PREP BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS : Brea-Olinda Returns to Scene of Victory

The Brea-Olinda High School girls’ basketball team has a chance today to accomplish another first in Orange County girls’ basketball history--back-to-back state championships.

Brea plays Auburn Placer, the Northern Regional Division III champion, at 9:30 a.m. today at the Oakland Coliseum Arena for the title.

The Lady Cats should be comfortable at the arena. That’s where they defeated Mercy High School last season, becoming the first Orange County girls’ team to win a state basketball championship.

They also are the first county girls’ basketball team to gain a national ranking. USA Today currently has them fourth in the country.

Brea is working on a 55-game victory streak, second only in Southern Section history to the 84-game streak established by Riverside Poly from 1978-82.

The Lady Cats are heavily favored to make it 56 consecutive victories today.

Brea’s experience is formidable. Four starters return from last year’s championship team, including state Division III player of the year Aimee McDaniel, all-state guard Tammy Blackburn and second-team all-state players Jinelle Williams and Jody Anton. Allison Bickel is the fifth starter.

Brea doesn’t have exceptional height or speed, but it is big on the intangibles. Brea Coach Mark Trakh said scouting reports given to Auburn Placer have a common theme.

“The one thing everybody told the Placer coach is that the Brea kids have an incredible spirit to win,” Trakh said. “They told him they had never seen anything like it, and if it is anywhere close, Brea will win the game. I think that’s a great compliment to us.”

Auburn Placer is looking for its own first--a state title.

Coach Jim Mallery has turned around the program at Placer. Two years ago, his team was 2-25. Last season, Placer was 25-7 and won the San Joaquin Section Division III championship before losing to Mercy in the Northern Regional final.

This season, Placer is 28-3. Leading the way is Christa Gannon, a 6-1 senior center and the team’s leading scorer with a 16-point average. She will play for UC Santa Barbara in the fall.

The teams have contrasting styles. Brea likes to press and run but has the outside shooting, if not the inside power, to play a half-court game.

“We are a half-court team,” Mallery said. “We set it up and move the ball.”

Placer, a Division III school, placed second in a league made up of Division I and II schools. It got plenty of practice against the press, especially against league champion Nevada Union. Mallery has confidence in guards Carla Souza and Caree Anderson and their ability to handle full-court pressure.

“They are scrappy and they play good, hard basketball,” Mallery said. “We have opened a few eyes in the last few years. I think we will give them a battle.

“I know these girls, and I know they won’t let down and give up,” Mallery said. “They are very confident. They have been known not to smile a lot because of their intensity. They just go out and get the job done and smile afterwards.”

GIRLS’ STATE DIVISION III LINEUPS PLACER (28-3)

Name Hgt. Yr. PPG Pos. Kelly Dean 5-10 Sr. 6.0 F Trina Haddock 5-9 Sr. 10.0 F Christa Gannon 6-1 Sr. 16.0 C Caree Anderson 5-6 Sr. 11.0 G Carla Souza 5-9 Sr. 8.0 G Coach Jim Mallery

BREA-OLINDA (33-0)

Name Hgt. Yr. PPG Pos. Allison Bickell 6-0 Sr. 7.8 F Jody Anton 5-11 So. 11.1 F Jinelle Williams 5-9 Jr. 15.5 C Aimee McDaniel 5-6 Sr. 16.4 G Tammy Blackburn 5-8 Sr. 14.9 G Coach Mark Trakh