North County boys golf at a glance

By: MATT NULL - Staff Writer | Saturday, March 17, 2007 9:52 PM PDT ∞

In predicted order of finish:

AVOCADO LEAGUE

1. Rancho Buena Vista

The Longhorns, who have placed in the top 10 in the CIF San Diego Section finals the past seven years, are looking to take a step up, and coach Terry Miller thinks he has the team that can do it. With a squad led by juniors Dian Santarelli and Joey Toulon, Miller expects RBV to be on top of the Avocado League at year's end. Korean-born Sejun Yoon transferred from Guam, and Miller said the sophomore is emerging as a great player.

2. Carlsbad

The Lancers are led by junior Evan Emerick, who won the CIF San Diego Section individual championship last season and was also named CIF player of the year. Coach Dave Emerick, Evan's father, said this season could be a cloudy one for the Lancers, depending on how their No. 5 and 6 players play. Carlsbad has four returning lettermen, including Emerick, sophomore Jordan Epstein and junior Taylor King.

3. Fallbrook

With the return of senior Collin Featherstone, the league's player of the year in 2006, coach Steve Jorde said he expects the Warriors to be competitive in Avocado League play. The Warriors lost three seniors but will return several members of last year's team with experience, including Andy Wood and Matt Ware.

4. El Camino

After opening the year with a 195 against San Pasqual, coach Clayton Huggins said his expectations jumped for his young Wildcats team, noting a 10-stroke improvement over last season. Huggins attributed the jump to the team's offseason work. Seniors J.R. Ackroyd and Scott Wyers will lead the way for the Wildcats along with freshmen Allan Jung and Trevor Robertson.

5. Oceanside

After winning their first Avocado League match in more than eight years last season, coach Pat Cornforth hopes the Pirates can continue the winning trend. Junior Cooper Durette and sophomore Daniel White led a team that averaged a 217 score last season.

6. Vista

The Panthers, who lost four seniors to graduation, are going through a rebuilding year, according to coach Duffy McGrath. By next year, however, McGrath expects Vista to be back in the thick of things in the Avocado League. Junior Teddy Erickson, who reached the second day of the CIF tournament last year, will be the Panthers' leader.

PALOMAR LEAGUE

1. La Costa Canyon

The Mavericks have what is considered by many as the top team in San Diego. LCC returns two seniors in Tyler Morris, a team MVP the previous three seasons, and Connor Driscoll. Coach Steve Armstrong, who said that the 2007 Mavericks are as good of a squad as he has seen at the school, has high expectations for an LCC team that is loaded. Sophomore Steven Kearney, the 2006 San Diego Junior Golf Association player of the year, will team with Tyler Weir, Ryan McQueen, Scotty Pena and Tyler Sterk to round out a squad that will add many faces this season. Freshmen Ben Itterman and Trevor Sinsby will also be counted on to make an impact. With 18 players on his team, Armstrong has scheduled nearly 50 matches to give each player an opportunity to participate in a varsity match.

2. Torrey Pines

Hired nearly a month ago, new coach Chris Chandler is saddled with competing in one of the toughest leagues in San Diego. But Chandler has a pair of weapons in seniors Clark Granum and James Erckenbeck, who played on last year's squad that placed fifth in the state. Erckenbeck shot a 69 last year at the CIF Southern California Regionals to place third. Both will be looked to lead a group that includes junior Will Appleby and freshman Allan Kwan.

3. Mt. Carmel

Coach Terry Wilson has his hopes up for the Sundevils this year, especially after Mt. Carmel set course records in 2005 and shot in the 190s consistently last year. Wilson lost only one senior to graduation and has junior Sam Chien and senior Chris Watters to count on. Both Chien and Watters were second-team All-Avocado League in 2006.

4. Poway

Titans coach Bob Champion starts the season with five seniors and one freshman. While he had 26 kids try out and is still trying to make cuts, Champion eventually sees his team shooting in the 190s. Daniel Brainard, Grant Moffett, Cory Reese, Todd Steller, Brandon Blon and sophomore Jake Bakke are expected be the top six for the Titans.

5. Rancho Bernardo

Senior Alex Grieb leads a Broncos squad that coach Mark Tuttle says will be a real question mark this year. Only seven kids tried out for the team, according to Tuttle. Grieb, named to the All-CIF team last season, will join seniors Charlie Sumner, Trent Miller, Matt Paterno and junior Mike Maddon to make up the Broncos' top six.

6. Westview

The Wolverines didn't fare so well in the Palomar League last season, but coach John Klein expects his team to do much better this year. Klein has been encouraged by the scores his team has shot so far this season. Junior Robert Nicanor will be counted on to be Westview's No. 1 player.

VALLEY LEAGUE

1. San Pasqual

The Eagles return a good core from last season's squad, which went 11-1 in league play. Coach Tony Corley also has a good group of young players on the team. Senior Kent McDowell will lead a San Pasqual squad that has improved its scores each of the past four years.

2. Escondido

The two-time defending Valley League champion Cougars have a lot of potential this season, and coach Steve Bridges expects that potential to improve with each match. Sophomore Kelly Cannon and senior Ross Johnson lead a group of players with mixed experience, including two sophomores, one freshman and one junior.

3. Ramona

The Bulldogs have a real young team, but they also have experience, according to coach Rick Hardiman. Sophomore Brian Moberg will be the go-to guy for Ramona. Hardiman added the Bulldogs are hard to beat at home, and they should be a contender to win the Valley League within a few years.

4. Valley Center

Mike Magnani, Lyle Mcllwain, Kyle Krainock and Sean Bell lead a Jaguars team that coach Ron Ventimiglia expects to make a few waves. The Jaguars went 6-6 in league last year, and Ventimiglia said that if Valley Center can win a few away matches, it will be able to move to the next level in the Valley League.

5. San Marcos

Senior Ricky Khisiribong, a member of the first-team All Valley League squad last season, will return as the Knights' No. 1 player. His younger brother, Nicky, will join him. Coach John Morello schedules a lot of tough matches with the likes of Torrey Pines, La Costa Canyon and Cathedral Catholic so that his Knights will only get better as the season rolls along.

6. Orange Glen

The Patriots will field a young team with no seniors; coach Victor Garduno has four juniors, two sophomores and one freshman on varsity. Garduno said he expects a lot out of his team and said his squad is capable of good scores. Keith Nicklin, Keegan Devlin and Mitchell Snow will lead the Patriots.

7. Mission Hills

Grizzlies coach Mike Beckley hopes to be a little more competitive this season and will count on junior Hoagan Marshall to lead the way. Marshall will be teamed with Thaddeus Warner to form a good combo for Mission Hills.

COASTAL LEAGUE NORTH (in alphabetical order)

Army-Navy Academy

Coach Dan Loden expected to have at least five kids back from last year's team, but that isn't always guaranteed when you coach at a boarding school. After graduating two players, Loden lost four others and has only two seniors returning in John Naka and Kevin Maag. Loden said this will be a rebuilding year due to the inexperience.

Calvin Christian

This year's Crusaders, according to coach Scott Boyens, have a strong nucleus led by senior Dan Tiersma and Joe Cavellier. Boyens expects newcomers Caden Vanderbyl and Luke LeVine to also make an impact.

Escondido Charter

Youth and inexperience will dot the White Tigers' roster this season. Coach Greg Johns said that juniors Blair McKeithen and Gabe Writer are nearly scratch golfers, and Johns expects them to be Escondido Charter's leaders on the course.

Tri-City Christian

In charge of another team that will be rebuilding, coach Jack Demaree has a very young squad, one he expects will have a lot of potential in a few years ---- after it gets some matches under its belt. Freshman Chad Duarte is Tri-City's No. 1 player.

San Dieguito Academy

Coach Doug Timmons has high expectations for the Mustangs. San Dieguito Academy has a solid top six, and Timmons expects his team to make it through the first round of the CIF and possibly to the state championships. Reid Hutchenson and Matt Cordato, both first team all-Coastal League North picks last season, are back; Timmons expects them to step up this year. Freshman John Neal is the newcomer to watch.

Santa Fe Christian

The Eagles are young but have huge potential, according to coach Nick Ruscetta. Freshman Michael Craven and sophomores Mason Butts and Jeff Nelson will lead a young group. Ruscetta is building experience for next year, when he expects the Eagles to compete at a higher level.

COASTAL LEAGUE SOUTH

Canyon Crest Academy

The program at Canyon Crest ---- which has been open for three years ---- isn't quite there yet, but coach Matt McCullough said the Ravens are knocking on the door. The squad is lowering its total scores each year, and McCullough said he expects the Ravens to be shooting in the 215s before season's end. Phil Hu will lead a team that features two freshmen, one sophomore and three juniors.

Others: Francis Parker, Horizon, La Jolla Country Day, Bishop's

WESTERN LEAGUE

Cathedral Catholic

After falling one stroke short of winning a state championship last year, coach Doug McLean said this year's Dons are very similar to last year, but with a few changes. Tyler Woworksi returns after sitting out most of last season and will join junior Dan Mernicki, who tied for second place with a 4-under-par 68 at the state championships, and senior Josh Dupont. Both were All-CIF selections last year.

Others: St. Augustine, La Jolla, University City, Scripps Ranch, Mission Bay

---- Matt Null