BOYS' BASKETBALL PREVIEW: SAUGUS OFF TO HOT START CENTURIONS OPEN SEASON 2-0, BUT COACH HALLMAN WARY.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Saugus High boys' basketball coach Jeff Hallman isn't in the business of making predictions, so don't expect him to say where he thinks the Centurions will end up this year.

Hallman has been coaching in high school long enough to know it's a long season filled with curvy roads and potential obstacles, and that the threat of injury always is present. So you work with what you have and hope to get better as the season progresses and wish for the best.

Not even the Centurions' 2-0 start had Hallman making any bold proclamations. ``It's better than the alternative,'' Hallman said.

This much Hallman knows: He likes a lot about this team, the way it works, the guard play it gets, the defensive intensity and how everybody is getting along.

``They seem to enjoy the competitive spirit,'' Hallman said. ``I'm very pleased with what I've seen so far.

In the two victories - both in the Saugus Shootout tournament over Verdugo Hills and Sherman Oaks of Nore Dame - the Centurions got solid performances from point guard Mark Holmquist, who is averaging 20 points and seven assists.

The scoring is up from a year ago when Holmquist scored 10 points a game, and that's by design. A four-year starter, Holmquist spent the offseason working on his shot and came in with a much improved offensive game.

``He's been solid all the way through his career, a very smart player,'' Hallman said. ``He's always played that great defense, but his scoring is better. We were looking for him to score more and so far it's worked out.''

The Centurions also got a lift from Mike Jones, a first-year varsity player up from J.V. Jones, in his Saugus debut, scored 20 points.

Hallman also is pleased with Adrian Buencamino, who started the first night but came off the bench the second so Hallman could take a look at a different starting lineup. Rather than sulk, Buencamino responded with 20 points.

``That showed a lot, the way he accepted coming off the bench and how he played in that role,'' Hallman said. ``That showed a lot of maturity.''

Hallman hasn't settled on a starting lineup, or a regular rotation for that matter. He played all nine players available on Wednesday, then 11 of 13 on Thursday.

``We'll just see what happens,'' Hallman said.

The Centurions welcomed back football players Adam Hilton, Johnny Borelli and Sheldon Bell, and all three will be eased into the mix.

Bell is a newcomer from Antelope Valley.

``I hadn't seen him play until he came out,'' Hallman said.

Saugus has some interesting big men in 6-6 freshman Sam Hein, who is expected back soon following an ankle sprain, and 6-6 sophomore B.J. Willkomm.

The added height, mixed with the solid play in the backcourt, should make for an interesting year. Saugus finished second in the Foothill League last year, going 15-10 overall.