Love was missing link for El Camino

02-13-2008

By Tom Shanahan, San Diego Hall of Champions

A year ago, the El Camino High boys basketball team was a first-round loser in the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs, which happens about as often as Tiger Woods fails to make the cut in a golf tournament.

After last year's disappointing finish, four of El Camino's key players returned this season with junior Luke Evans (6-7), senior Nelson Rosario (6-5), senior Sam Anderson (6-2) and senior Thomas Wright (6-0). But you had to wonder if that was a good thing or bad thing.

It definitely became a good thing when 5-7 senior point guard Demetrious Love's family moved from Arkansas to Oceanside and Love turned up on the El Camino campus. He was the missing piece to the puzzle.

"We lacked two things last year – experience and a point guard," El Camino coach Ray Johnson said. "Now we've got experience and Dee fits our lineup. He's done a great job for us."

El Camino, with Love averaging 12 points and six assists, is ranked No. 1 in the San Diego Section in both polls and No. 16 in the state. The Wildcats improved to 24-2 after beating Carlsbad 78-35. El Camino has won nine straight since a loss on Jan. 5 to Riverside King.

El Camino, with Love averaging 12 points and six assists, is ranked No. 1 in the San Diego Section in both polls and No. 16 in the state. The Wildcats improved to 23-2 entering Friday night's game at Carlsbad. El Camino has won nine straight since a loss on Jan. 5 to Riverside King.

Johnson added that Evans has added to his offensive game and is average 15.1 points with 10 rebounds.

Rosario averages 11.1 points and has become the team's shot blocker. Rosario recently put together a human highlight film when new UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel attended a game to secure Rosario's oral commitment made last summer when Karl Dorrell was the head coach. Anderson and Wright are steady players that are strong on defense, with Anderson defending the opponent's to player.

With Love part of the lineup for three months now, Johnson thinks the Wildcats can continue to improve.

"There's another level for this team, and I think we can get to it," Johnson said.

That level would be the CIF San Diego Section Div. I title, but it won't be easy as Torrey Pines and San Diego High look like solid contenders in that mix, too.