DAILY PILOT BOYS’ BASKETBALL DREAM TEAM:

The two stand out in any crowd in the Back Bay.

But for two 6-foot-9 centers, Kyle Caldwell and Stefan Kaluz haven’t spotted each other outside of the high school basketball court. How could they have missed each other around town the last four years?

“I just never see him,” Caldwell said.

“He doesn’t play pick-up basketball,” Kaluz said.

Only a handful of times have they met on the court, Caldwell playing for Newport Harbor and Kaluz for Corona del Mar in the annual Battle of the Bay.

Recently, the two seniors met on 32nd Street, near the sand in Newport Beach. Of all places, they came fully dressed in their shorts, jerseys and shoes, ready for a photo shoot rather than a game.

Kaluz at first questioned the location.

“Why that street?” Kaluz said.

“That could work,” Caldwell said.

It eventually did. Now the two can say they’ve bumped into each other on the street and for a good reason before they head off to college.

Caldwell and Kaluz are the Newport-Mesa Dream Team Co-Players of the Year. The award is an honor and it easily could’ve gone to either big man if it were not for both playing locally.

Caldwell led the area by averaging 21.9 points and 13.3 rebounds to go with 3.6 assists per game, earning him the Sunset League Co-MVP award. Caldwell scored a school-record 47 points in a game against Marina, and led Newport Harbor (17-10, 7-3 in league) to a second-place showing in a robust league.

Along the way, Coach Larry Hirst said Caldwell set school records for points (592) and rebounds (358) in a season.

Kaluz averaged 17.7 points, 11 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, and made 54% of his shots, giving him the Pacific Coast League MVP award after sharing it last season. Kaluz helped the Sea Kings (21-8) go undefeated in league at 8-0 as they won the title outright after splitting it last season.

Kaluz faced a fiercer nonleague schedule, playing the likes of CIF State Division III champ Santa Margarita, CIF Southern Section Division I-A finalist Etiwanda, and Southern Section Division III-A champ West Valley of Hemet in the playoffs.

But sharing the Newport-Mesa top accolade made sense to Caldwell and Kaluz, the latter won it outright the previous season after leading CdM to its fifth section crown. The two rarely faced other players as big, as talented and as determined, making their games against each other memorable.

If the Battle of Bay game needed a name change the last two years, “King Kong vs. Godzilla” would work.

Kaluz owns the bragging rights on the varsity level. He led the Sea Kings the last two years to victories over Caldwell’s Sailors. Big wins and each came with a price.

“He’s a beast, a real physical player down low,” Kaluz said. “Weight-wise, he’s like 225 pounds and that’s where I want to be at in college.”

Kaluz has time to gain 10 pounds before he steps on the floor for Brown University next season.

The two will most likely miss each other in college. Caldwell is bound for UCLA to play for the storied men’s volleyball program, which has won 19 NCAA titles under legendary coach Al Scates.

There’s a slight chance Kaluz and Caldwell, both All-Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Assn. selections in their respective divisions, will meet again. Maybe not on the beach, but on the hardwood.

Caldwell, one of the top prep volleyball recruits, said he might try to walk on the UCLA basketball team. Caldwell has the tools to play on the next level, evident from Washington State, UC Santa Barbara, Princeton and Southern Methodist University showing interest.

“It would be great to play against him again because he was a great player,” said Kaluz, who garnered interest from UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC Davis, Harvard and Fordham. “But I don’t know if UCLA and Brown will cross paths in basketball.”

Kaluz and Caldwell finally did in town, at the beach and with their basketball gear on. And they definitely drew the attention of beachgoers. So you never know.

JOE EBERHARD

Corona del Mar, senior

 Eberhard, a small forward, is considered the most versatile player in the area with his ability at 6-foot-6 to score from anywhere, rebound, distribute the ball and play defense. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, ranking second on the team in both categories and helping him earn first-team All-Pacific Coast League and second-team All-Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Assn. Division III-A honors. He led the team with 32 three-pointers made, an 83% free-throw shooting, 1.4 steals per game and also averaged 2.2 assists. During big games, he elevated his game, dropping a career-high 35 points, four three-pointers and 13 of 14 free throws against Laguna Hills, and 27 points on eventual CIF State Division III champion Santa Margarita. This is the second straight Dream Team honor for Eberhard, who’s considering playing for Concordia University or Azusa Pacific next year, or walking on at UC Santa Barbara or UC Irvine.

MARK ALLRED

Estancia, senior

 Allred, a shooting guard, turned around his life and the Eagles program. He returned to Estancia in his senior year after spending time at a continuation school because of academic issues. Allred played a vital role in the Eagles bouncing back from a 2-24 season last year to finishing 14-14 this year. Allred, a first-team All-Orange Coast League selection, led the team by averaging 9.8 points per game. He hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer that upset defending Orange Coast League champion Laguna Beach in the regular-season finale resulting in the Eagles going 5-4 in league and securing second place and a first-round playoff home game. Allred lifted the Eagles to the CIF Southern Section Division III-A second round by scoring a career-high 29 points in a 73-64 opening-round victory over Santa Fe, giving Estancia its first playoff victory since 2004-05. This is the first Dream Team honor for Allred.

ERIK RASK

Corona del Mar, senior

 Rask, a point guard, returned after missing the entire junior year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. It took Rask a few games to adjust, but he assumed the floor general responsibilities back from his sophomore year, getting everyone involved offensively. The second-team All-Pacific Coast League pick led the team with five assists per game and also chipped in with the scoring and rebounding duties, averaging 5.8 points and 3.7 boards. Rask’s best all-around game came during CdM’s third-place showing at the competitive Santa Barbara Holiday Classic, where he finished with 17 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in CdM’s 72-66 victory against San Marcos. This is the first Dream Team basketball honor for Rask, who’s headed to the University of Pennsylvania to play football in the fall.

TRAVIS KUHNS

Newport Harbor, senior

 Kuhns, a point guard, stepped in and played a position unfamiliar to him before the season. He did an admirable job for the Sailors as he got comfortable midway through the season, allowing them to close out the regular season on a six-game winning streak to claim second place in the ultra-competitive Sunset League for the second straight year. He averaged 5.8 assists per game to go with 6.5 points. More impressive was his four to one assist-to-turnover ratio in league. Down the stretch that proved to be the difference for Newport Harbor. During the winning streak, the Sailors beat the likes of league champion Los Alamitos on the road, one of four road victories during the victorious run. The 6-foot-1 Kuhns made second-team All-Sunset League, the only other Sailor to do so beside Caldwell. This is the first Dream Team honor for Kuhns.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].