WANTING TO START ANEW PALMDALE HOPES TO IMPROVE AFTER DISAPPOINTING SEASON.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Nobody can blame the Palmdale High boys' basketball team for wanting a fresh start.

A perennial contender for the Golden League title, Palmdale is coming off a disappointing season, in which it failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

But this year, the Falcons expect to do better. Despite question marks surrounding the guard positions, Palmdale boasts size and speed that figure to create matchup problems for its opponents.

Improved team chemistry should also help the Falcons put their forgettable season behind them.

``I think we're going to do better than we did last year,'' Palmdale senior guard/forward Greg Slade said. ``Last year we had the talent, but we couldn't put it together. This year, there's not many egos in the way. There's a lot of new faces and that's going to take some time getting used to at the varsity level, but I think they can do it.''

Slade is among three returning seniors and one of four players with significant varsity experience who've taken on a leadership role.

Center Ryan Frazer, a third-year varsity player, and forward Scott Anderson have combined with Slade to lead an inexperienced team that's struggled with a difficult nonleague schedule, which has included nationally ranked Crenshaw of Los Angeles.

But despite a 2-5 start, Palmdale coach Garry Phelps said he's seen several positive developments, including the way his team's younger players are responding to the senior leaders.

``They're (the younger players) starting to feed off these guys,'' Phelps said.

Among the Falcons' top newcomers are sophomore guard Jarriau Flowers, senior guard Kendrick Bowie, junior guard Charles McAlpine and senior forward Dominic Montgomery.

The Falcons are expecting big things from Slade, who presents matchup nightmares for opponents. At 6-foot-2, Slade, who is Palmdale's best outside shooter, will be difficult for most guards in the area to defend on the perimeter. Bigger players are no better suited to guard Slade, who is among the team's best at penetrating the basket.

Size should also help Palmdale. At 6-5, Frazier is among the league's tallest players, and Anderson (6-4) and Montgomery (6-5) give Palmdale as much overall size as any team in the league. Junior Antonio Bowie (6-0), a physical forward, should also help in that area.

Without a true point guard, Palmdale rotates four players in a two-guard front, with Slade, Flowers, Bowie and McAlpine taking turns bringing the ball up.

``I like it because it lets everybody learn every position out on the floor and, that's going to be good for everybody,'' Slade said.

A disciple of full-court-press guru Ralph Miller, Phelps, who took classes from Miller on the subject when he went to Iowa in the late 1960s, will again have his Falcons turning up the heat on opponents.

The pressure has been especially disorienting for opponents when they play in Palmdale's dimly lit gym, and Phelps said his team will seek to eliminate resting points - the centerpiece of Miller's philosophy - even more this season.

``If you've got someone in your face every time you're bringing down the ball and you're thinking about it, then you're more likely to make a mistake,'' Phelps said. ``That's what we want.''

AT A GLANCE

Team: Palmdale boys' basketball

Coach: Garry Phelps, 23rd year

2001-02 Record: 6-16, 2-8 Golden League

League finish: Fifth

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Top Returnees: Ryan Frazier (Sr., C), Greg Slade (Sr. F/G), Scott Anderson (Sr. F), Antonio Bowie (Jr., F).

Top Newcomers: Jarriau Flowers (So. G), Kendrick Bowie (Sr. G), Charles McAlpine (Jr., G); Dominic Montgomery (Sr., F).

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Palmdale's Greg Slade is one of three returning seniors on the varsity boys' basketball team, which missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 1988.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)