New Command, Same Results at Cleveland

A change in generalship did little to affect the deployment of the troops at Cleveland High--the platoon system is still thriving.

Under first-year Coach Marc Paez, the Cavaliers finished the season with typical scoring balance, a trademark under previous coaches Bob Braswell and Greg Herrick.

Senior guard Eddie Hill (16.3) and sophomore forward Brandon Martin (12.4) both averaged in double figures in scoring, followed by fellow starters Bobby McRae (9.3) and Andre Chevalier (8.5), both seniors. Junior sixth man Pat McCook averaged 12.4 points.

Numbers: Canyon’s 20-7 record was its best since 1978 when the Cowboys reached the semifinals of the Southern Section playoffs, and the Cowboys did it the hard way this season, winning 12 games after trailing in the second half. In addition, they rallied to win seven games in which they trailed after three quarters.

Canyon, which defeated six league champions, was 16-0 in games in which the opponent scored 59 points or less. Eight players led the team in scoring in at least one game, and seven led the team in rebounding at least once. Canyon outrebounded 24 of 27 opponents.

Records: Harvard, which lost in the Southern Section 3-A Division semifinals to Dos Pueblos last week, 75-65, finished 23-3 and set school records for most wins, most consecutive wins (16), most points scored in a game (111) and most points in a quarter (35). Senior guard Rick Osterloh set school scoring records for a career (996 points), single season (458) and three-point baskets in a season (48).

VALLEY BASEBALL TOP 10

Preseason Poll

Selected by sportswriters of The Times

Rk Team League 1989 Record 1 El Camino Real West Valley 9-8 2 Kennedy North Valley 22-7 3 Hart Foothill 23-7 4 Birmingham Mid-Valley 8-12 5 Simi Valley Marmonte 23-4 6 Sylmar East Valley 19-4 7 San Fernando North Valley 16-7 8 Notre Dame S.F. Valley 25-6 9 Poly East Valley 15-9 10 Chatsworth West Valley 21-7