GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Bolsa Grande

Coach: Michael Anderson

1998-99 record: 15-12

League record: 8-4

Coach Michael Anderson is high on his team’s chances, predicting the Matadors will win the league title. “We are capable of knocking down threes, we’ll pressure and trap all game, and rely on our team speed to force the tempo of the game,” he said. Two starters return: swingman Jon James, a 6-4 senior who averaged 20.9 points and 11 rebounds, and guard Kevin Pham, a 6-1 senior who averaged 8.9 points. Senior Willie Montgomery, who averaged 22 points at Rancho Alamitos, sophomore Omar Amaral, formerly of Santa Ana Valley, and Dan Engel, who left Pacifica, are transfers expected to make big contributions.

Garden Grove

Coach: Ken Frank

1998-99 record: 1-22

League record: 1-11

Coach Ken Frank doesn’t pull any punches but figures the Argonauts will win a few more games than they did last season. “They’re a hard-working group of outstanding classroom students,” he said. “However, [they’re] a work in progress as far as competing as a team and learning how to win.” Starters Greg Benoit, a 6-2 senior guard, Nick Davis, a 5-10 junior guard, and Aaron Sadler, a 6-2 junior forward, are back, as are lettermen Paul Guzman, a 6-1 junior forward; Luis Perales, a 5-9 senior guard, and Robert Revelle, a 6-4 sophomore forward.

La Quinta

Coach: Jason Carey

1998-99 record: 17-9

League record: 9-3

Jason Carey’s hiring was announced two weeks ago, but he has 11 seniors and three juniors from which to pick a starting five. About the only one sure of a starting role is Matt Blanchard, a 5-11 senior guard who averaged 8.6 points last season. Rene Sanchez, a 5-10 senior guard, and David Chan, a 6-1 senior forward, should also see plenty of action, along with top newcomers Duy Duong, a 5-8 senior guard, and Joe Rodgers, a 6-2 junior forward.

Los Amigos

Coach: Don Grable

1998-99 record: 16-11

League record: 7-5

Coach Don Grable agrees with the league’s other coaches who pickBolsa Grande as the solid favorite. He said his team will struggle without a player over 6 feet 2. “We lost 80% of our scoring and rebounding from last year’s team,” Grable said. Junior point guard Jackson Nanthavong and junior forward Peter Vu are returning starters. Seniors David Chau and Jonathan Smith also return.

Pacifica

Coach: Bob Becker

1998-99 record: 27-2

League record: 12-0

After a remarkable run last season, the Mariners, who have won three of the last five league titles, are reloading. Damon Gohata, a 5-8 senior guard, and Jeff McLaughlin, a 6-1 senior forward, return. They averaged two minutes of playing time per game last season. Kevin Cook, a 6-0 senior who has played soccer the past two seasons, joins seven newcomers up from the JV team.

Rancho Alamitos

Coach: Dave Kirksey

1998-99 record: 10-16

League record: 3-9

Despite the transfer of Willie Montgomery to Bolsa Grande, the Vaqueros have good depth. They return senior starting guards Omar Pryce (nine points, five rebounds) and Cuby Vantich (12 points, four assists) and junior forward Duane Nix (five points, six rebounds). Guards Paul Seyler, Nick Le and forward Dien Nguyen, all seniors, are returning lettermen.

Santiago

Coach: Ramon Potestas

1998-99 record: 6-19

League record: 2-10

Starting guards Nghia Ho and Mike Sariano and center Alfonso Lizarraras greet first-year Coach Ramon Potesta. Guard Tung Vo also returns. The tallest player is 6-4 Brian Pilkington, a junior forward. “We lack patience and fundamentals,” Potesta said. Nevertheless, he believes the Cavaliers can make a run for third place.