BASKETBALL LEAGUE PREVIEWS: TEAM BY TEAM : Northwest Valley Boys

BIRMINGHAM

1994-95: 16-10, 7-3

The Braves advanced to the 3-A final last season and have the talent, if not the experience, for another run. David Redmond, who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds, was Birmingham’s only returning starter, but Coach Al Bennett has talent. Sophomore Ellis Richardson scored 37 points in a tournament game and sophomore Emmanuel Evans was the leading scorer at Faith Baptist as a freshman. Senior Raymond Kizzee will add depth if he becomes academically eligible later this month.

EL CAMINO REAL

1994-95: 9-13, 5-5

With an 11-5 start, the Conquistadores may be the team most likely to capitalize on the favorites’ problems despite losing a player. Senior guard Jermel Jones (19 points) transferred to Fremont over the summer but 6-5 forward Cameron Henderson has increased his scoring output by 10 points over last year’s average of 15.3. Senior guard Jason Fox and 6-5 senior center Eric Dotson have been taking the heat off Henderson, who has been double- and triple-teamed in recent games.

GRANADA HILLS

1994-95: 12-13, 4-6

With a wide-open, fast-break offense, the Highlanders are among the more-entertaining teams in the conference to watch, but Granada Hills (4-8) has struggled with its shooting and its health this season. Ernest Quinley, a 6-3 senior center, averaged 20.3 points last season--second-highest among area City Section players.

SAN FERNANDO

1994-95: 8-15, 0-10

Second-year Coach Mick Cady, who won a Southern Section title at Notre Dame in 1993, is continuing the rebuilding process with a combination of young players and athletes from the football team. Excluding 6-7 senior Sergio Rascan, the Tigers are the conference’s shortest team, with no other player taller than 6-1. Sophomore guard Sean Atkins and senior guard Marty Trinidad are returning starters.

WEST VALLEY LEAGUE 4-A

CHATSWORTH

1994-95: 20-5, 10-0

The Chancellors have the region’s best inside-outside combination--6-8 Eddie Miller and 6-foot Jerome Joseph, who were All-City selections as juniors. Both have received extensive attention from Division I schools. With the ineligibility of T.J. McCoy, they are the only players with significant playing time from last season’s team, which advanced to the City Section 4-A playoffs. The supporting cast includes 6-foot forward Kevin Bentley and 6-3 sophomore Keith Stevens.

CLEVELAND

1994-95: 7-15, 5-5

Despite all the talent that dotted the Cavaliers’ roster at the beginning of preseason drills, only senior Junior Brignac and junior Donald Holt are averaging double figures. Coach Kevin Crider has been forced to rely on several players who didn’t expect much playing time. Mike Schultz, a 6-8 junior center, scored 29 points in an early season game but has disappeared in recent games. Junior Jerome Grant has been solid at point guard.

KENNEDY

1994-95: 15-8, 7-3

The Golden Cougars may be the conference’s most-balanced team with all five starters averaging at least 7.5 points, and with no player scoring more than 12.3. Paul McFarlane, 6-2 senior forward, and 5-9 Clayton Powdrill, 6-3 Tommy Gales and 5-11 Waking Bailey, along with Michael Calloway, have taken turns with the scoring load as Kennedy reached the finals of three preseason tournaments.

TAFT

1994-95: 8-13, 2-8

The Toreadors have one returning starter--guard Danny Modaberpour--which led to a 4-6 start. Leading a balanced attack is 6-1 senior swingman Victor Purnell at 10.5 points a game, with 6-2 senior forward Alex Beglarian at 9.5 and sophomore Amir Bar-Netzer at 8.5.