Southern Section Basketball Capsules : FREE-LANCE TEAM

Camp Kilpatrick (1-A)

COACH: Jeff Fortes, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 5-15; free-lance team

PLAYERS TO WATCH: One team’s loss is another team’s gain. Power forward Bernard Wallace (6-foot-4, 190 pounds, senior) was a member of talent-laden Long Beach Poly High’s starting lineup before he was sent to Camp Kilpatrick, a county-maintained facility for juvenile offenders. Wallace will start at center and could be one of the best players in the 1-A Division. Wallace has a strong supporting cast, including John Ross (6-3), a member of the Lynwood varsity last season as a freshman. Derek Johnson (5-9, senior) will start at guard alongside Prince Allen (6-0, junior). Nathaniel Hughes (6-0, senior) starts at the other forward position. Reserve guard Artis White (5-7, junior) is another product of the Long Beach Poly system. Andre Woods (5-10) will see plenty of time at swingman.

OUTLOOK: After an off season, Camp Kilpatrick seems ready to roll. “It’s a real strong, tough team,” said Fortes, who resumes as coach after a one-year sabbatical. “We’ve really been playing aggressive, tireless defense.” Camp Kilpatrick should have a speed advantage over most of its opponents. “We run a lot of traps, a lot of presses,” Fortes said. “Our speed there should make up for a lack of size.”