BASKETBALL PREVIEWS : <i> A team-by-team look at Glendale area boys basketball for the 1987-88 season. </i> : CRESCENTA VALLEY

Coach John Goffredo’s teams have been to the playoffs 15 of the past 17 seasons. And with some experience, Crescenta Valley should improve on its third-place Pacific League finish and make the postseason playoffs again this season.

Crescenta Valley graduated three starters but will have seniors Brad Adam and Mike Harrison returning to the lineup. Adam, a 5-10 guard, averaged seven assists per game last season. Harrison, a 6-6 forward, averaged 6.4 points and should be one of the teams strongest rebounders. Joel Larson, a 6-3 senior forward, and Marc Schrobilgen, a 6-4 senior center, will add rebounding support. Junior Raffie Eskandarian, a 5-6 senior, will start at point guard.

Crescenta Valley will use a power offense and a man-to-man defense. Tuan Le, a 5-10 senior guard, and Anthony Burgess, a 6-3 senior forward, will be first off the bench for the Falcons.

LA CANADA

Brothers Chad and Greg Givens should do the majority of scoring for La Canada. Chad, a 6-6 junior center, averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game last season, and Greg, a 6-4 senior forward, contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Kevin Kasisis will start at point guard and Chris Jones, a 6-5 junior, will start at forward along with 6-4 Jeff Kucera. La Canada was 15-10 and second in the Rio Hondo League last season and made its first playoff appearance in five years.

“La Canada hasn’t been known as a basketball school but we’re trying to change that,” Coach Tom Hofman said. Hofman said that summer league play has strengthened the team--and Chad Givens in particular. “He’s much more fluid,” Hofman said. “He’s starting to move quicker and his shooting range has increased.”

HOOVER

The Tornadoes finished 1-9 in the Pacific League last year and haven’t won a Southern Section championship since 1941. But Coach Kirt Kohlmeier believes that this season’s team is ready to regain respectability.

Joe Velasquez, a returning all-league player, and Vigen Serop are 5-10 starting guards. Joe Ferguson, an offensive lineman on the football team, is a 6-5, 245-pound center. Sean Regan, a 6-4 senior, will start at power forward, but four players are vying for the small forward position. Ramon Velasquez (6-3 sophomore), John Hillman (6-1 sophomore), Jack Dabbaghian (6-3 junior) and Alex Andrade (6-3 senior) are all in contention. Reserves include: Rodney Balbuena (5-11 senior guard), Gino Wang (6-3 junior forward) and Erik Messal (6-1 junior forward).

GLENDALE

The Dynamiters could have the area’s best player in Jeff Sofro, a 6-2 senior point guard. Sofro’s natural position is guard, but Glendale had three senior guards last season and Sofro was moved to forward where he averaged 12 points per game.

Glendale graduated four of its top six players from last season’s team, which finished second in the Pacific League and lost to Ventura in the first round of the playoffs. Returning is forward Dan Johnson, a 6-2 senior who averaged six points and eight rebounds per game.

Glendale will draw from last season’s junior varsity, which won the Pacific League championship. Justin Lord, a 6-4 senior forward, Rod Cassidy, a 6-5 senior forward and 6-6 senior center Jeff Thoman will add power on the front line. Seniors Kevin Kowalski (6-1) and David Monarch (6-0) and junior Allen Faalnik (5-9) will come off the bench at guard. Glendale’s reserves include Chad Blatchley (6-3 junior forward), Brad Roe (6-2 senior forward), Thuan Tran (5-3 junior point guard) and Allen Gutierrez (5-10 senior guard). Coach Bob Davidson is in his first season after eight years as an assistant.

FLINTRIDGE PREP

The Rebels finished 17-7 and second in the Prep League last season but graduated several players. The top returning players for Coach Alex Rivera are seniors Kinden Mitchell and Steve Swayne. Mitchell, a 6-2 forward, averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game last season. Swayne, a 6-1 guard, was the team’s second leading scorer with a 19.1 average. Steve’s brother, David Swayne, will see plenty of playing time at guard. The 6-2 sophomore plays good defense and has improved his shooting, Rivera said.

Other starters include Kevin Ropp, a 6-3 senior forward, and 6-4 senior center Chris Lewis. Flintridge Prep will use a motion offense and this season move to a man-to-man defense.

ST. FRANCIS

Coach John Jordan said his biggest challenge will be to overcome a lack of height and experience. His tallest player is 6-2 center Tom Fell. The senior is the team’s most physical player. Junior Jeff Dyrek, a returning part-time starter, should be one of the team’s leading scorers. The 6-0 guard averaged 4.6 points per game in limited playing time last season. The final varsity returner is Frank Lagattuta, a 6-0 senior guard. Rebounding will be a concern for St. Francis in the Del Rey League. The Golden Knights finished 4-17 last season and tied for fifth in the league.

The Knights’ season could depend on how fast the junior varsity additions develop. Allen Freemon, who finished second in the league cross-country final, will start at forward. The 6-0 junior averaged nine points last season for the junior varsity. Ed Aguilar and Matt Smith, both starting defensive ends on the football team, are 6-0 junior forwards. St. Francis, which last won the league championship in 1963, will have key reserves in sophomore forward Dominick Mumolo (6-1) and senior guard Aaron Villegas (5-11).

EAGLE ROCK

Coach Bill Whiting describes this season’s team as “young, small and inexperienced.” Eagle Rock finished second in the Northern League but has only two returning players. Manny Washington, a 5-11 senior guard, was a second-team all-league selection last season and averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game. Michael Nelson, a 6-2 senior forward, averaged 3.3 points and four rebounds per game in limited playing time and is expected to be a top reserve this season.

The Eagles will start three players from last season’s junior varsity team and John Padilla, a 5-5 guard who two seasons ago averaged 20 points and was named the league most valuable player on the freshman level. Michael Etps, a 6-2 junior forward, averaged 19.8 points for the junior varsity last season. Junior Randy Que, a 5-11 forward, and Darius Calaguas, a 6-0 junior forward, are expected to start. Bob Liao, a 6-0 junior, will relieve Washington and Padilla at guard.

FRANKLIN

After a 1-17 season and a last-place finish in the Northern League, Franklin has much to prove in what may be the year for redemption. Every player returns, including center Ronny Lopez, who earned second-team all-league honors last season. The 6-5 senior averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. Mike Dunkel, a 6-3 senior, will start at power forward and Sam Genie, a 6-1 senior, will be the small forward. Coach Chuck Donaghho said he has not determined his starting guards. Four players, including Texas transfer Henry Tovar, are in contention. Danny Yamada (5-6 junior), Rodel Barcelona (5-5 senior), Jay Respicio (5-5 senior) and the 5-11 Tovar are vying for starting positions. Valentine Torres, a 6-2 senior forward, will be the top reserve.

MARSHALL

Coach Henfred Brard might have the biggest challenge in the Glendale area. Marshall has no returning starters, is young and lacks height.

Three reserve players from last season’s varsity return in starting roles this season. Forwards Jay Chung (6-1 senior), Joel Rodriguez (6-3 senior) and Aaron Shaw (6-2 junior) will provide the only hint of experience across the front line. But Marshall will rely on guards with no varsity experience. Mark Stuart, a 5-7 senior, averaged six points on the junior varsity last season. He will be joined by 5-10 senior Louis Carillo, who averaged four points. Victor Covarrubias, a 6-2 senior, averaged 10 points and will be back up at guard or forward.

Marshall finished 9-12 last season and third in the Northern League before losing in the first round of the playoffs. The team in 1986 won the City 3-A championship. Brard said that 5-10 sophomore guards Mark Umemeto and Hank Hou could earn playing time.

VERDUGO HILLS

Because of a lack of size and ball-handling ability, Verdugo Hills Coach Hector Ornelas will employ a ball-control offense. “We need to control the pace of the game,” he said. “We’re not a good running team although we’re quick. We’re not that well organized yet.” The team’s tallest starter is 6-4 center Roneil Powell, who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds per game last season. Forwards Chair Khun (5-11 senior) and Derek Williams (5-11 senior) were junior varsity starters last season. The guard positions will be manned by Richie Te, a 5-6 senior, and John Ngo, a 5-8 senior. Senior Andy Sylvestri is the top reserve.

Compiled by Heather Hafner.