Boys basketball season preview
The varsity basketball Eagles accomplished great things in a championship run last year, a season highlighted by a league title and ending in the North Coast Section playoffs.
Cloverdale graduated several players from last year’s 21-6 playoff squad, including co-League Most Valuable Player John McMillan and starting guard Greg Scaramella, but should have plenty of returning firepower to compete with the upper echelon of teams this winter.
Veteran coach Steve Bernardi is back to lead a team long on talent and experience (eight returnees), hopeful that this year’s squad will gel into a formidable unit by the time league rolls around in January.
“This team has size, athleticism, and experience and should be a lot of fun to watch,” Bernardi predicted. “We played over 20 games during the summer so our guys are prepared and ready for a great season.”
The list of returning veterans starts with senior forward and reigning MVP Marcus Poe, a tremendous talent. The 6’-6” Poe averaged a double-double and was among the league’s top scorers as a junior, and seems poised for a monster senior campaign.
He’ll be joined by returning starter; senior Adrian Bernardi, who will hold down the shooting guard spot. The other returning starter is 6’-6” junior forward Jayson McMillan.
Other key returnees are point guard Luke Pope, guards Michael McDermott, Jared Hibbeln and forward Travis Kitowski.
First-year varsity players include Emmett Lawson, and Gage Hoover.
The Eagles opened the preseason schedule on Nov. 24 (after press time) when they hosted Santa Rosa in the annual Foundation Game.
Cloverdale will compete in the Redwood Classic Tournament in Booneville on Dec. 2-4, opening up against Laytonville at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2.
The Eagles will host the 50th John McMillan Holliday Invitational tourney on Dec. 10-12 and open league play on Jan. 5 at home against Clear Lake.
