Golden League: Team Profile
Conference play has ended in the Golden League on Thursday night and it has been a battle for the top seed. Every night has asked for the best of each teams as the standings changed throughout the season. Here’s a…
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Continue ReadingConference play has ended in the Golden League on Thursday night and it has been a battle for the top seed. Every night has asked for the best of each teams as the standings changed throughout the season. Here’s a look at how each of the teams has fared at the end of the season.
Quartz Hill (11-3 in Conference, 16-8 Overall) LEAGUE CHAMPS
Quartz Hill’s hard work has paid off as they capture the Golden League this season. The rebels have shown all year to be poised and efficient throughout the entire season. After finishing last season third in conference (8-6, 15-13 overall), the rebels have found their groove this season to outlast the opposing teams. Head coach, Bernard Nichter, has been with the program for thirteen years and with the help of his seniors, Alaijian Russel, Cordarius Dixon, and Josiah Taylor, he leans to them to carry this team deep into the playoffs. Senior captains, Alaijian Russel and Josiah Taylor have been commanding the guard position all year. Russell has been having an MVP type of season averaging a league-high 22.6 PPG to go along with 4.3 APG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.3 SPG. Taylor has had a quality senior year as well ending the regular season with 10.4 PPG, 2.4 APG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.9 SPG. Cordarius Dixon has been the presence in the paint for the rebels with 14.8 PPG, 1.3 APG, 2.1 SPG, and a team-high 8.1 RPG. This impressive senior class has been playing exceptionally well all season and looks to be the driving force for the rebels in the tough Southern Section 3A Division playoff matchups.
Lancaster (10-4 in Conference, 14-7 Overall)
The adjustments that Lancaster has made this season compared to last season is well deserved! After finishing second to last place in the conference (3-11, 6-15 overall), the Eagles fought their way through the Golden League standings, finishing right behind Quartz Hill. With the entire roster being seniors, Lancaster relied on experience to help pave the way this season. The proficient eagles relied heavily on the senior captain, Jordan Roach, and senior forward Malcolm Hodges. Roach, who was second in the Golden League in scoring, averaged 21.6 PPG, 1.5 APG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. On the other hand, the 6’3 senior forward, Malcolm Hodges led the Eagles in rebounds with 7.2 to go along with 13 PPG. The grit that Lancaster has made all season has caught the attention of everyone in the valley.
Eastside (9-5 in Conference, 12-12 Overall)
It seems as if many of the team within the Golden League has made improvement during the offseason to compete for a better year. Eastside is just another one of the teams who climbed the standing this season. The lions, who were not able to get 10 wins during the 2018-2019 season, battled through the rigorous teams of the Golden League to have a winning season, tying for third place and getting 12 overall wins.
Highland (9-5 in Conference, 16-12 Overall)
After having a nearly perfect season last year in the conference (13-1, 24-9 overall), Highland fell a few slots in the standings, tying for third place with Eastside. Highland is one of those tough schools that has had many winning seasons in the past. Head coach, DJ Hein, and the bulldogs were guided by throughout the season by senior captain Hector Paige who led the team in rebounds, 7.4 while averaging 13.9PPG, 1.4 APG and 1.2 SPG. He was not alone and got help from many other players on the team, but they had some astronomical help from sophomore phenoms, Kai Johnson and Marcus Hill. The 5’11 guard Hill averaged a team-high 16.1 PPG with 5 APG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.7 SPG. The other guard of Kai Johnson chipped 11.3 PPG to go along with 2.3 APG, 3.3 RPG, and 1 SPG. Be on the lookout for the bulldogs over the next couple of years as this group continues to grow and add versatility.