PREP BASKETBALL 1993 / EMPIRE LEAGUE

LOARA

1992 RECORDS OVERALL: 7-18 LEAGUE: 2-13

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL David Lappin: First year

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Jason Hoffman Jr. C R-R Jason Luellen Sr. SS R-R Bill Milligan Sr. OF R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Chris Sideris Sr. P R-R Jeff Roncevich Jr. P R-R Ean Brown Jr. 3B R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Mike Boomsma Jr. P-1B R-L Chris Carrillo Jr. 2B R-R Mike Filson Jr. 1B R-R Jeff Gaudio Sr. OF R-R

OUTLOOK

Lappin, a 1983 Loara graduate and former Saxon baseball and football player, will try to turn around the school’s sagging baseball fortunes. In the competitive Empire League, he’ll need all the help he can get. Only three starters are back from last season’s team. “Rookie coach, rookie players,” said Lappin, who played baseball at California. “It’s going to be an interesting combination.” Hoffman, Luellen and Milligan form a solid nucleus, but the Saxons lost Aaron France and Jason Hurt--two all-league selections--to graduation. Hoffman started as a freshman and he has been a dependable cog for the Saxons ever since. Bringing the younger players along and making them competitive is Lappin’s toughest task. “We’re going to try to develop some basic habits, working on the little things,” Lappin said. “Talent comes and goes. We’re going to be young and inexperienced, and we need to instill that work-ethic.” The Saxons’ lack of depth and their inexperience will probably keep them out of the league race this season. He picks Katella as the league favorite.