Basketball Preview 1990-91 : EMPIRE LEAGUE : Basketball Title Would Add to Esperanza’s Sports Legacy

Esperanza High School has earned its share of athletic glory since the school opened in 1973.

The football program has produced five teams that have qualified for Southern Section championship games, including the 1990 Division III title winners.

The baseball program is perennially among the best in Orange County and was ranked No. 1 in the nation in 1986 when it won the Division 4-A title.

Championship banners that chronicle Esperanza’s athletic success fill the gym, a subtle reminder to the players on the basketball team that success has eluded them.

“I was looking up there the other day, and there’s only one (1981) league basketball championship banner hanging on those walls,” Coach Mark Hill said. “We’re hoping to add a second one this year. The league (title) is still up for grabs in my mind.”

Esperanza and defending champion Los Alamitos are co-favorites to win the league title. But Loara, with guard Tes Whitlock, and a vastly improved Katella team should not be overlooked.

“Tes Whitlock is capable of carrying Loara to the league title,” Los Alamitos Coach Steve Brooks said. Brooks should know; Whitlock scored 54 points against his team last season.

Katella has missed the playoffs the past three years after qualifying for 22 in a row, but Katella Coach Tom Danley says this year’s team compares with past championship teams.

“I saw Esperanza twice in the Valencia tournament and they look good, but they can be beaten,” Danley said. “On a given night, anybody can beat anybody else in this league.” CYPRESS

Coach: Kevin Loftus (third year).

1989-90 record: 10-16, 2-8 in league.

Returning lettermen: Five.

Returning starters: Two.

Top returnees: Adrian Gutierrez (F, 6-3, Sr.); Joe Groover (F, 6-2, Sr.); John Lin (G, 5-10, Sr.); Courtney Smalley (F, 6-3, Sr.); Youssef Semaan (G, 5-10, Sr.).

Top newcomers: Lance Brooks (G, 5-10, Jr.); Vince Laguana (G, 5-7, Jr.).

Outlook: Last year, guard Jared Rice carried Cypress, averaging 26.2 points per game and making 55 three-point shots. This year, Smalley has been a one-man show, averaging 24.8 points in five games, including a school-record 45 against Huntington Beach. Cypress is starting two juniors--Brooks and Laguana--in the backcourt, and so far they have been inconsistent. Esperanza used its superior height to pound Cypress, 81-48, in the Valencia tournament. Smalley is the tallest player on the team at 6-3. KATELLA

Coach: Tom Danley (25th year).

1989-90 record: 6-18, 2-8 in league.

Returning lettermen: Six.

Returning starters: Two.

Top returnees: Roger Arias (F, 6-4, F); Kevin Carlson (F, 6-5, Sr.); Dave Jensen (G, 6-2, Sr.); Eric Martinez (G, 6-1, Sr.). Top newcomers: Brian Carlson (F, 6-5, Soph.); Vince Encarnacion (G, 5-10, Jr); Bernie Perkins (C, 6-5, Jr.).

Outlook: Katella has fallen on hard times the past three seasons, with a 19-47 record since it won its last league title in 1986-87. “It hasn’t been much fun the past couple of years,” Danley said. The talent pool went dry for three years, but Danley is encouraged this season, particularly with the play of the Carlson brothers. Kevin is a a two-year starter who high jumped seven feet as a junior. He is averaging 23.5 points a game. “We have some size and the ability to go seven or eight deep,” Danley said. EL DORADO

Coach: Wayne Carlson (third year).

1989-90 record: 15-11, 5-5 in league.

Returning lettermen: Five.

Returning starters: Two.

Top returnees: Mike Johnson (G, 6-2, Jr.); Brian Loyd (G, 6-2, Jr.); Bill McAdam (F, 6-4, Sr.); Matt Raya (G, 5-9, Sr.); Brett Tomko (F, 6-4, Sr.).

Top newcomers: Brett D’Arc (C, 6-6, Jr.); Shawn Holcomb (G, 6-3, Jr); Mark Selway (G, 5-11, Jr.).

Outlook: Carlson is touting Brian Loyd as one of the top juniors in the county. Loyd is averaging 15.3 points a game, but Brett Tomko is the team’s leading scorer with a 17-point average. The Golden Hawks are a young team with five juniors among their top eight players, but Carlson says they will contend for the title. “Loyd and Johnson are outstanding shooters,” Carlson said. “We lack height, and we’ll be going through a learning process early in the season with so many juniors on the team.” ESPERANZA

Coach: Mark Hill (third year).

1989-90 record: 16-11, 8-2 in league.

Returning lettermen: Five.

Returning starters: Four.

Top returnees: Brett Evans (G, 5-11, Sr.); Joe Foss (G, 6-4, Sr.); Matt Kordik (F, 6-6, Jr.); Matt Thimgan (C, 6-5, Sr.). Top newcomers: Jeff Campau (G, 6-1, Soph.); Randy Wilson (F, 6-5, Jr.); Fabien Ziegler (F, 6-4, Jr.).

Outlook: Esperanza is the most experienced team in the league with three three-year starters--Evans, Thimgan and Foss. Foss averaged 13 points as a sophomore, 21 as a junior and 26 in five games this year. Esperanza has out-rebounded every team it has played this season; Thimgan leads the team in rebounding with an 11.2 average. The Aztecs are the tallest team in the league with six players at 6-4 or taller. In its only loss, Esperanza blew a seven-point lead in the final 1:45. Esperanza will travel to Illinois to play in the 10,000-seat Metro Center in the 27th Rockford tournament Dec. 26-29. LOARA

Coach: Ed Prange (first year).

1989-90 record: 15-7, 4-6 in league.

Returning lettermen: Three.

Returning starters: Three.

Top returnees: Charlie Gipson (F, 6-1, Sr.); Tes Whitlock (G, 6-1, Sr.).

Top newcomers: Ron Harris (G, 5-10, Jr.); Glen Maggio (G, 5-10, Jr.); Jason Vaughn (C, 6-4, Sr.).

Outlook: Whitlock was the second-leading scorer in the county last year with a 29.8 average and had a high game of 54 points against Los Alamitos, the third-highest in county history. He has picked up where he left off, averaging 36 points in four games, including a 30-point outburst in one quarter against Pacifica. No one questions Whitlock’s ability, but the supporting cast will determine the Saxons’ season. Charlie Gipson will provide additional scoring and Ron Harris is the point guard. Prange has dismissed Dan Wassink, a returning starting forward, from the team for disciplinary reasons. LOS ALAMITOS

Coach: Steve Brooks (ninth year).

1989-90 record: 20-7, 9-1 in league.

Returning lettermen: Six.

Returning starters: Two.

Top returnees: Keith Boldon (F, 6-3, Sr.); Jason Cunningham (F, 6-4, Jr.); John Daugherty (G, 6-2, Jr.); Geoff Graham (F, 6-5, F); Bryan Hakala (G, 6-1, Sr); Eric Schluntz (C, 6-5, Sr).

Top newcomers: Steve Carbone (G, 6-2, Soph.); Brian Kadlac (C, 6-8, Jr.).

Outlook: Which Los Alamitos team will show up? The one that beat Mater Dei, 56-55, or the one that fell behind by 31 points in the second quarter and lost to Tustin, 78-56? The key is the play of point guard Bryan Hakala, who struggled to nine points against Tustin, scoring only two in the opening three quarters. He came back to score 23 points in the upset of Mater Dei. Boldon scored 44 points in a 103-100 victory over University but hasn’t reached double figures since. Cunningham is the team’s top athlete and most consistent player, averaging 17 points per game.

Thursday--Freeway League.