Boys’ basketball: Gardena Serra could produce December surprise

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Don’t forget about Gardena Serra emerging as one of the best basketball teams this coming season.

The Cavaliers probably won’t be at full strength until late December, but beware. Chris Sandifer, a 6-foot-6 junior who transferred last season from Price, should be eligible then. He can shoot. Ajon Efferson, a point guard who transferred from Pasadena, is still waiting for eligibility clearance.

Tavrion Dawson, a 6-8 junior, has grown several inches in the off season and will surprise many. Emmanuel Ndumanya, a 6-10 senior, is back, and football standout Adoree’ Jackson is going to pull a Marqise Lee and become a three-sport athlete, playing basketball before trying to win another state long jump title.

But the player I like most of all is sophomore point guard Ellis Salahuddin, a star in the making. Unselfish, intelligent and full of poise, he made a huge impact as a freshman when the Cavaliers went 31-3 and I can only imagine what he’s going to look like as a sophomore.

-- Eric Sondheimer