Bosco Tech vs. St. John Bosco

After facing a grueling non-league schedule that included powerhouses Glendale and Long Beach Poly, Bosco Tech of Rosemead will not find much of a breather when it opens its Del Rey League season against St. John Bosco of Bellflower at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Battle of the Boscos. Bosco Tech is 5-7 and St. John Bosco is 6-4. St. John Bosco is not as tall as some of the team’s Bosco Tech has faced, but the Braves have an outstanding inside player in 6-5 center Mike Ritter, the team’s top scorer and rebounder. Bosco Tech, in the midst of a rebuilding year, does not start a player taller than 6-4 senior center William Vasquez. The other starters for the Techmen are sophomore guards Dustin Palma (5-9) and Tom Takeshita (5-10) and junior forwards Max Franco (6-2) and Mario Diaz (6-3). That’s a small team by any standards, but the Techmen are quick and play good defense. Both Boscos, and both considered playoff contenders, have played one mutual opponent, El Monte: Tech won (44-41) while St. John Bosco lost (61-59).

Pasadena vs. Fountain Valley

Before the season, Pasadena Coach Bill Duwe wasn’t brimming with optimism. With no lettermen returning from a 7-15 team, the Bulldogs didn’t look like one of the top teams in the Valley. But after posting an impressive 9-2 non-league record, the Bulldogs have to be considered among the top 10 teams in the area. Duwe may find out just how much his team has improved when it visits highly regarded Fountain Valley for a non-league game at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Fountain Valley, regarded as one of the top teams in Orange County, has an outstanding center in 6-7 senior Brett Martin and a good supporting cast that includes 6-4 junior forward Lance Zeno and 6-3 senior guard Carlos Briceno. Pasadena, which has won the Bishop Amat and Alhambra tournaments and took the consolation title at the tough Glendale Holiday Classic, has been led mostly by its defense. The Bulldogs are led on offense by 6-2 senior guard Tommy Bryant and 6-5 center Raynell Tillis, a promising sophomore.

Nogales vs. Arroyo

Two of the most successful teams in the Valley in recent years will meet in a non-league game at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Arroyo High in El Monte. Nogales will be a distinct favorite. Nogales of La Puente is off to a 10-4 record and Arroyo is 5-6. The game features several of the premier players in the Valley. Nogales, coached by Mack Pace, has one of the best centers in the area, 6-9, 240-pound senior Bruce Wheatley, who has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Arizona next season. Toss in talented 6-4 forwards John Nichols and Paul Seeley and the Nobles have size on their front line. Arroyo, coached by Joel Kyne, will counter with one of the best pure shooters in the Valley, 5-9 senior guard Phillip Sanchez, who is averaging close to 30 points a game. His best game was a 53-point effort against San Gabriel in the Arroyo tournament. Another key player for Arroyo is 6-2 forward Mike Graston, second best scorer for the Knights.