After successful seasons last year on the hardwood, area scholastic boys basketball teams are eyeing repeat performances this winter. At La Jolla High, head coach Kamal Assaf’s Vikings return six players (three in the backcourt) from a CIF championship team (Division III) that went 17-15 a season ago. La Jolla won eight of its last nine games last year to finish strong in capturing its second straight CIF crown. The Vikings will look to senior tri-captains Taylor Davis (All-Western League selection), Jack Latta and Max Greenberg to lead the way. “This year’s team should benefit from the big games they played in last year,” Assaf said. “There is a mental toughness and a confidence with these seniors which helps them provide an excellent example to the underclassmen. We have the senior experience and leadership to take on what might be our most challenging game schedule in the six years that I have coached at La Jolla.” According to Assaf, the Vikings look to be a physical, defensive-minded team that will emphasize rebounding. “We will try to run and attack in transition and play up-tempo team basketball,” Assaf said. “We have an excellent junior class with size and skill. They are making practice very competitive. We feel our juniors will improve over the course of the competitive December non-league schedule and provide us the depth to play an attacking style of basketball for the entire 32 minutes during the competitive Western League beginning in January 2010. We look forward to a great season and are eager to begin another outstanding journey together.” At the neighboring Bishop’s School, the Knights under head coach Tom Tarantino finished 25-5 last season and were Division IV CIF champions. Key returnees this winter include Malik Love (all-CIF a year ago, 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists as a junior) and junior Stephen Kaiser (10 points, 12 rebounds a year ago). Additional starters include sophomores Dominique Love and Dominique Watkins, and junior Ryan Chong. “The team will be young with Malik Love as the lone senior; however, the Knights will be among the quickest teams in San Diego and will play a fast- paced, exciting style of basketball,” Tarantino noted. At La Jolla Country Day School, head coach Ryan Meier and the Torreys went 15-14 a season ago. Meier will look to several returning starters to lead the way, including leading scorer and co-leading rebounder Ryan Watt (14 ppg., eight rpg.), co-leading rebounder Franke Bamford (eight rpg.) and assist leader Kai Tuites (four assists per game). Freshman guard Sage Burmeister is also expected to contribute. According to Meier, good perimeter play will carry this team. “It’s an unselfish group of boys that will provide for effective team play, good ball movement and great team chemistry,” Meier said. “We’re a scrappy group of young men that won’t get outworked on the court.”