Basketball season is here

The 2007-08 prep boys’ basketball season is underway this week and finds the locals taking the hardwood for their initial games.

Below is a capsule look at the local teams:

? Edison Chargers

League: Sunset

Head coach: Rich Boyce (eighth year)

2006-07 record: 14-13

League record/finish: 5-5 (second)

2007 CIF results: Lost first round playoff game to Villa Park

Returning starters: Eric Ferraro (5-10, point guard, Sr.); Kyle Boswell (6-1, guard, Soph.).

Other returners: Carl Eberts (6-4, center/forward, , Sr.); Derris Douty (6-5, center, Sr.); Garrett Yamasaki (5-9, guard, Sr.); Nick Capriccio, (6-4, forward, Soph.).

Newcomers: Dylan Garrity, (5-10, point guard, Fr.); Max Prendergast (5-11, guard, Soph.); Cody Boswell (6-4, forward, Sr.); Kevin Doran (5-11, guard, Sr.); Tyler Paul (6-4, forward, Sr.); Matt Viles (6-3, forward, Soph.); Mike Bame (6-4, forward, Sr.).

Team tidbits: Ferraro, a second-team all-league selection last year, is 141 assists short of the school record. Kyle Boswell was a first-team all-leaguer and was first-team all-state as a freshman.

Coach’s outlook: “We have a good mix of young talent and experience. What we lack in height, we make up for in tough hard-nosed play on both the offensive and defensive end. We should be in the mix for the Sunset league title.”

Season opener: Friday, home vs El Toro at 7 p.m.

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Huntington Beach Oilers

League: Sea View

Head coach: Fabian Luna (second year)

2006-07 record: 14-13

League record/finish: 3-7 (fifth)

Returners: Nick Becker (5-10, guard, Sr.); Trevor Carroll (6-0, guard, Sr.); Zach Kimber (6-0, guard, Jr.); Nick Neser (5-10, guard, Jr.); Neil Negrete (6-6, center, Jr.); Aaron Brennan (6-4, forward, Sr.); Jake Wilson (6-6, forward, Sr.).

Others to watch: Raja Rabat (5-10, guard, Sr.); Madison DesCombes (6-7, center, Sr.); Brandon Gee (6-3, forward, Sr.); Chris Maki (6-2, forward, Sr.); Vincent Oe (5-11, guard, Fr.).

Team tidbits: Becker averaged 20 points and four assists last year and was first-team all-league. Carroll was second-team all-league and averaged 11 points and five rebounds a game. Kimber averaged 10 points and five rebounds, and started 26 games last year. Becker is 441 points away from breaking Tony Gonzalez’s (K.C. Chiefs) all-time school career scoring record.

Team outlook: Luna said this year’s team looks to be the strongest at Huntington since the Oilers enjoyed success with Tony Gonzalez and Co. during the early 1990s. With seven returning players, he feels the Oilers can return to the top of the league. Next up: Currently playing in the Coyote Classic (Buena Park High)

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Marina Vikings

League: Sunset

Head coach: Roger Holmes (14th year)

2006-07 record: 16-10

League finish: Third

2007 CIF results: Lost in first round

CIF finals appearances: 1975, ‘91, 2004

Key returners: Garrett James (5-8, guard, Jr.); Brendan Holmes (6-1, guard, Soph.); Dion Douglas (5-7, guard, Sr.); Jimmy Irvin (5-11, guard, Sr.); Chad Lewis (6-3, forward, Soph.); Andrew Moore (5-8, guard, Sr.).

Other key returners: Trevor West (6-6, POS. Jr.); Ryan Lehane (5-11, POS, Jr.); Steven Murray (6-1, guard, Jr.).

Newcomers: Tyler James (5-8, guard, Soph.); J.P. Lichtenberger (5-9, guard, Jr.); Joe Abdelwahab (5-9, guard, Sr.); Deondre Moss (6-1, forward, Sr.); Dana Gomez (6-3, forward, Soph.); Brian Roberts (5-11, guard, Sr.); Jacob Tricaricao (6-7, center, Jr.); Eric Puttock (5-8, guard, Sr.).

Team tidbits: A year ago, Marina used a brand of play called, “The System,” and went on to set a national record for three-point field goals in a single-season. In a playoff loss to Culver City, the Vikings also set a CIF postseason single-game record with 25 three-point baskets. Garrett James, an all-league performer, averaged 15.2 points and 6.1 assists a game.

Coach’s outlook: “We will again be running ‘The System.’ With a year of experience at it under our belts and nine returners, we are looking to have another exciting year. This year’s group will make their own mark, but will play as hard as ever. We will be more versatile this year offensively and more athletic defensively.”

Season opener: Tuesday vs. Brea at the Fullerton Tournament.

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Ocean View Seahawks

League: Golden West

Co-head coaches: Jim Harris (30th year) and Jimmy Harris (11th year)

2006-07 record: 21-8

League record/finish: 10-0 (champions) 2007 CIF results: Lost in double-overtime to Norco in semifinals round

Last CIF title: 1998

Returning starters: Boys: Brandon Ishimoto (5-9, guard, Sr.); Takeshi Clifford (6-7, guard/forward, Sr.); Avery Johnson (6-2, guard, Soph.); Steve Smith (6-3, guard/forward, Sr.) Anthony Pancoast (6-4, forward/center, Sr.).

Other returners: Cameron Holz (6-6, forward/center, Sr.): Anthony Brown (6-4, guard, Soph.), Billy Keller (5-11, guard, Fr.); Ryan Okwudibonye (6-7, center, Soph.); Steven Yoon (5-8, guard, Soph.); Jake Demers (6-4, forward, Soph.); Donniven Murphy (5-11, guard/forward, Sr.).

Team tidbits: Ishimoto is a returning all-CIF player and was MVP of the Golden West League. Other all-league performers were Clifford (first-team), Johnson (second-team) and Smith (honorable mention).

Coach’s outlook: “The team is experienced with young talent that provides depth and athleticism. Overall good quickness and size. A versatile team and very hard-working. Expectations are very high.”

Season opener: Today at San Luis Obispo Tournament.