Northwest Valley Conference : WEST VALLEY LEAGUE (3-A)

Chatsworth COACH: Sandy Greentree, 1st season LAST SEASON: 6-13; 3rd in league, 3-7 PLAYERS TO WATCH: A talented trio of returnees should be enough to make the Chancellors an immediate force. Senior swingman Christen Dunbar (6-foot) averaged 12.9 points last season and earned all-league honors. Senior forward Ken Manor (6-4), a second-team all-league choice, averaged 11.4 points. Both are strong and intelligent, Greentree said. But the biggest impact might be made by 6-7 1/2, 240-pound junior center Brady Mertes, who already has caught the eye of NCAA Division I recruiters, according to Greentree. “These three guys are just plain good,” Greentree said. “They’re rarin’ to go.” Junior guard Javier Jimenez (6-1), a good ballhandler, moves up from the junior varsity to claim a starting role. Sizable senior forwards Dennis Byrd (6-4) and Brian Ebner (6-3) are vying to start. But junior forwards Kevin Gold (6-0) and Jose Hernandez (6-2) are not far behind. Byrd is the best shooter of the four, Hernandez the best defender. Senior Michael Johnson (6-0) is the probable third guard. Senior forward Anthony Alexander (6-1) will be a reserve. OUTLOOK: Greentree is a proven winner. In 1986, he fashioned a City Section 3-A Division title at Marshall, where he compiled a 104-45 record in seven seasons. Preseason practices have emphasized fundamentals and a balanced attack. “I can’t say we’ll run and gun, but we’ll take the fast break when it’s there,” Greentree said. “We’ll have good versatility.”

El Camino Real COACH: Mike McNulty, 10th season LAST SEASON: 12-9; 2nd in league, 5-5 PLAYERS TO WATCH: El Camino Real had the best returning talent in the league but has lost three players. Junior point guard Sam Sarpong (6-0) has a heart murmur and might miss the first three weeks while tests are conducted. Sarpong averaged 10.9 points and 4.7 assists as a sophomore starter. Projected impact players Keld Skaggs (6-7) left school and Kalin Green (5-9) was expelled and transferred to University. Don’t feel too badly for McNulty, though. Two of the league’s best players also are back to join Sarpong. Junior Markee Brown (6-0) isn’t the biggest forward in the region, but he nonetheless averaged 13.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals. Jaffers Bailey, a 6-4 senior center, averaged 11.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots. Newcomers Kenyth Henry (6-2) plays every position and Sidney McThomas (5-8) is a good perimeter shooter at off-guard. Doyle Holman (6-2) and Jacque McKissick (6-1) will play in the front line. OUTLOOK: Expect El Camino Real to battle Chatsworth for the league title. The only problem, after losing three players, is finding an identity. “We were geared over the summer to running a certain way,” McNulty said. “We pressured all over the floor. Now we’re in transition trying to find what style works best.”

Reseda COACH: Jeff Halpern, 4th season LAST SEASON: 14-9; 1st in league, 7-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: The biggest name in the league resides in Reseda’s gymnasium. Senior swingman Marquis Burns (6-3) is the returning league most valuable player and an All-City 3-A selection. He already has signed a letter of intent with UCLA. Burns averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.1 steals as a junior. He is the lone returning starter, however. Sophomore Trenton Cross (5-9) will start at point guard and senior Demetrius Walker (6-0) will play alongside Burns in a three-guard set. Sophomore Patrick Galan (6-2) and senior Jeffrey Martin (6-0), both promoted from the junior varsity, will start at forward. Seniors Roscoe Tinsley (6-0) and Jeff Kent (6-2) lettered last year and will play forward. Senior Jeff Katz (6-8) is the tallest player in the league, but he did not play last season and is somewhat raw. Junior Aldo Garcia (6-6) is expected to pitch in at forward. OUTLOOK: Halpern expects the league race to be close but concedes that El Camino Real and Chatsworth have the inside track based on experience. Some might have unrealistic expectations for Burns, who might feel alone on the floor at times. “He can’t be expected to do it himself,” Halpern said. “You need a supporting cast.”

San Fernando COACH: Dick Crowell, 10th season LAST SEASON: 5-18; 4th in league, 0-10 PLAYERS TO WATCH: What you see is what you’ll get for the next three years, Crowell said. No players return and sophomores make up the lion’s share of the Tigers’ roster. “I can’t ever remember not having a returner,” Crowell said. “But this is a good group.” Junior Miguel Martinez (6-4), the junior varsity’s best rebounder last season, and sophomore Jerome Elliot (6-4) both need to develop, Crowell said, but should hold their own under the basket. Sophomore guards Javier Ramos (5-10), the team’s best three-point threat, Joel Germon (5-10) and Kevin Hawkins (5-11), who is academically ineligible until January, are all good ballhandlers. Germon and Hawkins are candidates for point guard. Seniors Oscar Romo (6-3), who will start at forward, Jose Mendoza (5-10), a backup point guard, and guard Martin Avalos (5-10) all move up from the junior varsity. Several football players are expected to join the team, Crowell said, but injuries and academic ineligibility might prevent some from playing. OUTLOOK: Crowell, who attributes last year’s “lousy season” to a bad year for talent, is crowing about this year’s pool of young players. “They all played with each other in junior high, so it’s different than with most young kids,” Crowell said. “We’re building for next year and the year after, but I think we’ll be competitive this year.”