Barry Faulkner
Costa Mesa High boys basketball coach Bob Serven isn't as
concerned as one might think by the fact that half of his 10-player
roster isn't old enough to drive.
For as long as his three freshmen and two sophomores can defend
and sink perimeter jumpers, as he believes they can, the Mustangs may
successfully negotiate the Golden West League traffic to earn the
school's unprecedented fourth straight trip to the CIF Southern
Section Playoffs.
"We're very young (only four seniors and two players with
returning varsity experience)," said Serven, who since arriving
before the 1999-2000 season, has transformed the program from
perennial doormat to perennial postseason participant. "I'm still
going to have high expectations and I'm still going to be demanding.
But, at the same time, I have to be demanding with some understanding
of their youth. Our one goal right now is to make the playoffs, which
means we have to finish in the top four (in the seven-team Golden
West League)."
Brian Molina, a 5-8 freshman point guard, will join returners
Danny Krikorian and Marko Stankovic in the starting lineup, while the
remaining two spots are still up for grabs as the Mustangs prepare
for their Dec. 5 opener against visiting John Glenn.
The 6-foot Krikorian, entering his fourth varsity season, is
probably familiar with Molina's game, since Molina and 6-0 guard
Scott Knox have grown up playing with fellow freshman Tony Krikorian,
Danny's little brother and another member of this year's kiddie
corps.
Danny Krikorian is the lone returning starter from last year's
18-10 squad, which tied the school single-season record for victories
en route to a third-place finish in the Pacific Coast League. He
averaged 8.7 points and earned second-team all-league laurels as a
complimentary player to PCL Co-MVP David Conte (redshirting at Cal
State Los Angeles) and first-team all-leaguer Chad Vakili (playing at
Orange Coast College). Serven said much more is expected from this
year's team captain.
"This will be his third year as a starter and his role has changed
every year," Serven said. "This year, he is our go-to guy. He has
learned over the summer how to be a scorer, after having fed off Chad
and David. (Krikorian) is truly our leader."
Serven also expects big things from Stankovic, a 6-6 junior who
scored six points in five games after joining the varsity late last
season.
"He's our one player with size, so its going to be very important
for him to have a good season," Serven said. "But we'll have to wait
