Basketball Preview : Multi-Talented Westchester Aims for League Title First : ‘Talk to Me When the Year is Over,’ Says Coach Ed Azzam of Team’s Top State and No. 6 National Ratings

Ed Azzam begins his 10th season as the Westchester High basketball coach without the lofty goals one might expect, considering the Comets are ranked sixth nationally by USA Today and No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports.

Instead of eyeing national, state and L.A. City titles, Azzam is keeping his sights focused on more modest goals. Like a league championship.

Although it seems unlikely, given the strength of the program, Azzam has never won a league title at Westchester. He’s fielded good teams--the Comets reached the L.A. City 4-A finals in 1984--but they were never good enough to unseat Crenshaw as Western League champion.

So it’s only natural that Azzam would prefer to see his team walk before it takes a run at the grand prizes of prep basketball.

“Talk to me when the year is over,” he said, responding to the preseason hype surrounding the Comets. “It’s a nice honor, but that’s basically what a preseason ranking is, an honor. We haven’t earned anything yet. We have fairly good players and we did fairly well this summer, so someone thinks we’re going to be good.

“I would like to win the league, then we’ll go from there.”

Azzam’s chances of finally winning a league title appear better than ever. Westchester returns four key seniors, including two of the top players on the West Coast, and its long-time nemesis, Crenshaw, has moved to another league.

That should make the road easier, but there still are plenty of challenges awaiting the top-ranked team in the South Bay, based on a Times’ poll of area coaches.

Westchester opens the season at home Friday afternoon (4 p.m.) against Cleveland of Reseda, considered the Comets’ main threat for the City title. Cleveland, with four Division I prospects, is ranked second in the state by Cal-Hi Sports and 25th in the nation by USA Today.

The rest of Westchester’s non-league schedule is just as attractive. The Comets will defend their title in the Tournament of Champions at Ocean View High in Huntington Beach on Dec. 12-17, then it’s on to Pine Bluff, Ark., for the King Cotton Classic on Dec. 27-30.

The top entries in the Arkansas tournament are St. Anthony of Jersey City, N.J., and Flint Hill Prep of Oakton, Va., the Nos. 1 and 2 prep teams in the nation, according to USA Today.

“If we get through our preseason,” Azzam said, “we’re an awfully good team.”

Following is a rundown of the top 10 teams in the South Bay. Last year’s record is in parentheses:

1. Westchester (20-6)--The Comets return three starters and the sixth man from last year’s team that reached the L.A. City 4-A semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Manual Arts. The outcome might have been different if Westchester forward Zan Mason had not been sidelined with a leg injury in the first quarter.

Mason, a muscular 6-7 senior, begins is third year as a varsity starter after averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds last season. The future UCLA Bruin plays strongly near the basket and has worked hard to improve his perimeter game. “A man playing with boys,” is how one coach described the two-time All-City selection.

Mason’s supporting cast is headed by 5-9 senior Sam Crawford, a flashy point guard who has improved as a defensive player and leader, Azzam said. Crawford averaged 14 points and 9 assists last year. The starting lineup is rounded out by senior forwards Booker Waugh (6-5), who signed with Cal Poly Pomona, and Renaud Gordon (6-7) and junior guard Damian Wilson (6-0).

Azzam said this is the finest team he’s coached. “We can go 10 (players) deep,” he said. Key reserves include 6-5 junior Charles Ladson, a transfer from Georgia, and guards Kelly Robinson and Jimmy Bova. Consistent outside shooting is the team’s main weakness, but, as Azzam said, “It’s not a bad weakness.”

2. Inglewood (14-11)--Forward Harold Miner, a USC recruit and last season’s South Bay Player of the Year, heads the experienced Sentinels. The 6-5 Miner averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds last year when he led Inglewood to the CIF 4-A playoffs and scored 46 in a first-round loss to Buena. A superior leaper, Miner can throw down a creative dunk as well as hit the outside jump shot.

Two other returning starters are Johnny Terrell, a 6-3 senior who signed with Colorado and moves from wing to point guard, and 6-2 Tommy Holland at wing after averaging 10 points last year. The big question is how much 6-11 center Cory Johnson has improved from last season when he came off the bench and wasn’t a factor. He signed early with New Mexico State.

Coach Vince Combs says 6-5 junior Steve King will contribute heavily with his strong inside play, and he’s also counting on 6-4 wing Reggie Paul, 6-2 shooting guard Kevin Bell and 6-3 forward Marlon Williams. Combs said last season was a disappointment for him and the team. “Hopefully we’ll be much improved,” he said.

3. Rolling Hills (21-7)--The Titans picked up the pace this summer, running Loyola Marymount’s fast-break attack without much emphasis on defense. Coach Cliff Warren said Rolling Hills will continue running, but it doesn’t intend to sacrifice points. “We’re still trying to keep the pace up to the highest degree possible, with the understanding that we’ll make more of an effort on defense,” he said.

Running the new system is an experienced group. The Titans return the top four players from last year’s team that reached the CIF 3-A semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Kennedy in three overtimes. Forward John Hardy (6-4) leads the way after averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds last year when he was named Bay League MVP.

Hardy’s strong play near the basket complements the outside shooting of guards Mark Tesar (6-3), who will play the point, Ron Dinnel (6-3) and Steve Clover (6-4). Rolling Hills made 152 3-point baskets last season, led by Tesar (59 of 127, 46%). Rick Judge (6-1) starts at center and will get help inside from 6-5 Roger Hendrix, a promising sophomore.

4. St. Bernard (20-8)--St. Bernard Coach Jim McClune says 6-11 center Ed Stokes could be the most dominant player in the state if he plays up to his ability. That, of course, is a big if . Stokes, who signed early with Arizona, suffered through a disappointing, injury-plagued junior season, averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds a game.

A strong summer indicates Stokes will be much improved this season, which is good news for the Vikings who will be hard-pressed to replace 6-5 forward Eric Nelson, the team’s top scorer, rebounder and defender a year ago. Juno Armstrong, a 6-4 forward beginning his third year as a varsity starter, will be asked to fill the void. He averaged 12 points last year.

Mark Raveling (6-2), son of USC Coach George Raveling, is the Vikings’ top guard and best shooter. He made 67% of his 3-point shots last year. The point guard position is in question, with Sean Patikas (6-0) and Mark Williams (6-0) vying for the job. Power forward Terrell Steen (6-4) completes the starting lineup and 6-5 sophomore Wyking (The Viking) Jones is a key reserve.

5. Carson (16-7)--Three of the Colts’ top players--forwards Nkosi Littleton (6-2) and Eric Bender (6-5) and guard Greg Lindsey (6-2)--are involved in the L.A. City football playoffs, so their availability is questionable for the early part of the season. That might stunt Carson’s development, but Coach Richard Masson is confident the team will come together in time.

“Once we get the football kids, we’ll have the luxury of a little depth,” he said. “I think we’re going to be a very good team.” The Colts, who opened the season Tuesday with a 79-55 win over Locke, start a quick lineup headed by 6-5 center Vincent Washington, the MVP of Carson’s summer tournament. He averaged 9 points a game last year.

Littleton and Bender will lend support inside, while Lindsey heads a good group of guards. Raymond Bennett (6-0) is regarded as the team’s best outside shooter and Odis Smith (5-10), who missed most of the last season because of a broken ankle, gives the Colts another outstanding guard. Lack of height is the team’s shortcoming.

6. Morningside (16-9)--Depth and height are the Monarchs’ strengths. There are five players 6-6 or taller, and Co-Coach Carl Franklin says he can go “eight or nine players deep.” The big men are headed by senior forward Eddie Scott (6-6) and junior center Jeff Crowe (6-7), both returning starters. Scott averaged 14 points last year and Crowe was the team’s leading rebounder.

Donald Sanders, a quick 5-10 junior, returns at point guard. He’ll be joined in the back court by 6-2 senior Kenny Jones. Chris Vance, a 6-7 forward who attended school in North Carolina last season, rounds out the starting lineup. Key reserves include 6-2 guard Jonathan Madison, 6-6 sophomore forward Arthur Savage, 6-3 senior forward Ronald Gibson and 6-8 senior center Derrick Hughes. The ability to attack a zone defense is Franklin’s main concern.

7. Gardena (5-15)--Coach Bill Hughes begins his second year at Gardena with a team determined to make up for last year’s dismal showing. The Mohicans won 30 of 35 games in the summer, including an upset over St. Bernard in the L.A. Games. “If spring and summer league was any indication, we’ll be one of the better teams in the City,” Hughes said.

Guards Darryl McMillan (6-0) and Chris Thompson (6-0) lead the Mohicans’ senior-dominated squad. The cat-quick McMillan averaged 13.5 points last year and rebounded well. Thompson is the team’s best outside shooter. Cedrick Williams and Ricky Fukute (both 5-11) give the team depth at guard. Inside, Gardena returns 6-4 forwards Curtis Greene and Kevin Sanders. Leslie Higgins (6-6) will start at center, backed up by 6-7 Larry Jemison.

8. Redondo (11-13)--The Sea Hawks figure to be improved with the return of three players, all of whom can shoot the 3-pointer. Mike Houck, a 6-3 senior wing, returns for his third year as a starter after averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds last season, both team highs. Also back are 6-3 wing David Dinnel, son of former Redondo Coach Harry Dinnel, and point guard Ian Martin.

Coach Steve Shaw is counting on 6-5 senior Steve Cottey to play the post. Cottey averaged 20 points on the junior varsity last year, but his rebounding and defense are question marks. Mark Paaluhi (6-3), Redondo’s best all-around athlete, and hard-working Scott Denhart (6-2) are contesting for the starting forward spot. The Sea Hawks will rely heavily on the outside shot.

9. Leuzinger (17-6)--It’s back to the drawing board for Coach Phil Sherman, who earned South Bay Coach of the Year honors last season for turning around an Olympian team that went 1-19 in 1986-87. Leuzinger has to replace several key players, but the blend of height and promising newcomers should make the Olympians a competitive team again.

The only returning starters are forwards Mac Williams (6-5) and Albert Kiilehua (6-6), who will be joined up front by 6-7 sophomore center Frank Willis. The biggest questions are in the back court where point guard Don Thomas, a 5-8 transfer from Louisiana, and 5-10 junior Maurice Roberts are expected to start. Cliff Ramer, a 6-2 junior, will help out at forward and guard.

10. San Pedro (10-10)--The Pirates opened the season Monday with a 105-86 victory over Venice as forward Willie Sanchez scored 27 points. The 6-3 Sanchez and 6-0 center John Wells are the team’s two returning starters. San Pedro will also count on 6-6 Joe Doktorczyk and 6-3 Jay Horton, who each scored 16 Monday.

Coach Jack Kordich says the season will depend on how quickly his young guards adjust to varsity competition. Devay Reese, who played on the B team last year, will play an important role at point guard. Because of a lack of depth, the Pirates will have to avoid injuries to stay competitive.

Best of the rest:

Palos Verdes starts from scratch after graduating all the players from last year’s 21-9 team that reached the CIF 3-A semifinals. Coach John Mihaljevich, back for his 22nd season, will count on forward Ian Chatfield, guard Andy Jacobson and 6-5 freshman Art Shell, son of the former Raider lineman.

El Segundo should be solid up front with the return of forwards Shawn Foster (6-4) and Ken Talanoa (6-3). Foster, an All-Pioneer League selection, averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds last season. The Eagles are one of the favorites in the Santa Fe League.

Serra lost its best player, James Moses (now at Iowa), and Coach George McDaniel, who has been replaced by former Serra player Dwan Hurt. The Cavs return forwards Glenn Baham (6-5) and Jerone Williams (6-4), the quarterback and top receiver from the football team.

Hawthorne returns all-league swingman McArthur Wells, a 6-3 senior who averaged 18 points last year, and 6-4 forward Tony Scott. Several coaches expect the Cougars to contend in the tough Bay League.

Banning figures to challenge in the Pacific League with a lineup headed by 6-6 center Kenderick Toliver and 5-11 point guard Chris Waller, plus several players from last year’s successful JV team.

West Torrance returns only one player from last season’s CIF 3-A playoff team--6-5 center Ken Faulkner--but a good group of underclassmen could make the Warriors a contender in the Ocean League.

Tony Carter, a former assistant at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Torrance High, is the third coach in three years at Bishop Montgomery, which played a competitive schedule last summer. Carter coached Compton High last season.

Miraleste should be greatly improved from last year’s 4-17 team with the return of 5-10 guard Mike Booth, who averaged 14.6 points, and 6-4 forward Scott Klein, who averaged 9.5 points and 8 rebounds.

Chadwick has three starters back--6-4 junior Larry Williams, 6-0 Wenny Miao and 6-1 Sam Hitz--and is expected to be Pasadena Poly’s main challenger in the Prep League.

South Bay Lutheran, which averaged 105 points last season, could light it up again with the return of all-leaguer Maurice Stephens, a 5-10 junior who averaged 18 points, and 6-2 sophomore Sherman Sykes.