Cloverdale to host annual McMillan tourney next week
The varsity basketball Eagles will have a different look this year with a new roster and direction, but hope and expectations for a winning season remain the same.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald took the reins from longtime coach Steve Bernardi this year, inheriting a program that has been among the best in the Redwood Empire.
The first order of business for the Eagles will be to build on the success of last year’s squad, which posted a second place league mark of 12-2, advancing to the North Coast Section playoffs before finishing the season with an outstanding 22-7 record.
The Eagles graduated six players from that team, including the league’s Most Valuable Player Jayson McMillan, but return a strong nucleus of six veterans with both talent and experience.
The list of varsity returnees includes 6’-3” senior forward Jordan Persons, one of the team’s leading scorers last season. He’ll be joined by 6’-4” senior center Alex Segobiano, senior guards Eli Arreola, Marcus Jimenez and Christian Chavez, and senior forward Mel Alonso.
First year varsity players are 6’-5” senior center Carlos Rojas, junior forward Drew Edens, junior guard Mario Lopez and 6’-5” freshman center/forward Josh Lemley.
The Eagles will open the preseason schedule in earnest this week with participation in the Redwood Classic Tournament on Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Booneville, opening up on Nov. 29 against Valley Christian (6 p.m.).
Next week, Cloverdale will host the annual John McMillan Holliday Invitational Tournament on Dec. 7-9, opening up on Thursday, Dec. 7 in an 8 p.m. tip-off against Willows.
The Eagles figure to be in the hunt for a coveted NCL 1 title again this season, likely battling Kelseyville, Clear Lake and St. Helena for the top spot. Cloverdale will open the league campaign at home on Jan. 3 against Middletown.
