SOUTHERN SECTION HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PREVIEWS : San Fernando Valley League

Bell-Jeff

COACH: Joe Dunn, 12th season

LAST SEASON: 20-5; 2nd in league, 7-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Talk about starting from Square 1: After winning 40 games in the past two seasons, Bell-Jeff lost 11 of 12 varsity players to graduation. Dunn has never lost so many players at once. “I’ve always had a good mixture,� he said. “But when you have a couple of dry spells with classes. . . .� Sophomore Brian Lee (6-2) is the lone returning varsity player. D’Artagnan Phinnessee (6-3), who was academically ineligible last season, should make an impact but not immediately--he recently cut a tendon in his hand in a kitchen accident and might be out for five weeks. Brian Camacho (5-7) is the Guards’ quickest player and best defender. “He’s a throwback to the old school,� Dunn said. “Busts his butt.� Ignacio Castro (5-11), a sophomore who has a 4.2 GPA, is a heady player, and DeMond Briggs (6-2) should help out on the boards. Victor Nunez (6-0), a transfer from Notre Dame, is a good shooter and Marvin Martinez (5-10) will be the first guard off the bench.

OUTLOOK: In a recent league meeting, coaches picked Bell-Jeff to finish in the league cellar. It’s easy to see why. Dunn started four sophomores and a junior in a recent alumni game. “I’ve had to change my philosophy,� Dunn said. “The main thing we’re looking for is to work hard. You kind of have to sit there and bite your lip a little bit. . . . If they were to play .500 ball, it would be the best job of coaching I’ve ever done.�

Chaminade

COACH: Mike Lynn, 9th season

LAST SEASON: 9-12; 5th in league, 3-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lynn hopes some of his multisport players can translate their success in football into wins on the court. Colin Havert (6-0, 210), an all-league tailback, plays point guard and averaged 12 points a game. He’s also a defensive stalwart. “Not too many people get by him,� Lynn said. “He’s got some good lateral quickness which is deceiving because he looks like a stump.� Sophomore Ted Corcoran (6-2), a linebacker, probably will be the first player off the bench to help on the boards. Mark Wiltshire (6-2), a defensive lineman, is the Eagles’ three-point-shot specialist. Charlie Fei (6-2, 205) averaged eight points and five rebounds as a starting forward and has added aggressiveness over the summer. “He developed a knack for getting out in the lane and going to the hoop,� Lynn said of Fei. “He’s going to get some (offensive fouls), but I think a lot of people are going to get out of his way.� Sophomore Richard Fei (6-1), Charlie’s brother, probably will back up Havert or play shooting guard. Mark Mirkovich (6-4, 195) has good shooting range and is a solid defender.

OUTLOOK: “I think the league is going to be a little more balanced this year,� Lynn said. Chaminade definitely has the bruisers to pound the boards, which could help neutralize taller teams. And Charlie Fei’s new-found intensity can’t hurt. “He’s really a quiet kid but when he gets on the court he’s a little more animated,� Lynn said. “He’s a lot more of a leader. He never really stood up and took charge and this summer he’s had to.�

Harvard

COACH: Greg Hilliard, 5th season

LAST SEASON: 13-10; 4th in league, 4-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: While other teams such as Bell-Jeff are reeling after graduation decimation, Harvard is rich with experienced players. Guard Rick Osterloh (6-3), a two-time all-league player, has improved his outside shot in the off-season. Though Hilliard says the Saracens don’t have a true point guard, Mike Wolf (6-3), who was hampered by injuries last season, is learning the position. Senior forward Matt Clark (6-5) was a starter before undergoing knee surgery. Clark, says Hilliard, “is as close to 100% as he’s going to get.� Andres Carlo (6-4) is a converted volleyball player who earned the center job partly because of his leaping ability. Others who should contribute include senior forwards Lloyd Rogers (6-5) and Yanni Vourgourakis (6-3).

OUTLOOK: Having his most experienced team ever is a bittersweet prospect for Hilliard. “These guys have yet to experience a very successful season and be in the playoff picture at the end,� he said. “They should know the system by now. We just have to find out if that means anything.�

Notre Dame

COACH: Mick Cady, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 17-9; 1st in league, 10-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: On Tuesday, Cady was informed of Errol Small’s decision to forgo basketball and concentrate on a collegiate football career. Small, a 6-3 forward, was expected to be the Knights’ top returner. “He’s a great athlete but we have a very young team and that just means some younger players are going to get an opportunity,� Cady said. Notre Dame is still talent-rich without Small. Guard Bobby DaCorsi (6-4) is a good shooter and is active around the basket. Guard G. C. Marcachini (6-4), who moved from Rome two years ago, is one of the team’s better athletes. “He’s still learning the game,� Cady said of Marcachini, a good leaper with long arms. “He kind of learns it down at the park and it doesn’t always translate.� No translation is necessary for forward Paul Hewitt (6-6), who has outstanding shooting range but needs to work on his inside game. “He can fill it from way out,� Cady said. Steve Colella (6-5), the backup quarterback on the football team, can shoot and hand the ball off. Last season, Colella was named most valuable player of the St. Bernard junior varsity tournament.

OUTLOOK: Brian Jones and Ken Hicks scored most of the Knights’ points last season, but Cady is hoping to spread the wealth this time around. “We’re going to be taller than we’ve ever been and probably better balanced. We’re going to get scoring from a lot of positions. Because of that, I think we might be as good a team at the end of the year.�

St. Genevieve

COACH: Scott Smith, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 13-10; 3rd in league, 6-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Like Chaminade, St. Genevieve will rely on a few football players to form its core. Dominic Muller (6-1), a utility back on the football team who averaged 3.5 points as the seventh man last season, is the Valiants’ best all-around athlete and will play small forward. “We’re really going to need him,� Smith said. Senior Mike Hoffman (6-3) also returns, though he was used sparingly. According to Smith, Hoffman improved his strength, rebounding and defense over the summer. Center Todd Peterson (6-4, 230) is bulky and has a soft touch on shots inside. Guards Jesse De LaO (5-10), John Hoffman (6-2) and Mike Pacpaco (5-4) have good range and can hit the three-point shot. Gary Tolentino (6-0), a junior-varsity forward, and senior guard Henry Arrington (5-9) should also contribute.

OUTLOOK: St. Genevieve, which is quicker than last season, may struggle at first. “We’ll probably take our licks early but it will help us in league,� Smith said.