DOWNEY - The Warren High School boys' basketball team has been working hard this Summer.The Bears basketball team participated in a summer league where they traveled to such venues as Cerritos High School, Cal Poly Pomona and Azusa Pacific University to participate in summer competitions. Coach Ryan Hart also hosted a summer basketball camp in June and July that was open to area youngsters and exposed many young student-athletes to high school basketball. Many of Coach Hart's players participated and helped out at this camp. The Warren Bears are looking to improve upon their 18-9 regular season and 4-6 league records from last season. The Bears were a young squad last season that advanced in the C.I.F. Division IA playoffs by defeating La Quinta 58-51 before being defeated in the second round by Crescenta Valley 67-55. The Bears' overall record stood at 19-10. The Bears return several key players from last season. Two time All-S.G.V.L. point guard and senior Joseph Campos returns as do Michael Onyebalu, Miguel Munoz, John Ohakamnu, Ife Kalejaiye, Lorel Johnson and "Big" Joe Estrada with more skill and experience under their belts. Key departures to graduation included John Elam and Alejandro Plaza. Coach Hart believes that replacing Elam and Hart will be difficult because they were such quality young men and focused team players. The Bears will get their season started when they play a talented Downey Calvary Chapel team on Thursday, November 29. Coach Hart said that this year the San Gabriel Valley League will be "wide open" but that Downey still has league co-M.V.P. Dakari Archer returning in addition to a very good junior varsity squad coming up to play at the varsity level. Coach Hart and his team are excited for the opportunity to improve upon their success from last season and compete for a league title as well as a deeper run in the C.I.F. Division 1A playoffs.

********** Published: August 23, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 19