HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEWS : NORTHWEST VALLEY LEAGUE : San Fernando Puts Its Guard Up While Others Lack Center Strength

With the departure of middle men Gary Gray of Granada Hills, Birmingham’s Keith Owens, San Fernando’s Shelton Boykin and Chatsworth’s Kendall McDaniels, the Northwest Valley League appears to be lacking in horsepower this season.

That wasn’t the case last year, as three of the teams staged quite a horse race in the final week. Running neck-and-neck in pursuit of the City Section 3-A championship, Granada Hills, Birmingham and San Fernando had enough talent to win, place and show.

Granada Hills, led by Gray and his 26.2-point per game average, finally captured the title, but not before outlasting San Fernando, 80-67, in the semifinal round and nosing out league-champion Birmingham, 60-55, in the title game.

But, as the saying goes, that was last season.

Birmingham first-year Coach Elliot Turret inherits only one returning player. Granada Hills Coach Bob Johnson must build around only two returning players.

“We’re starting over,” Johnson said.

Said Chatsworth Coach Gary Shair: “All the horses are gone.”

Whoa, Gary. San Fernando Coach Dick Crowell managed to close the barn door before all his horses got away. “I wouldn’t consider this a rebuilding year for us ,” Crowell said.

Neither would anyone else. The Tigers, who finished third last season, have four returning players, including their starting backcourt, seniors Joe Mauldin and Tory Stephens. Stephens, who averaged 13 points a game last season, is an excellent three-point shooter.

But it is Mauldin, who averaged 10 points a game, who appears to be the successor to Gray as the league’s premier player. “He’s so talented,” Johnson said. “He just exudes confidence on the floor.”

San Fernando

COACH: Dick Crowell, seventh year

LAST SEASON: 15-9; 3rd in league, 7-3.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: In a league that said goodby to several standout players, San Fernando has more returning talent than anyone. “We’re going to be strong by the time league play rolls around,” Crowell said. The Tigers are the only team in the league with two returning starters: Senior guard Joe Mauldin (6-2) and guard Tory Stephens. Dennis Rose (6-4), last season’s 12th man, is a third returning varsity player. San Fernando’s younger players are inexperienced, but they have size. Sophomore center Lance Whitaker is 6-6 1/2, 225, and junior Angle Sotelo is 6-4, 210. Also expected to contribute are juniors Sean Williams (5-10) and Duane Heller (6-2). “Last year we played a more full-court game,” Crowell said. “This year the tempo will vary.”

Chatsworth

COACH: Gary Shair

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

PLAYERS TO WATCH: “Maybe it’s get-even time,” said Shair, whose team finished a dismal fifth last year. Shair has three returning players who played extensively last season. Center-forward Stewart Thompson (6-3), who averaged seven points and six rebounds a game, was the Chancellors second-leading scorer. Point guard David Waco (5-10) led the team with five assists a game. Forward Eric Merkel (6-1) averaged seven points. All three are seniors. The biggest addition is Rick Garrick (6-0), a quick-shooting guard who was the league’s MVP on the junior varsity last season. “He’s of major college caliber,” Shair said. Senior Larry Tepper (6-2) also started on the junior varsity as did Bryan Addison (6-3). Both are forwards. Shair will use another forward, Lance Smith (6-2), a transfer from Crespi.

Granada Hills

COACH: Bob Johnson, ninth year

LAST SEASON: 20-4; 2nd in league, 8-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: With the departure of center Gary Gray almost assuredly go the Highlanders’ chances of repeating as City 3-A champions. “We can’t replace him,” Johnson said of Gray, who averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds a game. “I definitely would consider this a rebuilding year.” Three sophomores--Jermoine Brantley (5-8), Darryl Williams (6-0) and William Moringlane (6-3)--join the varsity. Juniors Joey Rosas (6-6) and Alvin Brown (6-3) were members of the junior varsity last season. Returning varsity players are point guard John Johnson (5-8), who averaged four points a game last season, and 6-4 forward Kyle Jan, an all-league football player. Senior Amir Hatam (6-0) is the Highlanders best from beyond the three-point line. “I like the three-point play if I have a shooter,” Johnson said. “Amir is a shooter.”

Birmingham

COACH: Elliot Turret, first year

LAST SEASON: 22-3; 1st in league, 9-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: New coach, new players. “It’s a lot more than rebuilding,” Turret said. “It’s putting in a new foundation, a new basement.” Birmingham has only one returning player, 6-1 senior Jason Moore, a football player who leads Valley City teams in receptions. The remainder of the roster reads like last season’s junior varsity team. Seniors John Rice (6-1), Greg Maxwell (5-11) and Vince Walker (5-11) are the most experienced in Turret’s three-guard, two-forward offense. Juniors Brian Johnson (5-10) and Jason Wallace (6-2), along with 5-9 senior guard Panaka Chea also have no varsity experience.

Canoga Park

COACH: Joey Nakasone, eighth year

LAST SEASON: 8-12, 4th in league; 3-7

THIS SEASON: Canoga Park has three returning varsity players--forward Jeremy Mears (6-0), and guards Dennis Hackney (5-7) and Darren Caldwell (5-10). All started as juniors last season. “We’ll have to stress the fundamentals,” Nakasone said. The Hunters, instead, will rely on sophomore center Brandon Battle (6-3) and junior forwards Alan Jones (6-2), Sean Reyes (6-0) and Mario Rodriguez (5-10). If the Hunters are to improve, they’ll have to be able to contend against the league’s top teams. Last season, Canoga Park was 0-6 against Birmingham, Granada Hills and San Fernando.

Monroe

COACH: Cliff Burems, fourth year

LAST SEASON: 2-15; 6th in league, 0-10

PLAYERS TO WATCH: No size and no experience amounted to no league victories for Monroe last season. Injuries and academic ineligibility didn’t help Burems’ squad, either. “We don’t have to worry about kids being ineligible this year,” he said. But junior Adam Clark (6-3) is the tallest player. “I don’t know why, but I can’t find a big man to come out for the team,” Burems said. Senior Forward Cedric Arinwine (6-2), Monroe’s best rebounder, and senior guard Tom Konkel (5-9) are the only returning players. The Vikings’ best shooter is senior forward Michael Bell (6-2). Moving up from the junior varsity to join the offense are Tim Costi (6-1) and Marc Lewis (5-10).