PREP WEDNESDAY: BOYS’ BASKETBALL 1992-93 : TOP TEAMS : It’s Another Season of Great Expectations for Mater Dei

Coach Gary McKnight has learned to deal with expectations in his 10 seasons at Mater Dei High School.

It’s assumed that the Monarchs basketball team will win. After all, Mater Dei has won 286 games under McKnight, so why should this season be any different?

“Everybody thinks this team should go all the way,” McKnight said. “It would be nice to go back (to the State championship game).”

Mater Dei has the county’s best chance among boys’ teams to do so and tops the preseason top 10.

1. MATER DEI

The Monarchs return four starters from last year’s team that finished 34-2, losing to Oak Hill Academy of Mouth of Wilson, Va., in the Above the Rim Tournament and then to Alameda St. Joseph in the State Division I championship game.

Three starters--point guard Kamran Sufi, forward Marmet Williams and center Terence Wilborn--begin their third season on the varsity. Williams was the most consistent player in postseason play last year and Sufi is a leader who keeps the team under control.

But Mater Dei’s “go-to guy” this season will be Miles Simon, a 6-foot-4 junior guard considered by some to be the best player in the county.

“I don’t want to come on strong, but he might be the best we’ve seen in a long time before he’s done,” McKnight said. “He’s got a great supporting cast of seniors, so the game doesn’t rest on his shoulders. He’s confident and smooth.”

Waiting in the wings is freshman Olujimi Mann, a 6-4 guard who can dunk with either hand.

“He just turned 15 and he makes freshman mistakes,” McKnight said, “but he has the ability to excite fans. He could average triple doubles in his junior and senior years.”

How good is Mater Dei? The Monarchs won the national tournament in Las Vegas last summer against eight all-star teams. Of course, some would argue that Mater Dei has always been an all-star team. Still, McKnight insists defense will be the key to the Monarchs’ season.

“Our defense will have to be tough,” he said. “We’re going to run a lot more this year than we have in the past.”

2. HUNTINGTON BEACH

Coach Roy Miller has three returners who started the last two seasons and he has the versatility of going with a three-guard lineup combined with two aggressive post players.

Senior guards Bryan Chang and Tommy Walden and senior forward Matt Ambrose started as sophomores. Ambrose and junior center Tony Gonzalez can hold their own inside against anyone.

“Our goal is to make it to the final four in CIF (Southern Section),” Miller said. “The inside and outside game will make it difficult for teams to defend us.”

Huntington Beach could meet Mater Dei in the championship game of the Daily Pilot Tipoff Classic Saturday.

3. TRABUCO HILLS

Last year, the Thunder from Down Under, center Gavin Vanderputten, checked in at Trabuco Hills by way of Australia. This year, guard Jerron White from Cambridge, Md., is the new kid in the neighborhood.

Joining White are forwards Matt Moore from Capistrano Valley and Derek Uhl from Mater Dei. They join returning guard Brett Poulos and forwards Pat Barnes and Brent Kaull from last year’s team that was eliminated by Glendora in the semifinals of the Southern California Division II regionals.

4. CAPISTRANO VALLEY

For openers, the Cougars have the best point guard in the county returning for his third season. David Sedgwick averaged 8.4 assists last season as the Cougars advanced to the Southern California Division I championship game.

Capistrano Valley lost to Mater Dei, 55-44, in the title game but the Cougars can look forward to having two shots at Mater Dei this season in South Coast League play.

“Mater Dei may be the best high school team in the country,” Coach Mark Thornton said. “We’ll be good, but the junior varsity players from last year must step up. This team won over 30 games this summer.”

5. SANTA MARGARITA

Jerry DeBusk, a former assistant at Chapman College and a highly successful prep coach at Newport Harbor, replaces Roger Holmes.

DeBusk’s first task was learning how to spell returning guard Adam Dzierzynski’s name. Others that DeBusk should have no problems with include football players Sean O’Brien and brothers Brad and Brian Finneran.

The Eagles have good depth but are lacking a true post player. “We hope to make a smooth transition from the Angelus League to the Sea View League this season,” DeBusk said.

6. LOS ALAMITOS

The Griffins have won four of the last five Empire League titles and advanced to the quarterfinals in the Southern Section playoffs in 1988, ’91 and ’92.

Coach Steve Brooks has two all-league guards returning. Steve Carbone averaged 14.2 points and Tim Lin averaged 12.7 points last season to lead Los Alamitos to the Empire League co-championship with Esperanza.

“We’ll be deeper and more balanced than we were last season,” Brooks said.

7. ESPERANZA

Eight players return from last year’s league co-champion and Coach Mark Hill doesn’t hesitate when saying, “Our goal is to win the league outright.”

The top returner is guard Mike Thimgan, a second-team all-league selection, but the player to watch is Warren transfer Marcus Jones, a 6-foot-4 swingman who averaged 18 points and six rebounds as a junior.

The Aztecs will add some beef when Bryan Werner, a 6-6, 245-pound lineman, joins the team after the football playoffs.

8. SONORA

Guard Chris St. Clair is the best player in North County. St. Clair averaged 21.4 points and 4.9 assists last season and figures to increase those numbers this year following an extensive summer workout routine.

Also returning are forward Chris Campbell and swingman Peter Lythgoe. The Raiders should win 20 games this season and contend for their first league championship since 1982.

Craig Clark, a 6-10 sophomore center, should attract some college scouts before he’s finished, but Coach Mike Murphy insists St. Clair will be the main attraction this season.

9. EL MODENA

Center Aaron Aguilera, the co-most valuable player of the Century League last season, is one of four returning starters. Aguilera averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds as a junior.

Joining Aguilera inside will be forward Casey Shine, a tough 6-4 forward who is the starting tight end on the Vanguard football team. Mario Perez figures to be the team’s best outside threat.

“I believe we’ll be as good or better than last year,” Coach Tim Tivenan said.

10. TUSTIN

Granted, the Tillers have a new coach, Andy Ground replaces Tom McCluskey, and he picked his team to finish fifth in the Sea View League. McCluskey taught you well, coach.

The Tillers don’t have a returning starter but welcome Mater Dei transfer DeJuan Matthews, who joins football standout Jason Reynolds and versatile forward Rod Scheuerman.

“We have solid shooters, unselfish players and decent speed,” Ground said. “We need to overcome inexperienced players.”

OTHERS TO WATCH

Edison, Ocean View, Irvine, Katella, Santa Ana Valley, Sunny Hills, Magnolia, Estancia, Century, Western and Kennedy.