Program Head
Alex Lieu is the Program Head and Director of Basketball at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles. His diverse coaching background spans Division I, Division II, and elite high school programs, with impactful stops at Harvard-Westlake, Cal State Fullerton, Academy of Art University, and Valley Torah High School.
Drawing on his wide-ranging experience, Coach Lieu is committed to making Cathedral High School a premier environment where players can develop their skills, build character, and prepare for success at the next level. His vision is to create a program rooted in community, growth, and opportunity for every athlete.
Notable Accomplishments:
2026 Santa Fe League Championship & CIF-SS Division IV Quarterfinalist
2 CIF Open Division State Championships in 2023, 2024
1 CIF Open Division Southern Section Championship (2024)
3 Mission League Titles (2022, 2023, 2024)
Coached 2 McDonald’s All-Americans: Trent Perry (2024) and Nikolas Khamenia (2025)
Developed 30+ scholar-athletes across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, including players who advanced to professional careers
20217 Heritage League Championship
Varsity Assistant
Aswad Sofala serves as a Varsity Assistant Coach at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles. With decades of coaching experience, Coach Sofala has built a strong reputation as both a community leader and a proven winner. In 2023, he played a key role in guiding his alma mater, Long Beach Jordan, to the CIF-SS Division 4A Championship in 2023.
Dedicated to player development at every stage, Coach Sofala has spent years specializing in youth skills training and serving as a lower-level head coach. In these roles, he has mentored athletes and their families on how to navigate the pathway to higher levels of play, instilling the discipline, work ethic, and confidence required for long-term success.
As the Varsity Assistant Coach, Coach Sofala oversees the daily standards, structure, and culture of the program. His leadership ensures that Cathedral Phantoms Basketball provides a consistent, supportive environment where athletes can thrive both on and off the court.
Varsity Assistant
Brad Austin serves as our Varsity Assistant Coach at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles. Over the past six years, he has established himself as one of the area’s premier skills trainers, known for his ability to blend strength training with advanced skill development to accelerate player growth and prepare athletes for the demands of the game.
Coach Austin brings extensive experience in the club basketball landscape, having previously served as Technical Director for LA Hoopz. During his tenure, he oversaw significant program growth and played a key role in developing athletes across all levels — from youth players to college prospects.
As a former collegiate player at LA Trade Tech, Coach Austin understands firsthand the dedication required to succeed at the next level. He continues to mentor and train JUCO student-athletes, helping them refine their game and pursue their basketball aspirations.
As the Varsity Assistant, Coach Austin oversees all aspects of player development and planning, ensuring athletes receive the structure, guidance, and training needed to maximize their potential.
Varsity Assistant
Taylor Plew serves as our Varsity Assistant and
Varsity Assistant
Jordan Hill serves as our Varsity Assistant and Player Development Coach
Junior Varsity Head Coach
Andrew “Drew” Avalos serves as our Junior Varsity Head Coach and Varsity Assistant at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles.
Freshman Head Coach
Francisco “Pancho” Medina serves as our Freshman Head Coach and Varsity Assistant at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles.
Sports Performance & Content Creator
Sharar Ali-Speakes serves as our Sports Performance Coach for the JV and Freshman basketball teams and JV assistant coach at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles.
Sports Performance Coach
John Palma serves as our Sports Performance Coach for the varsity basketball team and freshman assistant coach at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles.