GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

Ocean View. 20-7, 8-2 in 1996-97. Coach: Jim Harris (20th year, 339-165). The Seahawks appear to be the best team at Ocean View since the mid-1980s. Guard Tony Dow, a 6-1 junior, senior forwards David Hatch (6-2), Matt Kiemle (6-4) and Jason Martini (6-5) and senior center Kevin Hanson (6-10) handle the ball well. Also back is 6-4 junior guard Casey Lawson and 5-10 senior guard Dan Nguyen. Two 6-3 juniors, Rahshaw McAfee and Jason Silletto, are up from the junior varsity team and expected to play. This team is good enough to give Harris his seventh league title and more.

Saddleback. 9-16, 2-8 in 1996-97. Coach: Tim Messenhimer (third year, 13-38). With 6-3 junior forward Carnel Harrell transferring to Tustin, Saddleback doesn’t have a true center. But with seven players returning, Messenhimer said, “We hope experience will help us in the close games.” Terrell Foster, a 6-5 junior who averaged 10 points, six rebounds and five assists last season, is the team’s tallest player. He prefers to play guard or forward. Other starters back are Derrick Barnes, a 6-0 senior guard (10 points, seven rebounds) and 5-10 senior guard Alvin Magcasi. Also returning are 6-3 senior center Fernando Cervantes, 5-8 senior guard Hugo Gonzalez, 5-11 senior guard Ricky Hernandez and 6-0 senior guard Alex Toland. Top newcomers are Ben Hughes, a 6-4 forward, and Chad Watts, a 6-2 senior forward.

Santa Ana. 3-21, 0-10 in 1996-97. Coach: Adrian Gomez (second year, 3-21). Gomez says the Saints will be the most improved team in the league. Guards Jose Hernandez, a 6-2 senior, who averaged 12 points, and Rene Cabrera, a 6-0 junior, return. Senior forward Erick Castro is 6-4, as is junior forward Luis Aduna. They will most likely join Chris Galvan, a 6-foot junior forward, in the starting lineup. Sophomore guard Mike Mendoza is a key reserve.

Servite. 20-7, 9-1 in 1996-97. Coach: Scott Hamilton (sixth year, 74-51). Servite surprised many people when it won Golden West League titles last season at all three levels. Hamilton believes the Friars can do it again. Steve Shea, a 6-5 senior forward who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds, and Rafael Zielonka, a 6-5 senior guard who averaged eight points and six rebounds, return. Seniors Jeff Arthur, a 6-2 guard, Ryan Bulatao, a 5-8 senior guard, Miguel Guerrero, a 6-3 forward, Chris Penwarden, a 6-4 forward and Steve Wilber, a 6-2 guard and juniors Evan Friedl, a 6-3 guard, and Billy Hamilton, a 6-2 guard, are battling for starting spots.

Tustin. 19-10, 6-4 in 1996-97. Coach: Andy Ground (sixth year, 114-33). Ground says he has at least 10 players who can start, including three transfers: Carnel Harrell, Willie Knighton, a 6-1 junior guard from Oceanside El Camino, and Troy Sims, a 6-2 senior guard from Mater Dei. DeShaun Foster, a 6-2 senior forward and standout football running back, Peter Johnston, a 6-5 junior forward and Patrick Yapjoco, a 5-10 senior point guard, started last season. Nine others from the junior varsity, which was 22-4, will battling for playing time.

Westminster. 11-13, 5-5 in 1996-97. Coach: Gary Dickson (fifth year, 37-55). With no starters returning and no player taller than 6 feet 1, the Lions have their work cut out. “We have to play hard to be close in games,” Dickson said. Three players expected to earn starting roles are 5-6 senior guard Juan Ramirez, 5-9 junior guard Kenny Sato and 5-9 sophomore forward Andy Walton.