BAY SHORE ATHLETIC LEAGUE PREVIEW

Posted Jan 8 2010 1:47PM - By Jeff Patterson & James Farr, Bay Area Sports Channel
Category: Basketball

EAST BAY, Nor Cal - The start of the 2010 league schedule for the Bay Shore Athletic League presents an opportunity for history. The Salesian Pride took a step to defending their league title and the Division IV state championship when they defeated Kennedy-Richmond 73-46 in the league opener. Head coach Bill Mellis and the Pride went undefeated in the BSAL en route to winning the state title in Division IV last year.

However, repeating this year will not be an easy task. There are several teams capable of knocking of Salesian to take the crown. St. Patrick’s/St. Vincent, Vallejo, St. Mary’s, St. Joseph Notre Dame, and even Albany can possibly survive a brutal league schedule to finish number 1.

To be a champion, you have to beat a champion. Salesian is looking make history and repeat as state champions. The first step towards that goal is to win the league title. The Pride have picked up where they left off last year by winning 11 of their first 12 games of the year. Their only loss came against Southern Section power Loyola 49-44 in the Oaks Christian Holiday Hardwood Invitational.

Coach Mellis should have his full team back after six players return after playing for the playoff bound football team. Desmond Simmons and guards Mario Dunn, Markel Leonard, and Dominic Artis lead a strong group of players who want to repeat and do something special.

St. Mary’s look to rebound and reclaim the title the held in ‘07-’08, when they went 16-0. The Panthers enter league play with a 9-3 record and confidence despite three loses. Those losses were to Sacramento High by 6 in the Norcal Tipoff Classic to start the season, a five point loss to McClymonds, and a one point loss to Serra High. The Cougars are 1-0 with a 54-28 victory over Piedmont.
Coach Manny Nodar has plenty of talent to challenge Salesian for the top spot. The Panthers are led by Dominque Lee, one of the top ranked players in Northern California, and a solid base around him. The Panthers play St. Joseph, Bishop O’Dowd, St. Patrick/St. Vincent, and Salesian in the first part of league play. If they get through that, they are in great shape as four of their last five games are at home, including games against Salesian and St. Joseph Notre Dame the last game of the season.