1995-96 BOYS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : SMALL SCHOOLS

BETHEL BAPTIST: 3-19, 1-9 in 1994-95. Coach: Matt Thomas (first year). Prospects: Four starters, all of whom averaged in double figures, including 6-3 center Stephen Davidson, return. Three other players also return.

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CAPISTRANO VALLEY CHRISTIAN: 15-10, 5-4 in 1994-95. Coach: Rod Markum (third year, 18-31). Prospects: Most of these players have been together since junior high. The team lacks height. Junior guards Andrew Jennings, Scott Williams, James Williams and Toby Whitman return.

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FAIRMONT: 3-16, 3-5 in 1994-95. Coach: Scott Tenchka (second year, 3-16). Prospects: This is the second year on the varsity and two starters and three others are back. Junior point guard Roy Kim, who averaged 9.8 points and 8.1 assists, and sophomore forward Cuong Tran, who averaged 9.5 points and 9.7 rebounds, are expected to lead the team.

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HERITAGE CHRISTIAN: 10-10, 6-8 in 1994-95. Coach: Mike Smith (first year). Prospects: No problem with depth. Nine players return, including all the starters and a key reserve. Smith was 7-13 as the girls’ coach last year. Jay Williams, who averaged 27.9 points, is back, as is Jim Findlater (15.9) and Dave Acheson (11.2).

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LIBERTY CHRISTIAN: 10-11, 5-4 in 1994-95. Coach: Bryan Speer (first year). Prospects: Speer found the shelf bare when he arrived. Three players have varsity experience. Depth is a big concern. He’ll be counting on returning players Bryan Davis, Mike Winters and Steve Engleman to carry the team through Academy League play.

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ORANGEWOOD ACADEMY: 17-7 in 1994-95. Coach: Eric Thorson (second year, 17-7). Prospects: Three starters return from a team that made it into the Division V-A semifinals. The Spartans have played a free-lance schedule, but this year they move into the extremely tough Academy League. The trio of seniors--guards Andy Anderson and Matt Bennie and forward Brent Slagle--combined to score 52 points per game. Four others also return.

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ST. MARGARET’S: 22-5, 9-0 in 1994-95. Coach: Garrett Ohara (second year, 22-5). Prospects: The defending Academy League champions now have to knock heads with Orangewood, yet Ohara predicts another league title. Four players, including 6-5 starter Rob Miltner, return. Miltner connected on 56% of his field goal attempts and averaged 10 points and eight rebounds. Also back are guard Pete Larson and forwards Kris Scubla and Todd Shriber.

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ST. MICHAEL’S: 2-18, 0-10 in 1994-95. Coach: Jack Dignan (seventh year, 30-63). Prospects: The Academy League defending champion returns three starters, none of whom averaged in double figures in scoring. They are 5-11 forward Mark Payne, 5-10 forward Richard Yang, and 5-5 guard Hung Bui. Guard Paul Ibe and forward Kelly Dignan also return.

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN: 16-8, 8-2 in 1994-95. Coach: J.T. Cameron (fifth year, 41-52). Prospects: Things could take a while to develop with only one starter back from last year’s Arrowhead League champion. He’s 5-7 guard Mike Duchene, a second-team all-league selection. A big plus has been the addition of Esperanza transfer Corey Roberts, a 6-6 center who is recovering from a heart ailment.