Private Schools

Brethren Christian

Coach: Jon Bahnsen

1999-2000 record: 10-17

League record: 1-9

Coach Jon Bahnsen’s expectations of a third- or fourth-place finish in the Olympic League seem realistic. The Warriors have some depth and experience at forward and center, but they lack experience at point guard, where returning starter Kyle Painter will battle reserve Leon Green and newcomer Chris King for the position.

Calvary Chapel

Coach: Bernie Francis

1999-2000 record: 17-11

League record: 6-4

The Eagles lost a couple of stars and some size but should be deeper than last year’s team, which finished second in the Olympic League behind Orange Lutheran. Senior guards Tony Olivas and Isaiah Barney are back with senior forward Bryan Filkey, giving Calvary Chapel three returning starters. Senior guards Jeff Dressendorfer and Mark Hughes, senior forward Canaan Owens and senior center David Pawasarat also return.

Capistrano Valley Christian

Coach: Frank Dews

1999-2000 record: 9-15

League record: 6-6

Coach Frank Dews has a solid foundation to build around with returning starters Tyler Graves, a 6-2 senior guard, Ian Smetona, a 6-5 senior forward, and Jordan Sukut, a 6-1 sophomore guard. Last season, Graves was a first-team All-Academy League selection, Smetona made the second team and Sukut was honorable mention. Seniors Mike Sussman and James Pierce return off the bench.

Eastside Christian

Coach: Kevin Flye

1999-2000 record: 24-6

League record: 12-0

The Express League champion Eagles reached the Division V-A final last season but may face the biggest rebuilding challenge in the county. The team lost its coach and all its players. Coach Kevin Flye is still assessing his talent but expects T.J. Fakehinde, a 6-3 sophomore from Jamaica, and John Shim, a 6-4 senior center, to lead the way.

Fairmont

Coach: J.T. Cameron

1999-2000 record: 10-14

League record: 5-7

After finishing fifth last season, the Huskies are poised to make a move in the Academy League with four returning starters and seven returning lettermen overall. Forwards Michael Pastrano and Jon Chang, and guards William Washington and Davis Shu will again fill the bulk of the starting lineup. The other returners, guards Lyone Kwok and Matthew Gomez and forward Shawn Malik, will battle for the fifth starting position.

Liberty Christian

Coach: Tom Schuesler

1999-2000 record: 6-17

League record: 3-9

Tom Schuesler, the Minutemen’s first-year coach, is still trying to put his team together. Liberty Christian’s football team recently concluded its season, and Schuesler is trying to convince as many players as possible to come out for the basketball team, which plays in the Express League.

Mater Dei

Coach: Gary McKnight

1999-2000 record: 34-2

League record: 6-0

The Monarchs, considered one of the top teams in the nation by many preseason publications, should be favored to win their first state title since 1995. The team is loaded at every position, with 6-11 center Jamal Sampson and 6-6 guard Cedric Bozeman leading the way. Sampson is headed to California and Bozeman to UCLA, but they won’t be caught looking ahead after losing last season to Fresno Clovis West in the Southern California Regional championship game. Sampson, who missed 11 games down the stretch last season with what Coach Gary McKnight said was the flu, is back at full strength. Also returning for the Serra League champion are part-time starters Ricky Porter and Harrison Schaen, as well as key reserves Brian Baker, Mike Strawberry and Travis Gabler. As if that wasn’t enough talent, the Monarchs also feature three high-profile newcomers: Simi Valley transfer Shaun Michel and Fontana transfers Wesley Washington and Travonte Nelson.

Orange Lutheran

Coach: Shawn Cassidy

1999-2000 record: 25-6

League record: 9-1

It won’t exactly be back to the drawing board for Lancer Coach Shawn Cassidy this season, but it will be close. Orange Lutheran lost standout seniors Jason Whieldon and Patrick Salyer and has no returning starters from last year’s team. The Lancers do have some solid depth with five returning reserves and two Canyon transfers, but their inexperience could be costly in the early going. Look for guards Matt Heim and Alex DeCarlo to blossom, along with forwards Brian Valenzuela, Josh Goedl and Kirby Klappenback. Jason Taylor and Brett Bye, the Canyon transfers, should also play key roles.

Orangewood Academy

Coach: Brian Turner

1999-2000 record: 14-10

League record: 7-5

With four returning starters, the Spartans’ move from the Academy League to the Express League should be a successful one. Three of the returners, center Mike Mitchell (17 points per game, 12 rebounds last season), guard Warren Tamanaha and forward Marcus Warren, are solid scorers.

St. Margaret’s

Coach: Todd Johnson

1999-2000 record: 14-10

League record: 9-3

The Tartans have three returning starters, but Coach Todd Johnson said that may not be enough to overtake defending Academy League champion Downey Calvary Chapel, which is loaded again. Johnson, who last season was an assistant at Cal State Fullerton, will rely heavily on 6-3 senior guard Kevin Krause, who averaged 15 points a game. Krause will be joined in the starting lineup by returners Ed Ortega, a 5-11 senior point guard, and Abe Marouf, a 6-3 senior forward.

Saddleback Valley Christian

Coach: Art Jenkins

1999-2000 record: 2-10

Art Jenkins, the Warriors’ first-year coach, has a young team that will take its lumps. The returning players include Randy Van Woerkem, a 5-10 sophomore guard, Chris Frey, a 6-1 sophomore guard and Matt Weikel, a 5-9 junior guard.

Santa Margarita

Coach: Jerry DeBusk

1999-2000 record: 23-6

League record: 4-2

The Eagles will present a formidable challenge for Mater Dei in the Serra League--and that’s saying a lot, considering the Monarchs are one of the best teams in the country. Santa Margarita has all of its starters back, including three-point marksman R.J. Socci and versatile guard Lenny Collins. Last season, Socci made 42% of his shots from behind the three-point arc, and Collins led the team by averaging 12.2 points per game. Center Adam Tancredi should clog up the lane along with forward Brandon Rohe.

Servite

Coach: Brian Kenney

1999-2000 record: 16-12

League record: 2-4

The Friars will do well if they shoot as straight as Coach Brian Kenney, a headstrong man who weathered a tumultuous first year. Servite’s on-court struggles, which included winning only two Serra League games, were harmless compared to off-court issues surrounding two troubled players who are no longer with the program. Forwards Billy Burfeind and John Morris give Servite a solid foundation to build upon, and guards Sebastian Zielonka, Erik Hilde and Brian Traska are capable ballhandlers.

Tarbut V’Torah

Coach: Patrick Roberts

1999-2000 record: 19-5

Four senior starters return to a team that could be a sentimental favorite to win the Division V-A title. The Lions were knocked out of the playoffs last season when school administrators refused to let them travel on roads slick with rain to their second-round playoff game, ending their season. Noam Dashti, a 5-11 forward, averaged 17.4 points and a county-best 13.5 rebounds per game last season and should be a force again.

Whittier Christian

Coach: Bob Hubbard

1999-2000 record: 12-16

League record: 6-4

Coach Bob Hubbard, promoted from his position as Herald assistant, takes over a team with no returning starters and little experience. Returning reserves Bret Johnson, a 6-4 senior center, and Zach Underwood, a 6-6 senior center, played only sparingly last season but are coming off solid summers. Newcomers Tim Albeanu and Luke Payne, a point guard, will probably start.