The LA Trade Tech coaches believe their team is as talented as any they’ve had since a memorable run to the state Final Four in 2008. Unlike that team, however, which was a team comprised largely of older players bound for D-2 programs, this year’s squad has multiple candidates who have drawn Division 1 interest.
Competing in a division that includes perennial power Mt. San Antonio as well as an up-and-coming Compton team, Trade Tech will be in the thick of the competition again this season. The rotation goes 10 deep, and LATT is particularly well-stocked at the point guard position with four players who are legitimate Division 1 candidates.
Trade Tech has just one returning starter, and may need a little time to sort out the rotation and coalesce into a top team. Over the summer, Trade Tech had its highs and lows, but drew plenty of interest from recruiters with its roster full of prospects. And unlike some other Trade Tech teams of the past, which relied on older players who had to go D-2, most of the current players figure to be Division 1 eligible.
Trade Tech will have little time to hit at full speed, playing in the tough Fresno tournament in November and taking on the host team in the first round. The Beavers will also participate in the Palomar tournament around Thanksgiving as well as the Bill Brummel tournament at Saddleback in mid-December before starting conference play.
Clint Bozner has drawn the most interest, including from the likes of Texas Tech, UTEP, Iona, CS Northridge, CS Bakersfield, Pepperdine and San Jose State. The 6-8 freshman headed to Northern Arizona last year but was diagnosed with altitude sickness and received a medical redshirt. The Villa Park grad will have three years of competition remaining after this, and is also an outstanding student as well (he’s a Pre-Med major). Assistant Coach Ken Hunter says he wouldn’t be surprised to see Clint playing in the Pac-12 next year.
Len Springs has also drawn significant interest. The 6-10 pivot is raw offensively, but is very athletic and one of the true post players in California. Iona, Duquesne and Northern Illinois have all shown interest. Another good frontcourt player is power forward Josh Chatman, who is one of the better rebounders around and has a nice scoring touch. CS Northridge and Western Michigan have shown interest. Then there’s DaSean Anderson, who might be the most intriguing prospect of all. He’s 6-8, from Inglewood HS and made a name for himself on the travel ball circuit, but ended up playing only sporadically for San Bernardino Valley last year. He’s always been a slasher, but after remaking his jumper he’s now a 3-point threat. UTEP, CS Northridge, CS Bakersfield and Iona have offered, and if he improves his handle enough to play the 2-guard he could go even higher.
The point guard spot is pretty crowded, with last year’s starter, Randall Harris, joined by Pacific bounceback Taylor Shipley, Fairfax HS grad Donte McFrazier and Price HS grad Jamie Trujeque. Harris, who redshirted at Arizona out of HS, has drawn interest from Eastern Illinois and Northern Illinois. Shipley is still recovering from ACL injuries to both knees, but according to Coach Hunter is the best spot-up shooter on the team. Trujeque had already drawn interest from CS Northridge and CS Bakersfield, and McFrazier started alongside Solomon Hill and Renardo Sidney at Fairfax.
And there are a few other Trade Tech players of note. Combo guard Steven Archibald starred on the 2010 D-3 state champion Serra squad, and has drawn interest from Santa Clara. Forwards Ravon Nunley and Davion Larochester are more “traditional” Trade Tech types, older guys who play with a lot of energy and are athletic, but are likely headed to D-2. And then there’s wing Navell Leonard from Animo HS in Inglewood. He’s definitely still a prospect at this point, but might be the best athlete on the team.
Projected Starting Lineup:
G – Randall Harris, 6-1, soph, Reseda/Arizona
G – Jamie Trujeque, 6-1, frosh, Price
F – DeSean Anderson, 6-8, soph, Inglewood/San Bernardino Valley
F – Clint Bozner, 6-8, frosh, Villa Park/Northern Arizona
C – Len Springs, 6-10, soph, Dorsey/El Camino
Top Reserves:
G – Steven Archibald, 6-3, soph, Serra
G – Donte McFrazier, frosh, 6-0, Fairfax
G – Taylor Shipley, soph, 6-0, Palisades/Univ of the Pacific
F – Josh Chatman, 6-6, soph, Santee
F – Ravon Nunley, 6-5, soph, Dorsey
Other Reserves:
G – Carmichael Guillemet, 6-1, soph, University
G – Steven Hester, 6-2, soph, Serra
F – Nevell Leonard, 6-4, frosh, Animo
F – Davion Larochester, 6-6, soph, Manual Arts
Redshirts:
G – Erik Dawson, 6-3, Birmingham
G – Shawn Mack, 6-0, Taft
F – Olajuwon Anderson, 6-6, Canyon Springs
C – Hassante Manning, 6-8, Crenshaw
