HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW : DEL REY LEAGUE : Height Gives Loyola Shot at Upper Reaches of League Standings

Ryan Jamison, Loyola’s 6-foot, 10-inch, 215-pound center, has yet to develop the scrappy, elbow-wielding, gimme-the-ball-or-else mentality.

Heaven help the rest of the Del Rey League if he does.

Jamison is smooth but timid. He would rather tilt back and shoot a fall-away jump shot than step up and jam in a defender’s face.

“He’s not ready to look around and dominate,” said Coach Bill Thomason, whose team won the league title last season with a 19-5 overall record, 10-2 in league play. “He’s just a quiet kid and doesn’t have that (Charles) Barkley attitude.”

There’s no time like the present for Jamison to cop an aggressive attitude. Thomason says other players will try to feed the ball inside as much as possible and he wants Jamison to carry the bulk of the Cubs’ offensive burden.

“He’s going to present loads of problems for a lot of people,” Thomason said.

Loyola also boasts 6-5 forward Jamal Adams, 6-4 guard Joe Burkhardt, swingman Wayne Stamps (6-3) and guard Eric Jones (6-1). The Cub lineup is easily the tallest in the league.

Consider this: No St. Francis starter stands taller than 6-2.

Asked about containing bigger players such as Jamison, St. Francis Coach John Jordan prefaced his answer with a few seconds of hearty laughter.

“We’re just going to do the best we can,” Jordan said. “We get hurt on second and third attempts. If we don’t give up second shots we’ll be fine.”

And Thomason says many of the Knights have the intensity that Jamison lacks. “They’ll run through a brick wall for you,” he said.

But it might be Jamison who hits the wall when Loyola faces Crespi.

Celts center Ken Lynch is physical under the hoop and, despite being 4 inches shorter, could nullify Jamison’s effectiveness.

Like St. Francis, Alemany has a short squad. Center Brian Swanson (6-3, 220), who scored just 6 points in the Indians’ opener against Santa Clara, may encounter problems getting a shot off in the key.

Crespi

COACH: Paul Muff, 13th season

LAST SEASON: 13-12 overall; fourth in league at 5-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Muff says the bulk of the Celts’ offensive load will rest squarely on the shoulders of 6-foot, 5-inch center Ken Lynch, a 3-year starter. Last season, Lynch averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds a game. This year he will have to pick up more of the scoring slack. “He’s the strongest player in the league and excellent against other big men,” Muff said. Muff considers 6-3 senior Chris McGee the consummate point guard. “He can run the team and do the things defensively we like,” he said. Matt Luderer (6-3) will start at off-guard. Crespi’s best passer might be 6-1 swingman Scott Barton. At 6-4, Pat Brady is one of the taller Celts but he is more effective from the perimeter. Sophomores Brandon Bryce, Don Cassano and Rasaan Hall are on the varsity. “It’s the youngest team I’ve ever had,” Muff said.

OUTLOOK:

Crespi, which won 4 of 5 league championships from 1982 through 1986 and then hit the skids, is on the upswing. “Last year, I didn’t think we had a shot at a league title but this year we have a chance,” Muff said.

St. Francis

COACH: John Jordan, second season

LAST SEASON: 9-15 overall; seventh in league at 3-9

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Last season, 4-foot, 10-inch point guard Tom Parada was best suited for elementary school ball. He since has shot up like a weed--to 5-2. Jordan says that Parada’s size enables him to find the open man in traffic. Allen Freemon, the team’s leading rebounder last year, proved he can shoot in St. Francis’ opening loss to Beverly Hills. Freemon, a 6-1 guard who also competes in cross-country, scored 37 points and hit 7 three-point shots. “He’s mentally tough and basically tireless,” Jordan said. The Knights do not have much to go to down low but Dominick Mumolo (6-1, 155) might have the smoothest moves under the basket. At 6-2, 210 pounds, swingman Jeff Dyrek is the strongest player on the team. Jason Smith (6-1, 160) will also start at guard. The team’s best defensive player is sixth man Matt Vitti, who scored 15 points and had 5 steals against Beverly Hills.

OUTLOOK: Jordan says he will have to spread his offense as wide as possible to contend with bigger teams. And he is realistic about the Knight’s league chances. “We always have a chance for third place.”

Alemany

COACH: Rocky Moore, first season

LAST SEASON: 8-14 overall; sixth in league at 4-8

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Guard Jon Beauchemin (6 feet, 165 pounds) might be this team’s saving grace. Beauchemin, a senior and 3-year starter, received all-league honors last year. But it will take more than Beauchemin’s long-range jump shot to keep the Indians alive. Moore is hoping Brian Swanson, a 6-3, 220-pound center, will be a force in the middle. “He’s got the green light from 10 feet and in,” Moore said. Forward Tim Fontenette (6-5, 160), a junior with a silky jump shot, could be a factor if he increases his aggressiveness. Moore has opted to start freshman Richard Dice (6-2, 170). Sophomore Will Burr (5-6, 125) has edged senior Chris Stern as the other guard.

OUTLOOK:

The Indians will need to muscle on the boards if they are to make a serious run at bigger teams. “The morale of Alemany basketball has been so down it’s pathetic,” Moore said. “We have to prove ourselves in a game.”