Seahawks, Oilers open boys’ hoop play

Mike Sciacca

With the 2004-05 boys’ basketball season now underway, the

Independent will focus on previewing each of the four local boys’

prep basketball teams.

In the final installment, we look at the teams that Ocean View and

Huntington Beach will put on the court during the winter.

OCEAN VIEW SEAHAWKS

Co-head coaches: Jim Harris, Jimmy Harris

Year at school: 27th; second

League: Golden West

2003-04 record: 22-7 overall

League standing: 12-0; first-place

2004 CIF results: Lost in the quarterfinals of Division 3AA

playoffs.

Returning starters: Brad Sweezy, 6-6, forward, third-team

all-league, Jr.; Clint Amberry, 6-10, forward/center, third-team

all-league, Soph.

Newcomers: John Greiner, 6-0, guard, Sr.; Nick Kosearas, 6-2,

forward, Sr.; Diego Delgado, 5-10, guard, Jr.; Brandon Ishimoto, 5-7,

guard, Fr.; Wynton Johnson, 6-5, forward, Jr.; Johnathan Schuesler,

6-1, forward/guard, Jr.; Broxton Dawson, 6-4, forward/center, Jr.;

Jamil Cato, 5-10, guard, Sr.; Chris Horiuchi, 6-0, guard, Soph.

Key losses: Matt Sargeant, now playing at Princeton, and Greg

Okwudibonye, now playing at Cal State Northridge, who were co-MVPs of

the Golden West League last year; Bear Wurts, now playing at Loyola

of New Orleans; John Impelman, now playing at Occidental College.

Team strengths: “Incredible heart,” Jim Harris exclaimed.

“Developing depth. Transition offense. Well rounded talent. Good size

in front line and quick guard play. Tradition is another strength.”

Coach’s expectations: “They are very high even with what we have

graduated. League will be very tough.”

Key players: “Key players are Clint Amberry, Brad Sweezy, John

Greiner, Nick Kosearas, Diego Delgado, Brandon Ishimoto, Wynton

Johnson and Johnathan Schuesler.”

League favorites: “One of our goals is to win the Golden West

League with Costa Mesa, Estancia, Orange and Santa Ana as major

obstacles.”

First game: Lone Star Invitational in San Antonio, Texas, today.

HUNTINGTON BEACH OILERS

Head coach: Richard Alvarez

Year at school: 4th

League: Sunset

2003-04 record: 12-14 overall

League standing: 4-6; fourth-place

2004 CIF results: Lost in first-round of playoffs.

Returning starters: Brandon O’Bryan, 5-9, guard, Sr.; Greg

Bartolme, 6-0, guard, Jr.

Returning players: Matt Buckalew, 5-9, guard, Sr.; Mitch Roemer,

6-3, forward, Jr.; Andrew Nordin, 6-2, forward, Sr.; Scott Duffy,

6-4, post, Sr.; Rory Jones, 6-4, post, Jr.; Luke Evans, 5-9, guard,

Sr.; Mike Gleason, 6-3, forward, Sr.; DJ Drysdale, 6-3, forward, Jr.;

Trevor Carroll; 5-9, guard, Fr.; Nick Becker, 5-8, guard, Fr.

Key losses: Brandon McLaughlin, first-team all-league.

Team strengths: “We can possibly play 10 to 12 guys any game, and

really not lose a step,” Alvarez said. “If that’s a strength, we will

soon find out.”

Coach’s expectations: “This is a group that will be aggressive

defensively and very disciplined on the offensive end. I expect them

to play team basketball and give 100% every game.”

Key players: “Matt Buckalew, Brandon O’Bryan and Greg Bartolme are

all capable of putting up points for us, but we’ll need everyone on

the court to contribute for us to be successful.”

League favorite: “I would have to say that Esperanza would be the

favorite, with Los Alamitos a very close second. Marina has a few

kids returning, Edison has good size and will be tough and Fountain

Valley has some returning players. I feel that anything could happen

from third- through sixth-place and we hope to put ourselves in a

good position for CIF.”

First game: At Aliso Niguel, Friday