HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEAGUE PREVIEWS : CHANNEL LEAGUE : Numbers and Track Record Counting Heavily Against the Field : Boys: Talent-laden Dos Pueblos, Santa Barbara figure to have area challengers outmanned.

It’s a numbers game, pure and simple. Add them up and the highest score wins.

Three Channel League teams each have one extraordinary player. Two other teams each have three.

But all five might be trumped by a couple of Santa Barbara-area teams that boast the most in terms of talent.

Talk about Rio Mesa and the talk is of Tyrone Nunnery, the youngest in a long line of Nunnerys. Tyrone’s cousins and brothers have played at Channel Islands, Oxnard and Hueneme in addition to Rio Mesa the past two decades.

“Tyrone has a chance to be as good as about any of them,” said Steve Wolf, the Rio Mesa coach.

Although only 5 feet 10, the junior off-guard gets his share of rebounds in addition to averaging 20 points and eight assists. Nunnery was most valuable player of the Chaminade tournament, which Rio Mesa won.

In the final, a 52-50 victory over El Camino Real, Nunnery had 23 points. No other Spartan had more than six.

The difference is not as acute at Oxnard, but Danny Sweeney is a firm notch above the rest in his maturity and ability. Sweeney, a 6-3 senior off-guard, was an all-league performer last season after averaging 12 points.

“Danny’s approach is a great example for the rest of the team,” Oxnard Coach Henry Lobo said. “He has worked hard to eliminate weaknesses from his game.”

George Jones, a three-year starter at point guard, provides the same qualities at Hueneme. Jones can score 27 points one game, then record nine assists the next, a feat he pulled off early this season.

“George is a natural leader and it shows on the court,” Coach Larry Miller said.

Ventura and Buena have the luxury of not needing the same player to come through every game.

Ventura combines 6-6 inside threats Charles Dixon and Donte Lincoln with sharpshooting guard Christian Gallagher.

“If our ballhandling is OK, we have three players who can score in a variety of ways,” Ventura Coach Dan Larson said.

Buena center Ceneka Shaw might be the league’s best player, and he has experienced guards John Tobias and Ryan Howery to get him the ball.

“We have four guards back from last year and we’ll be running them in and out,” Buena Coach Glenn Hannah said.

They’ll be needed against Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara, both of whom bring back outstanding teams. Dos Pueblos won the league title last season with a record of 13-1 and was 25-4 overall. Santa Barbara finished second at 11-3, 21-6.

TEAM BY TEAM

* BUENA (21-6, 11-3)

Buena should challenge for the championship behind Ceneka Shaw, a 6-6 senior center, perhaps the league’s best inside player. John Tobias, a 6-1 senior guard, is back for a third varsity season. Point guard Gerard Bolden and senior swingman Ryan Howery are returning starters. Shaw, Tobias and Howery were the Bulldogs’ top scorers last season. Mike Golden, a backup last season, is a starter.

* HUENEME (9-15, 5-9)

George Jones, Ronney Jenkins and Rashadd Cousins--all football players--are returning starters under Coach Larry Miller, who is pulling double duty after coaching the football team. Jones, a 6-3 point guard, is a dangerous scorer with a season-high of 27 points. Junior center Jerome Phillips and senior guard Terrance Brumfield also start.

* OXNARD (13-11, 9-5)

Although laden with seniors, the Yellowjackets have 10 new players. One familiar name is Danny Sweeney, a 6-3 guard who averaged 12 points last season. Ross Randolph, a 6-3 forward, is a returning starter and Charles Erving, a 6-foot guard, played extensively in a reserve role. Brothers Alan and Jeff Fouchey are transfers from Santa Clara.

* RIO MESA (8-16, 6-8)

After losing its first two games, Rio Mesa has won seven of eight and appears to be a playoff contender. Tyrone Nunnery, a 5-10 junior guard, was most valuable player of the Chaminade tournament, which the Spartans won. Big things are expected of 6-5 Ben Candellaria.

* VENTURA (4-19, 2-12)

The Cougars boast the most size among area Channel teams with 6-6 senior forwards Donte Lincoln and Charles Dixon, but junior guard Christian Gallagher, a dangerous outside shooter, might be their best player. Forward Jeff Russell, a 6-1 senior, and point guard Costello, a 5-10 senior, also start.