Previews of Southeast / Long Beach Teams : WHITMONT LEAGUE

1. CALIFORNIA--The Condors have their three best players back--Pat Saldana, an all-league guard who averaged 18 points; Javier Nungaray, who averaged 12, and Corey Hoffert, a 6-5 senior who his coaches say may be the league’s best big man. Cal’s co-head coaches, Howard Demmelmaier and Paul Turley, expect to make the playoffs.

2. LA SERNA--All-league center Tyler Austin (10 points, 11.5 rebounds) returns to play forward. Pete Dawkins, a 6-4 senior, will play center. David Hazel and James Hammond will be the guards for Coach John Fien’s finesse- and defense-oriented team. The Lancers will miss the 24.5 points a game from Robert Stone, who graduated.

3. SANTA FE--The Chiefs’ top returnee is Jose Guardado, a guard who averaged 12 points and five assists for last season’s 7-14 team. Other experienced players are 6-7 junior Scott Roczey (four points, five rebounds), Jay Santoya and Jeff Estes. Coach Joe Mendoza expects a tight race.

4. BELL GARDENS--Coach Charlie LaCommare wants his Lancers (14-8 last season) to reduce mistakes and play solid defense. Then, he says, they have a chance to finish in the league’s top three. Returning players include seniors Carlos Zaragoza (6-3, 200), the main scorer and rebounder, and Al Cuevas (6-0, 170), a good outside shooter.

5. MONTEBELLO--The Oilers, who tied Bell Gardens for second place last year, are a very young team, led by 5-foot-7 senior guard George Koochof, who averaged eight points and six assists. Coach Jeffrey Schwartz is looking for help from 6-1 John Brown and 5-10 Marcus Wally, both sophomores; 6-0 junior Demostehenes Lao and 6-1 senior Chris Perkins.

6. WHITTIER--The Cardinals (9-13 and 5-9 last year) will emphasize a pressing game with guards Rich Villeza (5-7) and Bobby Ruiz (5-10), two seniors who were ineligible last year. Coach Ken Scott has an improving 6-4 junior in James Garcia, a good-shooting forward in Todd Heine and a promising rebounder in Bill Bowley.

7. EL RANCHO--The Dons had trouble scoring last season when they won only five of 22 games. Five lettermen return but this team, said Coach Joe Osterman, will revolve around 6-2 Chris Arce, a transfer from San Gabriel who is a power player and a shooter.

8. PIONEER--The Titans finished 4-18 last season and this year’s outlook isn’t much better. Steve Barron, a 6-foot forward, and Ernie Morelos, a 6-foot center, are the only players with experience. Coach Vince Diaz hopes to get some scoring from sophomore guard Matt Armstrong.