PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Corona del Mar

Coach: Paul Orris

1998-99 record: 18-11

League record: 4-6

Kevin Hansen, a 6-4 all-league senior swingman, and Alec Hanson, a 6-0 point guard, return from the team that parlayed a wild-card playoff berth into an appearance in the Southern Section Division III-AA title game. Brooks Morris, a 6-3 senior forward, Elliott Patterson, a 6-3 senior forward/center, and Eric Snell, a 6-2 junior guard, are reserves from last year’s team who also return. They’re bolstered by Judd Hietbrink, a 6-3 senior forward who did not play last season, and Dean Shahangian, a 5-10 junior guard, and Joel Templeton, a 6-3 senior center, from the JV team. “We have good shooting and guard play, but we have questionable inside strength,” Coach Paul Orris said.

Costa Mesa

Coach: Bob Serven

1998-99 record: 4-22

League record: 0-10

Veteran county Coach Bob Serven, formerly an assistant at Santa Margarita, returns to Costa Mesa in an attempt to redirect the Mustangs. Serven, who also coached at Newport Harbor, has found team chemistry to his liking. “They play hard,” he said. Four senior starters return. They are 5-11 guards Rick Hatsushi and Dave Weir and 6-3 forwards Shaun Ferryman and Nate Jones, who averaged 17 points last season and was a second-team all-league choice. Juniors Mike Payne, a 6-6 center, and Steve Whittaker, a 6-0 guard who averaged seven points, are also back. Georgia transfer Ryan Naff and Nadez Abedrabo, David Conte, Brandon Knox and Danny Krikorian are battling for playing time.

Estancia

Coach: Rich Boyce

1998-99 record: 11-16

League record: 4-6

Four senior starters return for Coach Rich Boyce, who likes the way his team runs the floor. Guards John Cantrell, a second-team all-league selection, and Jason Simco, the team’s most valuable player, join forwards Darshaun Garner (seven points, six rebounds) and Travis Chandler (six points, three assists). Others returning include swingmen Brian Jimenez and Steve Rodriquez, both seniors, and guard Elisser Maldonado, a junior. Top newcomers include Maurice Aguilar, the team’s tallest player at 6-4, and Peter Hernandez.

Laguna Beach

Coach: Bret Fleming

1998-99 record: 20-7

League record: 7-3

The Artists tied for the league title with Laguna Hills and University and advanced to the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Just one player from that team, 6-6 senior guard Travis Hanour, returns. Hanour is a big presence, though. He averaged 14 points, 7.4 rebounds and four assists and was a first-team all-league and Southern Section choice. He will be helped by 6-0 senior guard Austin Butters, who averaged two points. “Otherwise, we’re very inexperienced,” Coach Bret Fleming said. Seniors Ryan Gardner and Josh Shapiro, junior Will Blodgett and sophomores Jason Boyd and Rashad Dorsey have a shot at starting.

Northwood

Coach: Tim O’Brien

1998-99 record: 0-0

League record: 0-0

The TimberWolves will field only freshmen and sophomores and play in a few varsity tournaments in their first year. They’ll compete on the junior varsity level in league play.

University

Coach: Mike Dineen

1998-99 record: 17-10

League record: 7-3

The Trojans return two starters and play a tough nonleague schedule. It’ll be up to 6-1 all-league senior guard Andy Lawrence (16.3 points, 2.5 assists) to lead University, which won’t be afraid to shoot three-pointers, a Coach Mike Dineen trademark. Mike Dale (8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds), a 6-3 senior swingman, can play any position. Ryan Zinchefsky, a 6-4 senior who made 34 three-pointers as a reserve last season, also returns, as do 5-11 junior guard Hiro Christoph and 6-2 forward Sharif Elsherbiny.