PREP BASKETBALL ‘91-’92 SOUTH COAST LEAGUE : Irvine

1990-91 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 24-4 9-1

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Steve Keith 72-39

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Brian Boothroyd Sr. 6-2 G

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Dave Carson Sr. 5-11 G Ryan Evans Sr. 6-5 F Brian Hink Sr. 6-4 F Jado Lee Sr. 6-2 G Brian Linsenmayer Sr. 5-10 G

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Eric Ambrozich Jr. 6-6 F Jim French Jr. 6-2 F Jeff Johnson Sr. 6-7 F Scott Ognar Sr. 6-2 F

OUTLOOK

Despite losing All-Southern Section forward John Molle, who averaged 28.1 points before going to San Diego State, Irvine is the consensus pick to win the league championship for the second consecutive season. Irvine lost to eventual champion Santa Barbara, 57-52, in double overtime in the 1-A quarterfinals last season. Keith says Irvine is good enough to advance that far again. He also says Boothroyd and Lee are good enough to make up for any missed points from Molle. Boothroyd averaged 10 points and was a first-team all-league selection. Lee, a reserve who averaged eight points, was a second-team selection. Carson is a three-year letterman. Ambrozich and Johnson were the MVPs on the junior varsity, adding to Irvine’s depth. Keith plans to use a nine-man rotation, relying on a more balanced team. Irvine’s tight defense and patient offense should be familiar to anyone who has watched the team under Keith. And they figure to be the cornerstones to Irvine’s success again this season. The big question is whether a clutch performer like Molle steps forward.