PREVIEW 1990-91 : ORANGE LEAGUE : Western Capable of Another Championship

Western High School went 24 years between boys’ basketball titles. The wait for the next one should be considerably shorter.

Say about 365 days.

The Pioneers are a clear choice to repeat as Orange League champions. They have three starters returning from a team that finished 20-6 and tied with Brea-Olinda for the title.

“There’s no way not to like Western,” said John Cyrus, first-year coach at Valencia. “Look at the success they’ve had in recent years.”

The Pioneers are 54-22 over the past three seasons. A year ago, they reached the quarterfinals of the Southern Section 3-AA playoffs.

Back from that team are guards Thomas Barraza and Steve Siefken and forward Nurishi Stevenson. Western also has more size than in the past with Stevenson (6 feet 6), Josh Byrd (6-7), Allen King (6-7) and Matt Umbarger (6-7).

“I don’t think we have any more talent than the other teams, but we have more experience,” Western Coach Greg Hoffman said.

The only hole to fill is at point guard, where Sam Sabbara started for three years. Chris Jackson has done a solid job to date, averaging 10 points and 10 assists and practicing the kamikaze style of defense Hoffman likes.

“Western is just too tough,” Anaheim Coach Conrad Byars said.

A closer look at the teams:

ANAHEIM Coach: Conrad Byars (seventh year). 1989-90 record: 8-15, 2-8 in league. Returning lettermen: Seven. Returning starters: Three. Top returnees: Greg Cole (G, 5-11, Sr.) Rudy Fernandez (F, 6-2, Sr.); Carlos Flores (F, 6-0, Sr.); Saythong Iemsisanith (G, 5-9, Jr.); Frank Madrid (F, 6-1, Sr.); Ryan Rude (C, 6-3, Sr.). Top newcomers: Marc Duda (F, 6-0, Jr.); Oscar Gomez (G, 5-8, Jr.); John Kafoury (G, 5-11, Jr.); Boun Malapha (G, 5-11, Soph.). Outlook: The Colonists are small but are off to their best start in nine years. Quickness and experience make up for lack of size. The key will be Rude, who must hold his own against taller centers. And all five of the league’s other teams have one. BREA-OLINDA Coach: Phil Henderson (first year). 1989-90 record: 22-6, 9-1 in league. Returning lettermen: Two. Returning starters: One. Top returnees: Jeff Roeser (G/F, 6-3, Sr.); Doug Yeo (C, 6-6, Sr.). Top newcomers: Gilbert Arriola (G, 5-7, Jr.); Mark Chiotti (G, 6-0, Jr.); Steve Fox (F, 6-4, Sr.); Drew Hubbard (F, 6-5, Jr.); Mike Ryan (G, 6-2, Sr.). Outlook: The Wildcats lost a lot to graduation: Keith Walker (32.6 points, 11.5 rebounds per game), Fritz Wickman (7.6 rebounds) and Rodney Stewart (8.5 assists). But the Wildcats are not without talent. Yeo has played well so far, and Ryan is a superb athlete. Fox was the most valuable player for the junior varsity last season. MAGNOLIA Coach: Al Walin (16th year). 1989-90 record: 7-21, 1-9 in league. Returning lettermen: Five. Returning starters: Two. Top returnees: Josh Acosta (G, 5-10, Sr.); Fahard Samari (G, 6-0, Sr.); John Storm (G, 5-10, Sr.); Wayne Thomas (C, 6-5, Sr.); Leon Williams (G, 6-0, Sr.). Top newcomers: Andy Walin (F, 6-4 1/2, Jr.); Aaron Williams (F, 6-4, Soph). Outlook: The Sentinels will likely be the toughest challenge for Western; they have good size and quickness. At 240 pounds, Thomas is the league’s most intimidating center. Walin is a good outside shooter as well as a strong inside player. He made seven three-point field goals against Laguna Hills last week. SAVANNA Coach: Kevin Kiernan (first year). 1989-90 record: 16-11, 6-4 in league. Returning lettermen: Four. Returning starters: Two. Top returnees: Jeremy Lynch (G, 6-3, Sr.); Tobie Priest (G, 5-11, Jr.); Trent Ramseyer (F, 6-3, Sr.); Andy Trumpour (C, 6-4, Sr.). Top newcomers: Steve Belknap (F, 6-2, Sr.); Martin Montero (F, 6-2, Sr.); Marlon Watson (F, 6-3, Jr.). Outlook: Kiernan comes over from La Quinta, where he was successful as the girls’ coach (five Garden Grove League titles, one Southern Section championship). He inherits a team that has a lot of questions. “The two starters we have back were role players last year,” Kiernan said. “The have to make the jump to main players.” VALENCIA Coach: John Cyrus (first year). 1989-90 record: 9-16, 3-7 in league. Returning lettermen: Five. Returning starters: One. Top returnees: Adolfo Gomez (F, 6-3, Jr.); Justin Jimenez (G, 5-10, Sr.); Brian Manning (F, 6-3, Sr.); Raul Padilla (F, 6-2, Sr.); John Wilson (G, 6-1, Sr.). Top newcomers: Korey Alexander (G, 5-9, Jr.); Tony Draft (F, 6-2, Jr.); Man Nguyen (G, 5-10, Sr.); Mark O’Brien (F, 6-2, Jr.). Outlook: The Tigers, slow and methodical in recent years, are playing up-tempo under Cyrus. “We like to play 94 feet of defense and 94 feet of offense,” Cyrus said. “We want to attack.” He has the depth to do it. Wilson has been the best of the bunch, averaging 22 points. WESTERN Coach: Greg Hoffman (eighth year). 1989-90 record: 20-6, 9-1 in league. Returning lettermen: Four. Returning starters: Three. Top returnees: Thomas Barraza (G, 6-2, Sr.); Josh Byrd (C, 6-7, Sr); Steve Siefken (G, 6-2, Sr.); Nurishi Stevenson (F/C, 6-6, Sr.). Top newcomers: Daimon Elmendorf (G, 5-10, Sr.); Chris Jackson (G, 5-11, Jr.); Steve Kim (G/F 6-2, Jr.); Allen King (C, 6-7, Sr.); Matt Umbarger (C/F, 6-7, Sr.). Outlook: The Pioneers are always aggressive and tough, especially at home. Barraza has been on the varsity since he was a freshman, Stevenson since he was a sophomore. Byrd has improved and scored 16 points against Santa Ana Valley last week. Sunday--The Pacific Coast League.