HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: CAMPBELL HALL ADDS DEPTH TRANSFERS SHOULD MAKE THE PERENNIAL POWER STRONGER.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Staff Writer

Just when you thought the Campbell Hall of North Hollywood boys' basketball team can't get any better, it does.

There's a good possibility the Vikings, who have reached the Div. IV state championship tournament each of the past three years -- winning the title in 2005 -- are going to be significantly better.

Transfers Dallas Rutherford, who played at Hillcrest Christian of Granada Hills a season ago, and Keegan Hornbuckle, formerly of Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, were in Viking uniforms for the firsttime Saturday in a pair of games at the 39th annual L.A.Watts Games.

``On paper, we have a pretty good squad, There`s a lot of talent on this team,'' said Rutherford, who scored 21 points in 57-46 victory over St. John Bosco of Bellflower. Hornbuckle scored 29 points in a 59-40 victory against Culver City later in the afternoon.

Jrue and Justin Holiday, Robert Ford, Joe Finnerty and Taylor Henry are returning starters, providing Campbell Hall with plenty of experience, which figures to ease the transition for the newcomers, both of whom are expected to come make an impact, especially Rutherford.

The 6-foot-2 junior guard averaged 22.2 points, 7.1rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game last season and is familiar with the Holidays, having played alongside the brothers on travel teams.

``Dallas is a playmaker, he'd be a good fit for any program,'' Campbell Hall coach Terry Kelly said. ``He`s the type of player that makes everyone around him better.''

Justin Holiday is nursing a sprained wrist which will open up playing time in the frontcourt for Hornbuckle, a 6-6 sophomore forward, as well as freshman James Johnson.

``It would be in Justin's best interest to give the injury time to properly heal. He needs some rest,'' Kelly said. ``Good thing for us is that we have so much depth and balance. We have nine or 10 guys who can start for us.''

Optimism would appear to be at an all-time high, though Kelly prefers to downplay the hype.

``We could have a chemistry issue but we don't worry about that kind of stuff,'' Kelly said. ``These guys have to understand that the main goal is to win a championship. They have to give up a good shot for a great shot. They have to be unselfish to make this thing work.

Whether that happens remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Campbell Hall is moving up to Div. III-A, where tougher competition will be the norm and a fourth consecutive berth in a state tournament is far from a sure thing -- regardless of the new additions.

``We think Dallas and Keegan are going to jump right in, adapt and be just fine,'' Kelly said. ``We're excited to start moving forward.''