1993 PREP PREVIEW / BOYS TENNIS : NEWPORT HARBOR

Coach: Charlie (Tex) Bleiker (19th year).

1992: 12-10, 6-4 in Sea View League.

Key returners: Chris Ketchum, Jr. will play No. 2 doubles; Creighton Oyler, Sr; Jeff Thomsen, Jr., played No. 1 singles last year but drops to No. 2 with the arrival of Abrams; Mark Utman, So., is the No. 3 singles player; Steve Sims, Sr, will play No. 1 doubles with Oyler.

Key newcomers: Geoff Abrams, Fr., might be most ballyhooed freshman ever in Orange County, is second youngest player ever named to U.S. Junior National team; Drew White, will likely team with Ketchum.

Outlook: Abrams gives Bleiker nearly an automatic 3-0 advantage to start every match. Thomsen and Utman are solid at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, and Oyler and Sims should be a formidable No. 1 doubles team. After that, Bleiker said he is worried. “I feel very comfortable with my singles, but I’m worried about my doubles,” he said. “We should have a shot at third place if we play well.” Bleiker said the addition of Abrams should improve the rest of his team. “He should give them a boost up,” Bleiker said. “He will motivate the rest of the team.”