Roosevelt Faces Rougher Ride : Girls’ basketball: The perennial powerhouse advances to tougher 4-A competition in a citywide conference realignment. Huntington Park also moves up the ranks from 3-A.

Gaining recognition for the Roosevelt High girls’ basketball program has always been a top priority for Lorenzo Garcia.

Having led his team to the City Section 3-A Division championship three of the past four seasons and winning the 3-A title in 1991, it’s a mission the five-year Roosevelt coach appears to have completed. But Garcia’s toughest test may still lie ahead.

Roosevelt has been elevated to the 4-A Division for the 1993 season as part of a citywide conference realignment affecting 19 schools. Roosevelt moves from 3-A to 4-A in the Eastern League of the Southeastern Conference. The reorganization was made in response to a City Section directive that required conferences to split into one 3-A and one 4-A league in order to achieve better playoff and conference balance.

For the Roughriders, it means an end to their reign atop the 3-A Division.

The Boyle Heights school advanced to the 3-A Division final in Garcia’s first season in 1989 and won its first basketball title ever--for boys or girls--in 1991. The team, which won the Southeastern Conference title three times in the past four years, was the first to advance to the 3-A final more than twice since the division was formed in 1982.

Already, the Roughriders are showing signs of success in 4-A. In its 4-A debut on Nov. 24, Roosevelt defeated Kennedy of Granada Hills, the defending West Valley League champion, 56-43.

“We’ve beaten 4-A teams in the past, but the competition is probably a little bit more intense,” Garcia said. “I’m taking a game-by-game philosophy and my girls are excited for a chance to make the 4-A playoffs.”

Huntington Park also moves from 3-A to 4-A in the Eastern League. Fremont and South Gate move from the 4-A Central League to the Eastern League. Locke and Jordan move to the 3-A Central League.

In other changes, Manual Arts moves from the 4-A Western League to the 3-A Metro League in the Coastal Conference. In the Northern Conference, Belmont and Lincoln move from the 3-A Northwest League to the 4-A Northeast League.

The decision by conference administrators was based, in part, on past success. But the method has its shortcomings.

Huntington Park advanced to the 3-A final against Roosevelt in 1991 and to the semifinals last season, but its five starters have graduated. “I’m starting over and building a program, but I’m looking at tougher competition with a very inexperienced team,” Huntington Park Coach Laurie Woerfel said.

Belmont Coach Barbara Fiege favors realignment but believes conferences should have been designated as 3-A or 4-A instead of being split.

Others would like to see the elimination of the 3-A and 4-A divisions and have the City revert to its format before the 1982-83 season, with all schools playing in the same division.

“It doesn’t matter who gets placed where, it’s unfair,” South Gate Coach Sharon Robertson said. “Not as many teams will qualify with one level, but the best ones should be in playoffs.”

A good player, though, will stand out in any division.

Kyetra Brown of Jefferson, Denise Caudillo of Roosevelt, Michelle Gonzalez of South Gate, Cathleen Grice of Crenshaw, Issia Lincoln of Dorsey and Sheila Paige of Fremont are among this season’s best.

CITY SECTION

Coastal Conference

METRO LEAGUE

Los Angeles (0-4 in 1991-92), 3-A Division--The Romans played only four games last season before the remainder of the schedule was canceled because of a lack of players. Qualena Hayes, a 5-10 senior who plays point guard and center, and senior guard Theresa Nugent (5-4) are key starters.

Manual Arts (4-12), 3-A--Guard Tynisa Jones (5-2) and center Jolie Kaba (5-11) are among five senior starters.

Northern Conference

NORTHEAST LEAGUE

Belmont (13-5), 4-A--The Sentinels won the Northwest League title last season to advance to the 3-A playoffs for the 15th time in 16 seasons. Junior Silvia Corado (5-4) and senior Anel Laj (5-5) are returning all-league guards. Corado averaged 12 points a game as a sophomore and is the main offensive threat. Senior Norma Hernandez (5-8), junior forward Ofelia Baldera and junior guard Maricela Gracia (5-3) join Corado and Laj in the starting lineup.

Lincoln (7-6), 4-A--Inocencia Ibarra, a 5-7 junior center, heads a list of four returning starters from last season’s team, which placed third in the Northwest League. Ibarra averaged 18 points a game and was a first-team all-league selection. She scored 32 points in the Tigers’ season-opening victory over Eagle Rock. Senior Nancy Covarubias (5-10), junior Elizabeth Garcia (5-9) and sophomore Martha Reyes (5-8) also return from last year’s team.

NORTHWEST LEAGUE

Wilson (9-10), 3-A--Guard Lupe Aguilera (5-5), forward Angie Garnica (5-7) and center Brenda Argumaniz (5-8) are three senior returners for the Mules, which tied Franklin for second in the Northeast League.

Southeastern Conference

CENTRAL LEAGUE

Bell (7-10), 3-A--The backcourt is experienced with junior Yvette Serrano (5-4) and seniors Aracely Cordova (5-6) and Araceli Guerrero (5-4).

Garfield (7-9), 3-A--The Bulldogs hope the experience of senior point guard Sandy Hinjosa (5-3), senior forward Sandra Blanco (5-4) and junior center Deena Duran (5-7) will compensate for a lack of height.

Jefferson (21-7), 3-A--The Democrats advanced to the 3-A semifinals last season and are a preseason favorite for the City title. Point guard Brown (5-7), an all-City first team selection, averaged 14.1 points and 10.1 assists and nine rebounds as a sophomore last season. Senior forward Shonte Tippie (5-11), junior forward Shaka Smith (5-9) and senior guard Helen Ruano (5-8) are other returning all-league selections.

Jordan (2-11), 3-A--Sophomore guard Ebony Taylor (5-6) and junior forward Rose Quintas (5-8) head a team of underclassmen.

Locke (4-12), 3-A--The Saints will rely on senior center Danielle Henderson (6-1), who averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds, and sophomore Donna Gumas (5-1), who averaged four steals a game.

EASTERN LEAGUE

Fremont (10-10), 4-A--Coach Matthew Taylor believes the Pathfinders could contend for the City title. Fremont defeated Palos Verdes Peninsula and Washington in summer league. Paige, a first-team 4-A selection, is the source of much of Taylor’s optimism. The 5-10 guard averaged 12 points and six rebounds as a junior and is the team’s best outside shooter. Paige is complemented by a pair of 6-0 forwards, Rochelle Davis and Dy Drummer.

Huntington Park (18-5), 4-A--The starting lineup from last season’s 3-A semifinal team has graduated. Forward Cammy Castro (5-8) and center Lupe Ojeda (6-1) played sparingly as juniors. Guards Amy Quinto (5-5) and Nicandra Reyes (5-6), both seniors, are the top newcomers.

Roosevelt (18-5), 4-A--Junior point guard Caudillo (5-7), a first-team 3-A selection who averaged 20 points a game and nine rebounds, is one of three returning starters. Senior guard Liz Guevara (5-4) is the team’s best perimeter shooter. Senior forward Liz Jacobs (5-8), another starter, along with senior center Ofilia Rodriguez (6-1) provide inside strength.

South Gate (10-7), 4-A--The Rams, the defending conference champion, nearly knocked off 4-A champion Washington before falling, 53-51, in their season opener. Forward Gonzalez (5-8) and guard Letty Madrigal (5-4) return for their fourth season. Gonzalez was named to the 4-A first team after averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard Nancy Maciel (5-4) and junior forward Vanessa Martinez (5-8) are other returning starters.

Southern Pacific Conference

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Crenshaw (20-5), 4-A--The Cougars return their starting lineup from last season’s team that reached the 4-A semifinals, including Grice, a first-team 4-A selection who averaged 15.7 points and nine assists as a junior. Senior Vickie Ruffin (five assists) will join Grice in the backcourt. Junior Kim Howse adds scoring and rebounding strength. The 5-10 center, an all-league selection as a sophomore, averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds. Seniors Tonya Barton and Michelle Keyes are a pair of 5-8 forwards. Barton is Crenshaw’s top defensive player, and Keyes averaged 10 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Nekora Wynn (5-10) adds depth to the Crenshaw front line.

Dorsey (13-7), 4-A--The Dons were one of three Southern League teams to reach the 4-A semifinals last season. Center Lincoln (6-3), an all-league selection, averaged 17 points a game as a sophomore. Dorsey also has a veteran backcourt in Jennifer Boston (5-6) and Nakia Burks (5-5).

Washington (28-3), 4-A--The Generals outscored their opponents by an average of 27.7 points a game to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive City title last season. But the outlook for this season is uncertain. All five starters have graduated and Coach Phil Chase has stepped down after nine seasons, leaving the program to assistant Julie Rousseau. “Motivation to keep the winning tradition going is our strength,” Rousseau said. Guard April Adams (5-6) is the only senior in the starting lineup, which includes juniors Pleshette Burrell (5-3), Sharmanee Bundy (5-11) and Kim Taylor (5-9).

SOUTHERN SECTION

Bell Gardens (11-11), Division I-AA--Guard Iris Ortega (5-7) was the Lancers’ playmaker last season, helping Bell Gardens to a third-place finish in its final year in the Whitmont League. Ortega (5-7), a first-team all-league selection as a junior, is also expected to be a key to Bell Gardens’ success in the newly formed Almont League. Seniors Nadine Beltran (5-9) and Maria Bautista (5-6) and junior Espy Landeros (5-9) are other returning starters.

Sacred Heart of Jesus (12-7), Division IV-A--Senior point guard Sharri Cordova (5-4), who averaged 18 points a game last season, junior center Adriana Gonzalez (5-10) and senior forward Veronica Hernandez (5-5) are the top returning players for the Comets, the defending Horizon League champions.

St. Matthias (9-5), Division IV-A--Senior forward Iliana Hernandez (5-7), a three-year starter, and junior guard Veronica Cortez (5-4) helped the Victorians to a second-place Sunrise League finish. Senior guard Maria Garcia (5-7) and sophomore center Liz Diaz (5-10) also return.

St. Michael’s (3-5), Division V-AA--Senior Moi Allums (6-2), junior Daphany Conner (5-10), sophomore Neishae Conner (5-9) and junior Danielle Metcalf (5-6) were starters on last season’s team, which finished fifth in the Sunrise League.

Changing of the Guard

Charisse Sampson was the dominant player of the central Los Angeles area through last season, setting all-time City Section career scoring and rebounding records to help Washington to four consecutive 4-A championships. Sampson, a two-time Times Central Player of the Year, has taken her skills to play at Kansas, but the area still has a wealth of talent for the 1992-93 season. Here’s a look at six top local players. * Kyetra Brown, Jefferson One of the City’s flashiest players, Brown dictates the tempo of the Democrat offense. She can dribble between her legs or find an open teammate with an around-the-back pass. The 5-5 junior guard was selected to the Times’ Central area first team last season, averaging 14.1 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. She has attracted scholarship interest from Cal State Long Beach and San Diego State. * Denise Caudillo, Roosevelt Caudillo demonstrated extraordinary poise as a sophomore. The scrappy 5-7 guard, a City 3-A and first-team Times’ Central area selection, averaged 20 points in leading the Roughriders to their second consecutive appearance in the 3-A final. She ranked among team leaders in rebounds, averaging more than nine a game. * Michelle Gonzalez, South Gate Gonzalez’s versatility earned her a spot on the City 4-A Division first team as a junior. She averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds to help South Gate to the Southeastern Conference title. The team’s best ballhandler, the 5-8 Gonzalez can play guard, forward or center, posting inside or shooting from the outside. She is the catalyst of the Rams’ fast break. * Cathleen Grice, Crenshaw Grice has attracted the attention of several NCAA Division I universities, including USC, UCLA, Texas, Texas El Paso and Arizona. The 5-4 senior guard was selected to The Times’ Central and City 4-A first teams, averaging 15.7 points and nine assists. Grice combines solid ball handling with top-notch defensive skills. * Issia Lincoln, Dorsey The 6-3 junior figures to develop into a Division I prospect. Washington State, Iowa and San Diego State are among schools that have expressed interest. She is an imposing rebounding force and a scoring threat inside. But Lincoln is also an accurate perimeter shooter and can push the ball up court. An improved defensive player, she averaged 17 points and nine rebounds a game last season. * Sheila Paige, Fremont The Pathfinders’ fortunes figure to rely on the 5-10 senior. Paige, a City 4-A first team selection, averaged 12 points, six rebounds and three assists last season. She possesses an outside jump shot and her quickness is an asset on Fremont’s fast-break and full-court pressure defense. She will play primarily at guard, but her height enables her to fill in at forward or center.