Walnut Girls’ Basketball Team Could Be a Tough Nut to Crack : Preview: Mustangs were 21-5 last season and return several key players, but are expected to be challenged by Muir.

In recent seasons, Muir High has been the undisputed queen of the court among girls basketball teams in the San Gabriel Valley.

The strength of the Mustangs was never more in evidence last season, when they reached the state Division II final for the first time.

Only this season Muir may have to yield to Walnut, another school with the same nickname.

In addition, Los Altos, Ganesha, Diamond Bar, South Hills, Covina, Northview and Pasadena start the season with high expectations.

Here’s a look at the top teams.

Walnut (Valle Vista; 4-AA)--Kelly Bruce said it was a case of being in the right place at the right time when he took over as coach last season and guided the Mustangs to a 21-5 record.

“I inherited some quality players,” he said. “I kind of lucked out in my first year.”

Walnut does not have a lot of size, but it has plenty of quickness in Bruce’s second season.

Topping the list are all-league juniors Davette Williams, a 5-foot-7 guard, and Mia McBride, a 5-9 guard/forward. The Mustangs also feature point guard Jennifer Cuevas, guard/forward Cyndi Recio and guard Michelle Daddona in their swift back court.

On the front line, Walnut is led by 5-10 center Lisa Williams and 5-10 forward Shere Barton.

“With the amount of players returning and what I consider to be two of the best girls around (Williams and McBride), I think we’ll be pretty good,” Bruce said.

Muir (Pacific; 4-AA)--With a new coach and no starters returning, the Mustangs scarcely resemble the team that finished 29-6 and reached the state Division II final last season.

Among the players missing are All-CIF selections Rose Jong at guard and Karin Banks at forward. Six of Muir’s top eight players are underclassmen, but even in a rebuilding year, the Mustangs have as much talent as any team in the valley.

“But I think we’re probably two years away from being where we think we can be,” said first-year Coach Joe Lipari, an assistant at North Hollywood last season. “We’re going to take our lumps a little this year, but next year we’ll be tough.”

The Mustangs’ top players include seniors Kim Davis, a 6-2 center, Odrea Dees, a 6-foot forward, Teria Brown, a 5-7 junior guard, Gillian Waters, a 5-8 junior guard, and Alicia Pollard, a 5-6 junior guard.

Muir also has three outstanding sophomores in 5-5 point guard Patrice McDuel, 5-8 forward Erica Joiner and 5-11 forward Kenya Pulliam.

Los Altos (Sierra; 4-A)--Coach Don Holbrook was not confident before last season’s opener, but that is not the case this season.

“It’s a good group to work with,” he said. “They’ve done everything I’ve asked of them in practice. Last year I was very apprehensive before the season, but you never know what can happen.”

The Conquerors finished 20-9 last season and lost All-CIF forward Jennifer Hovelson, but they return three starters and a top letterman.

Los Altos will be led by 5-6 guard Natasha Sussoev, 5-4 guard Leslie Ito, 5-8 forward Tiffany Kendrick and 5-11 forward Mindy Crum. Los Altos is expected to have plenty of depth, with 5-4 guard Vanessa Trujillo, 5-4 guard Korey Watari and sisters Christie and Betsy Flenniken at forward. Christie is 5-11 and Betsy is 5-8.

Ganesha (Hacienda; 3-AA)--In their first two seasons under Coach Wesley Stewart, the Giants have steadily improved.

They finished 14-9 and reached the second round of the 3-A playoffs two seasons ago. Ganesha was 20-9 and advanced to the 4-A quarterfinals last season. About the only obstacle has been Palm Desert, which eliminated Ganesha the past two seasons.

“We feel we have as much (talent) as anyone,” Stewart said. “If we are willing to work hard in practice, we can have a good season.”

The Giants return three three-year starters, including 6-1 center Andrea Rutland, 5-6 forward Shontel Patterson and 5-6 guard Beverly Hackett.

In addition, 5-1 point guard Dominique Lindsey and 6-1 forwards Monica Hicks and Michelle Bishop solidify the Giants’ lineup.

Diamond Bar (Sierra; 5-A)--The Brahmas, 13-12 last season, have never won a Sierra League title or 20 games in a season, but Coach Tony McCabe thinks this could be the season in which Diamond Bar accomplishes both feats.

The Brahmas return only three seniors among their top 12 players, but McCabe said it is one of Diamond Bar’s most talented teams.

The leader is 5-6 junior point guard Amy Fu, a two-time all-league selection who is also a standout in tennis and badminton. Diamond Bar returns another all-league guard in Krista Ullmann, who hit 55 three-point shots last season.

Diamond Bar’s front line will include 5-9 forward Shannon Ramsey, 5-8 forward Alisa Linde, 5-10 forward Natalie Anderson and 5-10 center Wendy Long. The Brahmas also added guard Michelle Guerrero, a transfer from Carson.

South Hills (Valle Vista; 3-A)--Despite having only one senior on a 12-player roster, Huskie Coach Coach Paul Reed is not about to sell his team short.

“We think we can be as good as last year,” he said. “We think we’re going to be real competitive. It’s not a matter of waiting until next year, when our players are juniors and seniors.”

The Huskies’ lone starter from last season’s 20-5 squad is all-league junior point guard Tiffany Hall. South Hills will also start juniors Danielle Raabe and Karri Lentz at the wings.

South Hills is also deep in front-line talent, including 6-1 junior Stephanie Cude, 5-7 junior Stephanie Ring and sophomore 6-0 Sherron Streets, a transfer from Paramount.

Covina (Valle Vista; 3-A)--If Coach Stu Sims is a little more optimistic than usual, there is a good reason.

Sims said the Colts have as much depth as he has had in his five seasons as coach. Covina was 9-14 last season.

“It’s one of those luxury (items) that you have as a coach and this year we have more (talent) than ever before,” he said.

The Colts will be led by 5-7 all-league seniors Nicole Costigan and Denise Cadenas at forward. Other leaders include 6-foot center Candy Akin, 4-11 point guard Dessirree Flores and guards Cindy Cagle and Adrienne Davis--a 5-7 freshman who is expected to make an immediate impact.

Covina will rely on size from 5-10 reserves Stacie Traficante, Nicole Kefalas and Peggy Lynch.

Northview (Valle Vista; 3-A)--The Vikings may not have as much depth as the other Valle Vista contenders, but they do have one of the top players in 6-0 senior center Kai Wattree.

As a junior, Wattree averaged 13 points to lead the Vikings to a 12-7 record.

“She has the ability to score and we do try to get the ball to her,” first-year Coach Hal Norman said.

Aside from Wattree, the Vikings will rely on speed and defense from players such as 5-5 guards Tashera Taylor and Tamara Thomas and 5-6 forwards Dawn Jeffrey and Summer Rummens. The top reserve is 5-10 forward Patty Horn.

Pasadena (Pacific; 5-A)--The Bulldogs finished 21-5 last season and reached the second round of the 5-A playoffs.

“We’re looking forward to a banner year,” first-year Coach Sue Doody said. “We went to the second round of the playoffs last year and this year we’re looking to go somewhere again.”

First-year Coach Sue Doody, who excelled as a player at Cal State Los Angeles, will benefit from the return of Stephanie Hall, a 6-1 senior center, and Nyree Derderian, a 5-8 senior guard. Hall, an outstanding inside player, averaged 10 points and 12.5 rebounds last season.

The Bulldogs also expect to start 5-7 Mawmawi Duffy at guard and 5-9 Teyonye Mosley and 5-10 Erika Wright at forward.