CITY CENTRAL LEAGUE : Staying on Top Will Be Tough for Lincoln

After six consecutive City Central League championships, you would think that Ron Loneski has found some secret to coaching his incumbent power at Lincoln High. Some quirk in his methods, some philosophy that mobilizes distracted teen-agers to get their eyes focused on the bouncing ball.

No, Loneski said. If anything, the job is getting tougher.

Lincoln, a team with four straters returning from the 1991 state semifinals, a team that boasts three of the league’s top individuals, a team described as a high-wire act around the backboard, has a coach who feels helpless.

“Sometimes I think Michael Jordan has ruined my coaching career,” Loneski cracked. But he wasn’t joking. The Hornets, ranked No. 5 in the preseason, are a lukewarm 9-7 entering tonight’s Central League opener at Hoover.

Lincoln, with first-team Times All-County forward Berry Randle back for his senior year, is far better than its .562 winning percentage. But Loneski said the Hornets are sometimes more concerned with the fit of their green and black uniform and the air pressure in their high-tops than their next opponent.

“I hope our kids don’t think it’s going to be a cakewalk,” said Loneski. “I hope we don’t look past Hoover (tonight) just because we play Kearny (15-1) next Wednesday.”

Lincoln has a 38-game winning streak in the Central League.

Yes, the Hornets lost, 72-61, to league foe Madison in the Kiwanis Tournament. But Madison is now weakened by the loss of its best player, Donnie Collins. The Warhawks still have some firepower and San Diego, despite eight sophomore, is improving quickly. But expect Loneski to watch, albeit helplessly, as the Hornets win their seventh consecutive title.

THE RACE

Top contender: Lincoln (9-7).

Surprise potential: Madison (8-8), San Diego (6-5).

Hoping for improvement: Hoover (3-9), Crawford (1-12).

Game of the year: Madison at Lincoln, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. Madison beat Lincoln by 11 last month.

THE PLAYERS

The man: Berry Randle of Lincoln. Though the coaches were divided between Randle and Collins, Randle appears to have all the tools--including experience--to help his team win games. The section’s eighth-leading scorer last year at 22.2 points a game, Randle is averaging 16.4 points and 13 rebounds on a team loaded with shooters and rebounders.

While two other coaches were swearing by the 6-foot-3 forward Collins--who was dismissed from the team Thursday--Madison Coach John Anella said this of Randle: “He’s a very strong rebounder, he takes the ball to the hole and he had some moves against us that were spectacular. He’s the best.”

Who will fill the shoes of Berry Randle and Mike Watson? Because he’s back, Randle’s shoes won’t need filling. And at 6-4, Randle has big shoes. Yet Archie Robinson, a 5-9 point guard who averages 10 points, and seven assists per game, could fill them should Randle be somehow lost. Tavie Mason, a sophomore guard who averages 12 points, has replaced Watson at San Diego and has the same player-of-the-year potential.

Others to watch: Hosa Baker (15.5 ppg.) and Akili Smith (9 points, 9 rebounds) of Lincoln. Both are explosive. Hoover’s Tony Maxwell, a 6-4, 205-pound junior forward, averages 20 points and had a school-record 43 against Chula Vista. Shane Lantz of Madison (11.6 ppg.), son of former NBA player and current Laker commentator Stu Lantz, is developing into the league’s premier point guard.

THE INTANGIBLES

Hawks minus Collins: With Collins, who averaged 18.3 points through 16 games, Madison was considered a contender. Now the Warhawks’ season will depend upon how well Lantz, three-point shooter Matt Baker and top rebounder Gerald Hunter perform in his absence.

Does anyone stay at home anymore? Lincoln’s Randle lives within Crawford enrollment limits and Madison’s Collins within Lincoln territory. Those two and others--with approved inter-district transfers--have defected from their home schools. The coaches, who are getting frustrated trying to build programs within the neighborhood, are discouraged.

“Eight kids from Crawford have transferred out,” said King, who returned as coach after a one-year hiatus. “They essentially tried to negotiate a contract with me, wanting to know what position and how much playing time they would have. They wanted to know whether I was going to get them scholarships.”