The Foothill League boys’ basketball season officially gets underway on Tuesday. Across Santa Clarita, teams are gearing up for the kind of high-energy rivalries that define basketball in the SCV.

Much of the early buzz traces back to October, when players and coaches from around the valley gathered at Canyon High School for the league’s second annual media day. 

Held just before the start of non-league play, the event offered a preseason look at each program, set expectations for the year and spotlighted the shared roots that tie the seven public high schools together. Many of the athletes grew up in the same youth leagues. Many of the coaches walked the same hallways as students years earlier.

Now, after a month of tune-ups and early-season tests, Foothill League action arrives with every team believing it has something to prove.

Valencia Reloads for Another Run

Valencia shared last year’s league title and enters this season with another shot at the top, despite fielding one of the youngest rosters in the league. Only one senior appears on the Vikings’ MaxPreps roster, leaving a heavy load for a talented junior group.

Guards Steven Irons, Issac Michel-Zavala and Noah Trevino are expected to drive the offense, and early non-league wins over Heritage Christian and Calabasas show the pieces are already coming together. Valencia opens league play at home against Hart on Dec. 5.

Saugus Seeks to Stand Alone

Saugus matched Valencia atop the standings last season and believes its returning core can turn a shared title into an outright championship. Seniors Braydon Harmon, Shane McKelvy and George Balena are back to lead an experienced group that has already proven it can keep up in big games.

The Centurions start league play on the road at Castaic.

Golden Valley Eyes a Reset

A coaching shuffle and a brutal coin flip ended Golden Valley’s postseason hopes last year, but none of that is lingering in the Grizzlies’ locker room. New head coach Scott Barker, promoted from within, inherits a group eager to move forward.

Donovan Webb, Wyatt Printz, Alexander Villejo and Zach Christoffersen return to anchor a seasoned rotation. Golden Valley opens the season against West Ranch.

Canyon Embraces the Spotlight

Fresh off a historic CIF championship run, Canyon no longer gets to sneak up on anybody. The Cowboys know there’s a target on their back, but they welcome it.

Senior leaders Alex Lazo, Adam Graham and Isaac Yuhico – who has been one of the lead scorers this season – return for a team that has already proven it thrives under pressure. Canyon opens league play at Hart.

West Ranch Looks to Climb Back

West Ranch reached the postseason last year, but the Wildcats want more—and they’ll turn to a blend of returners and rising newcomers to get there. Senior guard Conner Petersen, returning contributor Alessandro Matera and new varsity standout Nyirrel Harrill will carry much of the load.

The Wildcats begin league action Tuesday against Golden Valley.

Hart Confident in Veteran Leadership

After missing the playoffs last season, Hart believes its path back begins with players who have already weathered varsity basketball’s learning curve. Seniors Easton Wissmath and Andrew Lange are expected to lead the way under longtime head coach Tom Kelly, who enters his 36th year guiding high school programs in the region.

Hart opens at Canyon.

Castaic Enters a New Phase

Still one of the valley’s youngest programs, Castaic showed encouraging growth last season and is pushing to take another step forward. Guards Dax Gajera and Dylan Barreras return as key contributors, and the Coyotes’ season-opening win over Van Nuys suggests they may surprise teams that overlook them.

Their first Foothill League test comes at home against Saugus.

Trinity Turns Heads in the Heritage League

Trinity Classical Academy has the attention of the entire valley thanks to a breakout performance from freshman forward James Yumbar, who is averaging 26.5 points and 12 rebounds early in the season. Senior scorer Noah Phillips is also back after a strong junior campaign, giving the Knights a balanced one-two punch.

Trinity opens Heritage League play Monday against Valley Torah.

SCCS Starts Fresh

Santa Clarita Christian School enters a new era under first-year head coach Leroy Thompson. It’s a young roster, but the Cardinals expect seniors Caleb Shaffer and Caleb Grissom to anchor the team.

Their league season begins Dec. 8 against Palmdale Academy Charter.

Current Records

• Canyon: 6–2

• Valencia: 6–2

• Saugus: 2–1

• Castaic: 2–2

• Hart: 1–2

• Golden Valley: 2–4

• West Ranch: 1–3

• Trinity: 2–2

• SCCS: 0–1

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.