BOYS
Coaches’ predicted finish
1. OCEAN VIEW: The Seahawks usually are the league favorites, and this time is no different.
2. SADDLEBACK: A good group of inside players likely make the Roadrunners the best of the rest.
3. ORANGE: Not one of the league’s taller teams, but the Panthers have enough quickness to challenge for a playoff berth.
4. SANTA ANA: The Saints are talented enough to finish higher than this.
5. SEGERSTROM: No seniors, but the Jaguars are good enough to compete for a playoff spot.
6. WESTMINSTER: The Lions are going to win their share of games, and just might climb into the top half of the standings.
Important dates: Ocean View in PlyoCity Tournament of Champions at Ocean View, Monday-Saturday; Ocean View vs. Brea Olinda in PlyoCity North-South Challenge at El Toro, Dec. 20; Ocean View, Santa Ana in Century Holiday Classic at Century, Dec. 26-30; Orange in Orange Holiday Classic at Chapman University, Dec. 26-29; Westminster at Orange, Ocean View at Segerstrom, Saddleback at Santa Ana, Jan. 10; Ocean View at Saddleback, Jan. 12; Saddleback at Orange, Santa Ana at Segerstrom, Jan. 17; Westminster at Saddleback, Jan. 24; Ocean View at Saddleback, Jan. 31; Orange at Saddleback, Feb. 2; Ocean View vs. JSerra in Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei, Feb. 3.
Players to watch
Eric Arriaga (Orange, 6-0, Sr., G); Ackrem Berhan (Westminster, 5-8, Sr., G); J.B. Brown (Ocean View, 6-1, Sr., G); Armando Bustamante (Santa Ana, 6-0, Sr., G); Akeem Christian (Segerstrom, 5-10, Jr., G); Takeshi Clifford (Ocean View, 6-6, Jr., F); Rick Gallardo (Westminster, 6-3, Sr., G); Aaron Garbutt (Westminster, 6-2, So., G); Flavio Hernandez (Segerstrom, 6-2, So., F); Brandon Ishimoto (Ocean View, 5-9, Jr., G); Avery Johnson (Ocean View, 6-1, Fr., G); Daniel Lara (Saddleback, 6-4, Sr., C); Rishard Matthews (Saddleback, 6-2, Sr., G); Matt McPeck (Saddleback, 6-4, Sr., F); Omar Mena (Santa Ana, 6-6, Jr., C); Junior Pedraza (Westminster, 6-2, Sr., F); Nick Powell (Segerstrom, 6-4, So., F); Darrell Rhone (Orange, 6-3, Sr., F); Brandon Stephenson (Santa Ana, 5-10, Sr., G); Joseph Vargas (Orange, 5-9, Sr., F); Juan Vega (Orange, 5-8, Jr., G); Jaime Vivanco (Santa Ana, 6-1, Sr., F); Travis Williamson (Segerstrom, 5-6, So., G); Christopher Zoltek (Saddleback, 5-6, Jr., G)
Noteworthy
Last season’s standings: 1. Costa Mesa (16-10, 10-2), (tie) Ocean View (16-10, 10-2); 3. Estancia (11-13, 6-6); 4. Orange (6-10, 5-7); 5. Saddleback (14-12, 5-7); 6. Santa Ana (10-13, 4-8); 7. Westminster (3-22, 1-11). Ocean View was the only Golden West League team to win a playoff game last year. Golden West League membership changed for this school year. Costa Mesa and Estancia are gone, having moved to the new Orange Coast League. Segerstrom, a new school in Santa Ana, is in. Golden West League playoff teams will compete in Division II-A in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. Ocean View is the unanimous pick of league coaches as the league favorite. “Ocean View, obviously, has the most talent,” Segerstrom coach Adrian Gomez said. Ocean View’s Ishimoto was All-CIF last season. Ocean View co-coach Jim Harris likes the Seahawks’ quickness and depth. Harris’ coaching record at Ocean View is 547-227. His son, Jimmy Harris, is co-coach and the Seahawks are 208-62 during his tenure as co-coach. Saddleback has height, including Lara, who started for the Roadrunners as a sophomore and junior. Orange lacks height, but the Panthers also have quickness and depth. Santa Ana’s Stephenson was all-league last season. The Saints have a new coach, Scott Tenchka. Ocean View’s Jim Harris called Segerstrom, “the team of the future.” Gomez said the Jaguars have size and skill, but just need game experience. Westminster coach Jesse Miramontes said the Lions will play an up-tempo style, and will emphasize defense.
STEVE FRYER/The Register
