for three former Seahawks of Redondo Union High School: 6'4 Tyler Schreckengost, 6'4 Morrie Hyman and 6'5 Kevin Dawson.

"We are lucky to have the opportunity to coach not only three quality players, but quality people from such a rich basketball tradition in Redondo Union High School," Coach Carter-Loza said of the three former teammates.

In addition to former Redondo teammates, three other newcomers will provide an impact to the basketball program at Harbor College. First is 6'9 Sheldon Allen from Locke High School. Allen's size and potential have had numerous Division I coaches making the trip to Wilmington already this spring.

Joining Allen is 6'5 Timothy Thompson from King-Drew High School. Thompson will be asked to provide immediate strength and inside scoring for this year's team.

The third newcomer is 6'6 Bola Egbeyemi from Carson High School, who has the potential to play numerous positions and make an immediate impact on both sides of the floor.

Coach Carter-Loza is excited and said he feels that "these three players (Allen, Thompson, Egbeyemi) will provide much needed depth with their length and athleticism inside. Carter-Loza added: "As the season grows, their potential combined with their overall work ethic will allow for continued success at the position."

Local area players will continue to provide depth to an already-talented group, beginning with 6'3 Jordan Cajiao from North Torrance High School. Cajiao is being depended on to provide perimeter shooting and defensive intensity.

Joining him is 6'3 Tyler Nelson from Bishop Montgomery High School. Nelson is expected to come in and make an immediate impact based on his versatility and ability to play multiple positions.

Westchester High School product Michael Crawford, 6'3, has already shown his knack for creating problems on the defensive side of the ball.

The final two newcomers to the Harbor program are backcourt players Kenny Lewis and Kyle Haynes. The 5'11 Lewis plays the point guard position and played high school ball at Narbonne. Lewis is expected to help Raquel run the team from point guard. With the 6'0 Haynes at guard, the team will be getting athleticism and work ethic that are greatly appreciate in any college program.

Overall

With the depth infused from a great recruiting class and mix of talented returners, Harbor basketball is definitely on the rise. This year's team has been built from the ground up with local talent combined with enthusiasm and excitement at this Wilmington campus.