Crean Lutheran boys basketball team looks ready for challenge in tough Crestview League

Crean Lutheran Coach Nate Klitzing with two of his top players Hunter Caplan (left) and Jacob Majok. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

(Third in a series of articles from the inaugural 2024 Orange County Boys Basketball Media Day at Crean Lutheran High School).

Crean Lutheran High School’s boys basketball team, coached by Nate Klitzing, looks ready for a battle in a new league this season after a competitive non-league schedule.

The Saints had considerable success in the Empire League winning four straight titles (sharing it last season with Cypress and finishing 16-13 overall). Under this year’s re-leaguing plan, the Saints are expecting even more of a challenge playing in one of the county’s most competitive leagues, the Crestview League.

“We’re really excited to get started with the season,” Klitzing said. “We have a really great schedule ahead of us with some really tough competition, we’re in a new league that we have not yet played in that is I would say arguably is probably the second best league in Orange County.

“Top to bottom, the five that are in it are going to be a gauntlet, so no days off in league but our schedule hopefully prepares us for that. We have some size and length, rim protection and we’re continuing to grow together.”

The Saints are looking for a big season from 6-7 junior Jacob Majok who is back for his second season.

“Jacob came to us from South Sudan, we have some relationships that have grown over the years,” Klitzing said. “We also have Will (6-8 junior Malual). Both of them came at the end of their freshman year right after the season so we’ve had a full year with them last year.

“Jacob has flourished, we already knew he was pretty athletic, he jumps well, but’s really awesome is his shooting ability has come a long ways this year and he’s starting to be more consistent from the outside and mid-range. One of his strong suits is getting to the rim. He’s put in the work and he trains every day and continues to get better and he’s coachable and wants to learn more.”

Majok has offers to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Fresno State, Klitzing said.

“I think my game has grown mostly in the paint,” Majok said. He is also expecting to contribute points from mid-range.

Crean Lutheran is also expecting a big year from guard Hunter Caplan, a 6-3 sophomore transfer from Brentwood High School. Caplan said he has worked with his father in the off-season to get stronger.

“He moved down to Orange County and was able to find a great fit here at Crean Lutheran,” Klitzing said. “After Kaiden Bailey (former guard who transferred to Santa Margarita) left …. we needed some shooting and scoring and I think Hunter was able to see this might be an opportunity and a good fit for him. He’s just taken off and we’re going to really rely on his shooting ability this year.

“He has really stepped up in his leadership and he’s very vocal for us and he’s a captain type of player for us a sophomore, so we’re really excited about the floor spacing he gives us and playmaking ability.”

Other players who figure to be in the Saints rotation include Malual and 6-2 sophomore Caden Jones, who was the quarterback on the football team before suffering a knee injury, who is expected to be the point guard.

Klitzing said that Jones is an “explosive athlete and he really changes us so we’re hoping to get him back as soon as possible at least before league starts we’re hoping but hopefully even sooner than that,” Klitzing said.

Nez Reynolds, a 5-10 senior guard; Matt Ciftcikara, a 5-11 senior; and 6-11 junior Chadrack Mpoyi are other key players.

“This group is primarily juniors and sophomores, our seniors … are more into role positions, but our top players are all underclassmen,” Klitzing said.

Klitzing likes the potential he’s seen so far from his squad.

“We have aspirations to definitely win league, we’re playing a really tough schedule so we’re going to be tested,” Klitzing said. “There are going to be ups and downs that comes with it. We just want to keep getting better each day. We have a great group of kids who get along with with each other well outside. This group in particular, led by our seniors, is really close knit. We’re going to be way more balanced as a team where we can hopefully win in some different types of ways and styles. This team is very balanced.”

ROSTER

The rest of the Crean Lutheran roster includes 6-3 freshman Jordan Ceballos, 5-9 sophomore Amari Reynolds, 6-3 senior Micah Mikhail, 6-5 senior Zack Hopkins, 6-1 junior Matteo Hernandez, 5-9 senior Griffin Reed and 6-1 junior Shane Machado.

SCHEDULE

The Saints compete in the Valley Christian Tournament this week. They also play at defending CIF champion Marina on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Marina, compete in the Jerry Tarkanian Classic at Bishop Gorman Dec. 18-21 and The Classic at Damien Dec. 26-30. Crean Lutheran begins league play on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at La Habra.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com