GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

Ocean View

Coach: Jim Harris

1998-99 record: 25-6

League record: 9-1

The transfer of guard Torin Beeler to Calvary Chapel leaves the Seahawks without a returning starter, but no one is crying for Coach Jim Harris, who has what he believes is one of the county’s top five teams. “We’re very balanced and we run well with a strong front line,” he said. “As newcomers become OV basketball players, defend and play ball passionately, we will be a very good team.” Power forward Jeremiah Bell, a 6-4 senior; swingman Marques Crane, a 6-4 junior transfer from Artesia; center Neal Smith, a 6-7 junior, and point guard Ryan Westbrook, a 6-3 senior, are all impressively quick. Jason Goodman, a 6-6 freshman, 6-4 freshman swingman Casey Orti and 6-5 junior forward Jason Roth can also run the floor.

Saddleback

Coach: Tim Mesenhimer

1998-99 record: 9-16

League record: 2-8

“We will be very inexperienced,” Coach Tim Mesenhimer said. “Defense will have to keep us in games.” The Roadrunners return only one starter, 5-10 junior guard Ismael Isais (7.5 points, three rebounds, three assists). The only other player with varsity experience is Jesse Romeo, a 6-2 senior forward, which means three newcomers--6-5 senior center Julian Gonzalez, 6-2 senior forward Robert Gonzalez and 6-2 senior forward Manuel Pedroza--will have to learn under fire. Julian Gonzalez is coming off water polo season, during which he was among the county’s scoring leaders. “He’ll have to rebound well for us,” Mesenhimer said. Isais is expected to be the team’s scoring leader, Mesenhimer said.

Santa Ana

Coach: Adrian Gomez

1998-99 record: 11-14

League record: 4-6

The Saints, who finished fourth a year ago, figure to have their best team since the mid-1990s and should challenge for a playoff spot. “We’re more experienced and more athletic” Coach Adrian Gomez said, “but our height and depth are weaknesses.” Darnell Graham, a 6-4 senior forward who averaged 16.5 points and seven rebounds, is one of three starters back. Also returning are 5-11 senior guards Cesar Aceves (six points, four assists) and Mike Mendoza, (eight points, five assists). Rick Montelongo, a 6-2 junior forward, and Eliseo Munoz, a 6-2 senior swingman, also return, while Johnny Moreno and Frostee Rucker, a transfer from Tustin, should also see playing time.

Tustin

Coach: Darryl Gabriel

1998-99 record: 19-7

League record: 8-2

It was a tumultuous off-season for the Tillers. A former player was charged with assault and then transferred to another school. Then the Tillers went through two coaching changes before deciding on Darryl Gabriel, who formerly coached in Hawaii. It’s his job to regroup. “My goal is to interject a new philosophy and to instill a passion to play,” Gabriel said. He feels that team cohesiveness isn’t what he wants it to be. “I want to create team discipline and to start a new tradition.” Small forward Chris Chatman, a 6-6 senior, and forward Dillon Hayes, a 6-5 junior, return. Two transfers--5-10 sophomore guard Darrell Jenkins from Atlanta and Alex Al Sabah, a 5-10 junior from Woodbridge--should see plenty of playing time, as will newcomer Chris Chester, a 6-4 junior swingman.

Westminster

Coach: Jesse Miramontez

1998-99 record: 5-20

League record: 1-9

Andy Walton, a second-team all-league guard, returns. The 6-2 senior averaged seven points and four rebounds. Another returning starter is 5-10 guard Hugo Miranda, who averaged five points and two rebounds. The only other player with varsity experience is Felipe Galvan, a 6-1 swingman. Expected to see a lot of playing time are Keishun Hollins, who sat out last season, and Akilah Lacey, a “very athletic 6-4 sophomore,” according to Coach Jesse Miramontez. “I think we’ll be deep and have the ability to pressure defensively,”