HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL / BOYS’ TOP 10 : Even With Its Losses, El Camino May Win

El Camino was the only basketball team in the county last season with more than one player on The Times’ 10-member All-County team. The Wildcats had three--Jeff Reeves, Heath McCoy and Shaun Scurry--and they all graduated.

Concern?

Nah.

We looked past those losses, saw Ray Johnson was still the coach, noticed he had a talented transfer to go with an underrated returning group and made El Camino our preseason top-ranked team.

Others might scoff--Torrey Pines probably has a right to--but for now, it’s the Wildcats, who incidentally are the only team in the top 10 practicing without a full squad because of the football playoffs.

Any of the next six teams--Torrey Pines, by Monte Vista, Poway, Lincoln, Kearny and Fallbrook, could move up to No. 1 without raising too many eyebrows.

The Times’ 1991-92 San Diego Section top 10:

1 EL CAMINO

1990-91 Record: 24-6

League: Avocado

Coach: Ray Johnson

Despite the graduation of his three best players, Heath McCoy, Shaun Scurry and Jeff Reeves, Ray Johnson once again has some of the best talent in San Diego. El Camino has been to the Division II finals the past two years, winning the section in 1989-90. Junior forward Chris Dade, a transfer from Vista, is already being recruited by Division I schools. Dade can play point guard, shooting guard or small forward. Russell White, a 6-6 center, came on strong last year in the playoffs. The Wildcats might lose some early until football players Bryant Westbrook (6-2) and Mike Booker (6-3) are ready to play. Clarence Martin, a 6-4, 250-pound forward, has Johnson excited. “He’s very agile and can handle the ball real well. He’s a pleasant surprise.” Sophomore guard Trey Crayton adds defense off the bench and senior Sky Harrison is a three-point threat.

2 TORREY PINES

1990-91 Record: 21-8

League: Palomar

Coach: John Farrell

The Falcons have won or shared the league title the past four years, and John Farrell has won at least 20 games in each of his six seasons at Torrey Pines. This year’s question: When they cut the nets at the end of this season, will the players need a ladder? This team is loaded. For starters, junior Scot Pollard (6-11), John Allred (6-5) and Craig Brown (6-4) all averaged between 10 and 12 points last season, Brown being a terrific outside shooter. Peter Bates (6-7) has already signed a letter of intent to attend Southern Methodist. Though sophomore Eddie Montalvo and Matt Tranchina are only 5-10, they provide solid ball-handling skills at guard.

3 MONTE VISTA

1990-91 Record: 16-9

League: Grossmont 3-A

Coach: Zack Peck

Even without a legitimate post player, Monte Vista has passed two big tests this season with victories against Lincoln and Poway. The Monarchs, though not big, have balance and depth, and their ball-handling, a sore spot last year, is much improved. They will not be carried by one, or even two players. They will mix it up, attack teams from various positions and pressure on defense. Seniors Aaron Elliott (6-4), Matt Ehlke (6-4) and Paul Watson (6-1) and juniors Marty Ellis (6-1) and Jason Peck (6-1) form a solid starting five, and unlike past years, the rotation figures to go eight or nine players deep.

4 POWAY

1990-91 Record: 21-7

League: Palomar

Coach: Doug Wealch

The only starter back is center Kyle Milling (6-7), who averaged 15.5 points and 11 rebounds per game and is bound for UC Santa Barbara. Though inexperienced, Poway is rich in tradition, fundamentals and discipline, and the defending Division I champions will win games for those reasons alone. Brian Nietz (6-3) and Andy Davis (6-6), standouts on a 21-6 junior varsity team, or varsity reserve Mitch Palmer (6-3) will join Milling inside. Guards Todd Fortney and Justin Kruse, backups last year, will be required to keep defenses honest with their ball-handling and shooting. Chad Wellon, another junior varsity player, can play forward or guard.

5 LINCOLN

1990-91 Record: 22-9

League: City Central

Coach: Ron Loneski

Coach Ron Loneski thinks the Hornets, winners of seven league championships and five section titles in a row, have the potential to be San Diego’s first state champion. All but one starter return, including the fowards, 6-4 Berry Randle (20.5 ppg) and 6-0 Jose Baker (17.0 ppg), and point guard Archie Robinson (9.7 ppg, 155 assists). The Hornets have a talented supporting cast with Joe Evans, Akili Smith, Scott Hammond and Alex Davis. Lincoln traditionally starts slow with a tough nonleague schedule then peaks at the end.

6 KEARNY

1990-91 Record: 24-7

League: City Western

Coach: Bill Peterson

Coach Bill Peterson is so excited about his team’s 25-2 record through the spring, summer and fall leagues, he thinks Kearny should be ranked No. 1. “I’ve got 10 players who can play , eight players who can dunk,” he said. “We’re loaded.” Returning starters Ali Nayab, a point guard who averaged 10 points and six assists per game last year, center Steve Marshall (10 ppg, 8 rpg) and Damien Victor (10 ppg) will lead a fast-breaking, full-court pressing contingent that includes Demetrius Brown, James Curtis and Keith Robinson.

7 FALLBROOK

1990-91 Record: 18-10

League: Palomar

Coach: Russell Keith

Chris Miller (6-4) averaged 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists per game last year and will do the same, if not more, this season. He will single-handedly beat teams. He will dribble around, through and jump over opposing coverages. As its only returning starter, he will lead Fallbrook, but how far depends on whether he can get enough support from his teammates to keep defenses honest. That burden falls on center John Dutton (6-4), forward Chad Lemons (6-3) and point guard Steve Pack, who was the first guard off the bench last year.

8 MORSE

1990-91 Record: 19-7

League: City Eastern

Coach: Ron Davis

The league runner-up in 1990-91 should take a league title this season. The Tigers flex their collective muscle inside with a pair of 6-8 aces, junior center Edwin Charles and senior forward Edmond Jackson. The third returning starter, senior Maurice Vickers (6-3), gives the Tigers an extra shot of experience and balance. The end of football season has made gym rats out of Cary and Gary Taylor, returners who round out the starting five and add to Morse’s backcourt game. Newcomers Eugene Burge (6-7) and Byron Steele (6-1) will see playing time.

9 CHULA VISTA

1990-91 Record: 14-13

League: Metro

Coach: Mike Collins

Chula Vista might have to wait until after its football team finishes its playoff run before the Spartans live up to their preseason billing. The Spartans will be led by 6-foot-2 Jerome Green, arguably the top player in the South Bay and considered among the best in the county. At 6-4, Andy Duran plays center. His size could hinder Chula Vista on the boards, but no one doubts Duran’s strength. Lack of size is a definite concern, but during his 20-year career at Chula Vista, Collins has turned more than a few weaknesses into strengths.

10 CARLSBAD

1990-91 Record: 15-12

League: Avocado

Coach: John Nelson

After reaching the second round of the 2-A playoffs last year, Nelson said his team will win the Avocado League title and contend for the Section championship. If summer league play is any indication, Nelson might be right. Carlsbad went 37-3 against county teams. Guards Chad Nelson (15.0) and Kewan Shariff will provide much of the scoring, and David Kozlowski sets the tempo defensively. Coach Nelson said Chad Nelson may be one of the more improved players in the county. Toby Tollack, a 6-5 center, gives Carlsbad a presence inside.