From youth leagues to the prep spotlight, the boys of Mark Keppel are the team to beat in the Almont League.
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
RAFU SPORTS EDITOR
“This is kind of surreal, thinking about this as the beginning of my last year,” said Jimmy Osorio. The senior at Mark Keppel mused about his final high school year after his Aztecs got the 2024-25 basketball season off to a winning start on Tuesday.
“Basketball has meant a lot in my life – from a way to exercise to making new friends, and now they’re like family to me.”
Osorio is part of a cadre of Keppel players who grew up playing ball in youth leagues like CYC. He’s in his final year with the Pasadena Bruins and also played for the L.A. Hawks.
While not playing, he’s still active with CYC, lending his skills as a referee and scorekeeper.
For good measure, he played soccer for most of his early youth, and despite being the smallest player on the field, was his team’s regular goalkeeper.
Osorio is in the weight room most mornings at 5 a.m. The resulting muscular build is a key reason he started as the Aztecs’ center – at a not-so-towering 5’10” – on Tuesday.
Other current Keppel players with CYC experience include senior guard Josh Kinoshita, juniors Jake Manell and Brody Velasquez and sophomore Jake Amimoto-Ha.
“When I first joined this team, it was pretty clear that the leadership was strong, and that inspired me to really give my best,” Kinoshita said. “Maybe I didn’t realize it at the time, but all these lessons we’re learning – leadership, discipline, teamwork – translate to other aspects of life.”
Velasquez said his role this season will be to learn as much as possible, and to be ready to step into the leadership role through next season. Head coach Hung Duong made a particular point during Tuesday’s 57-43 win over Mesrobian to shout ongoing instructions to Velasquez while he was on the court.
“I had some struggles last year, but this year, Coach has been telling me to take it slow and not get ahead of myself,” he explained. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s still fun.”
Manell said the biggest change he’s seen in himself over the last year is confidence.
“I’m a lot more comfortable now when they call on me,” he explained. “I want to be the main option when the team needs it.”
Keppel ran the table last year, finishing 10-0 in the Almont League. They faced off against Temple City on Thursday, and open a tournament Monday versus Hoover of Glendale. Their first league match is set for Jan. 13 when they host Montebello.
Osorio’s mother, Kay, was beaming among other parents in the stands as the new season got under way.
“We’ve all put in so much effort and work since they were little,” she said. “When Senior Night comes, it’s going to be almost as special as the high school graduation.”
Photos by MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS/Rafu Shimpo