The Queens of Basketball : Everyone Wants to Know What Makes Morningside’s Girls So Good : Preps: Coach Frank Scott is beginning to feel the media pressure of having the nation’s No. 1 ranked team.

Frank Scott has a problem. He’s too good at what he does.

Scott, the girls basketball coach at Morningside High, has enjoyed too much success with the Lady Monarchs and is paying the price.

Television crews interrupt his practices and reporters call him late at night. Everyone wants to know what makes Morningside girls the queens of prep basketball.

In the 10 years Scott has been at Morningside, the Lady Monarchs have won three Southern Section championships, including the 1989 5-AA crown, and last season’s Division I state title.

Three of Scott’s players have been named the Southern Section Player of the Year, including the 1989 Division I winner, Lisa Leslie, now a senior.

This year Morningside is ranked No. 1 in the country by Street & Smith magazine and USA Today. This bothers Scott, because his team hasn’t even played a game.

“No one asked me where I think we should be ranked,” Scott said. “We really don’t know how we’ll be.”

Morningside is also the unanimous choice for No. 1 team in the South Bay, according to a Times poll of coaches. After Morningside, it’s a battle for No. 2, St. Mary’s Academy Coach Tom Chandler said. “I don’t even consider Morningside when people ask about the South Bay,” Chandler said. “They’re so far out there, they’re in a different league.”

Which explains the attention Morningside receives from the media.

“It’s a distraction. Every day we have television crews, reporters, magazines,” Scott said. “But we don’t mind it.”

Here’s a rundown of the top teams in the South Bay with last year’s record in parentheses:

1. MORNINGSIDE (33-1)--Only an undefeated season has eluded Scott. “That’s one thing we haven’t done” he said. “But that’s a long way off, we’ll see how we’re doing in February.” They should be doing quite well. Besides 6-foot-5 center Leslie, a preseason All-American, the Lady Monarchs return 6-3 sophomore forward Janet Davis, an All-CIF selection as a freshman.

Junior guard-forward Tyesha Whiting also is back, as well as forwards Akiba Flanagan, Bridget Williams and Princess Murray. The only weakness could be at guard, where Morningside lost All-CIF performer Jo Jo Witherspoon. Sophomore Sherelle Young “will have big shoes to fill” at point guard, Scott said.

The Lady Monarchs play a demanding preseason tournament schedule, beginning with the Morningside Tournament that starts Saturday. That’s followed by the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions on Dec. 18 and a holiday tournament in Shelbyville, Tenn., on Dec. 27 that will bring together eight teams that either won or were runner-ups for state titles last season.

2. PALOS VERDES (24-4)--It is finally 1989-90 A.B. at Palos Verdes--After Burge. The twin Burge sisters are at the University of Virginia, and some think their departure signals a fall for the Sea Kings. “I think we’re a lot better than people think we are,” said Coach Wendell Yoshida, now in his 10th year. “When we had the Burges we knew where we would be. Now we’ll have to see, but I think we’re pretty good.”

Last year Palos Verdes was upset in the 4-A semifinals by Katella, the eventual champion. This year the Sea Kings have dropped to the 3-AA Division and are looking for more then the Bay League championship and a trip to the playoffs. Palos Verdes returns four-year varsity player and co-captain Susan Wilhite, a 5-6 guard; 6-foot senior co-captain Mary Maloney and 5-10 Lisa Humphreys, who transferred from Temple City last year. Junior Kaaren Iverson and 6-foot senior Kristen Jaconi return in the front court. Sophomores Monique Morehouse and Raquel Alotis should make an immediate impact at guard.

“We’re a lot deeper and quicker than we were last year,” Yoshida said. “We are very optimistic.”

3. NORTH TORRANCE (16-10)--The Saxons have the premier center in the Ocean League south of Morningside, Laura Collins. “No one has been able to stop her,” North assistant coach Dan Hansen said. The 5-11 senior averaged 21.7 points per game last season and was picked first team All-CIF in Division II. “She’s the type who goes out and works hard,” Hansen said. “She has improved and will continue to improve.”

Collins signed with UCLA and has set her mind to leading her team beyond the quarterfinals of the 4-AA playoffs, where it lost last season to Mission Viejo, 60-59. Helping Collins will be forwards Carolyn Hiramoto, a 5-7 junior, and senior Faith Hirayama. The guards are senior Stacy Onamura and sophomore Teri Inn. Seniors Jana Velez (5-10) and Leann Ogawa should be key rebounders. On Tuesday night, North lost to Long Beach Poly in the final of the South Torrance Tournament, where Collins was an all-tournament selection.

4. ST. BERNARD (12-11)--”This should be our year,” Coach Lori Pawinski said. Pawinski has seven seniors with experience. “We’d like to get to the quarterfinals of the 3-A playoffs. I think we could go further,” Pawinski added. St. Bernard last made the quarterfinals in 1988, and Pawinski thinks this team is better. Senior small forward Kim Robinson (5-8) averaged 15.1 points per game in the ’88 season and was an All-Camino Real League selection last year.

Center-forward Stefanie Wilson, who averaged seven rebounds, was also all-league. Senior guard Karin Jinbo transferred to St. Bernard from Camino Real rival St. Mary’s Academy and averaged 15.3 points. Katrina Ramalho and Kim Carlyle round out the starting line-up. St. Bernard opened the season with a one-point loss to North Torrance, but the pressing, fast-breaking Vikings should challenge for the Camino Real League championship.

5. INGLEWOOD (13-10)--The Sentinels have a full roster of experienced players minus one position. “My main concern is strengthening the point guard position,” Coach Arnold Blalark said. Danielle Goolsby, Nicole Hand and Katrina Green are battling for the spot. If one of those players emerges to lead the Sentinels, Inglewood could challenge Palos Verdes in the Bay League. Kelly Bryant, a 6-2 sophomore, will control the front court, along with 6-foot senior forward Nicole Blue. Senior Keisha Scott is the off guard. Robin Reed and Charrice King will help off the bench.

6. ST. MARY’S ACADEMY (15-10)--The Belles return two second-team All-Camino Real League performers from last year’s league co-championship team: senior forward Cicely Andrew, who averaged 11 points and five rebounds, and 6-3 senior center Felicia Smith (12 points, 14 rebounds). Smith has signed with Cal State Fullerton. Andrew and Smith should help their team challenge for the Camino Real League title. Last season, St. Mary’s lost in the 2-AA semifinals to St. Joseph’s of Santa Maria, the eventual champion. Coach Tom Chandler thinks the tough competition in the Camino Real League prepares his team well for the playoffs. “We can come in second in our league and still win (the 2-AA Division),” Chandler said. “Our league is that tough.”

7. WEST TORRANCE (16-7)--Coach Kevin McManus’ guard-heavy team blew Hawthorne off the court in the season opener, 72-17, and will fight for second place in the Ocean League, assuming Morningside dominates as predicted. “We can beat North,” McManus said. “It’ll be between us and them for second place.” Senior guards Rosa Olloque and Mary Litzenberg, all-league selections last year, will lead the Warriors. Front-court players Betsy Griffith and Kelly Fricks, both seniors, will play in the West double-post offense, as will 5-11 junior Tina Gross. Senior guard Joori Kim is the key defender in the tenacious press.

8. CARSON (20-4)--The Colts lost their thoroughbred before the season. Tafelala Lesa, the 1989 Pacific League MVP, severely injured her left knee playing in the City Section volleyball playoffs, a crushing blow for Carson. “She’s lost for the year,” Coach Jay Park said. Luckily for Park, he still has fine players. Sophomore forward Bernice Alafua, 5-10, sister of ’89 Carson standout Sonya Alafua, enters high school with high expectations. “She’s as good as a 10th-grader can possibly be,” Park said. Senior off guard Bernetta James and 5-9 forward Joanne Robertson add experience. Junior point guard Gina Sua will run the offense.

9. NARBONNE (4-11)--The Gauchos are saddled up and ready to go. “We’re looking to be much more successful,” Coach Glen Kaminishi said. Narbonne beat St. Joseph’s of Lakewood, a Southern Section 2-A quarterfinalist last year, and Leuzinger in the South Torrance Tournament. Senior center Shasta Paris, who averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds in an All-Southern League season last year, leads the Gauchos. Paris was selected to the All-South Torrance Tournament team. Diminutive (4-10) senior guard Julie Ogata returns to run the offense. She’ll feed sophomore forward Lesley Shinohara and sophomore shooting guards Tracy Ogata (her sister) and Colette Chow. “We’re still looking for some size,” Kaminishi said.

10. LEUZINGER (9-10)--Coach Susan Haynes-Burton said the Olympians’ season will depend on attitude. “I think we have the personnel,” she said. “It depends on attitude, how bad do we want to win?” Against Narbone recently, the answer was not very much. Leuzinger lost, 54-44, after scoring only eight points in the first quarter. “We didn’t even show up,” Haynes-Burton said. One player who should show up on all-star lists at the end of the season is 5-7 senior forward Kawasci Jackson, an All-Bay League pick in ’89. After Jackson, Leuzinger is looking for what Haynes-Burton calls the “right chemistry.” Senior guard Tanika Smith must take control of the offense for Leuzinger to score, Haynes-Burton said. Center Wendy Carrico (5-11) will play the post. Senior Tranesha Burns appears ready to assume a big role after a long junior varsity apprenticeship. Freshman guard Nicole Gardner shows potential.

BEST OF THE REST:

Chadwick (13-6) returns one of the top players in the 1-A Division, 5-3 junior Kala Parker, who averaged 19.1 points last year. The Dolphins lost only one starter from last season’s second-place Prep League team that lost in the second round of the 1-A playoffs to eventual champion Mission Prep. Forward Annika Sieler returns, after averaging 19 points and 19 rebounds last year. Freshman Leslie Parker (no relation to Kala) will play point guard.

Bishop Montgomery (14-8) returns junior point guard Lily Cabaleiro, one of the top guards in the South Bay. Cabaleiro ran the Knights into the second round of the 4-A playoffs before losing to Katella, the team that beat Palos Verdes and was the division champion.

First-year Coach Steve Brown of Redondo (10-12) returns two second-team All-Ocean League players in senior forward Jennifer Spieske and senior guard Suzy McIvor. Brown said his team must work on getting the ball inside. Freshman Tiffany Williams, 5-9, shows great potential.

After losing four starters, Banning (10-12) Coach Dave DeLaby is looking for replacements. The returner is 5-10 senior Detra Young, who plays “wherever I need her,” DeLaby said. Senior guard Marquel Weaver is only 4-10 and a newcomer to basketball but should improve.

“We’re a young team” Torrance (6-18) Coach Rick Momohara said. “But I think we have a good shot at making the playoffs.” The Tartars may be a year away when they’ll have seven experienced players. Senior guard Deanne Yanai doesn’t want to wait for next year. She’ll lead the Torrance offense. Junior forward Tricia Tanaka, an All-South Torrance Tournament selection, leads the front court along with Lori Inouye. Freshman Tiffany Fujimoto (5-7) breaks in at forward.

Two years of not playing summer ball may have finally caught up to the Hawthorne (17-9) Cougars and Coach John Wheeler. The second-place Bay League team from ’89 has lost almost all of its experienced players. “We’re almost starting from scratch,” Wheeler said. Leading the reconstruction project are senior guard Nicole Johnson and junior forward Tasha Meyers.

Miraleste (0-9) is looking to recover from a disastrous free-lance season under the guidance of Coach Benita Williams. Point guard Enna Serina, center Marissa Norris, and forward Debbie Modoleski should lead the Marauders, now in the Alpha League.