SOUTHERN SECTION HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEWS : Frontier League

Agoura

COACH: Kevin Pasky, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 9-11 overall; 3rd in league, 7-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sean Martin (5-10) is a fundamentally complete, creative off-guard who, as was the case last season, will be responsible for the bulk of the Chargers’ scoring. In fact, Pasky has given Martin’s job as point guard to senior Brian Miller (5-9), just so there’s no chance of Martin’s arms tiring from dribbling the ball: He is going to shoot that much. Miller averaged 16.2 points a game last season. Senior center Tony Marko (6-5) and sophomore forward Eddie Corridori (6-2) figure to pick up some of the scoring chores. Pasky said that he expects 10 points and 10 rebounds from Marko, “the most improved player in the program,” according to Pasky. Corridori averaged 16 points a game as a freshman and was named the junior varsity’s most valuable player. Senior Gino Corridori (6-1), Eddie’s brother, will start at the other forward. Others expected to contribute are senior forward Bryce Arledge (6-3), senior guard Joe Marini (5-11), junior forward Diego Edber (6-2) and senior guard Mark Kelly (5-10), the only player other than Martin with varity experience. Agoura’s weakness is, well, weakness; the Chargers have size but not much bulk.

OUTLOOK: Could this be the season that Agoura challenges Santa Clara, which has won nine of the past 10 league championships and last season’s 2-A Division state title? Probably not, but Pasky remains positive. “I think we’ll be competitive with them,” he said. “In the four years I’ve been at Agoura, this is the best varsity team we’ve had.” As was the case last season, the Chargers probably will need to beat Nordhoff for second place. This season, Calabasas also could be a factor.

Calabasas

COACH: David Hoffman, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 9-12 overall; 4th in league, 4-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jim Friedlander, Greg Waugh, Dan Feldman, Jason Young and Tom Hoover all started several games last season for Hoffman, who was in his first season. They’re all back and that should make for a much-improved Coyote team. Friedlander (6-3), who averaged 12.5 points and five assists as a forward last season, has been moved to the point. Waugh (6-7), a senior center, and Young (5-10), a junior guard, also scored about 10 points a game. Waugh contributed more than five rebounds a game. Young recently had surgery on his knee and is not expected back until the start of league play. Mitch Chernow (6-3) figures to fill in as a power forward. Feldman (6-4) is a senior forward and Hoover (6-1) is a junior guard with a strong perimeter game. Hoover has Hoffman’s endorsement as the team’s most improved player. That alone probably isn’t good enough to challenge the likes of Santa Clara, but Agoura and Nordhoff are certainly within reach. Another player expected to help the Coyote cause is forward Brian Ferring (6-2).

OUTLOOK: Calabasas might start slowly, but the Coyotes probably will improve as the season progresses. Their early season schedule includes Crespi and Chaminade, and they play in the Hart tournament. “You have to schedule according to talent and experience,” Hoffman said. “We have to face as much quality competition as we can.”