PREVIEWS: HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Roosevelt Girls Have Another Shot at 3-A Championship

In his first season as girls’ basketball coach at Roosevelt High two years ago, Lorenzo Garcia led a young team to the City Division 3-A championship game at the Sports Arena, where it lost to Marshall.

Now, many of those players are seniors and have been aiming to become the first school from East Los Angeles to win a City girls’ team title. In 21 games, Roosevelt has lost only once and is a favorite in Friday’s 3-A championship game against Huntington Park at the Sports Arena.

“Two years ago, the girls were very taken in by the greatness of the Sports Arena,” said Garcia, who has a 51-6 record at Roosevelt. “They weren’t prepared for everything. They got caught up in the excitement and were in awe of the whole situation.”

Since the City began holding basketball playoffs with the boys beginning in 1947 and the girls in 1972, Roosevelt has never won a title. The closest Roosevelt came was in 1964, when the Roughriders lost to Granada Hills, 71-68, in the boys’ championship game.

However, over the last three seasons, the girls’ team has been a contender. With three consecutive Eastern League titles, the Roughriders have gained a following.

“The girls have really sparkled in the playoffs, and the community has really gotten behind them,” Garcia said. “They have the best record for a season in school history and are real proud of what they have accomplished.”

Unlike their last appearance in the finals, inexperience will not be a problem. The Roughriders start an all-senior lineup, headed by Rosa Mendez, a two-time all-City performer. Mendez, a 5-foot-7 guard, leads the team with 19.3 points and six rebounds per game. In Roosevelt’s 66-44 semifinal victory over Venice last week, Mendez scored 28.

“Mendez is the team leader, but this season we have tried to spread everything around more to the rest of the players,” Garcia said.

Forward Adriana Huerta is Roosevelt’s second-leading scorer at 13.3 points a game. She is joined in the front court by Myrna Aguilar and center Luscinda Silva, who is the team’s best defender, according to Garcia. Angie Quezeda starts at guard with Mendez.

“The starting five has been with me for three years and they have matured all season,” Garcia said. “They realize what they can accomplish by reaching their goal.”