EBAL boys' basketball strong top to bottom this year

Today’s edition is sponsored by The Rose Hotel.

*|DATE:l, F j, Y|*

Welcome to the Playbook!

Here we are ready for the second half of the 2024-25 East Bay Athletic League season! And just like the first half of the year, the EBAL appears to be loaded, with teams should be able to go deep the postseason.

Basketball and soccer have long been amongst the top sports not just in the North Coast Section, but Northern California and all of California.

The Big Picture looks at the EBAL boys’ basketball season as the league is going to be able to boast one of the top leagues in all of California. Who are the teams to beat and who are the most improved teams!

EBAL Power Rankings see the first of the EBAL boys’ and girls’ basketball power rankings. The girls seem business as usual with San Ramon Valley and Carondelet separating themselves from the rest of the league. The boys? You have an 11-2 team that can’t crack the top five teams in the league!

Fast Five introduces Amador Valley soccer freshman Kingston Smith. I’ve got to try his favorite fast-food stop!

Got a great story idea for something coming up in the winter? Let me know at acesmag@aol.com!

From the sidelines,
Dennis Miller, Playbook Editor

EBAL boys’ basketball strong top to bottom this season

The top team is 11-0 De La Salle. The Spartans are always an elite program at the state level, but this looks like the best team they have had in some time. The amazing thing? They are not a lock to win the EBAL title!

Power Rankings as of Dec. 30.

EBAL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

1) San Ramon Valley (8-2): The defending EBAL champs are back this year are coming off a tough 72-57 loss to undefeated Acalanes in the finals of Canyon Hills tournament.

2) Carondelet (11-2, 2-0): The Cougars are among the elite in Northern California this year and have already played a pair of EBAL games, beating Granada and Livermore. The 69-4 win over Livermore raises some eyebrows.

3) Dublin (6-0): The Gaels are consistent every season and that appears to be the case again this year. They are beating whoever steps on the court this year.

4) California (6-4): The Grizzlies play a tough non-league season to better prepare for EBAL play. Could have easily been the No. 3 team at this point.

5) Dougherty Valley (9-2): The Wildcats have come out firing this year but they haven’t played the toughest schedule so we will ease them into the No. 5 spot. It could be a lot of fun to watch this year.

On the bubble: Monte Vista (5-8), Foothill (4-6), Amador Valley (4-7), Granada (5-8, 0-1), Livermore (4-7, 0-1).

EBAL BOYS’ BASKETBALL

1) De La Salle (11-0): The Spartans are elite every year — this year they might be even better.

2) Dublin (13-1): The Gaels won 12 straight to start the season, the fell to Crespi 64-59 in SoCal. Always good, always well coached, always in contention.

3) Dougherty Valley (9-5): Don’t let the record fool you, the Wildcats are solid once again. The most recent game a 54-50 loss to national powerhouse Sierra Canyon in a Southern Cal tournament.

4) San Ramon Valley (6-5): Just like Dougherty Valley, do not let the record fool you. This team always hits its stride right when it needs to — late in the season. Always a tough non-league schedule and will be right in the mix during the EBAL season.

5) California (12-2): The Grizzlies are right on the edge of being in the top half of the EBAL. Once again, the league might be the best in Northern California.

On the bubble: Amador Valley (10-2), Livermore (11-2), Monte Vista (9-5), Foothill (7-5), Granada 6-9.

Pleasanton Preps: What a ride for Amador football to state title game

I am sure the bus ride home from Southern California for the Amador Valley football team following their 18-14 loss the night before to Frontier High from Bakersfield was an interesting one. At least they got there…

We interview high school athletes and coaches all the time. Occasionally we ask them questions that have nothing to do with sports. Here’s one:

Name: Kingston Smith

School and grade: Amador Valley (2028)

Sport: Soccer (Frosh)

Favorite streaming channel/favorite show: Netflix

What music are you listening to: Country and rap

Must follow on social media: UFC for sure!

Favorite fast-food restaurant/meal: Raising Cane’s (Caniac Combo — 100%)

Favorite quote: “Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.” (Kobe Bryant)

Do you have someone you want us to interview? Email us.

Dennis Miller is a veteran sports writer and editor, covering sports in the Tri-Valley for over 35 years. In addition to being the editor of Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, he has written a weekly column for Pleasanton Weekly and PleasantonWeekly.com, “Pleasanton Preps,” since 2011. Email him at sports@pleasantonweekly.com.

Sponsored by

You can update your preferences and manage your groups, or if you really never want to hear from us again, including other emails from us you may have signed up for, you can totally unsubscribe from this list.

View this email in your browser