Poly Poised With Talent to Grab 9th Straight Title

It is a new season but an old story in high school basketball in the Long Beach/Southeast area, which means Poly High is on top again. At Poly, great players graduate and great players take their places, and this replenishment of talent never fails to occur.

Poly has won eight straight titles in the area’s always-good Moore League and is ranked fourth in the Southern Section’s Big Five Division.

The other perennially good teams--St. Anthony’s, Dominguez and Lynwood--are good again. And Cerritos and Pius X are expecting the biggest seasons in their histories.

It will be a season of excellent individual talent, the best in several years. The players to watch . . . Kevin Holland of Cerritos . . . Osei Appiah of Poly . . . Jaime Cardriche of St. Anthony . . . Duane Cooper of Lakewood . . . Darren Rector of Wilson . . . Robert Stone of La Serna . . . Anthony Jenkins of Pius X.

Here is a preview of the teams:

Moore League

POLY--Coach Chris Kinder says the Jackrabbit who will surprise the most is 6-3 senior guard Osei Appiah, who played in only 15 games last year. Appiah is smart, aggressive and a good shooter. He has signed to play with Santa Clara. Kinder expects to get 10 rebounds a game from 6-7 center Roy Wade. Chris Roscoe, a key starter last year, will join the team when football is over, as will Michael Herring, who will have to battle Joshua Robinson to keep his starting point guard position.

Prediction: first

LAKEWOOD--The Lancers have Duane Cooper, a 6-1 junior guard who Coach Tim Sweeney says will be “one of the best players in the West.” A starter as a sophomore, Cooper is a quick and intelligent all-around player who already is being heavily recruited. This is largely a junior team that will try to make up in quickness what it lacks in experience. Milton Robinson, a transfer from Mayfair, is a strong 6-5, 200-pound center. “This group has a high grade-point average and they like one another,” Sweeney said.

Prediction: second

WILSON--The Bruins have six returning letterman from a 7-16 team, led by Darren Rector, a 6-5 guard who averaged 17.4 points in 1984 and was the league’s top scorer. Don Brotz, 6-5, is a rebounding specialist, and Bobby San Jose is back to start at guard for the third straight year. “We should challenge for the league championship,” Coach Jim Ferguson said.

Prediction: third

MILLIKAN--Coach Bill O’Dell, who has never had a team as young, will start three juniors and a sophomore. “We need a guard who can run the show,” O’Dell said. That could be Eric Holmes, a senior point guard. Ed Carswell is a 6-4 junior forward with varsity experience. Shawn Williams, at 6-2, will play center.

Prediction: fourth

JORDAN--”You need size to win in the Moore League and we’re not that big,” Coach Ron Massey said, “but this is the smartest group I’ve ever had.” The Panthers are a good-shooting team with 6-4 forward Chris McMichael, 6-1 guard Denard Wilson and 6-3 guard Troy Stephens. Massey expects his team to be in the fight for third place.

Prediction: fifth

COMPTON--”I’m depressed,” said Coach Eddie Thomas, who has lost two of his starters, one because of poor grades and one because of attitude problems. Shawn Williams, a promising 6-4 sophomore, may make Thomas feel better. The main Tarbabes will include 6-3 Dareck Crane, 6-4 Ernest Gates and 6-0 Lamont Speed.

Prediction: sixth

San Gabriel Valley League

DOMINGUEZ--Five lettermen but no starters return from last year’s 4-A finalist. Coach Ernie Carr’s top players will be Marlon Vaughn, a 6-1 guard who has signed with Cal State Fullerton; Ronnie Coleman, a 6-5 forward, and Ernie Washington, a 6-foot guard.

Prediction: first

CERRITOS--The Dons have a dandy in Kevin Holland, a 6-8 senior forward who has signed with DePaul. He was a Times all-Southeast selection last year, averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds. “He’s the best I’ve had at Cerritos,” said Coach Ian Desborough, who is starting his 16th season. The Dons also return starting guard Ken Kolodziej and they have a big center in 6-6, 210-pound Mark Roush, although he is bothered by a bad knee. The Dons lack overall quickness and their ball-handling is usually suspect.

Prediction: second

LYNWOOD--Three all-stars, Erik Peace, Willie Joseph and Andre Edwards, have graduated but two starters are back from a team that was co-champion with Dominguez last season. They are guards Kevin Walker and David Porter. Deon Robinson, a 6-5 sophomore, will start at center and the forwards will be 6-3 Ricky Barfield and 6-4 Chris Naulls. There is no dominant scorer but the Knights, as usual, have outstanding quickness and defense, and the rebounding is better.

Prediction: third

DOWNEY--”I can put five guys out there who can score,” said Vikings Coach Jack Single, who adds that he has the biggest team he’s ever had. Inexperience is what worries him--he will start a sophomore and two juniors. David Swartz, a 6-3 forward, averaged 15 points for last year’s 13-10 team. The center will be 6-6, 170-pound Clay Schwartz, a good perimeter shooter who averaged 18 points for the JV team last season.

Prediction: fourth

GAHR--The Gladiator lost all-leaguers Jim Brandyberry and Tom Tiedeman to graduation but Coach Vern Stewart expects double-figure point production from 6-2 Eric Powers, 6-4 Harry Butler and 6-4 Mark Tiedeman. This is a hard-working team that was successful in the summer league.

Prediction: fifth

WARREN--The Bears are expected to come out of hibernation after a 9-14 season. They have two returning starters whom Coach Jay Young expects to blossom into stars--Steve Fendry, a 6-6, 230-pound senior forward who averaged 20 points and won the one-on-one championship at the summer “Super Star Camp” in Santa Barbara, and Darin Dominguez, a senior guard who averaged 15 points in summer league.

Prediction: sixth

PARAMOUNT--The Pirates, who have no starters returning, are in troubled waters. In searching for a lineup, Coach Tine Hardeman must choose from “lots of kids who are pretty equal.” Two of them are Ricky Bell, a 6-3 forward, and Joey Villarama, a 5-7 guard.

Prediction: seventh

Suburban League

LA MIRADA--Matadors Coach Roger Williams is bullish on Jeff Parris, a 6-6, 185-pound senior center who also plays forward and guard. “This kid can really play the game,” Williams said. Parris, who averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds last season, will be the star on a team that, Williams said, can shoot, play defense and rebound.

Prediction: first

MAYFAIR--The Monsoons, trying to emerge from the muck of a 5-17 season, have seven players back, including 6-5 Mark Beck, who averaged 15.1 points last year. They lost a top player when 6-5 center Milton Robinson transferred to Lakewood.

Prediction: second

BELLFLOWER--”We’re a dark horse,” said Coach Rich Weiman, who believes he has his best team in his six years at the school. Reggie Kennedy, a 6-3 junior, is one of the league’s best players. Effective inside and outside, Kennedy averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds as a sophomore. Other key players are Byron Rex, a three-year starter at guard, and 6-5 center Joe Neal.

Prediction: third

ARTESIA--The Pioneers, league co-champions with Glenn a year ago, may be lost in the woods despite Gordon Ackerman, one of the area’s best coaches. They lost their top scorers, play-makers and defensive players to graduation. Mike Lau, a 6-1 senior who averaged 10 rebounds and 8 points, is the most notable returning player. A 6-1 sophomore, Chandel White, will start at forward.

Prediction: fourth

GLENN--The Eagles tied for first last year but aren’t likely to land there this season. Coach Russ Wise lost two all-league players to graduation but has one back in 6-1 center Mario Campos, who averaged 6.5 rebounds in ’84. James Hernandez, a 5-8 point guard up from the JVs, will try to run the team.

Prediction: fifth

NORWALK--Coach Bob Douglas tells it like it is. “We’re slugging it out for the cellar,” he said. The Lancers have no starters back and Dennis Williams, the point guard, is only 5 feet 6 and weighs 135 pounds.

Prediction: sixth

Whitmont League

LA SERNA--Robert Stone, a 6-3 guard who made The Times All-Southeast team as a junior, is the only returning starter. Stone averaged 19.8 points and 8 rebounds and could be counted on to get the crucial baskets. Sophomore Tyler Austin (6-4, 170) will start at center. Coach John Fien hopes the Lancers can overcome a lack of size and experience and repeat as league champions.

Prediction: first

MONTEBELLO--The Oilers (10-10 in ‘84) hope to be a lot slicker this year, especially in close games, which eluded them last season. Coach Roger Stone has most of his players back, including Raul Soto, a 6-2 guard and forward who averaged 15 points last year and Matt Smith, a 6-3 forward who averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds. Newcomer Mark Moreno will be a derrick opponents will have to look up to. He’s 6-10 but only a beginner.

Prediction: second

WHITTIER--Ken Scott, who had been the JV coach at Santa Fe High, didn’t become the Cardinals’ head coach until September when Steve Beason left suddenly for another job. Scott inherits two double-figure scorers from last year’s 16-6 team, 6-3 forward Chris Chavez and 6-2 forward Glenn Chavez. Among the top newcomers is James Garcia, a 6-4, 200-pound sophomore. The Cardinals will try to win by running.

Prediction: third

BELL GARDENS--Coach Charlie LaCommare can see his Lancers finishing third--”hopefully,” he says, because only two players are back from last year’s 14-8 team. The best Lancer is Cornell Smith, a 5-10 senior guard who averaged 10 points last year. This team needs some outside shooting.

Prediction: fourth

CALIFORNIA--The Condors, 2-18 last year, needed a change so now they have a new program and new co-head coaches, Paul Turley and Howard Demmelmaier, who say, “We hope to turn things around dramatically.” They’ll try to do it with Ed Zeronis, a 6-3 forward who was the team’s most valuable player last year as a sophomore, 6-4 senior forward Randy Churchward and Raul Juarez, a 6-7 transfer from St. Paul.

Prediction: fifth

EL RANCHO--The Dons, according to Coach Joe Osterman, intend to use their quickness to “scratch their way to success.” Scratching will be necessary because the Dons lack size and experience. An all-league returner is 5-10 senior Chris Herman, who averaged 8 points and 5 assists for last year’s 14-10 team.

Prediction: sixth

PIONEER--The starting point guard and starting center are academically ineligible, which has Coach Vice Diaz scrambling for a lineup. Dave Acosta, a 6-foot senior who averaged 11.6 points last year, is playing the point out of necessity, which means he can’t play his best position, shooting guard. Diaz would love to find some guys who can play defense.

Prediction: seventh

SANTA FE--John Rhodes, a 6-2 forward who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds last year, leads an inexperienced team that Coach Joe Mendoza said has the potential to win a playoff berth. John Perez, a 6-3 forward, and Jose Guardado, a 5-8 guard, who were on the JV team last season, will start.

Prediction: eighth

Camino Real League

ST. ANTHONY--Jaime Cardriche will be a huge force as the Saints try to repeat as league champions. Cardriche, a 6-8, 325-pound center, averaged 13 rebounds and 8 assists last year and will be tuning up for a career at Oklahoma State. Talented Van Anderson graduated but the Saints still have 6-4 James Anderson, who started last year and was an all-league honorable mention. But the player to watch is sophomore Darrick Martin, a 5-11, 155-pound guard. “He can do it all,” Coach Dan Marques said. The Saints are expected to fight for the title with St. Bernard, Verbum Dei and St. Monica.

CANTWELL--The Cardinals will be much improved, said their coach, Mitch L’Angelle. But his two tallest players are only 6-1. One of the little guys, 5-9 Ray Walker, averaged 20 points last year for the JVs.

Angelus League

PIUS X--The Warriors should battle Mater Dei and Servite for the league championship. Rich Antee, the all-league 6-8 center, graduated, but Coach Mike Murphy said this season’s team is the most talented team he’s had. The top player back is Anthony Jenkins, a 6-4 guard who averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds last year and was all-league. Other veterans are point guard Earnest White and 6-5 forward Rory Ewing. They’ll be joined by 6-5 sophomore John Finan, who led the JV team with 23 points a game.

ST. PAUL--Four starters return from a 9-12 team, including John Scott, a 6-2 guard who averaged 18 points and was named to The Times’ All-Southeast team, and 6-2 guard Armando Ayala, who averaged 13.

Olympic League

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN--The defending league champions return four players from last year’s 20-5 team. Although Coach Bill Cuccia calls Ontario Christian the favorite, the Heralds received a third-place ranking in the Southern Section pre-season poll. Mike Goodcase (6-2) averaged 10 points last year and was all-league. Cuccia is counting on Idaho transfer Todd Morrison (6-7, 205), a senior who averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds and was all-league in his home state.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN--Veteran Coach Harold DeBie returns five players that “all started at one time or the other” last year. That experience will prove effective down the stretch, according to DeBie. Last year the Crusaders lost 10 games by two points or less. VC may stumble early, because several key players are still playing football. Senior forward/center Tom Bousema (15.1 points, 10.1 rebounds a game) is expected to lead the team. Top newcomers include juniors Ryan Rienstra (6-2 guard/forward) and Glenn Struiksma (6-0 guard/forward).

BRETHREN--The Warriors, who should be in the middle of the race, return five players from last year’s 15-10 team, which finished third in the league. Jeff Dillard, a 6-4 forward, averaged 9 points last year and 6-0 guard Vaughn Porter averaged 8. Coach Richard Thomas expects balanced scoring from his team.

Others

SCHURR--The Spartans, who finished second in the Foothill League last year, lost Kevin Kurz and Todd Inatomi, both of whom made The Times All-Southeast team last year. They graduated, and what’s left mostly, said Coach Tommy Thompson, is heart. “They are a hard-working group and don’t like to lose,” he said. Chris Wolf stands tallest on a small team at only 6-2 1/2. Butch LeNoue averaged 3 assists last year as a sophomore.

ST. JOHN BOSCO--”Our cupboard is bare,” said Braves Coach Jim Wilsak. Not entirely. He still has 6-6 Steve Balstad, a strong offensive player who made the All-Del Rey League second team last year.

CENTENNIAL--The Apaches, who will contend for the Pioneer League title under Willie Emanuel, have two good leapers in 6-3 David Williams and 6-5 Eric Lewis, and a rapidly improving junior in 6-7 John Hayward, a strong rebounder.

LEFFINGWELL CHRISTIAN--Dewayne Fowler (8 points a game) and Rodney Harriel (11 a game) are the top players returning from a team that went undefeated in the Academy League and then had to forfeit six games for using an ineligible player.

WHITNEY--The Wildcats return two all-Collegiate League players, Chris Barnes, who averaged 10 points, and Alex Ahn, who averaged 12. Coach Bruce Carlisle said his team is young, quick and its lack of bench strength won’t keep them from winning the league title again.

PIONEER BAPTIST--The Patriots have six players who can score, led by Mark Martinez, Toney Jones and Armando Perez, all of whom averaged in double figures last year. Coach Ted Drinkwater expects the Patriots to win the Express League title.

BAPTIST CHRISTIAN--Coach Terry Grabau expects a big improvement over last year’s 1-12 team. Ramone Ybarra, who averaged 16.8 points and 7 rebounds in ‘84, is the top player.

MESROBIAN--They take soccer seriously at this Pico Rivera school and play basketball for fun. The Hyes played only nine games last year and won six of them. John Ashrafian averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds last year as a sophomore.

AVALON--The Lancers are short and inexperienced but have the quickness to be contenders in the Academy League. Top returning player is senior Larry Hernandez, who averaged 10 points, 4 steals and 4 assists last season.

APPIAH CAPTION