PREP BASKETBALL ‘91-’92 ANGELUS LEAGUE

Bishop Amat

1990-91 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 18-7 5-5

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Alex Acosta 94-45

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Scott Fields Sr. 6-3 1/2 F Jelani Gardner So. 6-5 G Karim Webb Sr. 6-4 F

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Marc Gonzalez Sr. 6-3 F David Ng Sr. 6-8 C Rashid Strode Sr. 6-0 G

TOP NEWCOMER YR. HGT. P John Gray Jr. 5-10 G

OUTLOOK

Since Gary McKnight arrived to coach Mater Dei, the Lancers are the only other team to take home the Angelus League championship trophy. They won the title in 1988 and, it appears, they have the best chance to upstage the Monarchs again this season. The top six players return from a team that finished third last season. “The most important thing on the high school level is experience,” Acosta said. “We had good times and bad times last season, and the kids learned from both.” There’s talent, too. Gardner, one of the top sophomores in Southern California, averaged 19 points last season. He was the only Lancer to average in double figures. His supporting cast should be better this season, especially Strode, who will play point guard. “In all the years I’ve been around basketball, I don’t think I’ve seen more than three or four kids who have worked harder than Rashid,” Acosta said. “He’s the biggest surprise on the team. He has worked every day since the end of last season.” The Lancers seem to have all the ingredients to challenge Mater Dei for the title--outside shooters, rebounders and a big guy in the middle. But Acosta said, “I’m not sure anyone can beat Mater Dei. They just have too much.”