EAGLES: BIG SHOTS AGAIN? OAK PARK TEAM COULD REPEAT OUTSTANDING SEASON.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer

They won't have the advantage of surprise, but Oak Park's defending Tri-Valley League champions expect to be an area force in high school golf again next season.

``I think we'll definitely win league,'' said returning senior James Logeman,' the Eagles' top player this past season and one of five starters returning next year. ``It's just a question of how far we go in the playoffs. We'll be just as good, if not better''

Coach John Vogel's overacheiving team proved to be season-long headline material this year with just one senior - June graduate Sean Martin.

First, the Eagles upset traditional powers Westlake and Calabasas in preleague play to vault to a No. 1 area ranking.

Then, they outlasted two-time defending champion Nordhoff, which fielded one of its better teams, to win the Tri-Valley title.

And finally, they outperformed four other area league champions - Harvard-Westlake, Highland, Campbell Hall and longtime power Hart - and strong Notre Dame and Crescenta Valley teams to earn their school's first-ever berth in the Southern Section final.

That accomplishment - easily the highlight of a 23-3 Oak Park season - came when the Eagles shot 376 to claim the second and final berth in a regional qualifier at Ojai's Soule Park.

The glow dimmed some the following week, when Oak Park finished last in the 16-team section championship at Saticoy Country Club. The team was undone by a rare off day and a wind-buffeted course that had been toughened up to host a U.S. Open qualifier four days later.

But Logeman thinks the rest of the season is the real reflection of the '99 Eagles.

``I don't think one day really sums up how our season went,'' he said. ``Nobody really expected us to be where we were. All in all, we played really great throughout the season.''

In hopes of doing at least that well again next year, Logeman has been swinging a golf club often since classes concluded. He plays three to four times a week, usually at either Olivas Park of Buenaventura, and practices almost every other day at Lindero Country Club.

``The game is getting better,'' said Logeman, who had a 72.8 stroke average during the high school season. ``These days, if I putt well, I play well, I'm hitting a lot of greens and its just whether I make the putts.''

Logeman, Anton Nikolic, Richard Young and Kevin Clement will all be seniors and three-year varsity veterans next season on an experienced Oak Park team that also will include Brandon Beck, who played a lot as a freshman last season. Ryan Peterson, another freshman this year, also could be a big contributor next season.

``Most of us are playing tournaments this summer,'' said Logeman, who plans to play in the Ventura County and Ventura City championships as well as American Junior Golf Association events and also will try to qualify for the US. Amateur.

And, just to make sure he leaves nothing to chance for his final high school season, the 5-foot-10, 150-pound Logeman is starting to lift weights to get stronger. He said it was something he learned he had to do during a failed bid in a 36-hole qualifier for this year's U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

``I got tired,'' said Logeman, who shot 74-78 and missed the cut by six strokes. ``I found out I need to get a lot stronger.''

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Photo: (color) Oak Park senior James Logeman and his teammates are confident they'll repeat as league champions.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer