Girls’ Basketball Season Preview!

TOP 10 TEAMS

1. Harvard-Westlake: Clearly has the best returning talent in the region.

2. Bell-Jeff: Deep and talented small-school powerhouse.

3. Agoura: Ready to win first ever Marmonte League championship.

4. Alemany: Four solid players, new coach and has looked unbeatable.

5. Oaks Christian: Team will run, run, run and run some more.

7. Taft: Has tons of speed

8. Crescenta Valley: Are Falcons just a one-trick pony with Pappas.

9. Montclair Prep: Only team to beat Bell-Jeff last year.

10. Chaminade: In toughest league in region.

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Will a team from the West Valley League win the City championship?

There is a good possibility it will happen. Taft won in 2007 and Chatsworth won in 2009 defeating Taft. Again, Taft and Chatsworth should be favored along with Washington Prep of Los Angeles. El Camino Real has a good shot of winning the inaugural Div. II crown as well.

2. Which league has the best senior class?

The Mission League. Harvard-Westlake has three players moving on to college next fall, Alemany has at least two, Notre Dame has Burke, Chaminade has one and Louisville could have one. The league will have some hard-fought, high-level contests come January and February.

3. Which team benefited from the newest playoff configurations for each division?

Montclair Prep. The Mounties return several key players and because they lost in the quarterfinals last season, didn’t move up like many other squads. Montclair Prep stayed put in Div. V-A and should only be challenged by St. Anthony of Long Beach, who is coached by former Narboonne of Harbor City coach James Anderson.

4. What team is the unluckiest as the season gets underway?

Thousand Oaks. The Lancers were expected to run away with the Marmonte League championship but sensational junior Karina Alofaituli quit the team in the fall, star guard Jenna Bandy is out until February at best with a knee injury and Nicole Packard transferred to Oaks Christian.

5. Who are the stars of tomorrow?

Last years freshman class was very deep but there is no shortage this season. A few who have already hit the radar screen are Cora Chan (ECR), Leslie Lopez-Wood (Bell-Jeff), Jaya Schultz (Canyon), Jaclyn Goodman (Calabasas), Nicholle Aston (Louisville) and Oaks Christian’s trio of Megan McIntyre, Beth Mounier and Azyha Aupiu. And don’t forget about super-sophomores Lauren Holiday (Campbell Hall), Brianna Barrett (Oaks Christian) and Rishonda Napier (Bell-Jeff).

TOP 12 PLAYERS

Monica Jackson, Chatsworth, Sr., Guard

Jackson is the quickest player in the region, just a blur up and down the court. Jackson loves to score but can she be good enough to lead Chatsworth back to the City championship game at the Galen Center. She has improved her skills, all-around game and attitude the past two years to become a coveted recruit.

Kody Burke, Notre Dame, Sr., Forward
Burke is a beast in the paint, nearly unstoppable. The 6′4 candidate for Player of the Year is going to North Carolina St. next fall. First, she wants to help the Knights win another section championship after winning the Div. IV-AA last year.

Cassie Pappas, Crescenta Valley, Sr., Guard

A prolific scorer who will be up for Pacific League M.V.P. Pappas was a one-woman wrecking crew last year but is hoping for more help this season and a deep run in the playoffs

Nicole Hung, Harvard-Westlake, Sr., Guard

Hung has recovered from injuries and had a monster year last season helping the Wolverines capture the Division IV-A championship. Hung could be headed to Stanford. Also a top tennis player.

Nicole Nesbit, Harvard Westlake, Sr., Guard

Nesbit is one of the top point guards in the region and already has a scholarship to UC Santa Barbara. Her ability to handle the ball and be a floor general is invaluable.

Angelica Sahagun, Alemany, Sr., Guard

Sahagun can play both guard spots and has really flourished since transferring from Canyon of Canyon Country. A great floor general who is a leader on and off the court.

Katie Brooks, Oaks Christian, Sr, Forward

A two time all-Tri-Valley League selection and last years Ventura County Player of the Year. Brooks averaged a double-double and wants nothing more than to win the Div. IV-A championship, knocking off Harvard-Westlake along the way.

Rmanii Haynes, Taft, Sr., Guard

The two-time All-City Section selection has committed to UNLV and is primed to lead the Toreadors back to the City championship game. Haynes is a natural point guard that always plays her best in big games.

Brittany Oster, Agoura, Sr., Guard

Oster returns with two other starters for a Chargers team ready to win the Marmonte League championship. A big guard, Oster can rebound and shoot outside. A very versatile player who is tough to match up with.

Brianna Barrett, Oaks Christian, So., Guard

Barrett is so good she is already drawing interest from the best schools in the country, including the entire PAC-10. The 5′7 speedster is a great passer and had great court sense. If she develops and outside shot, Barrett could potentially play professionally.

Margeaux Gupilan, Bell-Jeff, Sr., Guard

A solid if not spectacular player who is the leader on and off the court for the Guards. Gupilan has great court sense, savvy and is an extension of coach Bryan Camacho on the court.

Chantal Dooley, Montclair Prep, Sr, Guard

The Long Beach St.-signee can do a bit of everything as evidenced last year when she played out of position and filled in admirably for injured players. Dooley can score, pass, rebound and lock-down defend the opposing teams best player.

HONORABLE MENTION

Brooke Lemar, Canyon, Sr., Guard (South Illinois commit)

Adriana Dent, Canyon, Jr., Guard

Erin Ruiz, West Ranch, Sr., Guard

Lindsey Hill, Valencia, Jr., Guard

Hannah Sailor, Hart, Sr., Guard (Alemany transfer)

Brittany Costanzo, Hart, Sr. Guard

Emily Cohen, Calabasas, Sr., Guard

Roya Valikhani, Calabasas, Jr., Forward

Sasha Borenstein, Agoura, Jr., Guard

Kylie Cunningham, Agoura, So., Guard

Katie Deamer, Thousand Oaks, Sr., Guard

Jenna Bandy, Thousand Oaks, Sr., Guard

Taylor Ignoto, Westlake, Sr., Guard (South Illinois commit)

Sydney Haydel, Harv.-Westlake, Sr., Forward (Hawaii commit)

Skyler Tsutsui, Harvard-Westlake, Jr., Guard

Trinidee Trice, Alemany, Sr., Forward (Northern Arizona commit)

Jackie Sanchez, Alemany, Sr., Guard

Maya Sotelo, Alemany, Sr., Guard

Erin Dautremont, Chaminade, Sr., Forward

Brittany Daniels, Louisville, Sr., Guard

Kimberly Scamman, Montclair Prep, Jr., Guard

Crystal Owusu, Oaks Christian, Jr., Guard

Megan McIntyre, Oaks Christian, Fr., Guard

Layana White, Bell-Jeff, Jr., Guard (Canyon of Canyon Country transfer)

Julia Tani, Bell-Jeff, Sr., Guard

Rishonda Napier, Bell-Jeff, So. Guard

Jasmine Smith, Bell-Jeff, So. Forward

Leslie Lopez-Wood, Bell-Jeff, Fr., Guard

Lindsay Schapiro, Buckley, Sr., Guard

Lauren Holiday, Campbell Hall, So., Guard

Jasmine Sneed, Sierra Canyon, Jr., Guard

Victoria Wells, Sierra Canyon, Jr., Guard

Kelly Schneider, Sierra Canyon, Jr., Forward

Lauren Varney, Oak Park, Sr., Guard

Brett Hall, Oak Park, Sr., Guard

Alexis Inouye, L.A. Baptist, Jr., Guard

Monet McNally, L.A. Baptist, So., Guard

Sarah Rebibo, El Camino Real, Sr., Guard

Brooke Amenta, El Camino Real, Sr., Forward

Cora Chan, El Camino Real, Fr., Guard

Amari Hampton, Taft, Sr., Guard

Breanna Burton, Taft, Jr., Guard

Laney Ming, Granada Hills, Jr., Guard

Ani Avanessian, Monroe, Jr., Guard

Regan Mew, Quartz Hill, Sr., Guard

Rian Mew, Quartz Hill, Jr., Guard

Brieanna Perkins, Lancaster, Jr., Guard (Canyon transfer)

Destini Price, Antelope Valley, Soph., Forward

Tierra Gilmore, Palmdale, Sr., Guard

Shyra Cook, Knight, Sr., Guard

Courtney McCutchan, La Canada, Sr., Guard

Lisha Elsenbach, Burroughs, Jr., Guard

SOPHOMORES TO WATCH

Toni Ono, Sierra Canyon, Forward

Shannan Kingery, El Camino Real, Forward

Alexis Tanner, El Camino Real, Forward

Mariah Mewborn, Canyon, Center

Annie Tarakchian, Chaminade, Forward

Marilyn Flynn, Bell-Jeff, Forward

Monica Schmidt, Royal, Guard

Maya Campo, Monroe, Guard

Damarie Gonzales, Burbank, Guard

TOP TOURNAMENTS

Burroughs, Dec. 14-19

Oaks Christian, Dec. 26-30

Harvard-Westlake/Beverly Hills, Dec. 26-30

Thousand Oaks, Dec. 28-31

TOP GAMES

Thousand Oaks at Westlake, Dec. 16

Early season Marmonte League showdown.

Harvard-Westlake at Bell-Jeff, Jan. 5

Top two teams in area go at it.

Bell-Jeff at Oaks Christian, Jan. 9

Could be a Div. IV-A championship preview.

Taft vs. Oaks Christian at El Camino Real, Jan. 23

Southern vs. City tilt.

Westlake at Agoura, Feb. 2

Could mean winner wins league.

Chatsworth at Taft, Feb. 3

Always a classic.

Harvard-Westlake at Notre Dame, Feb. 4

Mission League could be on line.

El Camino Real at Taft, Feb. 5

Bragging rights in Woodland Hills.

Alemany at Harvard-Westlake, Feb. 9

New coach Trice vs. veteran Hearlihy.

By Jacob H. Pollon, Special to the Daily News