ALAMEDA CONTRA COSTA ATHLETIC LEAGUE PREVIEW

Posted Jan 8 2010 1:29PM - By Jeff Patterson & James Farr, Bay Area Sports Channel
Category: Basketball

EAST BAY, Nor Cal - As 2010 begins, so does league play in the Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League.

Early indications point to a two team race between El Cerrito and Pinole Valley. Both teams enter league play with identical 11-2 records and high scoring offenses.
Head coach Anthony Geddins has guided the Spartans to a quick start with strong offense and tough defense. The Spartans are led by Markee Rhymes, second leading scorer in the league with 14.2 ppg average. Rhymes, along with teammate Lamalcolm Dillahunty, are two of the top three 3-point shooters in the league. The Spartan defense is anchored by Kairon Moore, averaging 2 blocks per game, and Owen Diaz, who along with Moore, are in the top five in rebounding.

Gauchos Head Coach Michael Booker, former Kennedy-Richmond coach, has brought his up-tempo and aggressive style to El Cerrito with great results. Jabri Jenkins, third leading scorer with a 13.9 ppg average, provides the firepower for the Gauchos. The Gauchos also are solid on defense with four of the top five shoot blockers in the ACCAL, led by Eric Nelson II with 2.7 blocks per game. Gaucho player of the week Bobby Syvanthong leads the league in steals with 4.3 per game and provides strong guard play.

An early season battle at Pinole Valley January 12th will give the winner the inside track to the league title. The rematch is at the New El Cerrito gym Feb 5th. Both teams are looking to replace Berkeley High as the league champions this year and the head to head matchups could be the difference.
There is an interesting side note that may prove to have a big impact on the league title. Pinole Valley starts league play on January 8th at defending league champ Berkeley. They play the next night at powerhouse Deer Valley in Antioch, and then play El Cerrito at home on the 12th. This three game stretch may prove that they are championship caliber.

Speaking of Berkeley, the Jackets start league play with a 6-6 record, but with some tough competition. They have played in several tournaments so far and will play in two Martin Luther King Holiday Classics during league play. Coach Damien McNeil continues to put his stamp on a program that was led by Coach Mike Gragnani for many years.