BOYS’ TOP 10 : Favorites? They Are All Over : Preview: The race for No. 1 is no foregone conclusion in a year with no real shoo-ins.

In the past, it has been relatively easy to find the No. 1 team in the county at the start of season. But this season’s race is wide open, with several teams having a shot at No. 1 by playoff time.

Poway was an easy pick when it won three consecutive titles from 1985-87, and Torrey Pines was a shoo-in the past two seasons with Courtie Miller (San Diego State) and Kevin Flanagan (Arizona).

But this season, it could be a balanced team such as El Camino or Mt. Carmel or one that features one of the top individuals in the county, such as San Diego or San Pasqual.

The upper-level individual talent also seems to be even this year, with three Times’ all-county selections--including San Diego’s Clark James and San Pasqual’s Eric Meeks--returning.

Tony Clark, who has committed to play at Arizona, probably is the best in the county, but his talent may be hidden at Christian, a Division IV school.

“If Tony Clark stayed at Valhalla, I think he’d be the top player in the county,” said John Marincovich, Mt. Carmel coach. “Maybe in Division IV, he ought to score 60 points a game, but what does it mean?”

1. EL CAMINO

1988-89 Record: 20-6

League: Avocado

Coach: Ray Johnson

The Wildcats return five of their top six players from last year, including Dee Boyer, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound center who has signed with Lamar. Boyer averaged 13 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. El Camino also returns 6-2 point guard Travis Gilley (15-point average), swingman Glen Ankton (14 points) and 6-5 forward Shaun Scurry (11 points and seven rebounds).

2. SAN DIEGO

1988-89 Record: 20-5

League: City Central

Coach: Dennis Kane

The Cavers have four starters returning, including Clark James, a Times’ all-county selection as a junior. James averaged 17.3 points while leading San Diego to the Division I championship game despite losing two players to ineligibility just before the playoffs.

3. MT. CARMEL

1988-89 Record: 18-9

League: Palomar

Coach: John Marincovich

The Sundevils’ two leading scorers from a year ago return, including Shane Knight, a 6-9 forward who has committed to play at Brigham Young next season. Knight led Mt. Carmel with 14 points a game, and Mike Graves, a 6-3 swingman, averaged 12 points.

4. LINCOLN

1988-89 Record: 27-2

League: City Central

Coach: Ron Loneski

Lincoln High is blessed with athletes, not basketball players, Coach Ron Loneski says. The thing is, athletes are easily molded into players. Back from last year’s squad are seven seniors, including Darrell McMillan, John McCartney and Victor Dean. Donald Ballard, a transfer from University City, should also help.

5. SWEETWATER

1988-89 Record: 25-3

League: Metro

Coach: David Ybarra

Sweetwater returns four starters--all guards--from a team that lost to Valhalla in double overtime in the Division I quarterfinals. The Red Devils will be small with no starter taller than Carlos Campbell (6-4). Joe McDowell (6-feet-2), Melvin Rushing (6-1) and John Gilbert (6-1) round out the returners.

6. MONTE VISTA

1988-89 Record: 18-5

League: Grossmont 3-A

Coach: Zach Peck

The Monarchs return two players who committed to NCAA Divison I teams during the early signing period. Center Joe McNaull (San Diego State) averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks last year. Also returning is 6-3 forward Jeff Polinsky (U.S. International), who averaged 20 points. But the Monarchs are going to have to find a back court to challenge for the Divison I title.

7. SAN PASQUAL

1988-89 Record: 13-11

League: Avocado

Coach: Tom Buck

How tough is Erik Meeks? One county coach ranked him No. 7 in the county. For a team poll. Meeks, a Times’ all-county selection last year as a sophomore, was invited to the prestigous Nike All-America Camp over the summer. Meeks (6-10, 230) averaged 22 points while shooting 56% from the field last season. The key for San Pasqual is whether it can find a supporting cast. Bryan Banner (6-6, forward) and 6-5 junior Richard Stark give the Eagles one of the county’s tallest front lines.

8. UNIVERSITY CITY

1988-89 Record: 16-10

League: City Western

Coach: Tom Medigovich

Since the Gus Macker tournament changed dates, a repeat of last year’s Jerome Price-Gus Macker fiasco has been averted and gives UC near assurance of a league title. Price ended up playing half the season last year but missed several weeks after he was declared ineligible because he played in the Macker tournament. He returned for the final regular-season game and playoffs, but the Centurions fell to Grossmont by two points in the Division II opening round.

9. POWAY

1988-89 Record: 23-5

League: Palomar

Coach: Neville Saner

Greg Sorell (6-2, 10.7 points per game) is the lone returner, but Coach Neville Saner has depth thanks to a junior varsity team that was 19-4 last year. The Titans may start slowly, but, as with most Saner teams, they will be a force by the end of the season. “We’ll use 10 players,” Saner said. “That’s more players than I ever anticipated using, but it’s more parity than I’ve ever had.”

10. MIRA MESA

1988-89 Record: 4-22

League: City Eastern

Coach: Tim Cunningham

Mira Mesa may have been 0-10 in City Eastern League play a year ago, but the Marauders figure to be the class this season. Six-foot-four Marc Ziegler, who plays tight end on the football team, anchors the front line at center. J.J. Rowlett, a 6-4 swingman who is the football team’s quarterback, should also contribute offensively.