Southern Section Basketball Capsules : FOOTHILL LEAGUE

Burbank

COACH: Fred Cook, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 3-21; 6th in league, 2-8

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cook believes that the team has prospered from summer league--the Bulldogs went 20-18--saying the team is almost two months ahead of schedule in relation to last season’s team. However, center Tyler Smith (6-foot-3) is the only player taller than 6-1. Mike Palaski (5-10), Jon Warner (6-0) and Hyung Chun (5-8) are returning starters. Warner will be the primary ballhandler and can score from inside and outside. “We’re going to spread it out and make people come out and guard us,” Cook said. “We’re all interchangeable and everybody can play any position.” Burbank might go as deep as 10 players in its rotation. Also expected to be part of the rotation are Shawn Williams (6-1), Fuzzy Clocki (5-11), David Ranney (5-11), Steve Rutoske (6-0), Ken Malous (6-1) and Henry Gandi (5-10).

OUTLOOK: “We don’t have a power game,” Cook said. “We need to force turnovers and get help on the boards underneath. Our defense and speed will be the key. It’ll be an interesting up-tempo game.”

Burroughs

COACH: Ira Sollod, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 18-7; 1st in league, 10-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Burroughs is the two-time defending Foothill League champion but only two players with varsity experience return. Forward Mike Rossiter (6-6), who averaged seven points a game, and guard Victor Hernandez (5-11) were used sparingly as juniors. Rossiter has developed into one of the team’s better outside shooters, Sollod said. Chris Suarez (5-7) will join Hernandez in the backcourt and Nate Asamere (6-1) and Rick Mulloy (6-5) will fill the remaining forward and center positions. Burroughs will emphasize speed to force turnovers in an up-tempo game.

OUTLOOK: Sollod tabs Burroughs, along with Alhambra and Hart, as the favorites for the league title. However, the replacement of graduated point guard Marnie Calderon, the league MVP last season and a three-year starter, looms as Sollod’s primary concern. “He ran the show,” Sollod said.

Hart

COACH: Greg Herrick, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 18-8; tied for 2nd in league, 7-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Hart made 154 three-point shots last season, but Herrick will be emphasizing a different three-point play this season. “We have tremendous talent on the front line,” Herrick said. “Our focus will be on the inside and we will be getting fouled and going to the free-throw line. We’re starting a new statistical category.” Seniors Marty Downen (6-5) and Keith Halcovich (6-5) return at forwards with junior Ali Peek (6-4, 230 pounds), the junior varsity MVP, at center. As juniors, Downen averaged 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds and Halcovich averaged 8.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Senior guards Doug Rich (6-0) and Tony Valenzuela (6-2) round out the starting five. Hart averaged more than 80 points a game last season and Herrick feels that this squad can equal that.

OUTLOOK: “Our guards are suspect,” Herrick said, “but we have so much talent I could play guard and we would still win. Our early schedule is brutal and the media will keep us down on their list because of our record, but I think we’re as good as anyone in the Valley.”