TEAMS EXPECTED TO BE GOOD:
Saratoga – dark horse that finished 4th in the top bracket of their last quiz bowl tournament (BELLOCO) with Bruce Lou leading both his team and the tournament in scoring (78ppg). Bruce also led his team to a second-place finish at the National History Bowl tournament this year and has been studying since leading Team California at NASAT this summer (30ppg) and is expected to carry the team to first in the circuit.
Bellarmine – loses Sameer Rai but shouldn’t see too much of an impact on their performance due to his lack of activity in the high school circuit last year. Retains a strong A team capable of winning NorCal State 2014. Last recorded at 51ppg (NorCal State), Jarek Jankowski is expected to lead a well-balanced team to second in the circuit. Expect strong performance from their B team if Bryant Cong (47.5 ppg, Cal Cup #4) isn’t moved to A.
Palo Alto – retains a strong A team capable of achieving third in the circuit, dependent not only on how much they’ve improved but also on how much “Guilder” has improved.
“Guilder” – graduated all of their A team but last had strong new player Karthik Srivatsan leading the non-senior team at the last JV Cal Cup (69.5 ppg) and putting up decent points (35 ppg) while playing with now-graduated lead player Niki Peters at Napoleon. Depending on how much studying the A team has done this summer, they could displace Palo Alto as third best, but will likely sit at a comfortable fourth.
TEAMS EXPECTED TO BE DECENT:
Davis – graduated their A team but should not be left too undeveloped. B team managed to beat the A team once (NorCal State) but may or may not have been a fluke. Should have solid performance for this season, with a large program and a good chance of getting stronger next year.
Amador Valley – graduated top scorer Jerry Li, but retains a team of solid now-juniors who should be able to keep their team afloat.
“Haarlem” – retains top scorer Eric Chen (53.5 ppg, NorCal State 2014), if he and a teammate or two have improved over the summer, expect some solid finishes through this season and the next.
TEAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Valley Christian – retains all notable players and stands a good chance of finishing solidly led by sophomore Omeed Askary who rapidly improved throughout the last season (finishing with 49 ppg, NorCal State) and is expected to continue on that path.
Chinese Christian High School – new team gaining Benson Yi formerly of Albany, who put up decent points at last month’s VCU Open (8.5 ppg) and led his team at NorCal State 2014 (47.5 ppg). Expect decent performance under Benson while they develop.
TEAMS THAT NEED TO REBUILD:
Menlo – graduated 138 ppg (NorCal State) player Hidehiro Anto, nothing remarkable expected for a season or two.
Mira Loma – loses seniors and top scorers Yash Farooqui (37.5 ppg, NorCal State 2014), Hoon Min (47.5 ppg Cal Cup #4), Matt Kempster (32.5 ppg, Cal Cup #4), and Jared Sun (32.5 ppg, Sacramento Winter). Retains Yoon Min as expected lead scorer (53.33 ppg at Sacramento Fall 2013 and 10 ppg at Cal Cup #4).
Foothill – loses NASAT Team California player Bryce Hwang from a purportedly dead program, will need time to rebuild if they will be able to at all.
Albany – loses top scorer Benson Yi to CCHS and graduates second- and third-best Lucas Kampmann (43 ppg, NorCal State 2014) and Catheryn Li (14 ppg at NorCal State 2014).
Cal Cup #1 Predictions:
Varsity – (1) Saratoga, (2) Bellarmine A, (3) Palo Alto
Junior Varsity – (1) Davis, (2) Chinese Christian, (3) Valley Christian
