PREP BASKETBALL ‘91-’92 SMALL SCHOOLS : BRETHREN CHRISTIAN

1990-91 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 23-6 11-3

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Richard Thomas: 103-91

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Chris Fry Sr. 7-0 C Chiron Hart Sr. 6-3 F

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Cornel Hawkins Sr. 5-10 G Tim Osborn Sr. 6-2 F Scott Thomas Jr. 6-3 G

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Dan Frank Sr. 6-2 G Michael McDaniel Sr. 6-3 F Royce Porter Sr. 5-9 G

OUTLOOK

One of the long-standing theories of many coaches in several sports is that defense is the best offense. Thomas, who opens his ninth season with the Warriors, firmly believes in that concept. “Our defense has been our mainstay the last few years,” he said. “Our goal is to keep teams under 50 points.” The Warriors converted that philosophy into reality last year. They allowed only 45.4 points per game, leading the Olympic League in that category, and averaged 57.5 in finishing in second place in the league behind Cerritos Valley Christian. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a seven-footer such as Fry (9.8 points per game in 1990-91) camping around the boards or an all-leaguer such as Hart (12.8 points per game) providing scoring punch and steady defense. Thomas said quickness, speed and the number of seniors (nine) are also among the team’s strengths. The Warriors made it to the Division V-AA semifinals last season and the previous year they made it to the Division 1-A finals, where they lost to Canoga Park Faith Baptist, 65-69. Thomas said his current squad believes it can get that far again. “The guys are convinced this year we can really do some good things,” Thomas said.