FREEWAY LEAGUE

Buena Park. 14-13, 5-5 in 1996-97. Coach: Ed Matillo (10th year, 104-120). Six-foot senior forward Brian McDonald, who averaged 8.8 points and 7.8 rebounds last season, and 6-2 sophomore guard DeAndre Gipson, are returning starters. Nick Hawkins, a 6-4 senior guard, and Ty Gardner, a 6-3 junior forward, will most likely start. Jamall Allen, a 6-0 junior guard, Rommel Hernandez, a 6-1 senior guard, Matt Okoro, a 6-4 junior center, Matt Rodriquez, a 6-3 sophomore forward, Ryan Rosales, a 5-10 junior guard and David Simpson, a 6-3 freshman forward, are vying for the fifth starting spot on a team that Matillo says is very inexperienced but has “some athletic ability.”

Fullerton. 12-16, 3-7 in 1996-97. Coach: Bill Czech (second year, 12-16). Despite having only one starter back, Czech has set a lofty goal for the Indians. “Our goal is to improve every game and be No. 1 in state championship in academics,” he said. Last year, Fullerton had a combined grade-point average of 3.77. Forward Michael Sailhamer, a 6-3 senior, averaged eight points as a starter last season. Reserve Arie Barendrecht, a 6-5 senior forward, averaged five points a game. Junior Michael Brown, a 6-0 guard, and sophomores Akachi Azuibuke, a 6-0 guard, and Maan Sidju, a 6-4 1/2 guard, should play a lot.

La Habra. 7-16, 2-8 in 1996-97. Coach: David Ek (first year). Ek, who last coached at Paramount in 1993, takes over for David vanBreemen, who took the junior varsity coaching spot at Temecula Valley High. Ek guided the Pirates to three consecutive playoff appearances from 1990-93. He doesn’t see a fast start for the Highlanders, but is gearing up for a strong league challenge. Josh Fischer, a 6-8 all-league senior forward, and Brad Egan, a 6-4 senior forward, are returning starters who join Kyle Fitzpatrick, a 6-4 junior guard, and Nick Tolmasoff, a 5-6 junior guard, as the only players with varsity experience.

Sonora. 26-4, 10-0 in 1996-97. Coach: Mike Murphy (eighth year, 193-93). The Raiders are expected to battle Troy for the league title and despite losing three starters should be among the county’s best teams. Jeffrey Berokoff, a 6-4 all-league senior returns, as does Marqui Worthy, a 6-4 junior forward whom Murphy calls “very talented.” Also back are guards Gabe Garcia, a 5-9 senior, and Matt Anderson, a 5-10 senior. Greg Vecchione, a 5-9 senior, is “the most underrated point guard in the county and the best passer I have ever coached,” Murphy said. Curtis Levine is a 5-10 sophomore transfer from Brea Olinda and Adrian Tyler is a 6-foot transfer from Chino Ayala. Six others vying for spots provide depth.

Sunny Hills. 11-14, 4-6 in 1996-97. Coach: Randy Wellen (third year, 21-29). This is a young team that includes five sophomores. Starters Grady Funk, a 6-3 senior forward, and Bim Okunrinboye, a 6-0 junior guard who is expected to be among the best in the league, return. Also back is 6-3 senior forward Jared Lee. Senior center Justin Weaver and sophomore center Eric Hardeman are both 6-6.

Troy. 16-11, 6-4 in 1996-97. Coach: T.J. Hardeman (eighth year, 112-89). The Warriors return all five starters, including flashy point guard Jerry Inzunza and forward Scott Blake. Hardeman calls both “potential all-county players.” Also returning are 6-2 swingman Mike Graves, 6-3 swingman Aaron Mason and 6-5 forward Kevin Corby. Sixth-man Mike Hampson, a forward, also returns. Bolstering the Warriors from last year’s league championship junior varsity team are juniors Theron Chang, a 6-2 1/2 forward, Jeff Jonaitis, a 6-5 forward, and 5-7 sophomore guard Alex Raco.