ORANGE LEAGUE

Anaheim: 7-16, 4-6 in 1997-98. Coach: Jose Marcos Castellanos (fifth year, 23-70). This figures to be the best team Castellanos has had. Guards Jimmy Campos (16.4 points) and Jesus Salcedo (6.8 rebounds) return and so does 6-2 forward Jelani Parham (12.4 points, 7.2 rebounds). Sixth man Rommel Figueroa returns as well and three newcomers--6-4 1/2 Ricky Carballea, 6-6 Robert Mendoza and 5-11 guard Nate Traynor. All have Castellanos excited. “If our newcomers pan out, we could surprise a few people,” he said.

Brea Olinda: 24-5, 8-2 in 1997-98. Coach: Bob Terry (first year). Terry, a longtime assistant, takes over for Gene Lloyd, who posted a 334-134 record in 17 seasons. Terry is joined by several holdovers, including starting 6-foot guard Kyle Dodd, who averaged eight points and four assists. Others returning include 6-4 forward Ricky Boehm, 6-3 guard Michael Davern, 6-4 forward Kirk Reimer and 6-4 guard Jerett Skrifvars. Others in the mix include 6-foot guard Landon Lewis and 6-3 forward Ryan Moore and 6-4 forward Ryan Wilber. “This is a reloading year,” Terry said.

Magnolia: 23-5, 9-1 in 1997-98. Coach: Al Walin (26th year, 351-346). Asi Faoa, a 6-5 post player and Division I football prospect, is the only starter back for the Sentinels, who won the league title last season. Faoa averaged 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. Jacob Davis, a 6-4 junior post, Henry Jackson, a 6-2 senior wing, and Kevin Marsh, a 6-7 senior post, give the team good height. There’s also 6-4 senior forward Sohayl Saboori, 6-1 senior Dan Le, 5-9 senior Artty Upattiya, 6-foot junior Stia Asoau and 6-1 freshman Geoffrey Clayton.

Savanna: 10-17, 4-6 in 1997-98. Coach: James Honell (second year, 10-17) Much-traveled junior guard Solomon Brown, who enrolled at Mater Dei as a freshman, transferred to Ocean View in the fall of 1997, then back to Savanna last January, has the potential to be the best player in the league. Brown played in two varsity victories for Savanna during the second half of last season, but was eventually declared ineligible and the Rebels had to forfeit the victories. Two starters return: Craig Smith, a 6-foot senior guard, and Aipolo Boone, a 6-6 senior post. Senior guard Mark Watanabe, who was a reserve last season, is also back. He’s joined by two 6-3 forwards who transferred from Kennedy, Allan Purnell and Danny Proctor, 5-11 sophomore guard Marcus Butler and 6-6 junior center Paul Nelson.

Valencia: 11-16, 5-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Dean Yoshimura (sixth year, 68-65). Despite having only one starter back, Yoshimura predicts no worse than a third-place finish in the league. “We will surprise a few teams,” he said. Cordell Hollins, a 5-9 senior guard who averaged 3.2 assists, is the returning starter. Senior Cesar Gutierrez, a 6-4 center, is back. Others expected to fight for a starting spot are guards Chris Bales, Patrick King and Emmanuel Ortega, forwards Kent Huber and Leo Yick and center Brian Browne.

Western: 4-20, 0-10 in 1997-98. Coach: Joseph Aihara (first year). After several tough years, Aihara says his job is to help the Pioneers believe that they can win. “The kids in the program have not enjoyed success at any level,” he said. Four starters return. They are center Robert Turner, a 6-6 junior who averaged 8.4 points, junior 6-foot swingmen Dajuan Pannell and Rendi Wijaya and 5-11 junior guard Billvick Perez. Also back is 5-11 guard Nick Shroeder. Derek Shindler, a 5-8 senior guard, and Roger Spencer, a 5-11 sophomore guard, have the potential to start.