PREP BASKETBALL : Boys Preview : As Usual, Brea and Savanna Will Battle for Orange Title

Brea-Olinda and Savanna high schools have gone through drastic changes since last season, but they are right where they always are in the Orange League--on top.

The first-place Wildcats (7-0 in league, 19-4 overall) will meet the second-place Rebels (6-1, 17-6) at 7:30 tonight in Brea’s gym to determine the league championship.

This is nothing new. Only Brea and Savanna have won titles since the Orange League was formed four years ago. But tonight both will go after the title with a different look than they have had in past seasons.

When guards Ron Blair and Ken Forkus graduated last year from Brea, they left a huge void in the Wildcats’ fast break, which had been a trademark of Gene Lloyd-coached teams for the past decade. And Savanna, which graduated four-year point guard Keith Watanabe, is no longer called the Runnin’ Rebels.

The teams have slowed down, but their winning ways haven’t. Brea will be shooting for its sixth league championship in the past eight years, and its first undefeated league season. Savanna is hoping to win its second title in three years.

The Wildcats, who have won 10 straight, have shunned the fast break for a more deliberate, half-court game. They’ve had success pushing the ball inside to 6-foot 9-inch center Kevin Walker, who is averaging 20 points per game, and 6-5 forward David Fox, who averages 15.

“If my guys break a sweat on offense, they sit down,” Lloyd said.

Savanna has its usual five-guard lineup (no starter is taller than 6-3), but the Rebels no longer rely on their quickness and fast break. Rather, Savanna is a good outside-shooting team behind forward Tim Pittman (21 points per game) and guard Trevor Hoffman (10).

Now, if Rebel Coach Tom Gregory could only find a way to stop Walker, who scored 28 points in the Wildcats’ 67-40 victory over Savanna in the first meeting.

“There’s not a lot you can do when a 6-9 kid gets the ball at the post,” he said. “You can double-team him, but our kids will still be looking him in the throat.”

Lloyd is expecting a tougher game tonight, adding that several players (Pittman, Hoffman and forward Alex Madas) were suffering from the flu last time. The Rebels will probably use their full-court press throughout the game.

“Absolutely a one-pointer,” Lloyd said.

In other action:

ANGELUS LEAGUE

Mater Dei (7-0, 22-0) at Pius X (6-1, 15-8)--The Warriors are just a game behind the Monarchs, but it’s doubtful they’ll challenge Mater Dei for the league championship. The Monarchs, led by Orange County’s leading scorer, Tom Lewis (31 points per game), are expected to enter the Southern Section playoffs undefeated. Also: Bishop Amat at Servite.

CENTURY LEAGUE

Orange (10-1, 16-6) at Santa Ana (9-2, 14-7)--A league title is at stake, and the Saints are looking to avenge an earlier, one-point loss to the Panthers. That one ended when Orange’s Dave Roth made a technical free throw with three seconds left, after a Saint player had inadvertently called a timeout when Santa Ana had already used its allotment. Tonight’s game features and excellent front-line matchup between Santa Ana’s Roger Flores and Eric Turner and Orange’s Eric Hendry and Roth. Also: Tustin at Villa Park, El Modena at Canyon and Santa Ana Valley at Foothill.

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Los Alamitos (7-4, 10-10) at El Dorado (9-2, 18-3)--The Griffins, who lost to league-leading Kennedy, 64-63, Wednesday night, must defeat the second-place the Hawks to keep their playoff chances alive. Los Alamitos is a game behind third-place Katella with three games to play. Griffin forward Paul Crandall has averaged 24 points a game in his last six outings. El Dorado is led by Bart Hakeman, who is averaging 19 points. Also: Katella at Cypress, Esperanza at Loara and Kennedy at Pacifica.

FREEWAY LEAGUE

Troy (3-4, 7-12) at Buena Park (6-1, 12-7)--A Coyote win tonight would clinch a tie for Buena Park’s first league basketball title in 25 years. Coyote guard Reggie Brown scored a season-high 29 points Wednesday night in Buena Park’s 70-65 victory over Sunny Hills. The Warriors are in a three-way tie for third place with Sunny Hills and Sonora. Also: La Habra at Fullerton and Sonora at Sunny Hills.

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

La Quinta (4-3, 8-10) at Garden Grove (5-2, 12-8)--The Argonauts fell out of first place Wednesday night after losing to Santiago, 69-50. A win tonight would give Garden Grove its first playoff berth since 1972, while a loss would drop the Argonauts into a second-place tie with the Aztecs. Also: Bolsa Grande at Santiago and Rancho Alamitos at Los Amigos.

SEA VIEW LEAGUE

Saddleback (7-4, 14-8) at Estancia (9-2, 21-3)--The Roadrunners and Eagles have met twice this season--in the Irvine Tournament final and in league--and Estancia has won both games by a total of three points. The Eagles nearly blew a 17-point lead in the first league game but held off Saddleback, 63-61. Estancia is led by Scott Clements and Adam Lockwood, while Saddleback counters with Chance Peterson and Mark and Bryant Walton. Also: Newport Harbor at Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar at Costa Mesa and Woodbridge at University.

SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

Mission Viejo (8-1, 19-4) at El Toro (5-4, 10-11)--The first-place Diablos, who beat the Chargers, 50-48, in an earlier meeting, can clinch a share of the league title with a victory tonight. Mission Viejo is led by point guard Tom Desiano, who is second in Orange County in assists (8.3 a game). El Toro’s Scott Shockey, who is averaging 18.6 points per game, supplies much of the Chargers’ offense. Also: San Clemente at Dana Hills and Laguna Hills vs. Capistrano Valley at Saddleback College.

SUNSET LEAGUE

Ocean View (7-0, 18-3) at Marina (2-5, 10-12)--The Seahawks, who barely got by Edison, 52-51, Wednesday night, can clinch the league title with a win tonight. Ocean View is led by center Ricky Butler and guards Mike Labat and Blaine DeBrouwer, while Marina’s best player is Mark Georgeson, a 6-8 sophomore center. Also: Westminster at Fountain Valley and Edison at Huntington Beach.