BOYS’ BASKETBALL 1993-1994: ORANGE LEAGUE

Western

1992-93 RECORDS

OVERALL: 16-9

LEAGUE: 6-4

COACH: Matt Cavanaugh

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 16-9

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Neil Hensley Sr. 6-2 G

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Brandon Brennan Sr. 6-2 F

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Vince Branstetter So. 6-3 F-C Josh Christensen Sr. 5-7 GP Paul Lindemeyer Jr. 6-4 F-C Richard Mackie Jr. 5-11 G

OUTLOOK

Cavanaugh and the Pioneers find themselves in a similar situation to league opponents Valencia, Brea-Olinda and Anaheim: All are likely to be battling for third place behind Magnolia and Savanna for the league’s final Southern Section playoff berth. Western should have the edge in that race. “With us, it all comes down to how well and how hard we compete,” said Cavanaugh, beginning his second year with the Pioneers. “We’re going to have to defend well and rebound better than we should for our size, and those are effort things.” Depending on how well Western’s football team does in the Southern Section playoffs, the school’s basketball team may not be completely in synch until January. Several of the Pioneer basketball players are also members of the football team, so Cavanaugh won’t have the entire picture until the football playoffs are over. Among the athletes doing double duty is Brennan, Western’s quarterback who is also expected to be a strong rebounding force. Wide receiver Josh Christensen is also the point guard, returning after a year off from basketball. “He’s quick as lightning and can penetrate to set up other guys,” Cavanaugh said. Most often, Christensen should set up Hensley, who averaged 10.4 points last year.