PREVIEWS: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Manual Arts Coach Knew That Talent Was There

At the beginning of the season, Coach Randolph Simpson said Manual Arts High should not be overlooked just because two of his All-City basketball players had graduated.

Simpson countered that Manual Arts might be even better this season, despite having only two starters back from a City Division 4-A boys’ championship team that finished 26-4.

The coach’s prediction might be accurate. His team is preparing to meet Westchester in the City 4-A title game Friday night at 8:30 at the Sports Arena.

Manual Arts (23-3), which is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the final, has won 17 consecutive games.

Guard Dwain Bradberry, who will attend Cal State Fullerton, is the Toilers’ leader, averaging 25 points and six rebounds a game. In Manual Arts’ 100-90 semifinal victory over Washington last Friday, the 6-foot-4 Bradberry scored 32 points, including a second-half stretch in which he made nine consecutive field goals.

Kevin Beal, a 6-5 forward who scored 17 points against Washington, is averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Westchester, a surprise finalist, is coming off a 71-65 upset of Crenshaw in the semifinals.

Westchester (21-7) has only one senior starter, 6-8 LeRoi O’Brien, who averaged 22 points in the last five games.

“Leadership is critical to a team’s success,” Westchester Coach Ed Azzam said. “And LeRoi has been a leader all season for us. But lately, he’s been doing everything better. He’s scoring, rebounding, blocking shots. . . . He’s been doing it all.”

Manual Arts defeated Westchester twice in Western League play this season, but Simpson said he is not looking forward to playing the Comets a third time. BOYS’ 3-A DIVISION FREMONT vs. NORTH HOLLYWOOD At Sports Arena Friday, 6:30 p.m.

This is a rematch of last year’s 3-A championship game, which North Hollywood won in an upset, 76-71.

The Huskies pulled off that surprise victory as 6-6 center Dana Jones led the way with 29 points and 29 rebounds. Jones is now at Pepperdine, and North Hollywood (15-11) figures to have a tough time against Fremont, the top-ranked team in the City and the State.

The Pathfinders’ only loss this season was to Mercer Island, Wash., in the semifinals of the Las Vegas Holiday tournament in December. Fremont (30-1), which has not been challenged since, tuned up for the final with a 96-50 victory over Marshall in the semifinals.

Senior guard Chris Ford leads Fremont in scoring, averaging 22 points. Junior guard Todd Whitehead is second, averaging 17 points. Senior center Michael Tate, 6-5, is averaging 11 rebounds.

North Hollywood started slowly but turned its season around with a late run, including an 89-88 overtime victory over Hamilton in the semifinals. Junior guard Robert Hill, the team leader, scored 30 points against Hamilton, and forward Eric Jackson grabbed 15 rebounds. GIRLS’ 4-A DIVISION WASHINGTON vs. CRENSHAW At Sports Arena Friday, 4:30 p.m.

Washington (23-4) has established itself as the best team in the City, making its fourth consecutive title-game appearance. The Generals are the two-time defending 4-A champions.

Junior guard-forward Charisse Sampson leads Washington, averaging 21 points and 16 rebounds. Sophomore guard Cathleen Grice is Crenshaw’s leader, averaging 14 points, 10 assists, eight steals and six rebounds.

Top-ranked Washington defeated Crenshaw (17-5) twice in Southern League play this season, including a 73-44 victory three weeks ago.

Washington defeated Crenshaw, 66-48, in the 4-A championship game two years ago. GIRLS’ 3-A DIVISION HUNTINGTON PARK vs. ROOSEVELT At Sports Arena Friday, 2:30 p.m.

Roosevelt (21-1) is making its second appearance in the final in the last three years. The Roughriders have already defeated Eastern League rival Huntington Park (17-5) twice this season.

Laurie Woerfel, Huntington Park’s first-year coach, has only one senior starter, Esther Amador, who has led the team in the playoffs, averaging 15 points. Maritza Cruz, who led the team in scoring during the regular season, and Irene Burruss play key roles.