EMPIRE LEAGUE

Century

Coach: Greg Coombs

1998-99 record: 8-18

League record: 2-8

Coach Greg Coombs likes the team’s work ethic and believes that most of the players on his 13-man roster will see a lot of playing time. But a lack of size could be a key factor. The tallest player is 6-2. Junior guard Chris Ferretti and senior forward Joel Valdez are returning starters and they’re joined by senior guards Hugo Ornelas and Bun Pho, as well as junior guard Matt Napier. The three are returning lettermen. Fighting for starting roles are senior swingman John Robledo and juniors Phillip Alves, Joel Mijares, Ruben Pineda and Jose Vegara. “We will try to be solid on defense and take good shots,” Coombs said.

Cypress

Coach: Jeff Russell

1998-99 record: 9-17

League record: 4-6

The Centurions have average height and Coach Jeff Russell believes returning guards Jon Uyloan, a 6-0 junior, and Justin Yun, a 6-3 senior, “will need to score,” for the team to be a factor in the league race. Devin Patrick, a 6-4 senior forward, played on the varsity as a freshman, but he sat out the last two seasons because of eligibility problems. Josh Smith, a 6-3 junior forward, is another returning letterman. Junior guard Mohammad Azie and three sophomores--forwards Travis Bartosh and Jelani Gamba and guard Matt Reid--are battling for starting roles.

El Dorado

Coach: Tim Tivenan

1998-99 record: 13-13

League record: 5-5

Veteran Coach Tim Tivenan looks for the Hawks to advance to the playoffs for the fifth time in the last seven seasons on the strength of “good size and some good shooters.” However, “we’re not real experienced,” he said. Mike Wulff, a 6-2 junior guard, is the lone returning starter. Three reserves from last year’s team have the inside track at starting. They are 6-6 junior center Evan Bull, 6-foot senior guard Aaron DeLeon and 6-3 senior forward Ryan Shirley. Quinn Hawking, a transfer from Sonora, figures to play a lot. Five players up from the junior varsity fill out the roster.

Katella

Coach: Sal Glorioso

1998-99 record: 21-7

League record: 8-2

Longtime assistant Sal Glorioso takes over as coach for Tom Danley, who retired last year to become the school district’s athletic director. Glorioso inherits an empty kitchen. No starters return. Ben Jivcu, a 5-11 senior guard who averaged 1.5 points last season, is the most experienced letterman returning. Glorioso figures to draw heavily from last year’s junior varsity team that won the league title. Juniors Marcus Espinosa, Ivan Rodriguez and Phil Tyson, and seniors Scott Luther, Nick Novella, Mike Parisi and Darren Sack all have a shot at starting.

Kennedy

Coach: Pat O’Hern

1998-99 record: 9-17

League record: 2-8

Derek Cunningham, a 6-4 senior forward, is the only starter returning for Coach Pat O’Hern, who nonetheless believes “our team has the potential to be real competitive.” Lettermen returning include 5-10 senior guard John Bayog, 6-5 senior forward Joe Caira and 5-11 junior guard Robert Reyes. Top newcomers include 6-foot senior Ulysses Enario, 6-2 junior Chris Johnson, 6-1 sophomore Rhema McKnight and 6-3 senior Robert Reese.

Loara

Coach: Ed Prange

1998-99 record: 24-4

League record: 9-1

The two-time defending league champions are expected to be led by 6-2 junior guard Wes Wardrop, one of three returning lettermen. The others are 6-8 senior center Dan Melton and 6-foot sophomore guard Chris Moses. The remainder of the team will be made up of players from the junior varsity team that went 4-6 in league play. And Coach Ed Prange is concerned after his team posted a 3-11 record in summer leagues. “Most of these kids have no experience and will have to step in immediately to help,” he said.