HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL LEAGUE PREVIEWS : Village Christian’s Double-Team Over?

Although it is only the beginning of Alpha League competition, the league title may very well be decided when the result of tonight’s L.A. Baptist-Marshall game comes in.

With the loss of All-Southern Section Div. IV-A guard David Gustafson and all-league guard Chad Hanson, the reign of three-time defending league champion Village Christian appears to be over.

The Crusaders (6-6) return second team all-league players Kiko Banos and Aaron Kendrick at guard along with 6-foot-2 forward Tim Gustafson, but find the pickings slim beyond those three.

“Our experience and depth is on the short side,” Village Christian Coach Brian Gibson said. “Our hopes of repeating rest on finding one or two other guys to carry some of the load.”

With the Crusaders seemingly out of the picture and the Knights (10-4) and the Eagles (8-3) off to a good start, it looks like tonight’s game will figure prominently in the league championship race.

“It’s fun to win,” L.A. Baptist coach Maury Neville said. “Any coach will tell you that they expect to be 14-0 after the preseason. But [a good preseason] means absolutely nothing in league.”

The Knights return four players from last season’s second-place team, including all-league selections Ara Veney and Russ Brumpton. Their balance is unquestionable with four players averaging in double figures, and they have surprised teams such as Compton Centennial and Crespi with victories in nonleague competition.

The Eagles welcome back all-league selections Shamar Griffin and Myles Alexander among the four starters back from their third-place team of a year ago.

Griffin, a 6-3 forward, is a solid inside player and leads the team with a 20 point average. Alexander, a 6-5 center, will be difficult to stop.

Also back is three-year letterman Trayon Jackson, a 6-4 forward.

Kilpatrick may be the surprise of the league. The Mustangs probably don’t have enough experience to win the league, but have the talent to contend for a playoff spot.

The only Mustangs with varsity experience are 6-4 swingman Dewayne Doig and 6-2 guard Reggie Goins, who will be counted on for the bulk of the scoring. Both can play inside and outside.

Maranatha will stay out of the basement only because of first-year Alpha League member Acton Vasquez.

The Minutemen finished last in the league a year ago, but return four starters. Sophomore Derek Dawson is averaging 19.8 points so far and 6-5 center David DeVries is blocking three shots a game.

Vasquez is entering its first year of varsity competition and doesn’t have any players with varsity experience. The Mustangs are solid in the backcourt with 5-11 Andy Anderson and 5-10 Joel Roberson, each averaging 13 points a game. The Mustangs (0-8) don’t have any players taller than 6-1 center Steve Ruiz.

The Local Teams

L.A. BAPTIST

1994-95: 16-8, 8-2

Jermaine Sweet (15.6 points), Aaron Davis (14.4), Russ Brumpton (11.9) and Ryan Davis (11.5) provide a potent attack for the Knights, who are averaging more that 70 points a game.

Sweet, a 6-foot junior up from the junior varsity, tops the list even though he has not yet scored 20 in a game. Brumpton, a 6-foot guard, holds every school record for three-pointers.

Seniors Ara Veney, a 6-foot point guard, and Edwin Lewis, a 6-foot forward, join Brumpton as returning starters.

The lack of a true big man may hinder the Knights’ effort to improve on last year’s second-place finish. Starting center Ron Neville is 6-1 and his backup, Edward Jung, is 6-2.

KILPATRICK

1994-95: 4-14, 2-8

The Mustangs have not made the Southern Section playoffs in seven years, but first-year Coach Vern Kluke says that might change.

His team includes seven players with no high school experience but also has two excellent athletes--Dewayne Doig and Reggie Goins.

Doig is averaging 25 points. He has enough size to battle close to the basket and is also the team’s best three-point shooter.

Goins has only been with the Mustangs (3-4) for three games but Kluke calls him “the most respected player on the team.”

He’s averaged 22 points since his arrival and gives Kilpatrick a second scoring option that may get them to the playoffs.

Top backcourt player is 5-8 Robert Shelton, who has quickness and the ability to penetrate.

Billy Hart gives the Mustangs a 6-6 presence in the post.

VILLAGE CHRISTIAN

1994-95: 17-7, 10-0

The Crusaders lost six seniors off last year’s squad, leaving the team young and inexperienced.

Trying to take charge will be seniors Kiko Banos, who is averaging 19 points, and Aaron Kendrick, who averages 15.

Not only do Banos and Kendrick top the scoring list, but they are 1-2 on steals, assists and blocked shots. Kendrick is the team’s leading rebounder at 7.9 per game and Banos is third with 6.7.

Tim Gustafson averages 7.1 rebounds while Dave Romberger and Paul Tait are solid in the backcourt.