Orange League

Anaheim

Coach: Bob Hawking

1999-2000 record: 14-12

League record: 4-6

Coach Bob Hawking left one bad situation for another. The former Cal State Fullerton coach, who resigned last March after six woeful seasons with the Titans, inherits a team with no returning starters and little hope of making much noise in league. At least Hawking will have his son, Quinn, nearby to ease the pain. The 6-5 guard who in September transferred to Anaheim from El Dorado, should be the central component of the Colonists’ plans. Last season, Hawking averaged 16.8 points and shot 40% from behind the three-point line in leading the Golden Hawks to the Empire League title. He has explosive potential, once scoring 35 points against San Pedro. The only returning Colonists are reserves Manuel Gallardo and Julio Palacios.

Brea Olinda

Coach: Bob Terry

1999-2000 record: 24-8

League record: 9-1

The Wildcats, who last season won a second consecutive league title and advanced all the way to the Division II-AA championship game, will once again be favored in league, thanks to returning starters Ryan Moore and Landon Lewis. Moore, a 6-6 senior guard, averaged 14.8 points last season and was as dangerous in the post as he was from the perimeter. Lewis, a 6-3 senior guard, averaged 14.2 points last year and shot 47% from behind the three-point line, second best in the county. Part-time starter Eric Giesler, a 6-2 junior guard, also returns for the guard-oriented Wildcats.

Magnolia

Coach: Al Walin

1999-2000 record: 23-6

League record: 7-3

This should be a very special season for the Sentinels. Al Walin, the longest-tenured boys’ basketball coach at a county school, needs only 13 victories to reach 400 in his 27th season. The presence of junior guard Geoffrey Clayton, a Southern Section Division II-A first-team selection a year ago, will ensure that Walin gets his milestone victory--and many more. Clayton averaged 18.3 points and a county-best 9.9 assists per game last season for Magnolia, which finished second in league behind Brea Olinda. Starter Vincent Bryant and part-time starter Rohneal Coleman--both senior guards--also return to a lineup that should be quick but vulnerable inside.

Savanna

Coach: Steve Bennett

1999-2000 record: 11-16

League record: 4-6

If Steve Bennett, the Rebels’ first-year coach, intends to raise the expectations of his program, as he says he does, then he will need to get the most out of limited talent. Only four experienced players return: senior guard Marcus Butler, senior swingman Narrid Wadood, and junior forwards Turnel Woods and Armando Taylor.

Valencia

Coach: Dean Yoshimura

1999-2000 record: 13-15

League record: 6-4

With three returning starters and nine returners overall, the Tigers have the depth and experience to give Brea Olinda and Magnolia a run for the league title. Leading the way will be 5-10 senior guard Emmanuel Ortega, a four-year varsity player. He averaged 15 points a game last year and shot 83% from the free-throw line. Starters Keinan Briggs, a 6-2 senior forward, and Hugo Hernandez, a 5-11 senior guard, also return.

Western

Coach: Joseph Aihara

1999-2000 record: 6-18

League record: 0-10

The Pioneers have hopes of winning at least one league game this season because Anaheim appears beatable, but it’s not a given. Coach Joseph Aihara said he needs returning starters Roger Spencer and Jarom Watts and the rest of the team to pay its dues and believe in itself.