DIVISION V : Site Concerns Coach More Than Opponent

As Brethren Christian Coach Richard Thomas ran through a list of potential opponents in the Division V-AA playoffs, he stopped to pay each one his respects--Chadwick, Brentwood and so on. But Thomas didn’t seem nearly as concerned with whom his team would play as where it would be playing.

“I’m praying we don’t play at Harvard (Westlake),” Thomas said.

Harvard Westlake has been Brethren Christian’s graveyard the last two years. The Warriors fell to Campbell Hall there last year in the semifinals and to Brentwood in the 1991 semifinals.

“That place really scares me,” Thomas said.

Not much else scares Thomas and his team these days. The second-seeded Warriors (18-7) skated through the Olympic League undefeated at 12-0 and have won 16 of 21 since losing three of their first five.

Those first three losses came while his entire front line, Andy Brown, Reggie Davis and Keith Washington, was still playing football.

Since then, Brethren has beaten top-seeded Chadwick (18-8) by seven points and fourth-seeded Capistrano Valley Christian (19-4) twice.

Davis, a 6-foot-4 forward-center, averages 10.2 points and is the team’s leading rebounder with an 8.5 average. Brown, a 6-5 junior center, averages 8.6 points and 7.8 rebounds. Washington (four points, five rebounds), an all-league linebacker, is only 5-11 but he bangs underneath and is a valuable reserve.

Thomas’ son, Scott, leads the Warriors in scoring at 12.8 points, and point guard Rich Mendoza averages 11 points and five assists.

“As the season has gone on, he’s gotten a lot tougher and he’s making fewer turnovers,” Thomas said of Mendoza.

And when called on, Mendoza can also become a scorer. When Capistrano Valley tried a triangle-and-two defense on Davis and Thomas, Mendoza scored 31 points.

“I think this year’s team has more balance than we’ve had in the past and that gives us a better chance to win it all,” Thomas said. “We like our chances.”

Capistrano Valley Christian has not beaten any of the top-seeded teams, but Eagle Coach Art Jenkins likes his team’s chances, too.

“Out of ignorance, because we haven’t seen anybody but Brethren, (I think) we can win it,” he said. “If the seeding is done right, it’s possible.”

Aside from 6-foot-5 center Chuck Carlson (10 points, six rebounds), Capistrano Valley Christian’s tallest starter is 6-0. But the Eagles rely on quickness and their ability to create matchup problems. Forward Troy Rodarmel averages 19.3 points and six rebounds.

Division V-AA and V-A

Defending champions: North Hollywood Campbell Hall (V-AA), La Canada Ribet Academy (V-A).

Top teams: V-AA--Palos Verdes Chadwick (18-8), Brethren Christian (18-7), Capistrano Valley Christian (19-4). V-A--Los Angeles Bel Air Prep (16-7), Ribet Academy (18-5), Los Angeles Pilgrim (19-4).

Dark horses: V-AA--Montclair Prep (14-8). V-A--California Lutheran (6-8).

Top players: V-AA--Reggie Davis (Brethren Christian), Richard Mendoza (Brethren Christian), Marquis Patterson (Capistrano Valley Christian), Troy Rodarmel (Capistrano Valley Christian), Scott Thomas (Brethren Christian). V-A--Steve Acheson (Heritage Christian), Brian Askew (St. Margaret’s), Toby Curto (Liberty Christian), Erik Olsen (California Lutheran), Damian Raibon (St. Margaret’s), Dave Vaccaro (Liberty Christian).

Best draws: V-AA--Capistrano Valley Christian. Draw was enhanced when top-ranked Campbell Hall was knocked out of tournament because of forfeits. V-A--Liberty Christian (16-4) escapes a meeting with top two-seeded teams until the third round.

Worst draws: V-AA--St. Margaret’s (15-6). First-round victory earns them a matchup with rival Capistrano Valley Christian in second round. V-A--Heritage Christian (18-1). Despite its one loss, Heritage Christian wasn’t seeded among the top four teams.

Notes: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s son, Kareem, is a 6-3 junior guard for Brentwood. . . . Defending champion Campbell Hall, ranked No. 1 all season, had to forfeit nine games for using an ineligible player and didn’t qualify for the playoffs. . . . Under its fourth-year coach, Ernest Dailey, Ribet Academy has won four consecutive Heritage League titles.