HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEAGUE PREVIEWS : Marching Music for the Saints

Back to normal.

That may very well be the theme for boys’ basketball in the Frontier League this season. Santa Clara High appears ready to resume control of the circuit it has dominated for most of Coach Lou Cvijanovich’s 38 seasons.

The Saints (10-4), who had a 91-game league winning streak snapped and had to share the league title with Santa Paula last season, are favored to capture the crown and extensively add to their current streak of two league victories. League play begins tonight.

A discussion of Santa Clara begins with Lukman Dotson and Adam Lopez, a pair of 6-foot-4 senior swingmen.

Dotson averages 20.4 points and seven rebounds. Lopez averages 18.6 points. The pair have helped the Saints weather a grueling nonleague schedule.

“You can’t get any better if you don’t play somebody better than you,” said Cvijanovich, whose team’s losses have been to Compton, Simi Valley, Esperanza and Agoura.

“We were a bunch of midgets compared to the people we played, but when we come into league play we’ll be just fine. We’re a real fine team and our schedule and record show that.”

The league picture after Santa Clara is somewhat muddled. Moorpark, which lost to Santa Clara by 12 points in a tournament game, has an influx of young players. Chief among them is 6-foot-5 sophomore center Kevin Lawrence, who has raised eyebrows by averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.

Calabasas, which tied with Moorpark for third place last season, will ride the talents of junior guard Ryan Coleman, a returning all-league player who is averaging 18 points and seven assists.

Santa Paula is rebuilding after losing all five starters from last season’s co-champions. Junior guard Josh Jimenez was the sixth man.

Nordhoff doesn’t have size, but does have Herb and Allan Thornton. The Rangers hope to improve on their two league victories last season and stay ahead of Malibu, which did not win a league game.

Around the League

CALABASAS

1994-95: 10-15, 5-5

The Coyotes’ lineup is set at guard and center. A trio of seniors will rotate at forward. Starting in a three-guard offense are juniors Ryan Coleman and Bobby Baumann and senior Gavin Citron. Coleman, an all-league choice last season, is averaging 18 points and seven assists. Center Spencer Breen, a 6-3 junior, was promoted from the junior varsity in early December. Who plays forward is dictated by game situations, with Kambiz Ahmadi (scoring), Zack Lowenstein (rebounding) and Chase Craig (defense) in the rotation.

MOORPARK

1994-95: 18-11, 5-5

The Musketeers might start three sophomores but don’t assume that’s a weakness. Kevin Lawrence, a 6-5 center, is rapidly building an inside game to go with his outside shooting skills. Classmates Keith Donahue, a 6-1 shooting guard, and Byron Burnett, a 6-3 forward, are other possible starters. Senior Brian Donahue is the point guard. Patrick Tate, a 6-2 senior guard, must improve his shooting.

NORDHOFF

1994-95: 6-16, 2-8

Coach Jim Hall paints a clear picture of his diminutive team: “We have no inside game on offense. We’re a perimeter, jump-shooting team. When we shoot well we’re in the game. When we’re cold we’re easy to beat.” The Rangers’ starting guards are Matt Cresto and Allan Thornton, who is regaining speed after knee surgery in the fall. Kristian Christinnsen is the center and, at 6-1, is the tallest starter. Herb Thornton, who is averaging 13.5 points, and Nate Nylander are the forwards. All except Nylander started last year.

SANTA CLARA

1994-95: 18-8, 9-1

Like many teams in the region, the Saints have recently battled the flu. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, the effects seem to be evaporating. Jeff Lacefield, a 6-4 junior, is the starter at center. Skye Peterson, a 6-4 junior, will probably start at forward. Both guard slots and a forward position will be filled by 6-4 seniors Lukman Dotson and Adam Lopez and 6-3 senior Bryan Doyle.

SANTA PAULA

1994-95: 23-3, 9-1

The Cardinals have a new starting five. Josh Jimenez, a 6-1 junior, is joined in the backcourt by junior Anthony Hernandez. The forwards are 6-2 senior Mike Henderson and sophomore Willie Zavala. John Bell, a 6-2 senior, is at center.