With five players in the starting lineup, Arcadia basketball coach Nick Wallace made it clear at the Pacific League media day on Monday that he expects his team to perform at a high level this season.
Same with Pasadena, which returns 6-foot-11 Josh Irving from Texas A&M and also added scoring guard Tim Anderson from Blair.
One of Arcadia's most intriguing players is 6-8 sophomore Owen Eteuati Edwards. He had a busy summer playing basketball and on the Dodgers scout team. Yes, he's tall and throws the ball 92 mph.
Edwards explained why he thinks the Dodgers won Game 7 of the World Series.
“It goes back to the leadership in the locker room. I feel like they all bought in,” he said.
Edwards has his older brother Noah (6-4) on the basketball team, and they continue to play intense one-on-one games. “It goes back and forth,” he said. “It's always a fun battle.”
As for which sport he enjoys best, Edwards said, “I always say I'm a basketball player who plays baseball.”
He keeps his options open.
As for Pasadena, the addition of Anderson is significant. He averaged 31.4 points per game last season for Blair. Combined with the returning Troy Wilson, the Bulldogs will have more offensive power. And there will be a lot of dunks. Irving has a vertical jump of 36 inches and has improved significantly in his fourth year in Pasadena.
The Pacific League, which will dissolve after this season when it merges with the Rio Hondo League, has two new head coaches: Doval Boykins at Crescenta Valley and Jason Weatherall at Burroughs.
This is a daily look at positive developments in school sports. To report any news, email [email protected].
