CITY SECTION PREVIEW: AFTER A YEAR AWAY, SYLMAR BACK AMONG ELITE SPARTANS RELOAD FOR ANOTHER RUN IN VALLEY MISSION.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer After surrendering the Valley Mission League title to surprising Monroe last year, the Sylmar High boys' basketball team appears ready to take it back. The Spartans won three consecutive league titles before last year. But it might be just a one-season falloff fall·off n. A reduction or decrease: a falloff in car sales. Noun 1. falloff - a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality; "the team went into a slump"; "a gradual slack in . ``They look like the best City team in the area, as far as I'm concerned,'' said Grant coach Howie Levine, who saw Sylmar quite a bit over the summer. Levine also likes Canoga Park, which features the deadly scoring duo of Cecil Brown and Donte Witherspoon. ``Those two guys can score 50 points, so that's a big chunk of offense to deal with,'' Levine said. The key for Sylmar is steady shooting guard The Shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or off guard,[1] is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. John Valdez - the quarterback for the Sylmar football team, who won't return to basketball until the City Section playoffs conclude - and the inside presence of improving forward Jorge O'Garro. ``They look good; they'll be right there,'' said North Hollywood coach Rob Bloom Rob Bloom is an American comedy writer and screenwriter. He has written for the Cartoon Network, McSweeney's, CRACKED, Fresh Yarn, Funny Times, National Public Radio, American Public Media, among others. . Levine and Bloom bloom 1. the general appearance of the surface. In carcass meat it is the glistening, transparent effect and the gentle pink color that gives a good bloom to the carcass. It is the result of proper tissue hydration coupled with the correct proportions of fat, connective tissue and don't have to worry about the Spartans until the playoffs - North Hollywood and Grant are both in the Sunset Six League while Sylmar is in the Valley Mission - but they have enough concerns with each other. ``I think (the Sunset Six) will be a battle, Grant has an experienced team coming back,'' Bloom said. Levine feels the same way about the Huskies. ``They've got guys that have gone through some battles, and that's a big thing,'' Levine said. The initial nod goes to North Hollywood in the Sunset Six. The key is the maturation maturation /mat·u·ra·tion/ (mach-u-ra´shun) 1. the process of becoming mature. 2. attainment of emotional and intellectual maturity. 3. of senior forward Kenny Hauser, who averaged 17 points and six rebounds last season. Hauser has the ability to take games over, but he sometimes lets his emotions get the best of him. ``He can be a Division I (college) player and he can dominate at this level, but sometimes he floats,'' Bloom said. ``When he's focused, he does things other guys at this level aren't capable of.'' If Hauser is on top of his game, defenses will have to focus on him, opening things up for Nathan Stern and Gus Ruiz, both of whom can break games open with their shooting. ``When they're shooting the ball, they're tough to beat,'' said Crespi of Encino coach Dick Dornan. On the court, Grant finished 21-5, although 12 games were lost to forfeit To lose to another person or to the state some privilege, right, or property due to the commission of an error, an offense, or a crime, a breach of contract, or a neglect of duty; to subject property to confiscation; or to become liable for the payment of a penalty, as the result of a for using an ineligible in·el·i·gi·ble adj. 1. Disqualified by law, rule, or provision: ineligible to run for office; ineligible for health benefits. 2. transfer. Once that paperwork problem was taken care of - the player in question was later declared eligible - the Lancers lanc·er n. 1. A cavalryman armed with a lance. 2. A member of a regiment originally armed with lances. 3. lancers (used with a sing. verb) a. A kind of quadrille. b. took off. More of the same is expected this time around, with 6-foot-6 Mike Charlston, ultraquick guard DeWayne Anderson and newcomer sophomore Gino Riney at point guard putting pressure on opponents on both ends. ``I like (Riney). He's extremely bright and he does things at an advanced stage,'' Levine said. ``He's picked things up quickly.'' If there's a concern for Grant, it's bench strength. At this point the Lancers are questionable beyond the starting five, although the potential to develop one or two key reserves is there. ``We'll just have to wait and see what happens, but right now it's a concern,'' Levine said. There's a dropoff in the Sunset Six after Grant and North Hollywood. Canoga Park has some firepower fire·pow·er n. 1. The capacity, as of a weapon, weapons system, military unit, or position, for delivering fire. 2. The ability to deliver fire against an enemy in combat. Noun 1. in Brown and Witherspoon, but the key is getting everyone on the same page, which was a problem last year. In the Valley Mission League, Sylmar is clearly the team to beat. Monroe has talent, but it might take sometime for the Vikings to get rolling Verb 1. get rolling - start to be active; "Get cracking, please!" bestir oneself, get cracking, get moving, get started, get weaving, get going begin, commence, set out, start, start out, set about, get down, get - take the first step or steps in carrying under third-year coach Don Loperena, a no-nonsense leader who demands discipline. There's potential in sophomore James Spencer James Spencer may refer to:
The West Valley League is tough to gauge, with question marks at Birmingham of Van Nuys, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, Taft of Woodland Hills and Cleveland of Reseda. ``It's very balanced this year, anyone can beat anyone any day,'' Cleveland coach Adam Levitt said. The one constant is this: Taft's Steve Smith is the best player in the league. |
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