By Matt Schwab

The big moments keep coming for the Las Positas College men's basketball team.

Fresh off a dream season in which the Hawks advanced to the State "Elite Eight" for the first time, Las Positas will open the 2022-23 campaign as hosts of the eight-team Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic (Nov. 3-5), which will boast a strong cast.

"Really good field. I'm excited about the tournament," Las Positas head coach James Giacomazzi said on Monday. Las Positas opens the Classic against Simpson JV at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Giacomazzi's squad, led by sophomore sensation Jordahn Johnson, will again be tough to beat. The Hawks gained confidence with a 3-1 preseason record at the SoCal Fall Juco Jamboree. 

The Hawks also played well in scrimmages against Sonoma State and Cal Poly Humboldt, both on the road.

"That was really, really exciting to see because those teams are all scholarship programs and four-year schools and they have a lot of experience and age over us," Giacomazzi said. "The fact that we were competing with those teams fairly evenly, that gave us a lot of confidence and some belief in ourselves that we can have a very successful season and really exciting one."

He added that it "wouldn't be the same recipe as last year, but that's OK because these guys can formulate their own recipe and try to have success. … It's just different personnel."

Giacomazzi, in his seventh season at LPC (not counting the COVID shutdown year), believes in trusting the process. He takes pride in the fact that his teams have won an average 21 games a season over the past 24 years. Consistency is perhaps his program's biggest virtue.

The Hawks enjoyed historic success last season, with a program-best overall record, 27-4, and a record Coast-North Conference record, 12-2 (losing only to CCSF), along with a record winning streak of 16. They finished with their highest season-ending ranking at No. 4 in the state. 

Giacomazzi has high hopes for his current squad, which will have to tell its own story.

"This team is still evolving," Giacomazzi said. "We thought we were going to have more returners, but when guys had opportunities to get scholarships, they took 'em and we supported them … I think this group will be a little different than last year's because we're a little bit longer and a little more athletic. Time will tell in terms of how well they jell."

A LOOK AT THE HAWKS ROSTER: Johnson, a 6-foot-8 forward out of Weston Ranch High, made the 2021-22 All-State team and was First-Team All-Coast North, averaging 16.4 points and 11.0 rebounds a game. He shot 76 percent from the field and was Coast-North Freshman of the Year. He amassed 26 points and 18 rebounds in a historic 62-53 road win over Columbia last season that clinched a berth in the State Quarterfinals, or Elite Eight. After the win, Giacomazzi described Johnson as "strong as an ox."

Las Positas also boasts sophomore returner Isaiah Victor (Manteca HS), a 6-2 guard who has improved steadily in the program.

"He's gotten so much better during his time here in terms of understanding the game," Giacomazzi said of Victor. "His shot is really consistent. He's really a hard worker and he's becoming a leader of this team. Getting a lot of interest from four-year colleges, with Jordahn obviously."

Returner Brandon Fisher (Sheldon HS), a 6-7 forward, opened his Hawks' career with a bang last season with 31 points and 16 boards against Butte. He's continued to up his game in all areas, especially in his perimeter play.

"Hopefully, he'll play a bit more on the perimeter than inside this year, so that's a little bit of a change," Giacomazzi said. "… Consistent scorer, good shooter and a really good rebounder."

Returner Evan Johnson (Capital Christian HS) is a quick, athletic 6-5 wing player "who has improved in all facets from last year," Giacomazzi says. "He's expected to make even more of a contribution this year."

A couple of transfers are expected to play key roles. Jalen Patterson (Liberty Ranch HS) was a two-year player at Arizona Western and is expected to have a big year. "He's done really well. He can score it, shoots it, good passer, really good player," the coach says. 

Another transfer is 6-6 wing Jaden Phillips (Modesto Christian HS), who transferred from Casper College (Wyoming). "Long, athletic wing who is a good scorer, plays with a lot of energy," Giacomazzi says.

Freshman 6-7 newcomer Jajuan Mitchell-Cox (Mt. Eden HS) is making a big first impression. "Really athletic. Has only played on the interior in his life, and we're actually working on his perimeter ability. He's had a good showing this fall. Has got a lot of upside, a real raw talent."

Freshman Henry Palmer (Bishop O'Dowd, Southern California Academy) is a steady player and a facilitating point guard.

Other freshmen are guard Jaden Saunders (Dublin HS), forward Nay'Veon Reed (Newark Memorial HS), guard CJ Ward (Weston Ranch HS), guard Joseph Mangonon (Washington HS), and guard Marshall Lott (California HS).

MORE TOURNAMENT INFO.: 

How strong is the Las Positas Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic? Tournament participants Contra Costa College, Cosumnes River and Butte are favored to win their conferences, Giacomazzi says, and Columbia is expected to be in the upper echelon. Los Medanos is in the mix after making the state playoffs last season. College of the Siskiyous and Simpson JV round out the field. | TOURNAMENT BRACKET

The Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic is named for the former Las Positas, Chabot and Dublin High coach who died from cancer in 2013. A beloved coach and mentor, Costello ushered in the Classic in 2006-07 — the debut season of the Hawks program.