Trojan Women Lose Center; Reserve May Also Quit

The women’s basketball teams of USC and UCLA will be in something of a state of disarray when they square off today at 4:30 p.m. in their Pacific 10 opener at USC’s Lyon Center.

UCLA recently lost center Molly Tideback and reserve guard Michelle Miles, who have asked for releases from the school.

On Friday, it was USC’s turn.

Center Bolivia Gaytan, citing differences with Coach Marianne Stanley, requested--and was granted--a release from the school, and reserve guard Julie Garcia is unsure whether she still wants to remain on the team.

“I don’t want to stay,” said Gaytan, who was recruited by former Trojan Coach Linda Sharp. “I just don’t like (Stanley)--the way she treats me. She doesn’t encourage me to play.”

Gaytan, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, said she will leave USC and enroll at El Camino College to finish the school year and will contact some of the schools she says tried to recruit her while she was at Dominguez High to inquire about a possible scholarship next season.

Said Stanley: “She’s only really played four games. If after that time she decides she doesn’t want to be here . . . that’s what it looks like she’s decided. Bolivia needs to do what’s best for Bolivia. If that means leaving USC, she has my blessing.”

Gaytan is hardly a mainstay for the Trojans, averaging 13.3 minutes, 4.5 points and five rebounds a game.

Garcia and Stanley got into an argument during a practice Dec. 31 and Garcia has not been with the team since. Garcia said that Stanley yelled at her for not properly setting a screen. Garcia said that she followed instructions, then made a remark that angered Stanley, who asked her to leave the gym.

“So I just turned around and walked away,” Garcia said. “And when I was walking out the door she said, ‘Turn in your uniform.’ ” Garcia did.

Stanley said Friday that she had told Garcia to turn in her uniform but added that they had just met and worked things out. Stanley said that Garcia can rejoin the team. Garcia said she will decide over the weekend whether to rejoin the team.

Garcia has been averaging only 7.8 minutes, one point and one rebound a game.

The Trojans (2-5) still have scoring leader Tammy Hammond, who is averaging 12 points and six rebounds a game. Freshman guard Joni Easterly is averaging 11.9 points.

The Bruins (5-5) are led by sophomore guard Rehema Stephens, averaging 19.4 points and 6.5 rebounds a game.

The teams split their two games last season. UCLA leads the series, which dates back to 1972, 17-16.