New Look Shouldn’t Alter Final Standings

The Sea View League may have a new look, but its coaches predict another close race for the title with University and newcomer Tustin slight favorites.

The league has been trimmed from eight to six teams with Woodbridge, Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa moving into the newly formed Pacific Coast League, and Tustin coming from the Century League.

Last season, four teams--Laguna Beach, Newport Harbor, Saddleback and University--tied for third. Saddleback won a single-elimination playoff to determine the league’s third representative in the Southern Section playoffs. Corona del Mar is the defending champion.

“From top to bottom, I don’t see the league changing much from last year,” Corona del Mar Coach Paul Orris said. “Every team has a legitimate shot at a playoff berth. A six-team league only magnifies the importance of each game.”

University has five of its top seven players returning. Lasse Glassen, a returning all-league center, averaged 14 points and 9.9 rebounds per game last season as a junior. Guard Steve Stolzoff averaged 15 points. Glassen and Stolzoff are two-year starters.

Tustin, a fourth-place finisher in the Century League, has the league’s best player, Rog Middleton. He averaged 18.4 points and 7 rebounds. Leo Parker, a 6-foot 6-inch center, is vastly improved after averaging seven points and seven rebounds as a sophomore.

“On a given night, we can play with anyone in Orange County,” Tiller Coach Tim O’Brien said. “This will be one of the strongest leagues in the county.”

There’s another significant change. The league drops from the 4-A division to the 3-A level this season.

Here’s a closer look at the Sea View League:

Top newcomers--Chris Burns (6-3, forward), Brendan Gallagher (6-3, forward) and Tim Cole (6-2, guard).

Outlook--Orris finally gets his chance as a head coach after 16 years as an assistant to Tandy Gillis and Jack Errion. “I think we’ll have better balance scoring this year, but I don’t see any other changes,” Orris said. “We’ll still play a tough, man-to-man defense that has been the trademark of this school since it opened.” The Sea Kings were a one-dimensional team last season with Jeff Fryer averaging 27.8 points. Fryer is at Loyola Marymount and four reserves--Muller-Stach, Morris, Hook and O’Neil--become starters. Muller-Stach, a good shooter, is the team’s best player, and Hook, an outstanding leader, is the best athlete. Hook moves from forward to the shooting guard position this season.

Kyle Mooney (6-0, guard), Brian Tift (6-4, forward), Steve Barkley (6-8, center) and Matt Allen (6-4, forward).

Top newcomers--Paul Markel (6-3, forward), John Drake (6-0, guard), Pat Norville (6-0, guard) and Osmin Campos (6-1, forward).

Outlook--The Eagles finished an uncharacteristic seventh in the league last season with a 6-8 record and struggled with inexperienced players. That should change this season. Mooney is a typical Estancia point guard . . . quick, smart, tough and a great shooter. Tift, the youngest son of former UC Irvine Coach Tim Tift, is the best shooter to play for Estancia in the past 10 years, according to Eagle Coach Joe Reid. “This is the tallest team in the school’s history with Barkley (6-8) at center and three forwards at 6-4,” Reid said. “But we must board to win.”

Top newcomers--Jim Geerlings (6-1, forward) and Drew Sheward (6-0, guard).

Outlook--The Sailors were hurt when returning center Mark Craig decided not to play basketball this season. Craig, an all-Southern Section receiver, plans to go on a weight-training program in anticipation of playing football at a Division I college. Veteran Coach Jerry DeBusk returns after a one-year stint as Tandy Gillis’ assistant at Orange Coast College. DeBusk was The Times’ Coach of the Year two seasons ago after leading the Sailors to a league title. Alstrom, the only returning starter, is an all-league caliber player, but the Sailors are basically inexperienced. “The lack of experience is our biggest weakness,” DeBusk said. “We must develop good work habits and a winning attitude to be a team by the time league play begins.” DeBusk picked his team to finish last.

Top newcomers--Malru Dottin (6-2, forward), Craig Marshall (6-1, forward), Sean Simon (5-10, guard) and Frank Larriva (5-11, guard).

Outlook--Bryant Walton, the best player in the county last season, has graduated and is now at Cal, but Coach Pat Quinn has another standout player in Dottin, a junior. “Gylan will surprise a lot of people,” Quinn said. The Roadrunners were a surprise last summer, defeating highly regarded El Toro and Corona del Mar. Primous and Ontiveros, who figure to start in the backcourt, are competing in the football playoffs and will report late. Simon, a sophomore, will start at point guard until Ontiveros joins the team. “With three sophomores on the team, I think we’re the sleeper in the league,” Quinn said. The Roadrunners play host to El Toro in their season opener on Dec. 6.

Top newcomers--Brad Cantrell (6-0, guard), Vern Broadnax (6-0, guard) and Bobby London (5-10, guard).

Outlook--O’Brien has a proven scorer in Middleton, a good rebounder in Parker and good overall quickness. The question mark is at guard, where Cantrell and London, both juniors, have no varsity experience. They played for the Tillers’ sophomore championship team. “It may take some time for our guards to come around,” O’Brien said. Teams trailing the Tillers this season and looking to intentionally foul to get back into the game should not foul Menges. He made 26 of 29 free-throw attempts last season. Tustin will participate in a national tournament in Chandler, Ariz., Dec. 26-30.

Top newcomer--Craig Allton (6-3, forward).

Outlook--The Trojans were 19-7 in the Huntington Beach and Trabuco Hills summer tournaments. Glassen, Stolzoff and Olin were all-league selections with Glassen and Stolzoff rating among the top 25 players in the county. “We shoot the ball well,” said University Coach Steve Scoggin, “but we have to improve our rebounding. This is the most competitive group we’ve had in the last few years. I think we have a good chance to make the playoffs.” Orris is picking the Trojans, reasoning that they have an advantage over newcomer Tustin because they’ve played in all the opposing gymnasiums. Both Woodbridge (second) and Irvine (sixth) were seeded in the upcoming Irvine World News Tournament, but the Trojans weren’t.