Orange Lutheran Seeks Olympic Encore

Last year, Orange Lutheran’s boys’ basketball team swept across the county, threatening several larger, stronger and--most of all--unsuspecting opponents en route to one of the high school’s best seasons.

Orange Lutheran, a private school with about 480 students, was lauded for its play against Cajon, a 4-AA school with 2,150 students; Long Beach Wilson (5-AA, 2,900), and Capistrano Valley (5-A, 2,400).

Although the Lancers did not beat those teams, they came within a point or two, earning respect and admiration.

The Lancers then were undefeated through Olympic League play, ousting rival Whittier Christian in the process to win outright their first league title in more than 10 years.

The capper was a trip to the Southern Section 2-A final, where the Lancers lost to Santa Clara, the eventual state champion.

A dream season? Or the start of something big?

The Lancers hope for the latter, of course, but with the loss of Jason Neben and Pat Bagatourian, that might not be realistic.

Winning the Olympic League again, though, is definitely within Orange Lutheran’s reach. Which is what Coach Jerry Simmons tried to tell people last year.

“You didn’t believe me last year,” he said. “This year, people will probably take us more seriously.”

Especially with the return of Daryl Cole, a 6-foot-5 senior forward who was the county’s sixth-leading scorer last year with a 21.6 average. He also averaged eight rebounds and shot 84% from the foul line.

While Orange Lutheran is favored by the majority of Olympic League coaches, Whittier Christian, Valley Christian of Cerritos and Santa Margarita are all considered contenders.

Capistrano Valley Christian is again in a rebuilding year. And Southern California Christian, which left the Olympic League for the less-competitive Arrowhead League last season, is favored to repeat as champions in that league.

A closer look at the teams:

CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN--The Eagles haven’t had a winning season since joining the Olympic League four years ago, but they have reason to be optimistic this year.

Three senior starters return: 5-10 guard Israel Hogue and 6-3 forwards Chris Elliott and Jason Rodarmel.

Rodarmel, a three-year starter and a standout receiver on the Eagle football team, averaged 17 points a game last season, but will be expected to take on more scoring responsibility this year.

“Jason has the ability of really carrying the team on his shoulders,” assistant coach Kevin Rex said. “Last year he didn’t really do that. This year as a senior he might. Or at least we hope.”

Chad Williams will guide the team as point guard, and Kevin Biniasz, a 6-4 senior center, will help provide an inside attack.

“Our inside scoring should be good; we have a lot of tall guys with experience now,” Rex said. “We have some height and we have good outside shooters, so we hope to be better.”

ORANGE LUTHERAN--Neben, a standout option quarterback, long jumper and off-guard, and Bagatourian, who averaged 20 points a game, have graduated and that will hurt the Lancers.

Simmons says that without those two, the Lancers will have to play harder--something that benefits their fast-break style.

Along with Cole, two starters return: Kent Dowding, a 6-3 senior forward and the team’s defensive specialist, and sophomore point guard Luke Aucoin.

Last season, the 6-1, 140-pound Aucoin, who has several years of experience from playing on traveling teams, performed well as a freshman, but was often inconsistent.

Brian Bedoird, a 6-3 backup center last year, will try to replace Bagatourian. And guard Matt Bode, who received valuable playing time during the Southern Section and state playoffs, is a good outside shooter.

“We’ll be a similar-type team as last year,” Simmons said. “Running and shooting and playing tough defense. . . . I think at least four or five teams have a shot at the league title. It’s pretty even, and it could happen to us. I think it’s in the realm of possibility, so I wouldn’t count us out.”

SANTA MARGARITA--The team of the future looks good in the present. Although there are no seniors, Santa Margarita boasts one of the biggest teams not only in the league, but in the county.

Jeff Layne and Chris Hacker, both 6-8 junior center/forwards, will be the offensive leaders, though Layne is coming off surgery for torn ligaments in his ankle and it may take a few more weeks until he’s 100%.

Sophomore Dan Bathey, a 6-5 off guard, averaged 16 points a game last year and has matured impressively, Coach Richard Schaaf said. Schaaf calls 6-5 junior forward Sean Stevenson a “Kurt Rambis type of player,” willing to do whatever is necessary to win.

Three players--Mike Guevara, Ryan Travis and Mike Carpenter--are fighting for the point guard position, and Schaaf said no position is sure on a team with 10 talented athletes.

“We want to try to place in the top three of the league,” Schaaf said. “And hopefully get into the playoffs. The problem is, we’re still starting two sophomores. People have to remember we’re still pretty young.”

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN--After an undefeated sweep through Arrowhead League competition last year, the Flames are the favorites again. Like Santa Margarita, Southern California Christian has height--only one player on its 11-player roster is shorter than 6-foot.

Although the loss of three-year starters Eddie Felton and Kenny Cross through graduation will hurt, there is plenty of talent around.

Shawn Wiltshire, a 6-7 senior center, averaged 19.2 points and 13 rebounds--third-highest in Orange County--last year.

“He’s going to be one of the best big men in the county--in any division,” SCC Coach Mike Murphy said. “He’s real talented. . . . He’s one of the best-kept secrets in the county.”

Steve Ackad, 6-6 senior forward, is the team’s best shooter and he has improved considerably since the summer. Mike Nickerson, a 6-4 senior guard, a standout receiver and pitcher, is the best athlete on the team--if not in the school.

The key for SCC will be at point guard, where senior Eric Cameron returns. “We don’t have a lot of guards, and ball-handling is one of our weaknesses,” Murphy said. “Hopefully, Eric will be the guy we can count on. I’m really hoping he’ll be able to handle it.”

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN--The Heralds return only three varsity lettermen, so getting back to their once-dominant position in the league--much less the Southern Section 2-AA title game--may not happen this season.

The three returners are Kevin Wilch, a 5-7 senior point guard; Joe Konstantarakis, a 6-5 senior center, and Dan Long, a 6-4 senior forward.

Ruben Oronoz, a 6-5 junior forward, and Brian Uribe, a 5-11 senior off guard, are up from the junior varsity. Uribe was the most valuable player on the junior varsity, where he averaged 17 points a game.

“We should do well on the defensive boards,” Herald Coach Bill Brown said. “Kevin is a quick point guard, so we could be a good fast-break team. The key to our success will be keeping kids out of foul trouble and playing good defense. But our weakness is definitely our lack of varsity experience.”

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEW ’89

SMALL SCHOOLS

1988-89 Overall, League Records in Parentheses

SCHOOL: ‘89-’90 COMMENT

Capistrano Valley Christian (5-18, 2-12): Three-year starter Jason Rodarmel will lead offense

Orange Lutheran (24-5, 14-0): Three starters return, including standout Daryl Cole

Santa Margarita (9-13, 4-10): Still young, with little experience, but best height in league

Southern California Christian (21-5, 12-0): Shawn Wiltshire is one of the county’s best players

Whittier Christian (23-7, 11-3): No starters return, but traditionally strong