The defending Class 5A state champion Basic Wolves open the 2025 season with a target on their backs. The 17-team Southern Region, expanded through offseason realignment, promises a gauntlet of contenders eager to dethrone the reigning champs.
Basic returns most of its core from last year’s title run, including Division I commits Matthew Kelley (Texas A&M), Troy Southisene (Oregon State), Lyndon Lee (Arizona), Andruw Giles (Oregon) and Ace Sapp (Notre Dame). The Wolves are ranked No. 16 nationally by MaxPreps and No. 18 by Perfect Game.
“We got to do everything correctly that we did last year because everybody’s going to be gunning for us. We know that,” coach Gino DiMaria said. “There’s a lot of good teams this year. … It’s not going to be easy. This is going to be a very competitive season this year.”
Faith Lutheran, which lost to Basic three times in last year’s postseason, returns most of its roster as well. The Crusaders boast a deep rotation led by juniors Cash Martin (Stanford), Liam Radke (TCU) and Keegan Burke, plus senior Macen Collura and Dylan Othick. Shortstop Rookie Shepard, a Miami signee and top-100 MLB draft prospect, hit .424 last season.
“We’ve been knocking on the door so long our knuckles are bloody. We’re hungry and we’re ready to go,” Faith Lutheran coach Dave Anderson said.
Other contenders include Bishop Gorman, with pitcher Hudson Ciulla (Gonzaga) and newcomers Jack Stoner (East Carolina) and Connor Long (Oregon). Centennial, which upset top-seeded Gorman in last year’s playoffs, returns most of its young squad, including TCU commit Jake Turner and sophomore TJ Otis. Palo Verde, under new coach Tommy Krier, will rely on pitching and speed after losing several seniors from their 2024 state title team.
Realignment splits the 5A Southern Region into three geographic divisions and expands the region tournament to 12 teams, played over two weeks.
Basic and Palo Verde are among several schools unable to play on their home fields due to CCSD turf renovations. The Wolves will host games at Heritage Park; Palo Verde will use Bishop Gorman and The Meadows.
“We’re not complaining about it because there’s like eight or nine other high schools that have to do the same thing,” DiMaria said. “It’s been really chaotic.”
