SMALL SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian: 11-13, 5-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Frank Dews (second year, 11-13). The Eagles figure to battle defending Academy League champion Downey Calvary Chapel for the title. All-league swingman Ryan Allen (16 points, seven rebounds), returns, along with 6-1 guard/forward James McChessney (11 points), 6-1 guard Caleb Lund (11 points) and 6-1 guard Jamie Tellier. Junior David Roth, a 6-4 center, is the other starter back. Sophomore guard/forward Tyler Graves and junior forward Cameron Munson are expected to get playing time. Top newcomers include sophomore forwards Peter Miller and Ian Smetona.

Fairmont: 0-22, 0-10 in 1997-98. Coach: J.T. Cameron (first year). Cameron, who spent nine years at Southern California Christian where he was 88-88, takes over for Bob Hubbard, now an assistant at Whittier Christian. He inherits a 24-game losing streak and eight players with varsity experience, including 5-8 guard J.P. Alarcon, an honorable mention All-Academy League choice.

Heritage Christian: 9-12, 5-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Mark Berokoff (second year, 9-12). Three starters return for this Express League team, including 6-3 guard Todd Warner (14.5 points, nine rebounds), whom Berokoff calls “one of the top small school players around.” Brandon Newte, a 5-9 point guard, and Matt Russell, a 6-3 forward, are also back.

Liberty Christian: 1-17, 0-10 in 1997-98. Coach: Bryan Davis (first year). Davis, a longtime assistant, takes over for Dan Williard and believes the team has a good chance at making a run at the Academy League title because seven lettermen, including five starters, return. They are guards Sergio Andonian, C.J. Leeman, Aaron Mendoza and Caleb Stephens, forwards Jason Gardner and Dante Salazar and center Nick Mendoza, the tallest of the bunch at 6-2.

Orangewood Academy: 17-5, 8-2 in 1997-98. Coach: Carey Bell (third year, 34-10). Starly Alvarado (27.5 points), second in the county in scoring, returns for the Academy League team, as does Lemans Galbreath, a 5-9 junior point guard. Patrick Rainey, a 5-10 guard, also figures to start.

St. Margaret’s: 10-13, 5-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Mark Dawson (second year, 10-13). “We are young and like to run,” is the way Dawson sees his Academy League team. Hakon Bergheim, a 6-7 junior, is joined by junior guards Weston Begg and Alex Huff, and senior guard Brian Sternberg as returning starters. Also back are 6-foot juniors Anthony Geach, Ghanim Marouf and Adam Shapiro.

St. Michael’s Prep: 6-13, 3-7 in 1997-98. Coach: Fr. Stephen Boyle (third year, 12-23). Several key players might pass up the season to concentrate on their studies. Possible returnees include seniors Matthew Chaney, a 5-11 guard, Jimmy Munozcano, a 6-foot forward, and J.R. Trebels, a 6-2 forward, join junior Victor Alcantara, a guard, and sophomore Jon Miller, a 6-4 center. Four newcomers round out the Academy League team.

Southern California Christian: 15-5, 6-3 in 1997-98. Coach: Eric Stenlake (first year). Luke Martin, a 6-2 forward, returns for the Academy League team. Swingman Bud Allen, guard Michael Dursteler, forward/center Noah Larson and point guard Corey Meyer are also out for the team.