HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEW : PACIFIC LEAGUE

Crescenta Valley

COACH: John Goffredo, 15th season

LAST SEASON: 14-11; 2nd in league, 6-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Falcons’ top player is senior point guard Adam Jacobsen (6-foot-2), a transfer from Glendora who is tied for the Southern Section record with 288 three-point baskets. But Jacobsen, who signed to play for Pacific during the NCAA’s early-signing period, is more than just a long-range bomber. “He’s a complete, fundamentally sound basketball player,” Goffredo said. “He can dribble and he’s an excellent passer.” The only returning starter is senior forward Brendon Cowsill (6-3), who was second-team all-league last year when he averaged 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. He will guard every opponent’s top scorer. Senior Robert Miller (5-10) was the first guard off the bench last year but will start. The other two likely starters are senior forward Kevin Granz (6-2) and senior center Kevin Jakel (6-4). Both are good shooters, Goffredo said. Junior center John Jenkins (6-8) should contribute off the bench. A player to watch down the line is Jacobsen’s younger brother, Brock Jacobsen (6-3), a sophomore swingman Goffredo describes as the best shooter on the team.

OUTLOOK: Muir is the league favorite but Crescenta Valley is a contender. “I think we can win the title,” Goffredo said. “We feel we’re as good as any of the (teams in the league).” Goffredo said shooting is the team’s strength.

Glendale

COACH: Bob Davidson, 6th season

LAST SEASON: 15-11; tied for 3rd in league, 5-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Dynamiters’ three-guard offense is led by senior point guard Hai Train (5-7). Train, who should become the school’s all-time assist leader, averaged 13.1 points and 6.4 assists last season. Senior Paul Chin (5-7) is the other starter at guard. Senior David Sofro (6-1) will play forward-third guard. Sofro, whom Davidson said is the team’s best outside shooter, averaged 12 points last season. Davidson is not certain who will play the inside positions, but senior center Rick Mosley (6-4) and senior forward Edwin Bonilla (6-1) are pushing hard. Bonilla was the most valuable player for the junior varsity, averaging 16 points and nine rebounds. Davidson said he has become more dangerous because he has grown three inches and gained about 20 pounds in the last year. “All of a sudden he’s 6-1 and throwing down dunks,” Davidson said. “He’s like a completely different person.”

OUTLOOK: Four starters return (Train, Chin, Sofro and Mosley) and they will play a full-court pressure game. The Dynamiters are small, though. “We’re not going to physically overpower anyone, so we have to stay in games and give ourselves a chance to win,” Davidson said.

Hoover

COACH: Kirt Kohlmeier, 13th season

LAST SEASON: 12-12; 5th in league, 4-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Tornadoes’ top player is senior swingman Chad Reese (6-2), who averaged 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds as a junior. Reese, a second-team all-league pick last year, is an outside shooting threat as well as a player who can drive. Senior three-point specialist Joe Kouzam (6-0) will play shooting guard. “His range is 27 feet and in,” Kohlmeier said. Junior Artin Avanessian (5-6) will play point guard. “He’s quick and he can handle the ball against anybody,” Kohlmeier said. Hoover has no true center, but the closest is junior Eric Walker (6-3). Junior Andereh Allahyarian (6-0) will play the other forward position. Kohlmeier calls Allahyarian “a wide body who is good on pick and rolls.” Three players who should contribute off the bench are senior guard Teiko Walker (5-11), senior forward Martin Moradian (6-0) and senior forward Richie Harris (6-1, 245 pounds).

OUTLOOK: Hoover is an easy team to figure out. The Tornadoes are an outside shooting team, so they will live and die with their accuracy. Said Kohlmeier: “If we’re shooting well, we can beat anyone and if we’re not . . .” Look for the Tornadoes to finish from the middle of the pack down.