HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL / CITY SECTION PREVIEW : VALLEY PAC-8 CONFERENCE : MID-VALLEY LEAGUE (3-A)

Birmingham

COACH: Al Bennett, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 10-12; 3rd in East Valley League, 6-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Two starters return for the Braves, seniors Raffi Kassabian and Greg Whiteside, who averaged 10.6 and 9.2 points a game. Bennett is expecting the two 6-foot-1 forwards to anchor a very small and relatively young team. “We almost look like a JV team, but we don’t play like a JV team,” Bennett said. Seniors Alan Reed (6-0) and Gerald Gabrang (5-10), both returning lettermen, will start at forward and guard. Diminutive sophomore Marc Fernando (5-3) is big on talent, according to Bennett. “He’s a bona fide varsity player,” the coach said. Fernando will run the offense at point guard. Rounding out the depth chart are: juniors Anthony Silberfeld (6-1) and Brent Rosenzweig (5-10), and sophomores Scott Lewinter (5-8) and Scott James (5-9).

OUTLOOK: The Braves’ scrappy defense will help keep them in contention for the league title. “It’s taken me three full years to get where I want to be,” Bennett said. “I’m very pleased. They play hard and smart and have a very big heart.”

Canoga Park

COACH: Jeff Davis, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 2-20; 4th in league, 1-10

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Hunters could improve significantly in one season, because four starters and a part-time starter return. Senior center Arthur Bradford (6-6) has added bulk to his 205-pound frame and should be difficult to stop inside. Demond Callahan (6-0) is a returning guard. At forward, seniors Glenn Davis (6-1) and Steve Woodruff (6-4) return. Woodruff, who averaged 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds as a sophomore, sat out his junior year because of a knee injury. Junior Jody Edington (5-8), who started about half of last season, will start at point guard. Seniors Jorge Silva (6-2) and Marcus McMillan (5-9) are returning lettermen who will provide depth. Sophomore guard Michael Criss (5-10) is “unknown but talented,” according to Davis.

OUTLOOK: Davis and the Hunters are eager to redeem themselves after last season’s poor showing. “They’re upset about last year’s record and that’s what is pushing them,” Davis said. “I really believe they can make a major turnaround.”

Monroe

COACH: Paul Graber, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 7-10; 3rd in league, 4-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Vikings might be the only team in the league to have five starters who are 6-feet or taller, but Graber says: “We’re not too tall.” Seniors LaMarco Rich (6-0) and Jeff Nadeau (6-1) are returning starters who averaged 10 points a game. Senior Tweedy Steiner (6-2) is a returning letterman who earned a starting position and Kenyatta Niles (6-3) is a junior guard up from the junior varsity. Juniors Kashan Griffith (6-1) and Dante Cain (6-4) will alternate at the post. Seniors Andrew Sand (5-11), Sylvester Keimie (6-0), Arthur Ghazarian (6-1) and Antonio Miranda (5-11) have only junior varsity experience. If football lineman Jabarha Henry (6-8, 300 pounds) makes the team, he will be the tallest, most-imposing figure in the conference.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings are coming off successful summer and fall leagues and Graber is hoping it will continue through league play. “We’re hoping to give Birmingham and Canoga Park a run for the title,” he said.

Poly

COACH: Jay Werner, 5th season

LAST SEASON: 9-11; 4th in East Valley League, 5-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Three starters return for the Parrots, who lack team height. “I’m loaded with guards,” Werner said. “I’m teaching all of them post-up moves.” Senior Rudy Arriaza (6-1), the tallest of the group, returns at forward. Senior Mike Chairuttanativech (5-10) is an experienced point guard and junior Kevin McGee (5-10) is a shooting guard. Up from the junior varsity are junior Darrin Drew (6-0) and senior Gabriel Plascencia (5-10), both of whom probably will start. Rounding out the depth chart are seniors Darius Hall (5-11) and Jose Sanchez (6-0), and junior Steve Peralta (5-9).

OUTLOOK: Lack of height will hurt Poly at the post position and on the boards, but Werner is hoping to make up for it with team speed and hustle. “Defensively, we’re a scrappy bunch,” he said. “We’ll get some floor burns for sure.”

Sylmar

COACH: Jose Fernandez, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 2-13; 5th in East Valley League, 2-10

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sylmar has its third coach in as many years, but Fernandez intends to stick around long enough to “build a competitive program.” He already has set guidelines for the team to follow and some former players have left. Senior forward Jose Ruelas (5-11) is one of two returning starters. Fernandez is looking to junior point guard Michael Farmer (5-11) to do just about everything. Senior Rolando Sifentes (6-0) will start at forward and senior Paul Hardin (6-3) will start at center in his first year of organized basketball. Senior Darrien Jones (5-9) is a shooting guard and Michael Gabbert (5-10), a starter last year, is the sixth man. Junior Terry Lightner (6-0) and sophomore Hector Ibarra (6-0) are reserve forwards.

OUTLOOK: Fernandez says he runs “practices of unparalleled brutality.” Even if the Spartans don’t surprise a few teams this season, one thing is expected: They will be in good shape. “There is a great fear here to truly compete,” he said. “It’s going to take great leaps of faith, motivation and inspiration.”