Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 9

ft On I 1 111 If All I Mil 'h ntseen cage wars as runner-up open soon fefitoa: M9im of Mrtf -z -l fremo 7 By BILL GOULD injured and also compiled a 6.1 scoring mark, will run the Tiger offense. Three other varsity return- By TOM LaMARRE Paul Harless, who won six consecutive Tournament of Champions. titlei.atJMcCl y- monds between 1958 and 1963, is' expected to get another chance according to a poll, conducted of the Oakland Athletic League coaches, which Eastbay prep basketball be- gifls another torrid season two-weeks hence, with defending champions favored to repeat in five of nine leagues, according to the people nearest the scene the coaches. Richmond draws the nod in Alameda County Athletic League Clayton Valley is liked in file Diablo Valley Athletic League; Washington is again the choice in the Mission Valley League; Piedmont favored in the Foothill circuit and Lick-Wilmerding picked in the Bay Counties League. But in four other races, new champs are foreseen.

Skyline is the choice to replace Fremont in the Oakland Athletic League; Arroyo tabbed to dethrone Hayward in the Hayward Athletic Leaguef Salesian favored in the East Bay League and St. Mary's picked in the Catholic Athletic Le ague over defending co-champs Bishop O'Dowd and St. Joseph's. niiiiiiriiififiiiiiiiiiliiTi iij'T 'iiinnTfcM nninvr-i mr riinnnniiiniiiTrwii inTinftniiri iiiiniriiniiiimrnimri is the only returning all-city performer of a year ago and leads Paul Harless'Titans, favored to capture their first OAL titie. OAL STANDOUTS Wilbur Fleming (left) is the only starter returningoff of last -year's Fremont team which won both the OAL and the Tournament of Champions.

Tom Scantlebury (right) of Skyline installs Harless' Skyline Titans as favorites to dethrone two-time champion Fremont. The main reason for the Titans lofty position in the pre-season forecast is 6-3, 170 senior forward Tom Scantlebury, who averaged 23.1 point per game last year and was named to the all-city team as a junior. Harless praises Scantlebury with the supreme accolade that he is about as good as Joe Ellis (now an all-American candidate at USF) when I had him at McCly-monds. Tom does everything and does it all well." The Titans also have center Terry Courtright. a big 6-5, 215 transfer from Reno, where he received all-Nevada recognition last year as a junior.

Three others back from varsity action last year are 6-2 senior forward Gary Erickson, a fine shooter and rebounder, 6-0 senior guard Daryl Weth-erbee, who is still recuperating from a broken collarbone, and 6-2 senior forward Rich Spindler. Two real quick guards are fighting it out for the other backcourt spot Henhel Brantley, a 5-11 senior who didn't play at all last year has the nod right now over 5-9 junior Wayne Kendricks. Leo Allamanno's Fremont club will have a hard time improving on last year's 21-2 record and championships in the SL Elizabeth's Tourney, the OAL, and the TOC. Wilbur Fleming, a starting forward last year is being at guard this season. At 6-3, Fleming averaged 6.1 points a game last winter.

Another 1 1 1 a 5-11 guard Ed Dennoncourt, who moved into a starting role last year when Murphy Ward was- strong nchmonc! qumtet acal choice Walker, a 6-1 forward and 12.3 scorer last year, 5-11 senior guard Ron Wayne, an 11.2 scorer, and Seavenes Holder. However, Steve Loy, an 18.2 icorer last year broke his collarbone in football and won't be ready until January and guard Charles Blackwell (5-9) a promising transfer, won't be eligible until next semester. DeAnza returns lettermen Butch Whyburn, a 6-3 forward wha scored 13.7 a game last season, 6-0 forward Ken Burrow, and 6-1 forward-g a Stan Barron. The coaches tab Alameda for the cellar with just one returning letterman, 5-8 guard Kurt Speier, off last year's team which finished 3-13 in the ACAL. By TOM LsMARRE Defending champion Richmond is an overwhelming favorite of the Alameda County Athletic League coaches to capture the 1965-66 ACAL cage championship.

Returning from last year's 22-3 club are two lettermen. headed by 6-0 senior guard Brady Stewart who averaged 11.3 points per game and was named to the all-TOC team. The other letterman is 64 Junior forward Harry Brownr who was a starter the last -half of the year. El Cerrito's Gaucho's are tabbed for the runner-up spot, with 6-7, 235 center Bill Neel-son, who grabbed 14 rebounds per game last year, heading three returning letter winners. The two other lettermen back has just one letterman, 6-1 Roosevelt Zanders, coming off last year's third place finish, but Zanders could be forced out for a few weeks if troublesome tonsils must be pulled.

Ron Kanib at Ells has two returning lettermen off last year's 20-9 team, guard and floor leader Gary Lucas (5-9) and 6-1 forward Leonard Farr. who averaged 13.2 points and 12 rebounds a game last year. Seniors iMtch Bazzel (6-1) at guard and 6-2 forward Rich Galbraith head Pacific's other lettermen are 6-4 junior center Dan Heiser and 5-9 senior guard Dan Paiva, The other forward, spot goes to 6-0 Jody Kitchen, a non-lettering varsity performer last year's champs 7: If the coaches' football poll prior to the just completed sea son if any criterion, then the cage mentors should be right in five of nine leagues. While a few scattered non- Jeague. games Jhave already been completed, the majority of the pre-league contests are slated for next Tuesday.

Most leagues forego counting play until January, but the ACAL jumps the gun with loop encounters slated for Tuesday, Dec. 14. Most of the Eastbay's 68 teams are scheduled for holiday tournaments during the month of December as additional tuneup, for the long counting grind. New clubs enter into varsity league action for the first time in the HAAL and MVAL. Marina completes as a varsity member of the former leape in basketball for the -first time and Kennedy joins the MVAL cage wars.

Winter Madness, nee basketball, is here. on Ed Collins' club are 6-3 senior forward Larry Ed-mondson, and 6-0 senior for-warjrLes Cain. Footballers Al Pitcaithley, a 6-2 senior forward who averaged 10.8 last year; 6-4 senior the forecast 1. Richmond 2. El Ctrrlto 1.

sm Lundrt 4. Mrkttoy I. EUl i. PlCfflC 7. Encinal (.

DcAnu Alamtd forward Steve Molle, a 11.2 scorer last season; 5-10 senior guard Gerald Metivier; and 6-1 senior forward Dennis Mc-Oure form much of the San Leandro squad. Berkeley's Spike Hensley Jim Kohles and Mike Caruso, both juniors, each added 10 markers for the Dragons. O'Dowd jumped off to a 13-5 advantage after one period and continued to find the range through the second quarter to the tune of 16 points to own a substantial 29-14 halftone advantage. Poly (SF) I 11-4! BitM O'Dowd 13 1340 Poly Hkfct If, Cotchat 1. Allen I.

Kiln JoacMn. Bishop O'Dowd Trail 14, KoMat 10. Caruta Santaa 7. Lliama Ratio veterans leadhighlanders build perfect marks ees are 6-1 forward Jim Clark who was an all-city football choice at quarterback, 6-5 Bernie Veasey, and Jim Zwall, a 6-1 forward. McCIymonds, who dominated the league for years, has been absent for the title picture fie forecast 1.

SkyflfW McClymtntf 4. OMtor 5. CAstltfntMiff MM TKft since 1963, but the' Warriors tied for the second spot in the coaches' poll with Fremont Senior Tom Bell, who stands 6-6, took over at center for Jack Drinkwater's club and averaged 17 points a game the last third of the season. Trans- fer Nate Williams, a 6-4 forward for Louisana will move right into a starting berth. Two other returnees are William Colbert, a 6-5 forward who came up to the varsity at midseason and moved into the starting lineup right away, and 5-8 guard and playmaker Lee Matthews, a starter all of last year.

Elwood Davidson's Oakland Wildcats, who missed by an eyelash in last year's OAL race, will drop back to fourth according to the league coaches. Five lettermen, headed by 6-5, 200 center-forward Don Jackson, who averaged 11.8 last, year, will be out to improve on last year's 19-4 sea-son record and the Gridley In vitational Tourney title. Gerald Biggins, a 6-4 senior forward who missed all of last year with a dislocated knee will be back to make op for lost time, along with kt-termea Ardis Taylor, a 6-1 forward, Hall Kelly (1-1) who was third guard last year, forward Dennis Pete (6-4), and his brother Greg Pete (6-), another forward. the Foothill Athletic League" marbles. The Highlanders went into: the season finale deadlocked'; with Acalanes at 11-2 stopped Alhambra 66-53, while' the Dons were being upset by the Wolves in overtime, 57-55.

-The Clan closed out at 12-2 and the Dons 11-3. The Fremon tTlgersJ wrapped up their second straight Oakland Athletic League championship with a 9-1 record. Oakland completed its finest season since 1153 by taking second place with -an 8-2 11 lr 1 The Tigers completed a sparkling season with an 16-2 record, with losses to O'Dowd and Oakland marring a per-: feet season. These setbacks. were later The Tigers were also a part: of the record overtime session of the 1964-65 season as they went into a four-overtime contest with Skyline and pulled out a 70-69 decision.

Hayward won Us fifth Hayward Area Athletic League championship in six seasons by clipping Mt Eden in the last game of the year, 7244. The Farmers ended with a 12-2 mark to the second place record of 11-3 held by the Monarchs. This is the capsule picture of the Eastbay basketball chase a year ago the new campaign is nearing. for the Mustangs as they whittled the score down to the final six-point difference. Elroy Hogg poced the Irish with 27 points good for game honors.

The setback was the third of the new season tor the Mustangs a a i two triumphs. Sacrtd Heart If 19 11-44 St. EliiatMttit' 11 11 tt-31 Sacrad Haart Taaoua Bono Nn V. Kvha H. Avaua) a llalnat, 1 Torro, Morrtaaay.

SI. eiUabaVa Koblnaan. 4 Jaftap I. Brawn Jaqufcrta 7. Warm 14, Byra a.

Sobrara $. Pantana, McClintaac Dorado 4. Bamwlt J. Piedmont's Highlanders, defending champions of the Foot--hill Athletic League, have been picked in a poll of the league coaches to repeat as title holders. Bill Parker's club, who last season compiled a 174 record and finished second in the Ca-melia City Tournament at Sacramento, bring back three lettermen to form the nucleus of a strong starting five.

Forward Tom Henderson, a 6-5 forward who scored at a 13.4 clip last year as a junior, including one sensational -40-point effort heads the Scot's attempt to retain their crown. Backing him up are letter-men Don Perkins, a 5-10 guard who runs the offense, and 6-5 center Rand Huff, who along with Henderson and 6-0 junior forward Jim Kilmartin gives the Clan a formidable front line. Dave Harper (5-11) is the other starting guard, and re mm OaklattbiSfirtbune last year. Steve Bell, a 6-5 junior transfer from St. Joseph's has serve strength comes from 6-0 forward Mike Foudy, 5-10 junior guard Rich LaBare, and 5-11 junior guard Dick Nie- Las Lomas' Dons, after a sixth-place finish a year ago, are picked by the coaches to give Piedmont the biggest fight to derail the Scots' hopes.

Heading three lettermen is 6-6 center Steve Guy, a two- the forecast 1. Pitfmn i. Lemat Acilaim 4. DO ValK J. Mirtmontt San ffamefl 7.

Alhambra I. Campeliada year letterman, who averaged 11 points a game and 10 rebounds a year ago and should be one of the standouts of the league. Other lettermen are Bob Buck, another two-year letter winner and a 6-0 guard who Up front he is using Jim Wells (6-4), transfer student Mike Stone (6-5) and John Pescio (6-2). The Cougars also have John Kister (6-3), Frank Nausin (6-3) and Steve Reynolds (6-1) in reserve. After capturing the football crown, the Liberty Lions could be the prognosticates spoil- the forecast 1.

Salatia 1 Albany 1. Libarty 4. Oranatfa 5. Llvoi mof a a. ft.

Vtncanft atafcw Sttwff er in basketball. The Lions have Steve Dal Porto and, Ralph Garcia, both grid standouts, and Bill Elliott left from last year's fourth place club. Larry Stonebarger, younger brother of Frank who was a great one for the Lions, moves into a guard spot with Garcia and 64 Larry Corgiat from the junior varsity is an' A year ago two teams went through their league basket--ball slates undefeated; in still another, one team completed the second half of a split schedule undefeated. Livermore of the Eastbay Athletic League and Washington of the Mission Valley Athletic League were the two teams completing the race un- defeated. 3 The Cowboys captured the EBAL title with a 144 record and the Huskies were kings of the then newly-formed MVAL with an 8-0 mark.

Richmomf-won both the Alameda County Athletic League, deadlocking with Ells for the first half title with a 7-1 record end then racing through the second half with a perfect 8-0 mark. Although losing its finale to runner-up Ygnacio Valley, Gayton Valley held on for the Diablo Valley Athletic League crown with an 11-3 record, while the Warriors tied for second place with Pittsburg at 104. A co-championship develo oped in the Catholic Athletic League as St. Joseph's upset Bishop O'Dowd 45-37 and then dropped the final contest to Riordan, 61-60. The two clubs finished with 11-2 marks, the first title for the Pilots in.

24 years. Piedmont received assist from San Ramon in capturing Nov. 27, 1965 9-B made Encinal's basketball hopes soar along with the return of lettermen Robert handles the ball well and shoots well, and Bill Hayden a 6-1 forward, who is probably the best defensive player on the team, according to coach Jim Webster. Others that could start are soph forward Bob Powers (6-1), junior guard Mark Russell, and 6-1 junior forward Chuck Budde. Acalanes, who just missed out on winning the title last year right at the end of the season, returns four lettermen from the team that compiled an overall 18-3 mark last year.

Steve Seely, a 6-2 forward, 6-3 forward-center Jim Tucker, 6-0 guard Bob Walgren, and 5- 9 guard Dale Stewart are all seniors from that team and will be battled by several performers off last season's fine JV team. Forward Jeff Borowiak, a 6- 2 forward, the leading scorer on the JV team, soph guard Les Silva, 6-0 junior outstanding prospect at center. Transfer Wayne Boulding from Sacramento (6-6), John Aden (6-3) and Doug Adams (6-4) should add depth to a Lion team which finished strongly last year. Livermore, having won the title last year, is picked for fourth this year, having lost all last year's starters. Mike Armstrong (64) and JV Tom Bicknell (6-0) will pick up some of the slack.

Promising sophomores for the Cowboys include John Nunes, Don Devaney and Eric Frost. Granada may fool everyone and run away with the league with its superior height. The Matadors have 6-9 Barry Mul-lins from lone, Alan Carpenter, a 6-5 pivot with an awesome 1S.2 average, junior Lloyd Block (6-3), Jim Van Ness (64) and Ron Price (6-4). John Swett will have its problems this season, lacking chieftidims, coygairs ftouftedl guard Dave Shank, 6-5 center Rich Doublefield, and 6-2 junior forward Bob Reiner all have looked good in practice and could push the Don vets. Del Valle brings Its tallest team in history into action and Doug Pederson's club has been tabbed for fourth place laurels by the coaches.

The only two lettermen are 5- 7 guard Duane Wilk, and 6- 3 junior center Jim Muth-er, the tallest player in Del Valle's short five-year history. Tom Blackwood at monte inherits two lettermen 6-1 senior forward Dirk Vandersloot and 6-2 senior guard Doug Peter from a team that is finished in third place a season ago. Other promising cagers for the Matadors are 6-7 junior center Pete Jensen, 6-4 senior forward Bruce Reid, 6-2 junior guard John Bishop and 6-1 junior guard Ray Winguist size and scoring ability. Curt Williams (6-3) and Buzz Ber-ryman (6-1), last year's starting center, will have a rough time getting rebounds for the Indians. John Yacovetti, leading JV scorer last season, should help in the point department.

Amador appears beaded for a bleak season after winding up third last year in the standings. The Dons have been relegated to the seventh spot, largely because of graduation losses. The Dons utilize a ball control offense, trying to feed pivot Joe Theodore (6-3) underneath. Steve Kelly and David Haskell, both 6-1, complete the forward line. Rick Garibaldi and Gary Enos hold down the guard positions.

St. Vincent's of Vallejo was chosen for the last spot, having finished sixth last year. Steve Motara, Frank Causey, Dave Cattalina and Tom Benick could give the Saints a lift VIKING STRENGTH Rich Galbraith, veteran Pacific eager, is one of four lettermen returning as the Vikings bid for the 1965-66 basketball crown. dragons open court play vith triumph mustangs stopped by sacred heart" By JOHN PORTER The annual coaches' poll selects Salesian High for first and Albany as the nearest contender in the 1965-66 East-bay Athletic Leape basketball season. The Chieftains, nosed out by Livermore last year for the title, will sport a running offense and a pressure defense.

Contributing the bulk of scoring will be guard Ray Allen (5-10), a good driver and shooter who averaged 18.7 points last year. Other returnees include La Verne Gon-zalves, 6-3 center, and Dennis. Ferguson, a 5-10 guard who won't be ready until January because of ear trouble. The two-year drought which came after the graduation of superstar Dennis Black may be over for the Albany Cougars. CoachXraig Ortleib has a lot of height and good shooters to work with fills Frank LaPorte's Bishop O'Dowd Dragons opened the 1965-66 basketball race last night at home to Poly of San Francisco and recorded their first win of the season.

The Dragons received balanced scoring in recording a 50-41 decision. Ed Traille's 14 points paced the Dragons, however, game honors went to Bob Cotcbet and Ray Hicks of the Parrots with 16 and 15 points The St. Elizabeths' Mustangs dropped a 64-58 non-league to Sacred Heart last night despite a 24-point performance by Shannon Warren. The Mustangs rallied behind Warrens' six fielders in the final quarter to close the gap with a 20-point period, but fell six points short. Sacred Heart took the lead for good after three minutes of action and raced to a 51-38 advantage entering the final period.

Then Warren made his move i.