Breakers begin anew

Mike Sciacca

There are plenty of new faces among the Laguna Beach High boys’

varsity 2003-04 basketball team, and the newness begins at the top.

Mark Hill is four days away from getting his first year as head

coach of the program underway, as the Breakers officially open their

season with a Monday night tipoff at Irvine High.

Hill, who formerly coached at Esperanza, welcomes back two

starters and eight lettermen from last year’s team.

Here is a profile of the 2003-04 Breakers:

Head Coach: Mark Hill (1st year)

Assistant Coaches: Larry Davies, Eric Retzlaff

2002-03 Overall Record: 10-16

2003 League Record/Finish: 1-9 (sixth)

Returning Starters: Austin Sands, 6-5, forward, Sr.; Ivan

Kovacevic, 6-4, guard, Jr.

Newcomers: Cheyne Martin, guard, Fr.; Sheldon Payne, forward, Sr.

What to expect: “I have eight returning lettermen; however, if you

add up all their scoring averages I return only about 15 points per

game,” Hill said. “I’ve been pleased that they’ve worked extremely

hard and have listened and learned.”

Team’s strengths: “We have decent size, overall, we share the ball

and have balance on offense,” Hills said. “We also rebound well.”

Key’s to success: “We continue to improve, develop confidence in

ourselves, understanding that we will be much better as the season

goes on.”

Season begins: Monday (Dec. 1) at Irvine High; Tuesday (Dec. 2) at

Century High.

Note: The Laguna Beach High girls’ basketball preview will run

Dec. 5.