SoCalHoops High School News

High School Team Preview: Central
Section Mission Prep--(Oct. 31, 2000)

Sometimes we feature teams we've never seen before, and this is one instance where that's the case.  But since Mission Prep is hosting their own tournament again this December, one which is going to be fairly competitive with a number of teams from the Southern Section involved, and because they look like they could be a factor in the State Division V tournament (provided they get through the Central Section Tournament unscathed), we're posting this preview.   Most, if not all, of the information has been provided to us by the coaching staff at the school, but heck, that's never stopped us before. And in this case, Coach Tom Mott has given us a lot of information to work with.

Where the heck is Mission Prep?   Well, it's one of those Central Section teams (along with Coast Union) that probably ought to be in the Southern Section, but isn't simply because there aren't enough small schools in the Southern Section in the region with which it can regularly compete.   And the straight shot over the hills into the Central Valley is a lot faster than making the drive to the Los Angeles area for league games. . . . At least that's the way we figure it. . .but we're really just guessing.  In any event, checking these guys out during the regular season for those of us here in the LA area isn't an easy task. But here's what we do know for certain:

The Royals finished the 1999-2000 season with an 11-14 overall record. Mission Prep advanced to the semifinals of Central Section Division 5 where they lost to eventual champion Laton. The Royals played that game with 2 starters nursing major injuries. Brent Walker who led the Royals in scoring (15.3 ppg) only played 6 minutes, suffering a severe concussion during the regular season that saw him miss 10 days of school, and that game was his first action in over a month. Another player hampered by injury was starting small forward Garrett Lougran (9.1 ppg) who had injured his back the day before in practice. Nonetheless, the Royals hung tough with the eventual Section champions before running out of gas in the final 4 minutes of action.  The 2000-01 team looks to be very promising for Mission Prep. Four starters return and one very tall newcomer could have the Royals poised for a Coast Sierra League title and a run at a CIF title.

Junior Brent Walker should once again lead the way for the Royals. Walker is one of the quicker players on the court and a deadly from behind the arc. Walker connected on 43-107 from 3-Point land last season and had a high point game of 36 versus Templeton. One thing that has hindered Walker’s further development is the fact that he is an excellent baseball player (baseball rules his summers) and is being recruited by USC among others.

Senior Garrett Loughran is the steadiest and most versatile member of the Royals. At 6’3 Loughran is best suited at the "2" or "3" positions but this summer Loughran filled in at point guard for the Royals and did an excellent job. An excellent athlete, Lougrhan is a slasher and strong finisher at the end of the break.

Junior Souleymane Traore has only been in America since school began in August but his development has been rapid. A native of the Ivory Coast, Traore is 6’9 and still growing. He has gained 20 pounds in the two months he has been in America going from 185 pounds to his current weight (as of 10/27/00) of 205 pounds. Defensively Traore will patrol the middle and block and alter many shots.

Junior Gerald Purify is the best athlete on the team. At 6’3, Purify can play any of the 5 positions and will be looked upon to score, rebound and play solid defense for the Royals. Purify is a member of the #3 ranked Royals football team, so it might be late November before Coach Mott gets him out on the hardwood.

Justin Clarke, the point guard, will also be making a late arrival to the hardwood. The starting quarterback for the Royals on the gridiron, Clarke will look to quarterback the hoops squad as well. Clarke plays solid defense and will distribute the ball before he looks to score himself.

Off the bench the Royals have some size but little experience. Kory Donati at 6’5 245lbs. will backup Traore at center. Donati is a starting lineman on the football team. Also vying for action at the forward positions is Kyle Botsch 6’3 195 lbs. and Servando Equiluz 6’2 195 lbs. both football players as well.

At the guard positions, sophomore transfer Grant Bell, senior Colter Negranti, senior Tyler Ketcham and junior Jon Scruggs will look to contribute.

Head Coach Tom Mott enters his second year as the leader of the Royals. Mott graduated from Mission Prep (1991) and Santa Clara University (1995). Mott played professional baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization from 1994-1999 before arm injuries forced him to retire from one love and begin another.

The Royals will once again host a prestigious Christmas tournament, the Copeland’s Sports / Reebok Christmas Classic.

Here's the rest of the schedule: 

Finally, since we don't get up to the region much ourselves, if anyone needs more information about Mission Prep, give Coach Tom Mott a call at 805 543-2131 x80.

 
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