Coaches May Change, Teams May Leave, but Race the Same

The Century League’s complexion may have changed, but substance remains the same for basketball.

The Century League has lost two teams since last season--Orange and Tustin high schools--and has three new coaches--Tim Tivenan at El Modena, Frank Palminteri at Villa Park and Jeff Bishop at Santa Ana Valley. But some things haven’t changed--the league favorites remain Santa Ana and Foothill.

Santa Ana, the defending league champion at 12-2 and 20-7 overall, returns starters Jeff Stewart, Darrell Bailey, Bobby Joyce and Scootie Lynwood.

Joyce is the tallest of Santa Ana’s veterans at 6-feet 6-inches, but the Saints will use quickness and speed rather than height.

Joyce also is the starting safety on Santa Ana’s football team, which still is involved in the Southern Section playoffs. He may not be ready to play basketball until mid-to-late December.

Foothill, meanwhile, is the team with height. The Knights are led by John Willsie (6-8), Bill Peckham (6-5), Greg Rieber (6-5) and Dan Able (6-4).

Foothill Coach Jim Reames likes his team’s chances, although he says Santa Ana should be the favorite.

“They have four returning starters and we have one (Peckham),” Reames said. “But our JVs won the league last season and we have more size up front this year, so it should make for an interesting race.”

Reames took 17 basketball players to China during the summer, playing three games in eight days. Reames hopes that international experience will help his team, which must face perennial powers Capistrano Valley and Mater Dei in its first week of nonleague play.

“We’ll find out just how good we are real quick,” Reames said.

The league has six teams this season as Orange became a member of the Pacific Coast League, and Tustin joined the Sea View League.

“I liked it better with eight teams because then you played four more league games,” Canyon Coach Steve Sabins said. “Now, with only 10 league games instead of 14, it’ll be different--you can’t afford to fall asleep or have any dead spots during the season.”

Here’s a closer look at the Century League:

David Jones (5-10, guard) and Randy Simpson (6-2, forward).

Top newcomers--Tony Perez (6-1, guard), Ralph Pachecho (6-1, guard), Paul James (6-4, forward/center), Danny Kauten (6-4, forward), Mike Andjus (5-9, guard) and Mike Fitzpatrick (6-6, center).

Outlook--Buoyed by an 11-1 record in the Valencia Summer League, including victories over El Dorado, Katella and Fullerton, Canyon should be in the running for a playoff berth. The Comanches should be competitive against Foothill, with football players Jason Wilborn and Kauten providing power up front. Fitzpatrick, a senior transfer from Tucson, could contribute by the time league play begins in January.

Top newcomers--Adam Coghill (5-11, guard), Kevin Emenaker (6-7, center), Robert Stevens (6-3, forward), Todd Kaiser (6-0, guard) and Ramsey Rycraw (6-0, guard).

Outlook--The Vanguards finished third last year to qualify for the playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round by Corona del Mar. Degree and Steingraber are returning starters, but senior guard Coghill and senior postman Emenaker also have seen playing time, meaning that Coach Tim Tivenan has the court experience that could help win close games.

Doug Kopcha (5-10, guard) and Bill Peckham (6-5, forward).

Top newcomers--Chris Aquevequez (6-0, guard), Greg Rieber (6-5, forward), Dan Able (6-4, center), Pat Dorn (6-2, forward), John Willsie (6-8, center), Rusty Van Cleave (6-0, guard) and Greg Immell (5-10, guard).

Outlook--Jim Reames begins his 10th season at Foothill with a 225-153 record. The Knights finished second by one game to Santa Ana, but the Knights’ increased size could be the difference. The biggest addition is 6-8 Willsie, a transfer from Kansas. Senior guard Kopcha will direct the offense.

Top newcomers--Willie Lane (6-1, forward), Leo Leon (5-11, guard), George Tuioti (6-4, forward), Mike Mitchell (6-4, forward) and Alfredo Gonzalez (6-0, guard).

Outlook--The Saints are looking for their third league championship in the last four seasons. Bailey and Lynwood will likely start at guard, with junior Willie Lane coming off the bench. A key addition could be 6-4 forward Mitchell, a transfer from Centennial High School.

Top Newcomers--Brett Beal (6-1, guard), Dedrick Bentley (5-9, guard), Steve Calhoun (6-3, forward) and Rashawn Lacey (6-2, guard/forward).

Outlook--With the graduation of 6-6 center Alonzo Jamison, the Falcons will lack that single dominating player, but returning forward Phillips should help. Though the Falcons aren’t expected to gain a playoff berth, they could have a winning season.

Top Newcomers--Mark Block (5-11, guard), Steve Waldrip (6-6, forward), Roger Branstine (6-3, forward), Lance Johns (5-11, guard), Matt Thurston (5-11, guard), Pete Nowicki (6-2, forward), Mark O’Keefe (6-2, forward) and Mike Tucker (6-3, forward).

Outlook--Although the Spartans finished in last place last season (1-13, 5-19), Coach Frank Palminteri has eight seniors who shouldn’t have too much trouble adjusting to a new system. Palminteri wasn’t hired until August, so he didn’t have the advantage of coaching in summer leagues. Size could be a problem as Waldrip is the only dominating front-line player.