Cypress, led by two returning standouts, preparing for challenge in Crestview League

King Birdsong(left) and Ryan Gov with Cypress Coach Derek Mitchell. (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).

Cypress High School’s boys basketball team, which moves into the Crestview League after enjoying a successful run in the Empire League, is looking to junior guard Ryan Gov and senior forward King Birdsong to continue its winning ways.

“With Ryan and King we are going to be competitive in most games,” Mitchell said. “Ryan Gov is our point guard and leader. Good things happen when the ball is in his hands. He has worked hard to improve his mid range to become a more balanced scorer. He could already get to the rim and shoot the deep three, I think this makes him more dangerous now.

“King Birdsong has improved every year in our program, but none as dramatic as this year.  King has become a high level two-way player. He is able to shut down opponents top wing players while also attacking offensively. He is very coachable and is all about winning.”

The Saints have nine returners from last year’s team that shared the Empire League title with Crean Lutheran.

“Ryan was first team all league and King Birdsong and Hayden Roberts were second team all league,” Mitchell said.

The Centurions are looking for a big season from Roberts, the 6-7 senior forward.

“Hayden Roberts will be key for us this season as he presents mismatches for teams on the offensive end,” Mitchell said. “He’s a 6-7 wing who can handle the ball and make the right decision off the dribble.  We are going to be deeper than we were in previous seasons.”

Among the top new players are two players off the junior varsity team 6-6 Emmanuel Igbekoyi and 6-6 junior Gavin Kroll.

“We’re looking forward to incorporating them in our system and having them fit in,” Mitchell said.

Cypress started the season 1-1 and competes this week in the Feast Week Tournament at Marina.

ROSTER

The rest of the roster includes 6-4 senior Jackson Houston, 6-1 senior Grant Roberts, 6-0 senior Josiyah Hall-Deans, 6-2 junior Tynoah Allen, 5-10 senior Jaden Lopez-Dee, 6-1 senior Isaac Vergara, 6-2 senior Zay Alexis, 6-0 senior Joy Haj and 6-5 freshman Kauan Medeiros.

SCHEDULE

The Centurions compete in the Feast Week Tournament this week at Edison and Foothill. They also compete in the North Orange County Tournament Dec. 9-14 and the Torrey Pines Tournament Dec. 26-30 before opening up league play Friday, Jan. 3 at La Habra.

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