HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEW : FRONTIER LEAGUE

Calabasas

COACH: Bill Bellatty, 7th season

LAST SEASON: 8-15; 4th in league, 3-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Coyotes’ lineup will be dominated by freshmen and sophomores. Sophomore point guard Bill Hoover (5-foot-11) was the sixth man a season ago. He is being counted on to run the offense and score more than the four points he averaged last season. He will team in the backcourt with sophomore off-guard Chris Sheridan (5-11), the MVP of the junior varsity. Sheridan is an excellent jumper and outside shooter. He is expected to be the focal point of the offense. Freshman point-guard Noah Bloom (5-10) is an excellent passer who also will play. Senior forward Mike Dye (6-2) is a team leader whose scoring and rebounding averages (six points, four rebounds) should increase.

OUTLOOK: “I think it will be a tossup for second place behind Santa Clara,” Bellatty said. “We’re going to be very young, but we feel we have a good shot at No. 2.”

Moorpark

COACH: Tim Bednar, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 8-15; 3rd in the Tri-Valley League, 4-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Musketeers enter a new league with a lineup of gifted juniors. Off-guard Micah Hanson (6-3) combines a good shot with a willingness to play physically around the basket, making him a scoring threat from many areas on the floor. Forward Jeff Barry (6-5) is an emerging rebounding force. He started every game last season as sophomore, averaging six rebounds. Swingman Keith Linton (6-1) averaged 21 points for the junior varsity. He is a good medium-range shooter and a solid defender. Senior point guard Richard Hernandez (6-0) averaged 2.5 steals to rank among league leaders. He is being counted on to assist in the growth of the three talented juniors. Senior forward Toby Tucker (6-4), senior off-guard Brandon Garrettson (6-0) and senior point guard Marcus James (5-8) also should make strong contributions.

OUTLOOK: “We’re counting on our juniors to have outstanding seasons,” Bednar said. “It’s always a little tough when you don’t have a lot of senior experience in the lineup, but our kids think they can play with anybody in the league.”

Nordhoff

COACH: Dick Sebek, 18th season

LAST SEASON: 14-11; 3rd in league, 3-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior center-forward Matt McSorley (6-5), a transfer from Buena, and senior center-forward Sonny Frierlich (6-5), a transfer from Illinois, provide the Rangers with size and depth in the front court. They are being counted on for rebounding and interior defense. Junior Mark Sebek (6-2), the coach’s son, can play either guard position. He averaged 10 points and seven rebounds last season and was a second-team all-league selection. Sophomore point guard Dallan Rigby (5-11) will lead the offense, and senior swingman Steve Saum (5-11) will be the sixth man. Senior forwards Mike York (6-1) and Brad Schropshire (6-4), and junior guard Gabe Vega (6-0) also should make contributions.

OUTLOOK: “We have a lot of talent and depth,” Sebek said. “But it’s probably going to take a few weeks for us to get set because we have so many new kids.”

Santa Clara

COACH: Lou Cvijanovich, 35th season

LAST SEASON: 27-4; 1st in league, 8-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Last season’s senior-dominated lineup won the Saints’ fourth straight Southern California Division IV championship. While the key performers from that team are gone, there is no need to shed tears for Santa Clara. The Saints--as usual--should be a league force. Cvijanovich has not decided on a lineup from among the 18 players who have tried out, but he is sure he has four talented players to build the team around. Senior off-guard Brian Clark (5-9) should score often. He is quick and plays good defense. Junior center Kris McLukas (6-3) is being counted on for rebounding, the area that appears to be the Saints’ weakness entering the season. Senior forward Dave Varela (6-1) and junior forward Jason Tangerlini possess the skills to become offensive threats.

OUTLOOK: “We had a great group here for the past four years, but all good things have to come to an end,” Cvijanovich said. “Now we have to roll up our sleeves and go back to work. We should be competitive.”

Santa Paula

COACH: Tom Donahue, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 20-6; 2nd in league, 5-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Donahue says this is the best passing team he has coached. Junior point guard Raymond Cordova (5-8) is a crafty floor leader. He is one of the Cardinals’ best defenders and has improved his shooting. Senior off-guard Brian Whittaker (6-1) should be on the scoring end of several of Cordova’s passes. Sophomore off-guard Manuel Escamilla (6-1) is a good shooter who also is expected to score often. He also can play point guard. Senior forward Eric McCallister (6-5) and senior center Darren Hendron (6-8) should provide rebounding and excellent interior defense.

OUTLOOK: “We have the potential to win the league,” Donahue said. “Our strength is that we are a very unselfish team. We pass the ball very well and play good defense.”