Growing a Bumper Crop of Talent : Players: Among county’s best are La Habra’s imposing Zrinka Kristich and Brea-Olinda’s versatile Jody Anton.

Lace up those sneakers. Dust off the flashy headband. Inflate the old ball.

It’s time again for Southern Section girls’ basketball in Orange County, which is traditionally a hotbed of leading teams and players in the state.

And this season should be no different.

Yes, some of last year’s top names are gone. That’s an unavoidable reality every season. But the county still has many talented players who should create plenty of excitement in the next few months.

Here are some of those players:

CENTER COURT

Christine Garner (6-0, senior, Tustin)--A great physical player who dominates inside, Garner also is a scoring threat. She averaged 20 points and had 302 rebounds in leading the Tillers to the Sea View League title and the Southern Section Division II-AA quarterfinals. She was a Times first-team All-County pick last season.

Zrinka Kristich (6-5, senior, La Habra)--No two ways about it, she’s the most imposing player in the county. A Times second-team All-County selection last season, Kristich averaged 11.3 points and 11.6 rebounds. She was chosen a preseason All-American honorable mention by Street & Smith College/Prep Basketball Yearbook. Kristich will attend UCLA next year on a basketball scholarship.

Kristin McOwen (5-11, senior, San Clemente)--The best center in the South Coast League, McOwen averaged 14.7 points and 10 rebounds last season for the improved Tritons. She was an all-league selection.

Erin Vessey (6-0, senior, El Dorado)--One of the best rebounders in the county, Vessey averaged 15 last season and 15.6 points. Those numbers earned her a spot on the All-Empire League team.

Nikki Vivion (5-11, senior, Ocean View)--Somewhat overlooked last season in the competitive Sunset League, Vivion averaged 13.3 points and was an all-league selection.

IN THE FOREFRONT

Jody Anton (6-0, senior, Brea-Olinda)--The most complete player in the county, she can play any position, even point guard. She averaged 13.3 points and nine rebounds in helping the Lady Cats to the state Division II championship last season. Anton, who is headed for USC on a basketball scholarship next year, was on a Times All-County first-team selection last season. She received an All-American honorable mention from Street & Smith.

Denise Donadio (5-7, senior, Sonora)--A case of a good player delegated to virtual obscurity last season because she played on a weak team. Donadio averaged 18 points and was an All-Freeway League pick.

Lupe Nava (6-0, senior, Cypress)--Nava was one of the main forces behind her team’s Empire League championship last season. She averaged 15 rebounds and 17 points. Nava was chosen to the all-league first team.

Shari Needham (6-0, senior, Tustin)--Along with Garner, she’s a powerful one-two front-line punch for the Tillers. She had 295 rebounds on the season and averaged 19 points. Needham was a Times second-team All-County selection and an All-Sea View League player.

Adara Newidouski (5-10, junior, Dana Hills)--She had outstanding numbers as a sophomore (13.8 points and 10 rebounds) and was named to the All-South Coast League team.

Jessica Trippet (5-11, junior, Marina)--Was lost last season in the shadows of teammates Colleen Hatch and Gillian Bean, the two excellent Viking forwards who have graduated. This should be the season for Trippet to shine. She averaged eight points and eight rebounds last season.

Tara Wolff (6-0, senior, University)--Wolff is one-third of an impressive Trojan front line that averages nearly 6 feet. She averaged 12.9 points and was an All-Sea View League selection last season.

THE GUARDIANS

Stacy Aliff (5-7, junior, Savanna)--One of the up-and-coming standouts in the county, Aliff averaged 14 points as a sophomore. She was named to the All-Orange League first team.

Olivia DiCamilli (5-10, junior, Costa Mesa)--She was the only sophomore on The Times All-County team last season, when she averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Nicole Erickson (5-6, sophomore, Brea-Olinda)--They don’t come any better at point guard. Erickson ran the show for the Lady Cats with remarkable poise last season. She averaged 11.1 points and 4.3 assists and was an All-Orange League selection.

Alisa Farr (5-9, senior, Capistrano Valley)--Among the tallest guards in the county, Farr used her height to average 17 points last season. She was a second-team Times All-County selection.

Melanie Iwamasa (5-9, senior, Edison)--Starting her fourth season on varsity, Iwamasa has evolved into a well-rounded player. Last season, she averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists. She was a second-team All-Sunset League pick.

Shannon James (5-6, senior, Rancho Alamitos)--Her backcourt play was one of the reasons the Vaqueros went 26-1 last season. James, an All-Garden Grove League selection, averaged 12.5 points and 6.1 assists.

Florencia Luppani (5-5, junior, Woodbridge)--She was the floor general and spark for a Warrior team that surprised many by winning the Southern Section Division II-A title.

Kala Ross (5-8, junior, Newport Harbor)--Ross, an All-Sea View League pick, averaged 17 points and led the Sailors to the Southern Section Division III-AA quarterfinals.

Anita Stecker (5-9, senior, Rancho Alamitos)--Though a forward and post player throughout her high school career, Stecker switches positions this season for the Vaqueros, who need an outside shooter. She averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds last season and made The Times All-County second team.

Monique Sweet (5-9, senior, Estancia)--Sweet will have to carry the scoring load for the Eagles. She’s capable of doing it, having averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds last season.

Erin Waggoner (5-7, senior, Canyon)--The Century League’s most valuable player last season, Waggoner averaged 19.6 points and led the Comanches to second place.

ON THE RISE

Chris Carrillo (5-5, sophomore point guard, Katella)--Averaged 13 points for the Knights last season and was selected to the All-Empire League first team.

Colleen Hudson (6-2, sophomore center, Brea-Olinda)--Coach Mark Trakh says Hudson could become the best center in school history.

Akilah Rodgers (5-10, sophomore center, Rancho Alamitos)--Coach Bob Becker says Rodgers is one of five best sophomores in the county.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Sarah Beckley (5-10, sophomore forward, Brea-Olinda), Diane Cervantes (5-2, senior guard, Magnolia), Minette Gomez (5-5, senior guard, Fullerton), Timerie James (5-9, junior forward, Rancho Alamitos), Lynly Matsumoto (5-6, junior guard, Kennedy), Kelly McGlothlin (5-10, senior forward, Mission Viejo), Julie Murdent (6-1, junior center, Fountain Valley), Aimee Periolat (5-7, junior guard, Marina), Lihn Quach (5-3, senior guard, Bolsa Grande), Maili Rohner (5-6, senior guard, San Clemente), Cynthia Trotter (5-6, junior guard, Santa Ana), Clare Walker (5-9, junior guard, Huntington Beach), Angie White (5-8, junior guard, Capistrano Valley) and Briana Yoshida (5-3, senior point guard, El Dorado).