Simi Valley, California.

In mid-October 2005, Stoneridge Prep didn’t have a prep school basketball team, coach, or game schedule. That is why the enthusiasm is now so high regarding the school’s first year prep school basketball program.  To be playing at all, let alone ranked #14 in the latest Hoopmasters.com prep school poll (Feb. 8, 2006), is like icing on the cake for the school and its basketball program.

The Challenge

Under the leadership of Coach Babacar Sy, the team has made great strides since its first games in early November. Forced to travel a minimum of 2,000 miles to play each of its games, the team has responded to the challenge. Playing arguably one of the toughest prep school schedules in the nation, Stoneridge Prep has traveled to the Midwest, Northeast, metro New York area, and the Southwest to play the country’s best teams.

The Transition

Stoneridge Prep’s transition and performance has been strong and steady.  The team has turned the corner during the month of January finishing with a 7-4 record. This stretch included big wins over Our Savior New American (Centereach, NY), Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, TX) and New Creations (Richmond, IN). The team has also won 5 of its last 6 games heading into the toughest part of the schedule in February. Getting the team to gel has been no small feat as Stoneridge players represent three different countries (France, Senegal, Mali) and span 3 US states (Massachusetts, California, New York)).

The College System

The players have adapted to Coach Sy’s college system and are now starting to see the benefits of his approach. Making this streak and being recognized in the rankings has been even more improbable given that arguably the team’s best player, 6-11 Hamady N'diaye, has only played in 2 of the 11 games during this stretch. Picking up the slack at the center position has been 6-11 Mamadou Diarra. During January he averaged 15 ppg while also grabbing 7.7 rpg. Hoopscoop, a national recruiting service, believes that his recent performance makes him the fastest rising senior in the Class of 2006.  Shooting guard 6-4 Herb Tanner continues to pace the team in scoring, averaging 15.2 ppg for the year with a high of 32 points against Redemption Christian Academy (Troy, NY) in January.

Steady Leadership

6-1 point guard Shane Mahoney continues to provide steady leadership for the team averaging close to 10 ppg and 5.5 assists for the year. However in the last six games he is averaging close to 8 apg, which mirrors the team’s strong record. Point forward 6-9 Djibril Thiam has also had an outstanding month, putting up big numbers (7.3 ppg, 3.5 apg, 5.9 rpg) across the board. His 5.9 rpg for the year leads the team in that category. Although injured for the better part of January, 6-11 center N’Diaye showed why is one of the best post players in the Class of 2006.  In the victory over Our Savior New American, N’Diaye just barely missed a triple-double, scoring 15 points, grabbing 8 rebounds and blocking 10 shots.

Rising Stock

The stock has also been rising for Junior combo-guard Marvin Adams. Since being inserted into the lineup due to injuries, he has averaged 9.4 ppg with the majority coming on 3-point shots.  The team has also received solid contributions both offensively and defensively from a trio of guards. 6'-7" Mahamoud Diakite brings toughness and versatility to the team’s equation. He can play a variety of positions and is averaging close to 5 rpg.  Junior guards Al Brown and Peter Schroeder have also contributed by making key baskets during the run.  Jr. big men 7-1 Boubacar Sylla and 6-10 Ibrahima Thomas have also played quality minutes filling in for the absence of N’Diaye.  Their rebounding and shot blocking have been instrumental in the team’s performance during January.

February

Stoneridge Prep will need to be at its best during the month of February playing some of the best prep school teams in the nation including #1 ranked Notre Dame Prep (MA), Lawrence Academy (MA), Harmony Prep (OH), New Creations (IN), Boys to Men (IL), The Patterson School (NC) and Laurinburg Prep (NC).