Boys' basketball: Palisades has secret weapon named Dakota Chambers

Yes, Palisades lost to graduation All-City guard Donovan Johnson, but Coach James Paleno thinks the Dolphins could be even better this season, and they shared the Western League title in 2012.

Key to the improvement will be the development of 6-foot-8 senior center Dakota Chambers, who missed last season with a knee injury.

"I think he's going to be outstanding," Paleno said.

Palisades returns 6-foot-2 Tyler Hildreth, 6-1 Ryan Ford and point guard Jalon Wilson.

The Dolphins open the season in the Santa Monica tournament on Dec. 3 with an important game against City Section rival Crenshaw. They also could end up meeting Woodland Hills El Camino Real, the City Division I favorite, in another tournament.

-- Eric Sondheimer