COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW : Golden West Women Aren’t Expected to Slow Down

Usually when a team wins a state title on the community college level, the next year is spent rebuilding.

But such is not the case for the Golden West women’s basketball team, despite having won the past two state championships.

The Rustlers start the 1991-92 season with height, experience and five of their first seven players from last season’s championship team that went 35-1.

But as it has in recent years, Golden West might face its toughest competition in the Orange Empire Conference, and not in the state playoffs.

Saddleback and Riverside return a number of talented players, and Fullerton is a proven winner. Orange Coast should come back from a down year, and Cypress hopes to continue to improve.

Due to a lack of players, Rancho Santiago will not field a team but is expected to be back next year.

Here’s a closer look at the Orange Empire Conference:

CYPRESS

1990-91 Record: 2-27, 1-11 in conference

Conference finish: Tied for sixth

The Chargers had only six players most of last season, but Coach Bob Van Voorhis starts his third year with 11, including three returning starters.

Joanna Costello (averaged six points, six rebounds last season) returns at forward along with Heidy Ress (five points). Sharon Hendricks is back at guard.

Among the first-year players are guards Gina Bongiovanni and Sandra Bernardo and center Jennifer Johnson. Bongiovanni averaged 18 points and was an All-Freeway League selection at Buena Park High School. Bernardo also played at Buena Park. Johnson (6 feet) averaged 11 points and nine rebounds for Huntington Beach.

FULLERTON

1990-91 Record: 23-7, 9-3

Conference finish: Tied for second

Coach Colleen Riley, who starts her 23rd season with a 515-100 record, will have one of the youngest teams in the conference with only two returners--guard Sig Lo and forward Hollie Keeton.

Lo played in 27 of 30 games and will be counted on for her experience. After Lo, Fullerton will go with four freshman guards. Keeton (nine points, seven rebounds) will be counted on to produce even more this season.

Fullerton will also benefit from 6-1 center Ladonna Van Horn, a transfer from Santa Barbara College. Valory Widdison, a 6-2 freshman from Troy High School, is the backup center.

GOLDEN WEST

1990-91 Record: 35-1, 12-0

Conference finish: First

The Rustlers return plenty of talent, including high-scoring guard Jennifer Harney (16 points, seven rebounds).

Also returning: 6-2 center Jenny Sullivan (11 points, 12 rebounds), Tracy Wolfe (11 points, nine rebounds), Allison Bickel (nine points) and Cossette Smith (five points).

Golden West lacks an experienced ballhandler but recruited two of the top prep guards in Orange County--Frances Oda from Cypress High and Edison’s Erika Miller. Oda was the most valuable player of the Empire League and Miller was a first-team Sunset League selection.

Coach Dick Stricklin is in his 13th season and has a mark of 327-80. His son, Dave, is in his ninth season at Golden West, and fourth as co-head coach.

ORANGE COAST

1990-91 Record: 14-17, 4-8

Conference finish: Fifth

OCC has an experienced backcourt with returning guards Stacey Giem and Lisa Orosco. Giem (11 points, five assists) could be one of the best guards in Southern California, according to Coach Mike Thornton, who is 40-23 in his third year.

The Pirates had a strong recruiting year that included Marina’s Gillian Bean, the Sunset League’s player of the year, and Heather Brannan of La Quinta. Bean, a guard, averaged 14 points and four steals. Brannan led Orange County in scoring, averaging 27.8 points. Colleen Hatch, a freshman forward from Marina, is expected to start.

RIVERSIDE

1990-91 Record: 24-9, 9-3

Conference finish: Tied for Second

Experience will be the key for Riverside, which returns five players that started 12 or more games last season for Coach Michael Barnes, who is 192-91 in his 11th season.

At 6-0, Kartina Sullivan (13 points, eight rebounds) should be a force inside. Forward Kim Barnes (12 points) is back, as is center Trina Swiontek (seven points, five rebounds).

Rachell Auld and Debbie Clausen return in the backcourt. Auld was tops on the team with 115 assists a year ago.

SADDLEBACK

1990-91 Record: 18-9, 6-6

Conference finish: Fourth

Saddleback returns all-conference selection Erin Schimeneck at center, and she should be the core of a competitive team for Coach Jack Single, who is 31-25 in his third season.

Schimeneck (6-0) averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds as a freshman. She will be joined up front by sophomore Danielle Silva, who averaged 11 points and three rebounds as an off-guard last season.

Sophomore Nilda Valdez (six points, six assists) starts at point guard, and sophomore Teresa Doesburg returns to the backcourt. The addition of Stefanie Moorman, who played at Orange Coast two years ago, gives the Gauchos three experienced guards.