PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Aliso Niguel. 18-10, 7-3 in 1996-97. Coach: Ken Goldstone (fifth year, 40-41). The Wolverines are expected to battle Estancia for the league title. Starters Jeremy Cooley, a 6-7 junior center, Nathan Hair, a 6-4 junior guard, and Jess Rodriguez, a 6-4 senior forward, are back. Goldstone has been impressed with 6-7 post J.J. Sola, a transfer from Pennsylvania, and Seneca Kern, a 6-6 junior post player from the junior varsity team. Senior guards Reggie Coquia (5-8) and Nick Valenti (6-2) played as reserves last season. Others trying to earn a spot are 6-5 senior forward John Caldwell, 6-5 junior forward Robert Deven and 6-2 senior guard Drew Parkin.

Costa Mesa. 4-20, 0-10 in 1996-97. Coach: Erich Allen (second year, 4-20). Jon Payne, a 6-2 guard/forward, is the only returning starter, but Allen has confidence in several younger players. “We see ourselves contending for a spot in the top half of the league,” he said. Newcomers include 6-1 forward Scott Dickerson, 6-5 forward/center Todd Hylton and 5-9 guard Travis Rice. Eight others are vying for roles. “We feel we have a good mixture of experienced players and young talented players,” Allen said.

Estancia. 20-8, 8-2 in 1996-97. Coach: Rich Boyce (second year, 20-8). While not quite as tall or deep as Aliso Niguel, the Eagles are equally as athletic. They also return three starters, including the league’s most valuable player, 6-5 guard Sam Nelson. He averaged 18 points last season. Also back are 6-0 senior guard James Dawkins and 6-3 senior forward Ryan Simpson, an all-league first-team choice. Gavin Rainey, a 6-4 senior forward, was last year’s sixth-man. Eight others, including four seniors, are vying for playing time.

Laguna Beach. 13-15, 4-6 in 1996-97. Coach: Brett Fleming (eighth year, 93-90). The Artists, with three starters back, figure to keep the race for a playoff spot tight. Kurt Beimfohr, a 6-4 junior forward, B.J. Jameson, a 6-1 senior guard, and Chris Sirianni, a 6-3 point guard and second-team all-league choice, return. The three combined to score 30 points per game last season. Sirianni averaged 6.1 assists and Beimfohr averaged 5.7 rebounds. Sean Donnelly, a 5-9 junior guard, returns. Nick Reynolds, a 6-7 senior transfer from Mater Dei, figures to earn a spot.

Laguna Hills. 10-15, 5-5 in 1996-97. Coach: Dave Brown (ninth year, 88-81). Although not as quick or as good a shooting team as in past seasons, Laguna Hills, with three starters back, figures to challenge for a playoff spot. Returning starters Saia Makakaufaki, a 6-4 senior forward, Josh Pierson, a 6-0 junior guard, and Bill Rietkerk, a 6-4 senior forward, combined to average 25 points last season. Guards Kyle Pryor, a 6-0 junior, Jordan Ross, a 5-10 senior, Luis Sanaee, a 5-9 senior, and center Chris Naghibi, a 6-5 senior, also are back. Newcomers include 6-3 junior forward Jeff Ettreim and 6-3 senior forward Adam Gallis.

University. 16-10, 6-4 in 1996-97. Coach: Mike Dinneen (eighth year, 71-107). The Trojans should compete for the league title. Point guard Eric Palmer, a 5-7 senior, figures to be among the county leaders in three-point shooting and scoring and he needs 113 assists to break the county career assist record of 804. Larry Johnson, a 6-4 sophomore, was one of the better freshmen in the county last season. He averaged 13 points and 8.7 rebounds. Guard Jeff Groendal, a 6-0 senior, made 66 three-point shots a year ago. Justin Hunt, a 6-1 senior guard, averaged nine points and Charlie Thomas, a 6-4 senior forward, is the team’s best defender. Also back is 6-1 senior guard Ali Omid. Chet Johnson, a 6-2 junior forward, comes up from the 10-0 junior varsity team.