It’s Looking Like More of the Same in Hartland

The 1997 Foothill League race will be all Hart.

And who could not pick the Hart High boys’ basketball team when it has so many factors in its favor?

Three starters return from a squad that finished 20-8 last year, including play-making guard J.T. Stotts and high-scoring forward Cory Johnson.

The Indians are ahead of last year’s pace with an 11-5 record.

Hart might as well own the Foothill League title, considering it has bagged five of the past six. But there’s a not-so-silent minority that feels differently at Burbank High, the school that broke Hart’s championship streak in 1995.

“I’ve got to go with my guys,” Burbank Coach Ron Quarterman said. “We’re taking it one game at a time, but we’re talking about getting it back.”

The Bulldogs will enter Friday’s league opener with an 8-6 record against the toughest nonleague schedule of any team in the league. Burbank has two returning starters, including junior Juni Williams, the best player in the league.

At 16, Williams is the league’s elder statesman, having been a starter since his freshman year. The Bulldogs surprised Hart and everyone else that year, posting a 17-9 record and taking the league by three games.

“It’s his team now,” Quarterman said of Williams, who averages 22 points a game. “But it’s not like Juni is all by himself.”

Bobby Moore, a returning starter at forward, and guard Steve Silveria can be explosive scorers and play tough defense. Sophomore center Eric Rohwer stands 6 feet 8 and has natural shot-blocking ability and a nice shooting touch.

“I want it a lot,” Williams said. “Whatever it takes, we’re going to do it.”

Burbank and Hart play on Jan. 21 and Feb. 12, dates circled on the calendars of both teams. And if there’s an emotional advantage, Burbank should have it.

Last year, the Bulldogs had a wealth of talent and depth but sabotaged their season with infighting. As Burbank slipped to 14-11 and a second-place tie in league, Hart reclaimed the title.

“We don’t have a lot of jealous people now,” Williams said. “We just want to win. If we all just play together, we’ll get it.”

Even then, it won’t be easy. Burbank is a small team and became even smaller when 6-2 forward Carlos Escoto recently became academically ineligible. Rohwer lacks experience and is prone to foul trouble.

The Indians are the biggest team in the league, with seven players standing 6-3 or taller, and have a solid corps of reserves.

“We can never take anything for granted,” Hart Coach Mike May said. “Last year’s [championship] is not this year’s.”

On that note, Quarterman is hoping Burbank will respond to losses to Artesia, Oakland Tech and Vallejo Hogan.

“You want your team to come out and say, ‘I’ve seen the best,’ ” Quarterman said. “But last year’s team still had question marks. I don’t think this year’s team will react like that. I’ve never seen panic in their faces.”

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AT A GLANCE

* THE PROVEN: Burbank junior guard Juni Williams is a third-year starter with Division I talent. Senior post players J.K. Scott of Burroughs and Steve Eernisse of Canyon could average in double figures in points and rebounds. Saugus senior guard Major Sherard could be the league’s scoring leader. Juniors Jason Richardson and Jerrohn Jordan will make Valencia a contender in the school’s second varsity season.

* THE PROMISING: Burbank sophomore center Eric Rohwer averages six blocked shots a game, while seniors Steve Silveria and Bobby Moore have all-league potential. Saugus senior forward Michael Shelby averages 12.3 points. Forwards Eskias McDaniels (sophomore) and Fabian Leon (junior) of Valencia are future stars.

* FAST FACT: Two years ago, Burbank’s Silveria averaged 10.1 points per game . . . for cross-town rival Burroughs.