In a highly anticipated matchup, St. Francis High School takes on national powerhouse Sierra Canyon in the Mission League opener on Wednesday at 19:00. The Golden Knights, currently boasting a record of 17-2, are set to feature Cherif Millogo, a remarkable 7-foot-3 center from Burkina Faso, who is making his league debut. Millogo’s addition is expected to significantly impact the team’s performance this season.
Millogo, who transferred from Cambridge ATS in Braintree, Massachusetts, did not play during his sophomore year due to a torn ACL. Despite this setback, he has garnered attention from several major collegiate programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, and Syracuse. His current coach, Todd Wolfson, believes Millogo’s potential is just beginning to unfold, given he has only played basketball for two and a half years.
Impressive Early Season Performance
Millogo demonstrated his exceptional skills last week at the St. Francis Holiday Hoopfest, where he was named tournament MVP. He recorded 22 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocks in a narrow victory over Long Beach Poly, finishing with a score of 48-43. In the season opener against Arletta, he made an impressive debut, contributing 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a commanding 89-44 win.
Wolfson expressed excitement about Millogo’s capabilities, comparing him to notable players like Victor Wembanyama. “To watch a 7-foot-4 kid pin a shot off the backboard, outlet it, catch an alley-oop dunk, block a shot, cross a guy over and hit a 3-pointer? It’s fun to watch,” Wolfson stated. He emphasized the importance of developing Millogo’s skills further, noting the unique opportunity he has to pursue basketball at a professional level.
Challenges Ahead in the Mission League
As St. Francis prepares to face Sierra Canyon, recognized as a leading contender in the league, Wolfson acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead. The Golden Knights finished last season with a record of 16-13, and struggled with a 0-7 record in league play, ultimately missing the playoffs. Despite these obstacles, Wolfson remains optimistic about the team’s potential this season.
“It’s going to be tough, but I’m honestly not concerned with it,” he remarked regarding the upcoming match. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we perform against Sierra Canyon and go from there. The goal is obviously to win games, but I’m not going to stress over where we finish in league.”
The Golden Knights feature a youthful lineup, with four sophomores and one junior, Millogo, taking the court. Talented sophomore guards Luke Paulus and Stephan Karibyan have also shown promise, contributing significantly to the team’s recent successes. Following their victory over Long Beach Poly, St. Francis has secured additional wins against Fairfax (58-41) and Servite (78-66), extending their winning streak to 14 games.
As they prepare for the challenging environment at Sierra Canyon, Wolfson remains focused on the team’s growth and development. He highlighted the commitment to improving each practice and ensuring that Millogo continues to progress as a player.
Looking to the future, Mbah a Moute, who is Millogo’s guardian and a former UCLA and NBA player, has three talented players enrolled at St. Francis. While Millogo is the standout, two others, Hermann Kone and Yaan Kamagate, are also generating buzz. Kone, a 6-foot-8 freshman from the Ivory Coast, is awaiting eligibility confirmation after playing varsity as an eighth grader. Meanwhile, Kamagate, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, is sitting out this season to prepare for his junior year.
Another potential asset for the Golden Knights is Jaylin Conard, a junior guard who transferred from Long Beach Millikan. Conard is currently seeking a hardship transfer from the CIF Southern Section, and his eligibility remains under consideration.
As the season unfolds, the Golden Knights are eager to harness the talent and potential of players like Millogo, setting their sights on a competitive performance in the Mission League.
