1995-96 BOYS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : FREEWAY LEAGUE

BUENA PARK: 9-15, 1-9 in 1994-95. Coach: Ed Matillo (eighth year, 74-96). Prospects: Nine lettermen and all five starters return, intent on not allowing a repeat of last year’s disaster. The talents of senior 6-3 guard Towan Oliver (4.2), a first-team all-league pick, and 5-10 junior guard Ruben Gasso (4.9 assists) are a given. Senior 6-3 forward Terence Broussard (7.5) and Mike Moran, a 6-1 junior guard (6.1), will need to increase their scoring for the Coyotes to have more success. But they should be improved.

*

FULLERTON: 17-9, 7-3 in 1994-95. Coach: Brent Fair (second year, 17-9). Prospects: If the collective confidence of the team had matched that of its coach, Fullerton could have knocked off Mater Dei by 10. But despite not attending any Anthony Robbins seminars, the Indians seek to upend two-time league champion Sonora. Included in the mix of seven returning players are 6-5 senior center Sam Mankiewicz (13.0), a first-team all-league pick, and 6-4 senior guard Seth LaTour (12.0), who spent six weeks this summer on a mission in Poland building a church. Fair could also use breakout seasons by 6-4 junior forward David Brookman and 6-6 senior center Jason Switzer.

*

LA HABRA: 13-14, 5-5 in 1994-95. Coach: Frank McCarroll (eighth year, 85-119). Prospects: The Highlanders are rebuilding. McCarroll has only two returning players (both coming off injuries): 6-3 senior guard Jon Marshall (7.0) and 6-0 junior guard Damon Tristan (2.0). Brad Egan, a 6-4 sophomore, will have to grow up fast at center. Considering the league’s overall strength, if the Highlanders cannot master the pressure defense McCarroll wants them to play, they will take their lumps this season but come back next season more experienced.

*

SONORA: 24-4, 10-0 in 1994-95. Coach: Mike Murphy (fifth year, 90-43). Prospects: The past two years the Raiders reached the Division III-A semifinals after great regular seasons, and each time got upset. Focal points Craig Clark and Chad Fister have gone on to college. Now Murphy needs to get the ball to 6-5 junior forward Josh Lien (10.0), a first-team all-league selection, 6-2 senior guard Nathan Mirth (6.0), second-team all-league, and 6-8 senior center Tim Crow (3.0). Crow supplied several sparkling moments last season when Clark needed a breather or was in foul trouble. Being the league favorite again is a foregone conclusion. What happens in the playoffs probably will define Sonora’s season.

*

SUNNY HILLS: 8-18, 1-9 in 1994-95. Coach: Randy Wellen (first year). Prospects: The Lancers’ situation is a half-step ahead of La Habra’s. Wellen has a foundation with 6-5 senior forward Sean Granillo (14.5) and 6-0 senior forward Bryan Kao (8.0). After that, things are uncertain, especially in the inexperienced backcourt. It may take most of the season for the Lancers to learn Wellen’s system and establish a rotation before determining how feasible their playoff hopes really are.

*

TROY: 17-12, 6-4 in 1994-95. Coach: T.J. Hardeman (sixth year, 74-59). Prospects: The Warriors have only two returning starters and three returning lettermen. So why is Hardeman thinking league title? One returning player is 6-5 senior center Kris Green (9.0), a solid post player whose strong rebounding (10.5) brought him all-league honors. He is joined on the inside by 6-5 senior forward Ryan Dickens. And Hardeman is high on 5-7 freshman guard Jerry Inzunza, who will allow him to move 6-1 senior guard Jon Torres, last year’s starter at the point, to shooting guard. And Hardeman has the depth to play 10 instead of six. That’s why.