GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Bolsa Grande: 21-7, 10-2 in 1997-98. Coach: Michael Anderson (third year, 31-24). Gone is guard Duc Nguyen, (20.5 points) who helped the Matadors to a school record in victories. Anderson says 6-3 junior Jon James (18.6 points, 11 rebounds) can pick up the slack. Also back is the football quarterback, 6-5 Doug Baughman (51.9% in three-point attempts), 5-10 senior guard David Ly, a three-year letterman expected to start at small forward, and senior guard Jason Cotto, expected to start at point guard.

Garden Grove: 3-22, 2-10 in 1997-98. Coach: Ken Frank (first year). Frank, hired to replace longtime Argonaut Coach Dewey Van Cleave, says this is a rebuilding season that will give him an opportunity to get his feet on the ground. Six-foot guard Roland Quach is the only returning starter. Mike Anderson, a 6-5 center, Miguel Medina, a 6-foot forward, and 5-10 guards David Ko and Kong Tran figure to see plenty of playing time.

La Quinta: 14-13, 7-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Craig Snider (fourth year, 48-31). Snider says this “could be a season to remember.” Chris Smith, a 6-4 forward who holds the school record in three-point shooting, is back, as is fellow first-team all-league selection Ben Fredrikson, a 6-5 post who was among the county leaders in rebounding. Senior guards Matt Blanchard, William Chau and Nam Truong are expected to start. Smith is “an incredible shooter,” Snider said. “There are high hopes for a squad that returns eight players.

Los Amigos: 10-17, 7-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Don Grable (sixth year, 60-70). Eight players, including four senior starters, return. “We have very good team quickness and aggressiveness,” Grable said. Back are 5-10 guard Alvaro Arcos, 6-1 forward Isaac Hurtado and 5-11 guard Carlos Sanchez. Senior Jesse Carrillo, who is 6-6, is expected to start at center. Also returning are 5-8 senior Diego Aguirre, 5-11 junior David Chu and 5-6 senior Albert Ngo. Top newcomers include 5-7 sophomore Jackson Nanthavong, 6-foot sophomore Peter Vu and 5-9 senior Vincent West.

Pacifica: 24-5, 12-0 in 1997-98. Coach: Bob Becker (fifth year, 106-37). Lacking height, the defending champion returns three starters, including league most valuable player Adam Rachlin, a 5-10 senior point guard who averaged 14.3 points and led the county in free-throw percentage (88.3%). Also back are 5-9 guard Danny Dihn and 6-foot forward Jayson Simpson, both seniors. Senior forwards Patrick Douglas and Brian Girard and senior guard Kenny Waldecker return.

Rancho Alamitos: 3-23, 2-10 in 1997-98. Coach: Dave Kirksey (second year, 3-23). The Vaqueros have won four games since 1996, but Kirksey says, “We have more depth, better perimeter shooting. We look to make the playoffs for sure.” Senior Brad Steen, a 6-4 center, averaged eight points and eight rebounds last year. Also back is 6-foot swingman Steve Langarica, 6-foot guard Gustavo Marquez and 6-3 forward Joe Row, all seniors.

Santiago: 8-16, 2-12 in 1997-98. Coach: Mike DaDeppo (third year, 16-32). Jose Lizarraras, a 6-2 senior guard who averaged 12 points and six rebounds, is the top returning player. He’ll be joined by Brian Pilkington, a 6-5 sophomore forward/center, who averaged seven points and seven rebounds last year. Miguel Soriano, a 5-9 junior guard, who averaged six points as a reserve, is also back.