PREP BASKETBALL ‘92-’93: EMPIRE LEAGUE

CYPRESS

1991-92 RECORDS OVERALL: 10-15 LEAGUE: 3-7

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL

Tom Gorrell: 0-0

RETURNING STARTERS: None

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Bart Boulton Sr. 6-3 F Chad Triplett Sr. 6-2 G Robby Walshe Sr. 6-3 F

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Jimmy Hutsell Jr. 6-1 G Eric Oda Sr. 5-8 G Tyson Weaver Sr. 6-1 G Jae Suk Yun Jr. 6-3 F

OUTLOOK

Gorrell comes to Cypress from a successful stint as an assistant coach at Tustin. This doesn’t figure to be the best of times to be making one’s debut in the Empire League, however. At Tustin, winning had almost become routine, with two Southern Section championship game appearances in the past four years. Cypress’ basketball fortunes have been at the opposite end of the spectrum for quite some time. The Centurions haven’t made a run at the league championship since the 1970s, about the time the current players were born. But there are encouraging signs for Gorrell. Above all, he starts with a fresh slate. All the starters from last season’s team graduated, so he can begin teaching the newcomers his system right away. The balance is there, but Gorrell said the team lacks a “true scorer.” Boulton, Triplett and Walshe combined to average nine points. Moreover, the Centurions don’t have a player taller than 6-3, which could pose a problem matching up with teams such as El Dorado, Esperanza and Los Alamitos. That might be too steep of a climb to make this season, but there is hope for the future. Gorrell’s picks: Esperanza, Los Alamitos, Katella, El Dorado, Loara and Cypress.