GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : Jefferson Out to Repeat 3-A Domination : Capturing their first championship last year has paid off nicely for the Democrats. But even another victory won’t lock up a spot in state tournament.

Enthusiasm for the girls’ basketball team at Jefferson High still runs high.

The Democrats captured the City 3-A Section basketball championship last season, their first girls’ basketball championship since the school opened in 1916. With donations from local businesses and alumni, commemorative watches and new uniforms and warm-ups were purchased. And the gym was remodeled during the off-season.

“There’s a lot of support,” said senior guard Kyetra Brown. “Everybody seems to be jumping on the Jefferson bandwagon and talking girls’ basketball.”

It’s no wonder.

With the return of the 5-foot-6 Brown, a two-time City 3-A first-team pick who has attracted the attention of UCLA, Arizona and Cal State Long Beach, Jefferson is again among the 3-A title favorites.

“We want to match or try to do better than last year,” Coach Curtis Hughes said.

That will be a tough order to fill.

Jefferson finished 26-3 last season, winning its last 12 games and 17 of its last 18. Should they succeed, the Democrats would become the first school to win back-to-back 3-A championships since Marshall did in 1989 and ’90.

But win or lose at the Sports Arena in February, Jefferson will be denied an automatic berth in the State regional tournament by virtue of its 3-A designation. Previously, the City 4-A and 3-A champions were awarded automatic berths in the eight-team Division I tournament to determine the region’s finalist for the State championship game. But beginning with the 1992-93 season, only the 4-A champion is guaranteed a place in the tournament.

The comparative strength between the 4-A and 3-A divisions was cited as a factor in the ruling. The 3-A girls’ champion has never advanced past the first round since the tournament began in 1982.

Last season, the Democrats had the dubious distinction of being the only Southern California section girls’ champion team not given a tournament berth. Despite victories over 4-A quarterfinalist Roosevelt and other 4-A teams, Jefferson had no place to go.

“I was really upset about it because we were discriminated against because we were 3-A,” said forward Chaka Smith. “I personally believe we are as good as any 4-A team.”

Some agree and believe Jefferson should have been elevated to the 4-A after winning the 3-A title. Granada Hills, the 1992 3-A champion, and Roosevelt, which had made three consecutive appearances in the 3-A finals, were moved up to 4-A last season.

“Everybody likes to win and be successful,” Roosevelt Coach Lorenzo Garcia said. “I didn’t want to move up for selfish reasons, but it’s only fair. I wish everybody was in one division to avoid all this.”

But at least for this season, Jefferson will remain 3-A.

Shonte Tippie, the 1993 3-A Player of the Year, is now a freshman at Harbor College, but the Democrats have three returning starters.

Along with Brown and Smith, 5-9 junior guard Jackie Leverett is back. Brown averaged 16 points and 14 assists and Smith, a 5-9 senior, averaged 15.8 points. Senior Kenyetta Boyd, 5-9, and 5-6 sophomore Ebony Robertson round out the starting lineup.

Narbonne (16-11), the 1993 3-A runner-up, Wilson (14-7), Garfield (7-9) and Bell (7-14) loom as Jefferson’s top challengers.

Crenshaw has not had much difficulty adjusting from 3-A to 4-A under Coach Major Dennis, who has a record of 216-54 in 13 years.

The Cougars won the 1985 City 3-A championship before going to the 4-A level in 1986. Crenshaw (25-3) won the 4-A championship last year and is aiming for its fourth appearance in the 4-A final in six years with 5-10 senior Kimberly Howse and 5-10 junior Kristi Lattin.

Denise Caudillo of Roosevelt has had success at the 3-A and 4-A divisions. The 5-7 guard averaged 23.5 points in the Roughriders’ first season at the 4-A level, helping Roosevelt (18-6) to the Eastern League title.

Washington, Fremont and South Gate also could be 4-A forces. Washington (10-15), led by Turie McCormick, is seeking its fifth title in six years. Sophomore Ruby Maciel helped South Gate (19-5) to a school-record 15 consecutive victories. Fremont (16-8) is improved with Rochelle Davis.

The Dynamic Dozen

*

Kyetra Brown

Jefferson

Height: 5-7.

Position: Point Guard.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 16 points, four rebounds and 11 assists. Two-time selection to Central City all-star team.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Among the best point guards in the City Section. Great speed and ball-handling skills.

Best move to basket: Fake right, go left.

*

Andrea Craig

Crenshaw

Height: 6-2.

Position: Center.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 10 points and four rebounds.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Good inside player. Can dominate the boards. Will get second and third shots.

Best move to basket: Up and under.

*

Denise Caudillo

Roosevelt

Height: 5-7.

Position: Point guard.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 23.5 points, eight rebounds and five assists. A two-time Central City first-team selection.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Denise has good ball-handling and passing skills. She can hit the three or drive by her defender.

Best move to basket: Baseline drive.

*

Rochelle Davis

Fremont

Height: 6-0

Position: Center.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Selected to Central City all-star second team.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Davis jumps well and is a strong inside player.

Best move to basket: Drop step.

*

Mercedes Edwards

Washington

Height: 5-11.

Position: Forward.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 11 points and seven rebounds. Named to Southern League second team.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Edwards has developed into a Division I prospect. Very persistent. Smart player who handles the ball well under pressure.

Best move to basket: Drop step.

*

Dawn Fields

Pilgrim

Height: 5-8.

Position: Forward.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 20.1 points, 14.3 rebounds. Made Southern Section Division V-A second team, Central City second team and all-Heritage League first team.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Few defenders can stop her post-up moves or prevent her from driving inside.

Best move to basket: Up and under.

*

Kimberly Howse

Crenshaw

Height: 6-0.

Position: Forward.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 17.5 points and 11.2 rebounds. Selected to Central City and City 4-A first teams.

Buzz for ‘93-94: One of the five best players in the state. Hard to stop under basket.

Best move to basket: Up and under.

*

Kristi Lattin

Crenshaw

Height: 6-0.

Position: Guard.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Will try to replace Cathleen Grice as the Cougars’ top scorer and playmaker. Good moves to the basket and better than average jump shot.

Best move to basket: Crossover dribble drive.

*

Veronica Lopez

Wilson

Height: 5-8.

Position: Center.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Outstanding athlete. Better-than-average rebounder, good outlet passer. Developed a hook shot over the summer.

Best move to basket: Hook shot.

*

Ruby Maciel

South Gate

Height: 5-8.

Position: Guard.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Good individual moves and defensive instincts. Better-

than-average ball-handler.

Best move to basket: Dribble drive.

*

Chaka Smith

Jefferson

Height: 5-10.

Position: Forward.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 16.5 points, 10 rebounds, two assists.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Will play a bigger offensive role with the graduation of Shonte Tippie. Good rebounder and inside shooter.

Best move to basket: Spin move to the basket.

*

Ronneka Taylor

Manual Arts

Height: 5-9.

Position: Forward.

‘92-93 Performance: Averaged 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and four assists. Named to Central City first team and to City 3-A team.

Buzz for ‘93-94: Strong inside player. Scores half her points off rebounds.

Best move to basket: Reverse pivot, fake left, drive right.