SUNSET LEAGUE

Edison. 12-13, 3-7 in 1996-97. Coach: Corey Kelly (second year, 12-13). Daniel Nehrig, a 6-3 senior forward, leads a senior-laden team that Kelly believes “should be a top-10 team by the end of the year.” Seniors Jeff Harrell, a 6-2 guard, Hwan Min, a 6-2 guard, and Raden Sami, a 6-2 forward, combined to average 16 points and 11 rebounds last season. Senior Josh Horton, a 6-4 transfer from Westminster, adds height. Garrett Golden, a 6-0 junior guard, Ian Jennings, a 6-3 senior forward, Zach Kilian, a 6-5 senior forward, and Steven Shwam, a 6-2 junior swingman, are up from the junior varsity.

Esperanza. 15-13, 7-3 in 1996-97. Coach: John Cyrus (second year, 15-13). When Andrew Gaulden transferred to Canyon, the Aztecs were left without a returning starter. The only player back is junior Ryan Rombert, a 6-6 forward/center. He’ll be joined by 6-4 senior forward Jason Coleman, 5-11 junior guard Kenny Ho and three sophomores, 6-2 guard Doug Brown, 6-3 swingman Jon Steven and 6-7 forward/center Lloyd Walls.

Fountain Valley. 8-17, 3-7 in 1996-97. Coach: Mike Warrington (third year, 19-31). Warrington says the Barons, led by 6-5 forward Eric Edmunds, will make a playoff run. There is “quickness and experience,” he said, but the team’s offensive punch needs improving. He sees Los Alamitos as the front runner. 6-2 senior forward Todd Daniels and 6-0 junior guard Ryan Moreau also return. Eight others are vying for playing time and Warrington believes any one of them could earn a starting role.

Huntington Beach. 11-15, 2-8 in 1996-97. Coach: Roy Miller (21st year, 241-236). Although they lack height, the Oilers return three starters and two reserves, all seniors, and appear to be more balanced in scoring than they were a year ago. 6-6 center John Davidson (nine points, 8.3 rebounds) returns, as do 6-3 forward Eric Ho (4.9 points) and 5-10 guard Nick Sinclair (7.6 points, three assists). Also back are 6-4 center Andrew Gurwell and 5-2 guard Mike Mio. Vying for starting spots are senior forward Gus Cruz, junior forward Matej Prenosil, senior forward Drake Smith, senior guard Ryan Gale and freshman guard Doug Bartolme.

Los Alamitos. 23-4, 10-0 in 1996-97. Coach: Steve Brooks (17th year, 288-128). Brooks looks like a shoo-in for his 300th career victory, perhaps even before the nonleague schedule concludes. He has got firepower in 6-7 center Matt Komer (13.4 points, 8.7 rebounds per game), a co-most valuable player in the league last year with last year’s sixth-man, senior guard Ricardo Garibay, who averaged 10.8 points and made 53 three-pointers. Also back is 5-9 guard Enrique Phillips. Newcomers include forwards Ryan Ellis and Jeff Grgas, swingmen Joel Haas and Ron Prettyman and guard Ryan Keller. Senior transfer Nathan Lee is a 6-3 swingman.

Marina. 17-10, 5-5 in 1996-97. Coach: Roger Holmes (fourth year, 29-47). It’s no longer rebuilding time for Holmes, who got the Vikings into the playoffs last year while doubling the number of victories the Vikings had in 1995-96. League coaches say Marina is expected to battle Los Alamitos for the league title. The Vikings will be led by 6-4 second-team all-league junior forward Scot Austin, 5-10 all-league first-team senior guard Donald Lank and 6-2 junior guard Scott Rivera, all returning starters. Also back are 6-1 junior guard Jeff Hung, 6-0 senior guard Jose Vazquez and 6-2 junior forward Steve Vo. Also expected to contribute are 6-1 freshman guard Beau Brown, 6-3 sophomore guard Dustin Kaatz and Davis High transfer Basim Sood, a 6-3 junior.