HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : Reseda Warming to Challenge : Regents Welcome Promotion to 4-A as Opportunity to Face Best

The Reseda High girls’ basketball team might be a long way from establishing a dynasty such as the UCLA men’s team in the sixties and seventies or the Los Angeles Lakers in the eighties. But the Regents did accomplish a first at their level.

For the second consecutive year, Reseda beat North Hollywood in the title game at the Sports Arena, thus becoming the first girls’ team to win back-to-back championships in the City Section 3-A Division.

Reseda, however, will not get an opportunity to improve its record at the 3-A level because the City has realigned its 2 divisions. The Regents and North Hollywood have been promoted to the 4-A, the territory of perennial powers Crenshaw, Kennedy, Washington and defending champion Westchester. But Regents Coach Andrea Francola and her players look forward to the challenge and think another championship is within reach.

“Competition is about challenge,” senior center Aggie Garcia said. “I would hate to graduate and hear people say ‘Yeah, but you didn’t beat Washington or Crenshaw.’ Now we get the chance, and I think we can do it.”

If Reseda is equal to the task, it will become only the second team to win 3 titles in a row since the City Section began holding championships in 1972. Locke accomplished that feat during the 1983-84, 84-85 and 85-86 seasons.

“I think we have the type of team to win another title,” Francola said. “But it’s not a pressure-type situation. You hear that winning feels so good. I impress on the players that playing your best feels better.”

In its opener at home, Reseda played less than its best and routed defending 4-A champion Westchester.

In addition to the team’s athletic success, Francola boasts about her players’ academic achievements. Every member of the varsity team has been honored as a scholar-athlete for having a B average or better, according to Francola.

“I’m proud of my players achievements on and off the court,” she said. “I won’t say we don’t have any eligibility problems, but we keep them to a minimum.”

A look at the top teams in the Valley area:

Hart--The Indians already have defeated Reseda and North Hollywood this season, serving notice that they could challenge for a Southern Section 5-A title. The Indians run a double-post offense and have 4 starters 6-feet or taller. Junior forward Sara Wilson (6-3), the team’s tallest player, averaged 9.5 points a game last season. The other 4 starters are 4-year lettermen and each averaged at least 8 points last season. Senior Nicole Anthony (6-0) shares the low post with Wilson. Nikki Brodowy (6-0), the Alemany tournament MVP, starts at small forward. Kim Posey (6-1) and Desa Pecel (5-6) are the starting guards.

Dominque Ice (5-8), who changed her last name from O’Neal, is a transfer student from North Hollywood, where she led the team in scoring in last year’s City 3-A championship game.

Under fourth-year Coach Pam Walker, Hart has made steady improvement. Two seasons ago, Hart was 0-10 in the Foothill League. Last season, the Indians (12-10) made their first playoff appearance.

Reseda--The Regents lost 4 seniors from last year’s 17-1 team. Aggie Garcia (5-11) and Cheryl Hightower (5-7 1/2) are the returning starters. Garcia, who averaged 10 points and 13 rebounds, worked this summer to improve her jumping ability.

Hightower has moved from point guard to off-guard and should improve on her average of 16 points a game. Both have signed letters of intent with Cal State Fullerton. Senior Jennifer Marzahl (5-9), a 3-sport athlete, most likely will average in double figures in points and rebounds.

Channel Islands--The Raiders have lagged behind Marmonte League powers Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley in recent seasons, but Coach Ryle Lynch-Cole has his best team in 5 seasons at the helm. Senior forward Ytteb Bowls and Taysha Johnson are 3-year starters. Bowls averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds and Johnson averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds.

Sal Tauau (6-0) and Carrie Davidson (5-11) head a strong sophomore class and will start at center and forward, respectively. The Channel Islands’ junior varsity was 24-0 last season.

North Hollywood--The Huskies have been the City 3-A runner-up the past 2 years and have moved up to the 4-A level with Reseda. Sixth-year Coach Rich Allen said this team is his quickest and deepest. Michelle Cabaldon averaged 15.5 points and 6.3 rebounds and forward Melinda Anger averaged 8 points and 9 rebounds.

Sophomore guard G. G. Sweet is the quickest player and will run the fast break. Sophomore Claudia Rocha (6-0) moved to North Hollywood from Mexico and has averaged 13 rebounds in the Huskies’ first 3 games. Senior Shelby Serpa (5-5) and sophomore Jenna Karimoto (5-5), a transfer from Cleveland High, play point guard.

Alemany--The Indians (21-4) won the San Fernando Valley League title last season and may challenge for the 3-A championship this season. With 3 returning starters, fourth-year Coach Melissa Melton may have her strongest team.

Senior 3-year-starter Sylvia Castenada (5-8) averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds a game. Senior center Andrea Hoffman averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds. Senior forward Ann Sasadeusz (5-9) missed half of last season because of an ankle injury.

Simi Valley--The Pioneers (10-14) suffered their first losing record in school history last season. Eighth-year Coach Dave Murphy does not expect a repeat with 7 returning letter winners, including 3 starters. Senior point guard Shannon Solway (5-9) missed most of last season because of a severe illness but is being recruited by several Division I schools.

Senior guard Keira Irwin (5-6) was the team’s most valuable player after averaging 9.4 points and 4.1 assists a game. Senior Andrea Taplik (5-6) will be the third guard in the starting lineup. Senior small forward Caline Kosanke (5-11) enjoyed considerable playing time last year and again will be a starter.

Kennedy--The Golden Cougars have won 110 consecutive league games, but they have something to prove. Kennedy (15-7) lost in the City 4-A semifinals last season after winning 2 consecutive titles. Seven players have graduated, and only 8 players came out for the team this year. Still, there is plenty of talent to make Kennedy the league favorite.

Junior guard Falicia Stanley averaged 22.3 points and was selected second-team All-City. Senior center Dawn Coleman (5-11) averaged 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds and would be the top player on most other teams.

Glendale--Glendale does not have a player taller than 5-7, has a new coach in Paul Broner and competes in the same league as perennial power Muir. Still, the Dynamiters may be the sleeper among Valley-area teams. Glendale was 4-21 last season but undefeated in summer league play.

The Dynamiters like to run and play a pressing defense. The key players are forwards Lia Petrossian (5-6), who averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds, and Angela Armendariz (5-6), who averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Jennifer Dalton (5-7) is the tallest player and also one of the quickest.