Hoover’s Nice Guys Might Finish First

The problem with the Hoover High boys’ basketball team is the guys are just too darn nice, according to Coach Kirt Kohlmeier.

So nice, it could be the intangible that keeps the Tornadoes from winning a second Pacific League title in three years.

“For the most part, we’re a team of nice guys and we have a little trouble with the killer instinct,” Kohlmeier said.

Hoover (10-5), ranked No. 10 in The Times’ regional poll, has lost two one-point games, including one in overtime, and lost two others after leading at halftime.

“I think they don’t want to make the other team feel bad,” Kohlmeier said.

Fortunately for Hoover, there’s enough team size and talent to overcome any shortcomings.

This is one of the taller teams Kohlmeier has had in his 19 years as coach, he said.

Three of the starters are 6 feet 5 or taller.

Mark Hull, 6 feet 6 and 185 pounds, averaged 19 points last season and has picked up the pace in his senior year--averaging 27.3 points and 12.5 rebounds a game.

“He’s a multifaceted player who does a lot of things well,” Kohlmeier said.

“He can play inside or out. He’s got a beautiful jump shot and great lateral quickness.”

Kohlmeier believes his team, with three returning starters, can go undefeated through league play if the Tornadoes can be aggressive for 32 minutes.

“They can do a lot of things because they’re smart kids,” Kohlmeier said. “It could be a great team. If they have confidence, if they are aggressive, they will win.”

Muir and Pasadena, which finished first and second last year, provide the biggest obstacles for Hoover, which has won three league titles in 18 years.

Muir (11-4), which has two returning starters from a team that finished 20-7, has junior John Parker, a 6-4 center who is averaging 20 points and 11.2 rebounds.

Pasadena (8-8), with three returning starters, has four players scoring in double figures.

“Any guy can lead us on any given night,” Coach Tim Tucker said.

Crescenta Valley (10-6) has the talent to challenge for a playoff spot but only one player is taller than 6 feet. Glendale (8-8), with one starter back, is inexperienced.

Arcadia (5-10) has taken a beating in tournament play and won’t find league play much easier.

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THE PROVEN: There’s no denying that Hoover forward Mark Hull (6-6) is the most versatile, explosive player in the league. Hull has increased his productivity each year since his sophomore season and is averaging 27.3 points and 12.5 rebounds as a senior. Kris Rubio (5-8), a 5-8 senior point guard and a returning starter, is averaging 4.5 assists a game. . . . Muir junior center John Parker (6-4), who is averaging 20 points and 11.2 rebounds a game, is the Mustangs’ answer to Hull. Joe Bakhoum, a senior point guard for Muir, is averaging 11 points and five assists a game. . . . Pasadena returns three starters--6-7 center Brook Ewing, 6-5 forward Clayton Coleman and 6-1 guard George DeJohnette are juniors with scoring averages in double figures. . . . Glendale’s only returning starter is 6-foot sophomore guard Tomik Iranosian. . . . Crescenta Valley forward Alex Tima, who averaged 10.1 points and 9.6 rebounds last season, has started just one game this season because of illness and injury, but has recovered. Senior guard Derek Dawson, the Falcons’ tallest player at 6-2, is averaging 15.5 points a game.

* THE PROMISING: Hoover’s 6-5 junior forward Zareh Avedian is averaging 10.7 points and 9.1 rebounds a game in his first varsity season. . . . Junior guard Jason Bonwell is averaging 10 points a game as sixth man for Muir. . . . Glendale lettermen Ronald Baghomian, a 6-3 senior center, and 5-8 junior guard Krikor Karamanoukian are giving a solid effort for the Dynamiters. Sophomore Eddie Karibyan of Glendale, who started the season on the junior varsity, hit a game-winning basket to beat West Bakersfield in the Hart tournament.

* FAST FACT: Last season, Hoover ended Crescenta Valley’s streak of 12 consecutive playoff appearances with a 79-72 victory in the next to last game.

* 1996-97 STANDINGS: Muir 9-1 in league, 20-7 overall; Pasadena 8-2, 16-10; Hoover 6-4, 11-15; Crescenta Valley 3-7, 12-13; Arcadia 2-8, 6-19; Glendale 2-8, 9-16.