Two-time defending WSC-South and 2008 California State Champion Citrus is once again primed for another strong season, featuring perhaps their most athletic and deepest team yet, and definitely the tallest Owl squad in the recent era.
It’s not entirely accurate to say that Coach Rick Croy and his staff created the basketball program at Citrus. After all, the Owls had been playing basketball since the 1960s, and Neil Edwards coached the team to some success in the early 1980s. And Jim Hyneman had back-to-back winning seasons fairly recently, including a 19-win season in 2002-03.
But all that pales in comparison to the current era. When Citrus defeated Cuesta in the 2007 playoffs, it was unclear whether that was the Owls’ first-ever postseason triumph (it was actually their second), and the next year Citrus made its first-ever trip to the state tournament. The Owls came away with the championship, defeating LA Trade Tech in the semifinals and Fullerton in the final. Last year, Citrus again won the WSC-South title and was the #2 seed in the Southern California playoff field, but fell in the regional final to eventual state champion Riverside.
This time around, the Owls will again be quite formidable. Assistant Coach Joey Wellman says “we have our toughest team by far, and probably our deepest. Athletically we are better than last year as well.” And though Citrus has never relied on great size in the past, now they can turn to the inside game when needed. Noted Wellman, “This year we have a great group of bigs who can run the floor extremely well and are tough inside.”
It’s also a veteran squad. Though the Owls will, as always, use the entire roster and substitute often, experience is going to be a constant as 10 of the 13 players are sophomores. The only freshmen on the active roster are the three point guards, and one of them redshirted last year at Citrus.
Leading the way for the Owls are the bouncebacks: super-athletic wings DeAndre Haskins (Valparaiso) and Cameron Nettles (Mississippi Valley State), both 6-5, and post presence Tom Granado (Hope International), who is 6-10. Then there are the transfers: 6-6 forward Randy Hunter, one of Ventura College’s top players last season, and 6-1 guard Jerry Santos, perhaps East LA’s best player in 2007-08 (he redshirted at Citrus last season). The top Citrus returnees are redshirt freshman point guard Derek Rodgers, 6-3 sharpshooters Terance Reaves and Jose Rivera and 6-6 forward Keith Thompson, perhaps the Owls’ most talented player.
With Bakersfield looking strong, and Santa Monica featuring perhaps the state’s top player in Bryant Crowder, the Owls won’t have an easy time defending their WSC-South crown. But nobody’s going to have an easy time beating them either.
Here’s a closer look at some of Citrus’ top players:
DeAndre Haskins, 6-5, SF/SG, soph. After famously mixing it up with Tyler Hansborough last season, he’s back in SoCal with the Owls. Strong and athletic, plays above the rim and can fill virtually any role. Early commit to CS Fullerton.
Cameron Nettles, 6-5, SF/SG, soph. Super-athletic, slasher on offensive end and disrupter on defense. Prepped at Gahr, played at Jerry Rice’s alma mater last year. Showed what he can do in at the Fullcourt Press All-West Camp in 2007 when he had game-highs of 22 pts and 9 rebs in an all-star game at camp's conclusion.
Tom Granado, 6-10, Ctr, soph. Post from Whittier Christian played at Hope International last year. Has lost considerable weight from his HS days. Not a leaper, but very agile for a big man and uses his body extremely well. Averaged 8 pts, 9 rebs and 1.5 blocks per game in 4 games I saw him play in the Pomona division of the Say No Classic, including 12.0 pts and 9.5 rebs in two playoff games. Good passer as well.
Keith Thompson, 6-6, PF/SF, soph. Might be Citrus’ most talented player. Had team-highs of 13 pts and 8 rebs vs. AVC in summer tilt so maybe it’s his time. Good inside scorer, 3-pt range on his jumper, can put it on the floor, good rebounder, good shot-blocker…it’s all there, he just needs to do it consistently.
Randy Hunter, 6-6, PF, soph. Worker can play either post position. Played for Ventura last season as 1st big man off the bench. Had 14 pts, 13 rebs and 4 blocks in game vs. Chaffey. Plays a smart game, understanding his abilities and getting the most out of them.
Terance Reaves, 6-3, SG, soph. The Super Shooter. Deadly from behind the arc, as he showed when he hit 7 threes in game last year vs. Canyons, or when he hit 5 of them vs. LA Valley (19 pts), or in playoff game vs. Victor Valley when he hit 4 of them (14 pts). Had game-high 24 pts (5 threes) when he helped his Long Beach Poly team beat a Mater Dei team with 6 D-1 players/signees including 2 McDonald’s All-Americans in the championship of the Fairfax Summer tourney in 2007.
Hakeem Washington, 5-9, PG, frosh. A 5-9 blur, the best basketball name in the state (a combination of The Dream and The Pearl, eh?) and a good point guard. Had 5 pts, 7 asts, 3 stls and just one turnover in summer win over Imperial Valley. Will share point guard duties with Derek Rodgers and Donnel Phifer.
2009-10 Roster:
# - Player – Pos – Height – Weight – Year - High School
3-DeAndre Haskins, G, 6-5, 205, soph, Jordan (Long Beach)
5-Jerry Santos, G, 6-1, 185, soph, South Hills
10-Donnel Phifer, G, 5-9, 160, frosh, Narbonne
12-Hakeem Washington, G, 5-9, 150, frosh, Serra (Gardena)
14-Cameron Nettles, F, 6-5, 190, soph, Gahr
15-Jose Rivera, G, 6-3, 180, soph, De La Salle
20-Randy Hunter, F, 6-6, 205, soph, Righetti
23-Derek Rodgers, G, 6-1, 195, soph, Los Osos
32-Darin Stewart, G, 6-4, 180, soph, La Lumiere
34-Terance Reaves, G, 6-3, 190, soph, Long Beach Poly
40-Cameron Khoury, F, 6-9, 235, soph, Los Osos
45-Keith Thompson, F, 6-6, 220, soph, Mayfair
50-Tom Granado, C, 6-10, 265, soph, Whittier Christian
