GIRLS’ BASKETBALL 1992-93 : TOP PLAYERS : Spotlighting Talent in Paint, Wings and Backcourt

With all the Thanksgiving hoopla over, it’s time for some serious business. It’s time for girls’ basketball, Orange County-style.

So as the 1992-93 season gets under way, let’s take a look at some of the players who will be at the forefront over the next few months.

The list includes many established veterans and several newcomers who are ready to grab the limelight.

Here they are, starting with the centers:

IN THE PAINT

Jennifer Gadd (6-3, sophomore, Troy)--One of the big contributors to Troy’s magnificent turnabout from the previous season, Gadd averaged 7.9 rebounds in 1991-92.

Colleen Hudson (6-1, junior, Brea-Olinda)--Known for her defensive skills, Hudson averaged 7.8 rebounds and two blocked shots last season. She was an All-Orange League first-team selection.

Blythe Linsey (6-4, junior, Calvary Chapel)--The most valuable player in the Arrowhead League, Linsey led the county with 446 rebounds and was second in scoring with a 21.5 average.

Jessica Trippet (6-0, senior, Marina)--A physical player with a nice shooting touch, Trippet is trying to come back from knee surgery to repair torn ligaments she suffered during a spring league game. If she’s fully recovered, Trippet is as good as anybody in the post.

THE WINGS

Sarah Beckley (5-10, junior, Brea-Olinda)--An excellent perimeter shooter, Beckley established herself with the Ladycats after she got a chance to start midway through last season. She averaged 10.3 points and scored a game-high 20 points in a 70-51 victory over Rancho Alamitos in the Southern California Regional Division III finals.

Jody Caruso (5-7, senior, El Dorado)--A capable player on both ends of the court, Caruso is the backbone of the team. An All-Empire League selection, she averaged 12.8 points.

Jessica Eggleston (5-11, junior, Cypress)--She led the Centurions in scoring with 351 points and rebounds with 338. Eggleston was the Empire League’s most valuable player last year.

Maggie Gorska (5-11, senior, Mission Viejo)--The only returning starter for the Diablos, Gorska averaged 14.3 points last season. She was an All-South Coast League selection.

Timerie James (6-0, forward, Rancho Alamitos)--James was instrumental in helping the Vaqueros to their most successful season. She averaged 10 points and eight rebounds.

Adara Newidouski (5-10, senior, Dana Hills)--After a highly productive season two years ago, Newidouski improved even more in 1991-92 and was voted to the All-South Coast League first team. She averaged 15.6 points.

Lesley Nolan (5-10, junior, Santa Margarita)--The Angelus League’s most valuable player last year, Nolan leads the Eagles in their first season in the Sea View League. She averaged 15.2 points and 9.9 rebounds.

Kala Ross (5-10, senior, Newport Harbor)--Owner of perhaps the quickest jump shot among girls’ players in the county, Ross was a Times All-County selection last season after scoring at a 17.5 clip.

Clare Walker (5-9, senior, Huntington Beach)--One of the best shooters in the county, Walker averaged 18.3 points last season. The Sunset League’s most valuable player, she averaged 13.1 rebounds.

BACKCOURT DANDIES

Christina Carrillo (5-5, junior, Katella)--The key component in a vastly improved Knight team, Carrillo is a two-time All-Empire League player. She averaged 14 points last season.

Olivia DiCamilli (5-11, senior, Costa Mesa)--DiCamilli was the county’s leading scorer last season with a 22.7-point average. She led the Mustangs to the Pacific Coast League title and was a Times All-County selection.

Nicole Erickson (5-6, junior, Brea-Olinda)--Make no mistake about it, Erickson is the best point guard in the county, and maybe the state. A Times all-county pick last season, she averaged 13.6 points, 6.3 assists and made 28 three-point shots.

Mollie Flint (5-5, senior, Corona del Mar)--Along with Kala Ross at Newport Harbor, Flint is probably the best all-around player in the Sea View League. She averaged 19.4 points and 3.8 assists last season, and was a Times all-county second-team selection.

Martha Hernandez (5-7, senior, La Habra)--Defensively, Hernandez has few peers at point guard. And she can also contribute offensively (10.7-point average last season). Hernandez was an All-Freeway League selection in 1991-92.

Deana Itow (5-8, senior, Huntington Beach)--Another point guard who can score or dish it off. Itow averaged 14 points and nine assists. She made the All-Sunset League first team.

Tricia Lindquist (5-6, senior, Ocean View)--Lindquist led the county in three-point shooting last season with a 48.9% success ratio (46 of 94). She averaged 11 points and 4.5 assists.

Florencia Luppani (5-6, senior, Woodbridge)--The all-time assist leader at Woodbridge with 464, Luppani is a versatile point guard who averaged 8.5 assists last season.

Michelle MacIntyre (5-9, junior, San Clemente)--Triton Coach Mary Mulligan considers MacIntyre one of the best point guards in the county, and she’s right. The All-South Coast League second-team selection averaged eight points and 3.8 assists last season.

Lynly Matsumoto (5-8, senior, Kennedy)--Going for her fourth consecutive spot on the All-Garden Grove League team, Matsumoto is the cornerstone for the Fighting Irish. She led the team in practically every category, including scoring with 434 points (18.8 average).

Joan Paje (5-4, senior, Edison)--Another in a long line of three-point-shooting specialists at Edison, Paje has converted 95 attempts in her two seasons on the varsity. She averaged 15 points last season and was an All-Sunset League selection.

Aimee Periolat (5-7, senior, Marina)--An excellent ballhandler and court general, Periolat can also shoot. She averaged 11 points and four assists for the Vikings in 1991-92.

Angie White (5-8, senior, Capistrano Valley)--The best guard in the South Coast League, White averaged 15 points in helping the Cougars to their most successful season. She was a Times second-team all-county selection.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Julie Adams (5-11, sophomore forward, Cypress), Laura Czingula (5-9, junior forward, Estancia), Sarah Davis (5-6, junior guard, Tustin), Genevieve Evarts (5-7, junior guard, Newport Harbor), Susan Flaming (5-5, junior guard, Cypress), Karun Grossman (6-0, junior center, Dana Hills), Heather Lee (6-1, senior center, Mater Dei), Theresa Martini (5-10, senior forward, Ocean View), Tara Moss (5-9, senior guard, Santa Margarita), Julie Murdent (6-1, senior center, Fountain Valley), Dana Netherby (5-10, senior forward, San Clemente), Nicole Quinn (5-10, senior forward, Woodbridge), Brandee Richardson (6-3, senior forward, Troy), Shandy Robbins (5-11, sophomore forward, Marina), Heather Robinson (5-9, junior guard, Costa Mesa), America Robledo (5-7, senior guard, Santiago), Linda Rodriguez (5-7, junior guard, La Quinta), Leila Ryan (5-2, senior guard, Edison), Susan Scott (5-11, junior forward, Capistrano Valley), Jamie Sweet (5-9, junior guard, El Dorado), Whitney Torregano (5-7, junior guard, Magnolia), April Van Sweden (6-2, senior center, Costa Mesa).