PREP BASKETBALL ‘92-’93 / EMPIRE LEAGUE

Esperanza

1991-92 RECORDS OVERALL: 8-15 LEAGUE: 3-7

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL

Marc Hill: 163-90

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Melanie Wall Sr. 5-9 F Heather Dowhan Sr. 5-8 F Kristy Kierulff So. 5-8 G

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Kim Hayashi So. 5-5 G Jodee Howard Jr. 5-7 G Theresa Gethins So. 6-1 C Molly Scarberry Sr. 5-8 F

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Lindsay Foss Fr. 5-10 F Andrea Daniels Fr. 5-9 F

OUTLOOK

Now in his 11th season at Esperanza, Hill has won five league titles but currently is looking to avoid a third consecutive down year. “We haven’t been too strong the last couple of years and we’ll be trying to kick things back into gear this year,” Hill said. “We’re still going to be a young team, so it’s hard to say how we’ll do in a league as tough as ours.” Fortunately for the Aztecs, they are loaded with quick, good-leaping athletes. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, they have trouble putting the ball in the hoop. “Our three-point shooting is below par right now and we’re missing inside shots we shouldn’t,” Hill said. As the season progresses, Esperanza could become a spoiler with the presence of players such as Kierulff. Kierulff is one of the league’s top athletes--she won the state high jump championship as a freshman last year--and “her feet never touch the floor,” according to Hill. Wall and Dowhan provide additional speed on the wings and newcomers Foss and Daniels are players to watch in the post. Esperanza expects to press and run, utilizing its team speed to beat opponents down the court. Gethins, Hayashi and Howard provide depth.