The Role Player : All the Pieces That Fit : It’s All Anticipation for Laguna Beach Center

The Others Geoff Adams, Valencia Paul Crandall, Los Alamitos Roger Flores, Santa Ana Alan Fraser, Newport Harbor Alonzo Jamison, SA Valley Dexter Jenkins, Sunny Hills Tom Lewis, Mater Dei Bryan McSweeney, D. Hills Colin Moss, El Modena Dave Roth, Orange Scott Shockey, El Toro Kevin Walker, Brea-Olinda Coby Naess is not the Sea View League’s tallest player. Nor is he the strongest. Yet, Naess (pronounced Ness) is the league’s, and Orange County’s, consummate rebounder.

He has led the county with a 15.4 rebounding average--292 in 19 games--since the Sea View League season began last month.

Those numbers are more impressive, considering Naess competes against some of the county’s better rebounders--Saddleback’s Chance Peterson, Mark Walton and Bryant Walton; Newport Harbor’s Al Fraser; Corona del Mar’s Steve Morris; and Estancia’s Scott Clements.

Success is not just a matter of size for the 6-foot 4 1/2-inch, 205-pound center.

Costa Mesa Coach Tim Parsel, whose team has played Laguna Beach three times this season, said Naess’s ability to establish position is at the heart of his rebounding skill.

“Naess just has an innate knack of knowing where the ball is going,” Parsel said. “And even though he does have a nose for the ball, he still works very hard at his game.”

Naess agrees but doesn’t think his techniques are that different.

“It doesn’t seem like I do anything special,” he said, “but a lot of times I can tell where the ball is going to bounce off of the rim--it’s all anticipation.

“My favorite player is (Chicago Bull rookie) Michael Jordan--most everyone in basketball likes him. His moves are too incredible for me to try, though.”

Experience is helping to improve Naess’s moves. Naess, a junior, has started for the varsity since his freshman year.

“I got pushed around and was intimidated by the bigger guys,” Naess said of his freshman year when he weighed 160. “I don’t care who’s around me now, although even when I box out somebody these days, it seems that their arms are hanging all over me.”

Although Naess’ individual statistics are impressive, his team is 7-12 overall and only fifth in the league with a 4-6 record. The playoffs seem out of the question this season, but Naess is optimistic about the Artists’ future.

“I think we have the potential to be one of the Top 10 teams in the county next season,” Naess said. “We have five guys, who play a lot, returning, and three of us (Naess, Sean Jordan, and Bill Elfston) have started since our freshman year. Plus, we have good height up front. So I’m hopeful.”

Though Naess is Laguna’s designated rebounder, he also is expected to do much of the scoring. Naess is averaging 19.3 points per game. His season-high came against Los Amigos in the Laguna Beach Tournament when he scored 29 points and had 21 rebounds.

“For as good as Coby is, I think he could be even better if he had tougher competition to go up against in practice,” Laguna Beach Coach Craig Falconer said. “But on the court, the guy is relentless. He probably goes after 50 balls a game and gets 15, while most other players go after 20 balls and get maybe 5.”

At most high schools, Naess would be a big shot. At Laguna Beach, Naess is as famous for his pottery as he is for rebounding.

“It’s not like a regular high school when it comes to sports,” he said. “Here, it’s more like an arts and crafts school. Basketball isn’t treated the same way it is at Estancia or Mater Dei.”

Naess has a 3.25 grade-point average, and this year is taking classes in chemistry, history, algebra, English and ceramics, in which he developed his hobby of making planters and mugs.

Beer mugs, Coby?

“No,” Naess answered, “coffee mugs for my mom.”

One more thing.

“Don’t forget to mention Paul Watford,” Naess said.

Why Watford?

“He passes me the ball on the fast break,” Naess answered.

That’s one time Naess doesn’t have to worry about the rebound.