Breakers ‘hungry to get back on top’

The Laguna Beach High boys’ basketball team is gearing up for the start of its 2015-16 season, putting final touches in preseason drills leading up to its season opener Tuesday.

The Breakers, a young squad last year which won 16 games, finished in third place in the Orange Coast League, and again advanced to CIF Southern Section postseason play, faces Newport Harbor (6:15 p.m.) in a first-round game at the Grizzly Invitational at Godinez High.

The tournament runs through Dec. 5.

“We have a really nice group of experienced kids with four seniors, four sophomores and two juniors,” said Laguna Coach Bret Fleming who is in his 21st year. “Last year was the first time not winning a league championship in eight years, and I think they’re hungry to get back on top.”

With six returning starters back including a pair of All-Orange Coast League players (sophomore forward Blake Burzell, senior guard Isaac Wulff), the Breakers could be positioned to take over the league’s top spot which went to Godinez last year for the first time.

“With our style of play, if guys really share the ball, we’ll be extremely hard to guard,” Fleming said. “Everybody will need to buy into our defensive philosophy and play great team defense.

“We have more depth this year but, we still need to stay healthy.”

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Laguna Beach Boys’ Basketball

Head coach: Bret Fleming (21st year)

Coaching staff: Rus Soobzokov, Jim Garvey, Patrick Pollock.

CIF Division: 4AA

Last year’s record: 16-14

Last year’s league finish: 6-4 (3rd)

CIF results: Reached second round of playoffs.

Varsity roster: Owen McMurray (G, Soph.); Darin Richardson (G, Sr.); Nick Rahder (C, Sr.); Isaac Wulff (G, Sr.); Adam Armstrong (F, Soph.); Ryan Meisberger (F, Jr.); Spencer Wong (G, Sr.); Blake Burzell (F, Soph.); Karam Jones (G, Jr.); Charlie Rounaghi (G, Soph.).

Returning starters: Blake Burzell (18 ppg., 8 reb./game, first-team all-league); Isaac Wulff (13.8 ppg. second-team all-league); Darin Richardson (7.9 ppg.); Spencer Wong (3.7 asst./game); Nick Rahder (5.3 reb./game); Charlie Rounaghi (3.6 ppg.).

The schedule: The Breakers are entered in two five-game tournaments, and one four-game tourney.

“We’ll see some really good teams in those, plus a tough nonleague schedule.

“I felt we were going to be pretty good this year and I wanted to play a really tough preseason to prepare us for league, and especially for the playoffs. I’m hoping this team responds to the challenge.”

Season opener: Tuesday (6:15 p.m.) vs. Newport Harbor (Godinez Tournament)

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Schedule

Tuesday: vs. Newport Harbor (6:15 p.m., Godinez Tournament)

Dec. 3-5: at Godinez Tournament (TBD)

Dec. 9: at Dana Hills, 7 p.m.

Dec. 11: at Irvine, 7 p.m.

Dec. 14-19: at Westminster Tournament

Dec. 21: vs. Huntington Beach (5 p.m., El Toro High)

Dec. 26-30: at Torrey Pines Holiday Classic

Jan. 8: at *Godinez, 7 p.m.

Jan. 13: at *Costa Mesa, 7 p.m.

Jan. 15: *Saddleback, 7 p.m.

Jan. 18: vs. Whittier California (2 p.m., Estancia High)

Jan. 20: *Estancia, 7 p.m.

Jan. 22: at *Calvary Chapel, 7 p.m.

Jan. 29: *Godinez, 7 p.m.

Feb. 3: *Costa Mesa, 7 p.m.

Feb. 5: at *Saddleback, 7 p.m.

Feb. 9: at *Estancia, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11: *Calvary Chapel, 7 p.m.

(*denotes league game)