The San Fernando Valley and surrounding area has its notable basketball programs. Sierra Canyon, Harvard-Westlake, Notre Dame, Crespi, Taft, Birmingham … the list goes on.
The Golden League — made up of schools in the high desert — is part of the Daily News’ prep coverage area, too, but gets less attention.
But this year, one of the area’s top players is at Pete Knight High School in Palmdale, most notably known for producing NBA superstar Paul George. His name is Amare Larane and the senior is averaging 26.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Larane is the youngest of three brothers to come through the program under longtime coach Tom Hegre, who coached George (graduated 2008). Michael is the eldest, then came middle brother, Malik, who plays at William Penn in Iowa. Now it’s Amare Larane’s turn.
“His willingness to be coached and the fact that he’ll do what the team needs,” Hegre said when praising Larane. “He played the four last year and this year he’s our point guard.”
Larane has the Hawks at 6-2 this season with a loss to Windward, a top-flight CIF Southern Section basketball program. They’re already 2-0 in league play with blowout wins over Highland and Palmdale.
“He took eight charges during our playoff run last year,” Hegre said. “He does whatever he needs to do (to win).”
Knight won the CIF Southern Section Division 3-AA championship last season. All of this year’s starters were on last year’s team. Larane was named CIF Player of the Year. The Hawks could be in the mix for another section title with this year’s team with Jaylen Mims, Carson Claypool, Trent Parker and DJ Williams.
ST. FRANCIS’ CENTER GETTING BETTER
St. Francis center Cherif Millogo, a 7-foot-4 center from Burkina Faso in Africa, has been tremendous for the Golden Knights so far this season. The standout junior who transferred from the East Coast is averaging 22.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.9 blocks per game.
At Millogo’s size and length, he makes St. Francis a threat to win just about any game if he can stay out of foul trouble. The team’s point guard is Luke Paulus, the sophomore nephew of former Duke point guard Greg Paulus. Luke will be a scholarship point guard at the college level in a few short years.
According to coach Todd Wolfson, Millogo played just nine games as a freshman and was hurt as a sophomore before arriving at St. Francis. So, despite being a junior, he has very little varsity experience. It means his growth will be exponential this season.
On November 22 at Pauley Pavilion for the Trinity-Mission League Challenge, UCLA assistant coaches sat courtside to watch Millogo.
TAREK’S TIDBITS
Alemany freshman Austin Acy is averaging 18.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Acy is the son of former NBA player Quincy Acy. … Moorpark sophomore Logan Stotts is averaging 25.2 points per game … Crespi junior Isaiah Barnes, son of former NBA wing Matt Barnes, is averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game. … Quartz Hill big man Ty’Jahwuan Jackson is averaging 18.5 rebounds per game.