LEAGUE PREVIEWS : EAST VALLEY

GRANT

LAST SEASON: 5-11, 3-7 in league

THIS SEASON: Coach Howard Levine is pragmatic about his team’s chances in league play. “I think we have a realistic shot at the City playoffs,” said Levine, in his first year after taking over for retired Bill McKee, who coached the Lancers for the past 27 years. If the Lancers make a move, junior Danny Enowitz, a 6-1 swingman, will probably show the way. “He just might lead us to the promised land,” Levine said. Other starters may include Mike Sutton, a 5-10 guard, and Courtney Whitehead, a 5-11 forward. Jason Schirn, a 6-3, all-league pick from the junior varsity last season, will also see playing time. Levine believes that Grant’s lack of height shouldn’t hurt the team much. “This league isn’t oversized, so I think we can get away with it.”

NORTH HOLLYWOOD

LAST SEASON: 10-11, 8-2 in league

THIS SEASON: Now entering his second year at North Hollywood, Coach Steve Miller is hoping the Huskies get off to a better start than they did a season ago, when the team lost their first eight games. But North Hollywood rallied and finished second in league, winning 10 of their last 13 games. If the Huskies’ late-season momentum carries over to this year, Peter and Dominic Nappi, brothers will undoubtedly play a big part in it. Peter, a 6-1 senior guard, and Dominic, a 6-6 junior forward, complement one another. “I think our strength is our depth and our outside shooting,” Miller said. “And we’re pretty strong inside.” The Huskies will be anchored by Sean Schray, a 6-2, 200-pound center. “He’s a solid brick,” Miller said. The Huskies lost eight players from last year’s team.

POLY

LAST SEASON: 14-7, 9-1 in league

THIS SEASON: In addition to returning starters George Ramos and Carlos Ortiz, the Parrots will start forwards Ben Bates (6-5), Hans Hekking (6-3) and Mike Huff (6-2). There are 11 seniors in all on the 12-man roster. Coach Al Uyemura said he had a number of players that can play guard next to Ramos, including Josue Campos, John Kang and Frank Diacuna, all seniors.

SYLMAR

LAST SEASON: 6-7, 4-6 in league

THIS SEASON: Coach Billy Reed is trying to establish a solid basketball program at Sylmar by emphasizing the basics. Maybe he should start with reading, writing and arithmetic. Reed, a first-year coach, has seen eight players who had already made the team and three of five players moving over from the football team ruled academically ineligible. “We’re hurting,” Reed said. “We’re not big. As a matter of fact, we’re very small. And slow.” Sylmar’s only returning letterman is 5-11 swingman David Kellogg, a senior. But Kellogg has injured a knee and won’t play until January. “We’re doing all we can to be competitive, to try to hang in there,” Reed said. “But it will probably be between us and Verdugo Hills for last place.”

VAN NUYS

LAST SEASON: 14-7, 7-3 in league

THIS SEASON: Coach Kevin Duford’s team is admittedly untested. But after a 1985 season in which the Wolves finished 15-5 and made it to the City Section semifinals, any team might seem a little green. Duford is hoping that junior forwards Alonzo Galloway (6-2) and Rashe Dorsey (6-3) can help shore up the front line, where the Wolves also figure to suffer some from a height disadvantage. Center Ron Lewis (6-4) is up from the junior varsity. “We’re inexperienced,” Duford said. “But we will be competitive.”