Boys’ basketball: St. John Bosco’s potential is off the charts

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To say that the St. John Bosco basketball team has lots of potential would be an understatement. Without a doubt, no team in Southern California has more talent than the Braves. When the players head to Los Angeles International Airport for their out-of-state trips this winter, most people will assume they’re looking at a college team.

At practice on Wednesday, UCLA Coach Ben Howland was there meeting with and then watching 6-foot-5 senior Isaac Hamilton. His brother, 6-7 Daniel, was just back from a three-week hiatus and was so pumped and hyped he kept challenging 6-8 senior Darien Williams to a game of one on one.

Then there’s 6-9 junior Devin Burleson. There’s 6-4 sophomore Tyler Dorsey, who keeps wanting to face off against Daniel Hamilton in everything from basketball to video games. And 6-4 senior Brian Nebo, who arrived from Cerritos Gahr, could have trouble starting even though he scored 43 points against Lynwood last season.

In practices alone, if the players go all out, there are going to be some amazing matchups. Coach Derrick Taylor’s biggest challenge will be reminding the players they haven’t won anything yet. And standing in the way in the Trinity League is powerful Mater Dei, among others.

‘I don’t know how good we’ll be early, but I think we’ll be pretty good late,’ Taylor said.

That means a Feb. 2 Nike Extravaganza game between St. John Bosco and Long Beach Poly at Mater Dei will be a game not to miss.

Meanwhile, get ready for lots of dunks, three-point shots and magic with the basketball.

-- Eric Sondheimer