HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ‘93--94 : MARMONTE LEAGUE

Agoura ‘92-93 RECORD

OVERALL: 15-10

LEAGUE: 8-6

COACH: Kevin Pasky

YEAR: 7th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Benon Ureda Sr. G 6-5 Ben Richardson Jr. C 6-6 Brian Laibow So. G 6-2 Damon Blechen Sr. C 6-4 Mike Park Sr. G 5-10 Aaron Philpott Sr. F 6-4

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT Maurice Moore Jr. F 6-1 Jon Sears Jr. C 6-5 Chris Driscoll Jr. G 5-10 Roger Paskell Sr. G 5-10

OUTLOOK

Richardson (8.4 points a game) and Ureda (8.4) could double their scoring averages of last season. Richardson also is the Chargers’ leading returning rebounder (5.1). The key for the Chargers, Pasky said, is how well they handle mental pressure with games on the line. “We lost some games last year that we probably shouldn’t have because we didn’t handle pressure well,” he said. “I think we’ll fall somewhere in the top two or three in league if we can stay relaxed.”

Camarillo

‘92-93 RECORD

OVERALL: 12-13

LEAGUE: 8-6

COACH: Mike Prewitt

YEAR: 4th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Jim Hansen Sr. F 6-2 Andrew Richards Sr. G 6-3 John Romansic Sr. F 6-2

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT Kevin Nathaniel Sr. G 6-3 Dennis King Sr. C 6-5 Allan Sadowsky Sr. G 5-8 James Beckman Sr. C 6-3

OUTLOOK

Hansen has progressed each season and Prewitt is confident the trend will continue. Hansen is the Scorpions’ leading returning scorer (11.9) and rebounder (6.1). “We’re definitely going to be competitive,” Prewitt said. “We’re going to play the entire floor to utilize our depth and quickness. We’ll be right there.”

Channel Islands

‘92-93 RECORD

OVERALL: 11-13

LEAGUE: 3-11

COACH: Gary Abraham

YEAR: 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Josh Babauta Sr. G/F 5-11 Scott Clark Sr. G 5-10 Miguel Garcia Sr. F/C 6-2

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT Son Cochrane So. F/C 6-5 Robert Higgins Sr. F 6-2 Charles Merrick Fr. G 5-10

OUTLOOK

The Raiders are short on depth, experience and height. “I’m hoping we’ll start to blend by the league season,” Abraham said. “We’re going to have to play well on defense every game.” Babauta and Clark will be counted on to lead.

Newbury Park

‘92-93 RECORD

OVERALL: 5-16

LEAGUE: 2-12

COACH: Paul Coffman

YEAR: 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Sean Burnett Sr. F/C 6-1 Ken Martin Sr. G 6-1 Justin Sweeney Sr. G 6-0 Leodes Van Buren Sr. F 6-2 Jason Tucker Sr. F/G 5-11

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT Scott Ireland Sr. F/C 6-4 Zac Harmon Sr. F/C 6-2 Adam Reinwasser Jr. G 6-1 Kess Andersen Jr. G/F 6-0 Albert Reddick Sr. G 5-8

OUTLOOK

Coffman takes over after several years coaching in the lower levels of the Newbury Park program. The team suffered a big loss when Keith Smith, a standout three-sport athlete, decided not to play basketball this season in order to concentrate on baseball. Smith was selected second-team all-league last season after leading the Panthers in scoring (14.7) and assists (4.0). Smith also averaged 2.4 steals. Van Buren (14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 steals) will return after football season.

Royal

‘92-93 RECORD

OVERALL: 8-17

LEAGUE: 3-11

COACH: Larry Wiksell

YEAR: 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Eric Carlsen Jr. F 6-5 Scott Hambly Jr. G 6-0

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT Jermaine Smith Jr. G 5-11 David Strathearn Sr. F 6-3 Donnie Wright Jr. C 6-5 Noah Benjamin Sr. G 6-2 Carlos Quintanilla Sr. F 6-3

OUTLOOK

Wiksell, an assistant to former Coach Ira Sollod for two seasons, takes control of the Highlanders, who are young and talented. This season the Highlanders will be restless too. “It’s going to take us a little time to learn to play together,” Wiksell said. “We have so many juniors that we might have some growing pains.” Wiksell expects Royal to compete for one of the top four spots in league and a playoff berth. The Highlanders’ success hinges on how often they can control tempo. Carlsen is Royal’s leading returning scorer (7.2) and rebounder (6.0).

Simi Valley

‘92-93 RECORD

OVERALL: 24-7

LEAGUE: 12-2

COACH: Dean Bradshaw

YEAR: 6th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Vernon Simmons Sr. C/F 6-7 Nathan Simmons Sr. F 6-3 Jeremy Roberts Sr. G 5-10 Chris Bell Sr. G 5-10

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT R.J. Pierson Sr. G 6-1 Sam Rodriguez Sr. G 6-1 Stuart Clarke Sr. F 6-4

OUTLOOK

The Pioneers are still loaded with talent despite the loss of standout point guard Ryan Briggs to graduation. Nathan Simmons (9.2 points, 4.8 rebounds), a three-year starter, was selected second-team all-league. Vernon Simmons (no relation) led the Pioneers in rebounding (6.9) and averaged eight points. Both are being counted on for much more. “We have a little more size than last year,” Bradshaw said. “I think we’ll be a better rebounding team and we should have good team chemistry.”

Thousand Oaks

‘92-93 RECORD OVERALL: 26-2 LEAGUE: 14-0 COACH: Ed Chevalier YEAR: 15th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Jason Hartman Sr. F/G 6-7 Peter Lauer Sr. G 6-1 Paul Brandt Sr. C 6-11

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT Greg Winslow Jr. F 6-4 Brian Downing Sr. C 6-5 Greg Moro Sr. G 6-0 Mike Friel Jr. F 6-3 Mike Lauer So. G 6-1

OUTLOOK

Expect the three-time defending league-champion Lancers to lead the pack again. Hartman, a co-captain and three-year starter, might be the area’s best player. He was selected All-Ventura County by The Times and player of the year by county coaches after averaging 14.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, three assists and 2.3 steals. Hartman has signed with Washington. Lauer (11 points, 2.1 assists), the other co-captain, was selected second-team all-league. Chevalier expects much more from Brandt (2.2 points), who has received a scholarship to Cal State Northridge. “Everyone seems to be picking us for first again and I hope they’re right,” Chevalier said.

Westlake

‘92-93 RECORD

OVERALL: 10-15

LEAGUE: 6-8

COACH: Gary Grayson

YEAR: 4th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS HT Jason Bedell Sr. G 5-8 Billy Zaruka Sr. G 5-10 Erik Bentz Sr. C/F 6-5 Kevin Crook Sr. F 6-3

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TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS HT Billy Miller Jr. F 6-4 Steve Aylsworth Sr. G 5-10 Pat Edgar Sr. F 6-3 Matt Smiley Jr. F 6-3 Matt Zeedik Sr. G/F 6-2 Eric Gunther Jr. F 6-4

OUTLOOK

Seven players are still playing football. “I’ve never been in a situation like this before,” Grayson said. Once the team is whole, Grayson expects the Warriors to challenge for the league title. The Warriors’ backcourt could be the league’s best. Bedell is the top returning scorer (7.5). Zaruka averaged 5.8 points and 3.1 assists.