Giants men's basketball launch season ranked No. 5 in the state
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
The Big 3 who helped power College of the Sequoias men's basketball team into the California Community College Athletic Association's Elite Eight last season -- state player of the year Javohn Garcia, all-state selection Terri Miller and all-conference pick Tyjean Burrell -- have moved on to Division I universities.
Lofty expectations, however, remain for the five returners and nine newcomers assembled by fifth-year Giants coach Dallas Jensen and assistants Tommy Luu and Brandon McDermott entering the 2023-2024 season.
Sequoias is ranked No. 5 in the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches' Association preseason state poll heading into its opener at 5 p.m. Nov. 10 against No. 6 Allan Hancock during the Hinson's Tire Pros Winter Classic in San Luis Obispo.
"We are green. A lot of new faces, but I'm enjoying being around them," Jensen said. "There are going to be some ups and downs as they get acclimated to this level. But by conference and the postseason, this team can be pretty good."
The Giants are viewed as contenders for a return trip to the state's Elite Eight tournament based both on the proven performance of their returners and the potential of their newcomers.
Headlining Sequoias' five returners is Cameron Clark, a 6-foot-7 center/forward from Gwinnett, Ga., who was named first-team All-Central Valley Conference last season after averaging 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
"Cameron has taken his game to another level," Jensen said of a player who has already committed to NCAA Division I Cal State Bakersfield. "He's really turning a corner and being more impactful on a daily basis."
Sequoias also returns a pair of CVC All-Freshmen selections in 6-0 guard Jose Cuello (Harlem, N.Y.) and 6-2 guard Alex Argandar (Modesto). Cuello averaged 6.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game, while Argandar delivered 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game while shooting 42.7 percent from 3-point range.
"Jose has been an extension of the head coach. He's our most vocal guy on the floor," Jensen said. "And Alex is playing at a really high level. His passing is as good as I've seen at this level, and his shooting is at a very high level."
Also back for the Giants are 6-1 guard Omari Nesbit (Sacramento) and 6-7 forward Samuel Bazunga (Paris, France), who both played reserve roles last season. Nesbit contributed 4.7 points and 1.9 assists per game, while Bazunga averaged 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds.
"Omari has been fantastic," Jensen said. "We thought about redshirting him, but he had such a fantastic summer and learned to play at the right speed and tempo that, for us, it was like 'you're going to play and play quite a bit.'" Jensen said. "Sam is having some good moments on the floor using his physical attributes. He can give us some valuable minutes."
Sequoias brought in a pair of sophomore transfers in 6-9 forward/center Jaylon Lee (Las Vegas) and 6-6 guard/forward Lazamion "Slim" McGruder (Canton, Miss.)
Lee was an all-conference selection at Copper Mountain Community College in Joshua Tree last season, averaging 13.3 points on 64 percent shooting, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
"He's a monster and very physical," Jensen said. "He's really good 15 feet and in. Great footwork and strong hands. He's as strong as you will see at this level. Rebounds great and is improving on defense every day. He's a D-I talent as far as post players go."
McGruder played at Holmes College in Goodman, Miss., in 2021-2022, where he averaged 4/8 points and 3.4 rebounds a game before sitting out last season.
"Slim has a high motor, a highly active player," Jensen said. "I like how he plays the game. He really values winning. Every team needs a high energy guy who values winning."
Arguably the marquee recruit of the Giants' seven-member freshmen class is 6-7 forward Jaden Haire, who averaged 22.1 points and 13.7 rebounds over two varsity seasons at Hanford West High.
"He will likely be out of here in a year. He's already got D-I offers," Jensen said. "He's very physical on both ends of the floor, and his game has so much room for growth. He's got a chance to play this game well beyond college. He could make money playing basketball. He just gets better every single day. He's going to be one of the better players in the conference and the state this year."
Sequoias has two other local recruits in 5-11 guard Mikey Ficher (Tulare Western) and Carter Glick (Mt. Whitney), who both redshirted last season.
Ficher signed out of high school with NCAA Division I-AA Davidson to play football, but returned home and switched sports to basketball. Glick helped lead Mt. Whitney to the Central Section Division II championship in 2022.
"Mikey brings a calming influence to our team. He knows how to lead," Jensen said. "Carter is a lights out shooter who flat out loves basketball."
The Giants' freshman class is rounded out by 6-5 guard Davis White (Santa Clarita), 6-5 guard/forward James Freeman (Sacramento), 6-4 guard Kion Hayes (Savannah, Ga.), and 6-6 forward Nati Asfaw (Las Vegas).
"Davis plays with an aggression and a toughness that a majority of kids out of high school don't have. His upside is really high, and he will have an impactful freshman season for us," Jensen said. "James jumps out of the gym and rebounds at a high rate. He has a chance to be a really special player. Kion is a good athlete who can really shoot the ball and defend 90 feet. He's still adjusting to the college game but will end up being a four-year player. Nati is a high character guy who is in the gym around the clock working on his game, which I love."
Sequoias will be looking to build off last season, when it went 27-4 overall, including a 22-game winning streak, while going undefeated in conference play (14-0) for the first time since 1949-1950 and making the state's Elite Eight tournament for the fifth straight championship season.
Unlike a season ago, when Garcia, Miller and Burrell were the focal points of the offense, Jensen said the Giants could have a different leader every game.
"Last year we had a very good team with some young men who were really special, namely the big three," Jensen said. "You are losing a lot without those three. This year it's a very different group. We are very deep this year. On top of that, our pieces are very complimentary. They share the basketball and communicate well. I don't look at it and go, 'oh, this is the guy who leads our team, or is the go-to guy.' I look at it like there will be a different guy every night doing something to help us win. It's a fun group who play the game in a very mature way."
The Giants face a battle-testing nonconference schedule that includes 10 games against teams ranked either state-wide or regionally, including state No. 7 San Francisco, No. 17 Cerritos, No. 24 San Joaquin Delta and No. 25 San Jose, Northern California No. 16 Diablo Valley, No. 17 Contra Costa and No. 21 Butte; and Southern California No. 24 Cuesta.
"Over the summer, I wasn't sure how good this team could be," Jensen said. "I loved coaching them, but wasn't sure how good we could be. But through the fall, I've come to the realization that this team has a chance to be pretty good.
"The biggest thing will be if we're getting better on a daily basis. If we can, I really do believe this team can contend for another conference championship and make another run at the Elite Eight. The pieces are there, and the comradery is there. I'm excited to see how this team develops."
Sequoias depth will be tested early in the season as several players work their way back from injuries.
Argandar has been dealing with a foot injury and Jensen hopes to have him back by the Giants' home opener at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 against Contra Costa.
McGruder has an ankle injury and is expected to return to action in the next two weeks.
Bazunga has been out for a month with knee pain and is hoping to return by the end of November.
And Glick has an achilles strain and is likely out until the end of December.
"Right now, we're calling on everyone," Jensen said. "When their number gets called, you've got to produce and impact winning."
Sequoias will open defense of its CVC title by hosting state No. 11 Columbia at 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Porter Field House.
Other state-ranked teams in the conference include No. 18 Fresno City and No. 20 West Hills-Lemoore.
