HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEW : ALPHA LEAGUE

L.A. Baptist

COACH: Maury Neville, 14th season

LAST SEASON: 17-8; 2nd in league, 7-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The only returning starter is senior center Matt Kilanowski (6-foot), an all-league selection. Kilanowski averaged eight rebounds and played tough defense. Kilanowski held league player of the year Kris Johnson of Montclair Prep to six points in one game. Senior wing Zaki Rabadi (5-11), a three-year varsity player, probably will start. Neville said Rabadi is a good ballhandler who likes to shoot. Senior forward-center Bill Meredith (6-3) has good leaping ability and should help on the boards. Point guard will be played by either junior Jeff Baumsteiger (5-9) or junior Judah Regenstreif (5-9). Junior wing Landon La Pack (5-10) also will play. The Knights will run a one-guard offense with two wings and two centers.

OUTLOOK: Because L.A. Baptist has so many question marks, Neville’s expectations are low. “We’re probably somewhere down at the bottom (of the league),” he said.

Village Christian

COACH: Brian Gibson, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 11-15; 3rd in league, 6-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior David Fennell (6-4) is the star. He holds 18 school records and should add the all-time scoring mark this season. Last year, Fennell averaged 17.8 points, six rebounds, three blocks and 2.7 assists a game. He also has a 36- to 40-inch vertical jump, according to Gibson. Fennell has drawn the interest of Division II and III colleges. The point guard will be senior Charlie Kim (5-10), whom Gibson said is an aggressive defensive player. Inside, the Crusaders have senior forward Tarik Blair (6-2), the football team’s leading rusher. Sophomore off-guard David Gustafson (6-1) should contribute in his first season of varsity play. Sophomore Chad Hanson (6-1) can play all five positions but will play primarily guard. Senior forwards J.B. McLeod (6-3) and Matt Sutton (6-4) and junior forward Matt Darwin (6-3), the leading scorer on the junior varsity last year, also will play.

OUTLOOK: With 1992 champion Montclair Prep out of the league, the race should be tight, but Village Christian appears to be the favorite.