Boys' basketball: El Camino Real preparing for City title run

After winning the City Section Division II championship last season with lots of sophomores and juniors, Woodland Hills El Camino Real is moving up to Division I this season with legitimate title aspirations.

Coach David Rebibo has a team filled with top athletes, a terrific point guard and the depth to take on the City powers. I went to a practice on Friday, and all you need to know is I saw Maleke Haynes take a charge, something that doesn't always happen in October. Haynes, 6-foot-6 Michael Thomas, Julian Richardson and Evan Wardlow are the big returnees.

A clue to what El Camino Real is capable of came in the summer when the Conquistadores opened a 12-point lead against Long Beach Poly, the likely No. 1 team in the state, before losing, 69-63.

"It was just a summer game," Rebibo said. "Everybody will say that, but they had their guys and we had our guys. It was a chance to prove ourselves against one of the best teams in the state. It was great experience. It was very exciting. I thought we learned a lot playing an elite team."

Rebibo talks about his top players and thoughts on the season ahead in the video above.

My next practice stop will be Long Beach Poly.

— Eric Sondheimer