Five years ago El Camino High's boys basketball team ranked among the best in the state with a talented college-bound cast.

Gyno Pomare, now an All-West Coast Conference player at the University of San Diego, was the big man inside.

Mikel Watson, who has played at NCAA Division I schools Wyoming and Utah State and is now at NAIA Lewis-Clark State, was the slashing guard who could score outside and drive to the basket.

Justin Armstrong, now a senior guard at Columbia of the Ivy League, was the man-among-boys, physically, who might have had a future as an NFL safety if he hadn't devoted himself to basketball.

And playing a supporting role among the starters was a skinny, 6-foot-3 kid who hit a few three-pointers but mostly got the ball to his dominating teammates.

Navy senior Greg Sprink, that same El Camino kid, is now a leader of men at a place designed to develop leaders. Tonight, he returns to San Diego County as captain of the Midshipmen (3-7) for a 7 p.m. game against San Diego State (8-2).

Sprink, a 6-5, 220-pound All-Patriot League pick, leads Navy in scoring at 17.3 points per game and averages 5.1 rebounds.

"Part of it is working on my game, getting stronger and maturing," Sprink said.

"The Naval Academy has given me a chance to get an education and fulfill a dream since I was little to play Division I college basketball."

But five years ago, Navy seemed an unlikely destination for Sprink, who spent his first year after high school at the academy's prep school.

Sprink didn't open the first two recruiting letters the Midshipmen sent to his house. Then his parents, Tom and Karen, saw a letter of interest from Navy.

"When my dad got the letter, he said, 'Whoa,' " Greg said. "He showed it to my grandparents and asked around."

Tom Sprink, a longtime teacher and track coach at El Camino, talked with Texas Tech coach Bob Knight when Knight visited El Camino to recruit Armstrong. Knight, who started his coaching career at Army, regaled Greg with stories about the Army-Navy rivalry.

Forced to look closer, Sprink started to appreciate the advantages of a Navy education and the secure job opportunities that include a five-year military commitment upon graduation.

"I'm glad my parents pushed me toward this decision," Sprink said. "As much as I thought I knew everything in high school, I know that's not the case. With the opportunities I've received, serving my country five years is the least I can do. If I enjoy it, I may stay in 20 years. My options are open."

The other factor, of course, is the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"A lot of us at the academy can't wait to be on the ground or behind the scenes doing everything we can to help," Sprink said. "It's something that has to be done, and you want capable people who are willing to lead for successful missions. I don't know what I'll be asked to do when I graduate, but I don't have any doubts. That has to be your attitude."