Editor's note: Over the next couple of weeks, Prep2Prep will preview some of the top boys basketball teams in the Bay Area. Today we take a look at Bishop O'Dowd High School of Oakland.
OAKLAND, CA - After winning the NCS Division III title and advancing to the Northern California regional playoffs, the Bishop O’Dowd Dragons are poised for another great season.
Last season, the Dragons went 26-4, along with finishing atop the West Alameda County Conference standings. This year league play might be a little bit tougher, with Castro Valley returning a solid nucleus of players, led by Chico State-bound guard Jalen McFerren. However, Castro Valley lost forward Derrick Clayton as he transferred to a prep school in Florida. Players believe that Castro Valley is a tough league opponent, along with NCS Division I runner-up San Leandro.
“Maybe Castro Valley or San Leandro but I doubt we lose in league this year,” said junior guard Paris Austin.
When the Dragons squared off with Castro Valley, they were victorious in both meetings, 71-56, and 68-65, while also coming out on top in both matchups with San Leandro, 57-46 and 64-57.
The junior class this season is undoubtedly one of the top in the state along with in the nation. Led by 6-9 forward Ivan Rabb, who is rated the No. 3 recruit in ESPN’s recruiting rankings for the class of 2015, everything is falling into place. As a sophomore, Rabb was rated the No. 1 recruit in the nation for 2015, but slid 2 spots this year in the rankings. He was also named to the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s Development National Team and holds offers from Arizona, Cal, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Carolina State, UConn, UCLA and USC.
Austin, a point guard, is another heralded junior recruit. Holding offers from Boise State, San Jose State and Utah State, Austin holds all the tools a coach could ask for in a point guard. He can pass, shoot with range and play good defense. However, Austin believes there is more work to be done and that he can improve as a player.
“Becoming a better leader and getting physically and mentally stronger," said Austin when asked about his goals for the season.
As of late, Austin has received interest from Boise State, Boston College, Loyola Marymount, Portland, UC Santa Barbara, Utah State and Weber State along with local schools such as Pacific, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Jose State and Sacramento State.
Along with all the individual goals set, the team goals are far more superior.
“To win a state championship and help all our players to have a chance to play college ball,” Austin said.
Coming on top of state will be difficult for the Dragons, especially with Mater Dei looking to be the front runner in Southern California, assuming they would be placed in the Open Division after sectional playoffs. They feature the nation’s No. 9 class of 2014 recruit, Arizona small forward commit Stanley Johnson.
Coach Lou Richie assembled yet another tough preseason schedule. Bullard (Fresno) will be its first test in the NorCal Tip-Off, along trips to the Holiday Classic in Torrey Pines and the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas.
Each of those tournaments will feature some of the fiercest competition in the country, but O’Dowd believes it can compete with any team.
“I think our skill level and we are very smart this year, which will give us an advantage against bigger, stronger, and more athletic teams,” said Austin.
This season will provide excitement for O’Dowd basketball, and nothing less than a state championship will satisfy the Dragons. They have the talent and chemistry to compete with every powerhouse in California.
“We have more confidence and we play a lot better with each other,” said Austin.
With all talent there must be great coaching and the team play as Austin stated, and the Dragons feature each one of those capabilities and more, and hoops at the private school in Oakland should advance all the way through March.
