Big Games : Muir vs. Glendale

Most fans have conceded the Pacific League basketball championship to powerful Glendale, which has coasted to a 16-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in the CIF 4-A Division. Standing in the way, however, is a pretty good Muir team that has a 14-3 record and is tied for first in the Pacific League with Glendale at 3-0. The game is at 7:30 tonight at Glendale High. Unlike most of Glendale’s opponents, Muir has the size and quickness to match up with the Dynamiters. Muir’s top players are 6-7 junior Stacy Augmon, 6-6 senior Dennis Price and 6-5 senior Tony Akins, one of the top scorers in the CIF Southern Section with a 25.2 game average. Price is the top rebounder for the Mustangs, averaging 12 a game. The Muir front line should cause problems for Glendale, which starts a front line of seniors Jan Svoboda (6-8), Bob Mulcahey (6-7) and Fred Bickett (6-5) and has an outstanding guard in 6-2 senior Rich Grande.

Pomona vs. Damien

This looks like David against Goliath. Pomona starts only one player shorter than 6-4 and Damien doesn’t start one taller than 6-3. Pomona’s front line, as tall as any in the state, includes forwards Ron Draper (6-8) and Lamont Carruthers (6-7) and center Marcellus Lee (6-9). But don’t let those numbers fool you. This Baseline League game at 8 p.m Friday in Pomona should be Pomona’s toughest test of the league season. Pomona (13-3) has a 6-0 league record and Damien (13-5) is 5-1. Damien may have to rely on the steady outside shooting of outstanding 6-1 senior guard Efrem Leonard, who is averaging 20 points a game in league play. Two other standouts for the Spartans are 6-3 junior forward Kevin Partington and 5-10 junior guard Kenny Korn. Pomona’s top player is Draper, who averages 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Bonita vs. Ganesha

After splitting its first eight games, Ganesha (12-4) has been splitting opponents lately. The Giants have strung together eight straight wins to set up a showdown with Hacienda League rival Bonita (12-4) at 7 p.m. Friday at Ganesha in Pomona. Perhaps some of Ganesha’s early problems had to do with a young team with three junior starters. Youthful or not, the Giants are talented. The leaders are 6-3 junior guard Oliver Cunningham, 6-5 junior center Kevin Cutler and 6-3 senior forward James Blakely. Another key player is 6-2 junior guard Ronald English. They will be matched against a big Bonita team led by 6-8 senior center Greg Trygstad, who averages 22 points and 13 rebounds. Other leaders are 6-4 forward Robert Morthel and 5-11 point guard Clark Moses. The winner should be the team to beat for the league title.

Monrovia vs. South Pasadena

If you like surprises, there’s a good chance you like the South Pasadena basketball team. On the Chinese calendar, or any other place, this was not supposed to be the Year of the Tiger. So how do you explain the success of the Tigers, who have a 15-2 overall record and are 2-1 in the Rio Hondo League going into a key game against Monrovia (8-4, 2-1) at 8 p.m. Friday in South Pasadena? The Tigers, ranked No. 5 in the CIF 2-A Division, have been led by 6-2 senior guard Gary Goodrich, who is averaging 14 points in league play. Two other leaders are forwards Ken Boldt (18.6) and Eric McArthur (16.6). Monrovia, one of the preseason Rio Hondo League title favorites, is led by 6-4 junior center Charles White, who is averaging 15 points in league play, and 5-11 senior guard Fred McDonald, who averages 14.6.