Littlerock Big-League in Golden

A lot more will be known about the Golden League after tonight, when Littlerock hosts Quartz Hill in a boys’ basketball opener.

Littlerock has the league’s most dynamic player, Gene Myvett, a 6-foot-4 guard with superb driving and ball-handling skills.

The Lobos (10-5) also have 6-6 center Brandon White and promising 6-5 sophomore Frank Robinson, making them the league favorites, though Coach Ben Dale downplays it.

“I don’t want to be anything,” Dale said. “I just want to play games and lay low.”

Defending league champion Quartz Hill (9-4) has plenty of size with 6-8 Sahael Almuallem and 6-9 Jared Corpening.

But guards Kevin Johnson and Tony Johnson are the Rebels’ focal points on offense.

Highland and Lancaster tied for last place in the league a year ago, but should be improved.

Eric Brown of Palmdale averaged 21.9 points last season, but the Falcons (4-10) need others to step up.

Antelope Valley’s only returning starter, Marlen Brisco, transferred to Inglewood Morningside.

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The Foothill League boys’ basketball championship, no longer an annual trophy for Hart, appears to be an up for grabs.

Burroughs and Valencia broke Hart’s three-year title run by tying for the championship last season, but no team has asserted itself in nonleague play.

Give a slight edge to Burroughs (9-4), which has Keith Jarbo, a 6-3 junior who had 43 receptions for the football team and is shooting 65.7% from the field in basketball.

Center Tyler Newton, a 6-9 senior, is improved and has developed into a scoring threat, but Coach Art Sullivan of Burroughs isn’t making room for a championship trophy.

“It’s just basically one of those deals where if you don’t come to play one night, you’re going to get beat,” Sullivan said. “You can’t say any one team is capable of beating you because they’re all capable of beating you.”

Saugus (11-5) has been getting steady play from Chad Krogh and Mike Grisanti and is capable of winning the title.

Canyon also cannot be discounted. Guard Matt Nelson scored 28 points in a 68-54 victory over Quartz Hill this week.

Valencia (5-9) has speedy 5-9 guard Royce Minor, but has lost seven of its last eight games.

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Is Hart’s girls run of success in the Foothill League over?

In 11 years under Coach Dave Munroe, the Indians have won nine league titles. Inexperience might prevent them from winning a 10th.

The maturation of underclassmen is key for most Foothill teams, with favorite Burroughs (12-4) relying on a freshman and two sophomore starters.

Burroughs Coach Doug Nicol said freshman Shaina Zaidi is the “best in the area, hands-down.”

Burroughs’ problem is injuries. Four players, including Zaidi, missed the Crescenta Valley game last week. Zaidi and two others are expected to return tonight against Hart.

Freshmen play key roles at Burbank, Saugus, Canyon and of course, Hart.

Christine Kepenekian has Burbank (9-5) off to its best start in years.

Julia Bradley is averaging 10.8 points and 11 rebounds for Saugus (5-8).

Courtney Koenig is averaging 17 points for Canyon (5-10), second in the league to Gracie Coronado, a Burroughs sophomore averaging 17.1 points.

Hart freshman Amanda Patton will try to keep the Indians (5-7) competitive.

Valencia (7-6) has an edge in experience, returning five starters.

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Despite a relatively slow start, Pasadena Marshall (9-4) is the favorite to win a third consecutive Alpha League boys’ championship.

Senior forwards Deverion Mackey and Jason Sanford will cause match-up problems for the rest of the league.

Robbie Fockaert was quarterback for Paraclete’s Southern Section Division XII football championship team, but a league title in basketball might be a stretch for the senior guard and the mostly inexperienced Spirits.

L.A. Baptist, Village Christian and Kilpatrick will scramble for third place.