HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEW : TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

Fillmore

COACH: John Wilber, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 7-18; 5th in Frontier League, 1-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Flashes enter a new league with a small, inexperienced lineup. Senior off-guard Raul Ruiz (5-foot-10) is Fillmore’s lone returning starter. Ruiz is a good defender who averaged four points last season. He is being counted on for much more offense. Senior center Scott DeCuir (6-4) is the only other varsity returner. DeCuir, the Flashes’ tallest player, averaged six points in limited playing time. DeCuir must develop into a strong presence in the middle for the Flashes to improve. Junior forward Ceaser Orozco (5-11) is one of the most improved players in the program. Orozco was a bright spot on the junior varsity last season. He has a nice shooting touch and is aggressive on defense. He is expected to make a big contribution.

OUTLOOK: “There are a lot of questions about this team, but I do think we can be competitive,” Wilber said. “We’ll play tough defense and work hard every night.”

Oak Park

COACH: Rob Hall, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 6-15; 5th in league, 1-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Eagles have an abundance of riches at guard. Senior off-guard Damian Delfino (6-2) is Oak Park’s best player and is expected to be among the league’s elite at his position. He should improve on his 12-point average of last season. Floor leader and captain Andrew McMullen (6-0) returns for his senior campaign and has improved his shooting during the summer. Much is expected of junior off-guard Nick Rattray (6-0), who averaged 24 points on the junior varsity. Rattray is an outstanding shooter with superior defensive skills. Sophomores moving up are point guard Brian McMullen (5-10), Andrew’s brother, off-guard Brandon Creason (5-11), off-guard Shawn Williams (6-2) and forward Darren Aherne (6-3). Swingman Lindsey Wallace (5-11) played on the varsity as a freshman. Senior forward Mike Garrido (6-3), a three-year varsity player, and junior forward Ryan Garth (6-1) are being counted on for rebounding and interior defense.

OUTLOOK: Hall believes the Eagles can run to the league title. “With our guard play, I think we have a realistic shot at winning this thing,” Hall said. “We go 10 deep, so we’re going to push the ball, play good defense and see if teams can keep up with us.”

St. Bonaventure

COACH: Marc Groff, 10th season

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

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior forward Rod Tepesano (6-3) is the only returning player. Last season, Tepesano had averages of seven points and seven rebounds as a part-time starter. He is being counted on to produce bigger numbers and for leadership. Junior point guard Scott Dunst (6-0) and senior off-guard Steve Rutherford (6-0) were a solid guard tandem for the junior varsity. Dunst, who averaged eight points and four assists, reads defenses well and usually makes the correct passes. The Seraphs need him to develop quickly as a floor leader. Rutherford is a three-point shooter who led the junior varsity with an average of 14.5 points. While neither is especially fast, Dunst and Rutherford play sound defense and work well together.

OUTLOOK: Groff believes the Seraphs will struggle this season while experiencing growing pains. “Our weakness is clearly our inexperience, but, on the positive side, youth and inexperience can sometimes be a real good thing,” he said. “There’s no real pressure on us from anyone to win right now. The kids can play with no real expectations except to work hard and learn.”