1993-94 PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW : Streaking St. Bernard Has the Super Player, the Superior Team : Girls: Defending State Division IV champion Vikings, who have won 25 consecutive games, return 10 players, including Stanford-bound Olympia Scott.

Olympia Scott was named for her birth on the closing day of the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics.

Last summer, the 17-year-old St. Bernard High senior took her first step toward making the U.S. Olympic basketball team.

The 6-foot-2 Scott was the youngest player chosen to play in the U.S. Olympic Festival basketball competition in San Antonio.

“Playing in the Olympic Festival definitely helped me improve a lot,” Scott said. “The competition was 200 times better than high school.”

A member of the West team, Scott led tournament players in rebounds and blocked shots. She had 14 rebounds in the bronze-medal game against the North, coming within two rebounds of the tournament record.

“It’s unusual for a high school player to make the festival team,” said Peninsula Coach Wendell Yoshida, who served as an East assistant coach. “That’s really saying something.”

College recruiters no doubt had similar thoughts after her play in the State Division IV title game in Oakland. Scott had 24 points, 15 rebounds and blocked five shots to lead St. Bernard to a 59-48 victory over Bear River of Grass Valley.

St. Bernard (30-4) ended the season with a 25-game winning streak en route to its first state title and second Southern Section championship in three seasons.

Scott was selected as the Southern Section Division IV player of the year with averages of 11.6 points and 10 rebounds.

Earlier this month, Scott signed a letter of intent to attend Stanford. The four-year starter chose the Cardinal over Arizona and Iowa.

“A degree from Stanford is like gold,” Scott said.

But first there is unfinished business for Scott at St. Bernard. Besides defending the Vikings’ section and state championship, she has another goal.

“I want to dunk a basketball,” said Scott, who said she can dunk a volleyball. “I haven’t really done that yet.”

With Scott, St. Bernard is the South Bay’s team to beat. Here is a look at the area top 10.

1. ST. BERNARD

*1992-93 RECORD: 30-4

*LEAGUE: 1st (Mission)

*RET. STARTERS: 3

*

The Vikings, who return 10 players, feature one of the tallest front lines in the state with Scott, 6-4 senior center Marte Alexander and 6-2 sophomore Joi Thomas. Scott and Alexander, who have signed with Arizona, are preseason all-state selections on Cal-Hi Sports Division IV team.

The backcourt will feature 5-9 senior Olanike Faradolu and 5-2 sophomore Tracie Oaks.

Coach Lori Pawinski expects to shuffle as many as eight players among her starting rotation. Guards Sydney Quon (5-2) and April Simmons (5-4), and forward Danielle Littlefield (5-10) figure heavily in the Viking plans.

St. Bernard opens the season Tuesday in the 16-team South Torrance tournament, which includes Morningside, Redondo, Narbonne, San Pedro, Torrance, North Torrance, West Torrance, and South Torrance.

2. PENINSULA

*1992-93 RECORD: 17-9

*LEAGUE: 1st (Bay)

*RET. STARTERS: 4 *

On the surface, Peninsula would appear to be a one-dimensional team with 5-9 senior guard Mimi McKinney, a three-time All-Southern Section selection.

McKinney averaged 20.3 points and 8.9 rebounds last season and has attracted the interest of Auburn, Arizona, Purdue and Virginia. As a junior, McKinney was named All-American by USA Today, Street and Smith and Parade magazine.

This season, McKinney is one of only three Californians listed among USA Today’s top 25. She also was named to Cal-Hi Sports Division I preseason all-state team.

Peninsula, the 1992 State Division I champion, lost to Lynwood in the second round of the Division I-AA playoffs last season.

This summer the Panthers managed to go 40-8 in summer league play without McKinney, who was suspended for poor classroom and practice attendance. She was reinstated this fall.

“Everybody expects us to be a one-dimensional team, but they’re in for a big surprise,” Yoshida said. “Forty people found out this summer and found themselves on the losing end. We have great balance and depth. This is probably one of the most physical team’s I’ve had.”

Quite possibly one of the youngest too.

McKinney might end up as the only senior among the among the 40-player Peninsula basketball program.

Guard Kim Fitzgerald, who started as a junior, suffered a knee injury during fall workouts and her status is in doubt.

Center Katharine Foster-Keddie (6-0) and guard Allison Fortner (5-9), both juniors, are other returning starters. Juniors Tracey Rosen (5-8) and Jennifer Harberson, and sophomores Eden Palacio (5-9), Erin Ratner (5-10) and Karen Hartman (5-7) are battling for the remaining starting spots. Yoshida has also been impressed with the play of 6-2 freshman Allison Ritter.

Peninsula will open the season Thursday in the Del Campo tournament, which features many of the top teams from Northern California. The Panthers will also compete in the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions and in the Surf and Slam tournament in San Diego.

3. BISHOP MONTGOMERY

*1992-93 RECORD: 16-14

*LEAGUE: 3rd (Mission)

*RET. STARTERS: 3

*

It’s hard to call the 1992-93 season a disappointment for Bishop Montgomery.

The Knights failed to make an appearance in the Division II-AA final for the first time in three seasons under Coach Cedric Hurt.

Bishop Montgomery, which reached the Division II state final in 1992, lost to Bassett, 48-47, in the first round last season.

The Knights will be challenged in Mission League play, which includes St. Bernard and Alemany, the Division III-AA runner-up.

Shelley Dungo, a two-time All-Mission League selection, was named to The Times’ 1993 South Bay second team. The 5-6 senior guard averaged 23.4 points and six assists as a junior.

Seniors Vonya Posada (5-5) and Gayle Pilapil (5-6) also return.

Sophomores Robin Hayes (6-2) and Marci McGreevy (5-10) should give the Knights help inside.

4. MORNINGSIDE

*1992-93 RECORD: 20-8

*LEAGUE: 1st (Ocean)

*RET. STARTERS: 1

*

Forward Cheryl Dickson (5-10) and guard Karen Turner (5-2) are the only seniors on the Morningside roster and third-year Coach Rod Tatum is leery of a sluggish start.

The Monarchs could have as many as five underclassmen playing. Junior forward Devyn Johnson (5-8) and sophomores guard Gina Daniels (5-3) and center Dana Hunter (6-2) were reserves last season, but are expected to get considerable playing time.

Hunter is rehabilitating from a stress fracture of her tibia and is not expected to play until mid-December.

Sophomore center Antonette Thompson (5-11), whose sister Tina was a two-time Division III selection, and junior forwards Danielle Reeves (6-0) and Rodawn Gordon are among newcomers.

5. REDONDO

*1992-93 RECORD: 16-12

*LEAGUE: 2nd (Ocean)

*RET. STARTERS: 2

*

The Sea Hawks might be the surprise of the Ocean League.

Redondo finished second to Morningside for the second consecutive season in 1992, but Coach Steve Brown likes his team’s chances for its first league title in school history. Redondo finished third in the Redondo tournament and fourth in the Muir tournament this summer.

Andrea Miller (5-9) averaged 12 points and six rebounds and was an Ocean League first-team selection last season. The left-handed junior, who can play any position, shot 45% from the field and 76% from the free-throw line.

Seniors Summer Cavenaugh (5-11) and Julie Saavedra and sophomore Kelly Reed (5-10) also return.

Redondo will also be bolstered by the addition of 5-11 freshman Marisa Wright and 5-8 swing player Jennifer Bednorz (5-8), a sophomore transfer from Texas .

Junior Leah Santa (5-10) tore an anterior cruciate ligament last season, but could return to the lineup when league play starts in January.

6. SOUTH TORRANCE

*1992-93 RECORD: 14-11

*LEAGUE: 2nd (Pioneer)

*RET. STARTERS: 3

*

Stephanie Pfau, who averaged 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds to earn All-Southern Section honors for the second consecutive season, returns for her senior season.

The 5-11 Pfau helped the Spartans win seven of their last 10 games and earn a berth in the Division III-AA quarterfinals.

The front line also includes senior forward Summer Bichlmeier (5-9) and 6-1 junior Rachelle Brown. Lisa Liu (5-7) was a member of South’s Pioneer League champion junior varsity team.

Sophomore point guard Nubia Doumerc (5-1) became a starter late in the season and will be joined by 5-6 senior Lisa Stuart in the backcourt.

7. TORRANCE

*1992-93 RECORD: 12-13

*LEAGUE: 5th (Pioneer)

*RET. STARTERS: 3

*

Julie Tamashiro will be the Tartars’ leader. She earned second-team All-Pioneer League honors and averaged 10 points a game as a junior. The 5-4 guard was named the Artesia tournament’s most valuable player after guiding Torrance to the championship.

Tamashiro also had a school-record seven three-point baskets in a Division II-AA first-round playoff loss against Crescenta Valley.

Seventh-year Coach Rick Momohara also has some height.

Senior Ieesha Donadelle (6-2) averaged nine points and 10 rebounds, but was slowed for much of the season because of bronchitis. Senior forward Sara Fauk (5-10), a member of the Tartars’ Southern Section champion volleyball team, also returns.

Junior guards Donna Andreoli (5-10) and Christy Hessler (5-9) are also expected to start in Torrance’s three-guard offense.

8. NARBONNE

*1992-93 RECORD: 16-1

*LEAGUE: 1st (Pacific)

*RET. STARTERS: 2

*

The Gauchos advanced to the City 3-A final for the first time in school history and should be a force again.

First-year co-coaches James Anderson and Maria Johnson will built the team around seniors Valerie Ogawa, a 5-5 guard, and Kelli Knapp, a 5-10 forward.

Ogawa, an All-City 3-A selection, was the Pacific League’s most valuable player. A three-point shooting specialist, Ogawa averaged 15 points, 6.2 assists and five steals. Knapp (5-10) averaged 8.1 points and 10.7 rebounds.

Senior forward Adaina Anderson (5-10), junior guard Angela Watkins (5-9) and junior center Rashida Jones (5-11) will be the other starters.

9. NORTH TORRANCE

*1992-93 RECORD: 19-7

*LEAGUE: 3rd (Pioneer)

*RET. STARTERS: 3

*

Coach Richard Rosato expects the Saxons to earn their eighth consecutive playoff berth.

Janeen Handy, a 5-6 forward, averaged seven points as a junior, but will need to increase her point production. Senior Robyn Hirayama and junior Pua Peters, both 5-6 forwards, and 5-4 sophomore guard Staci Morita also return.

Either junior Bridget Moss (5-9) or senior Dawn Ishii (5-10) will start at center.

10. BANNING

*1992-93 RECORD: 7-13

*LEAGUE: 4th (Southern)

*RET. STARTERS: 2

*

The Pilots have been moved from the 4-A Southern League to the 3-A Pacific League.

Guard Jenille Ramos (5-5) was an All-Southern League selection as a sophomore when she averaged nine points. Tiffany Burks, a 5-6 junior, will join her in the backcourt.

Coach Dave Delaby said defense and team depth will be the team’s strengths. Juniors Julie Thigpen (5-9), Tunua Johnson (5-8) and Dawnita Jackson (5-9) are expected to see considerable playing time. Thigpen and Johnson will alternate at guard and forward and Jackson will play forward.

Center Pola Suafoa (6-2), a junior who started playing basketball last year, has been elevated from the junior varsity team, and junior forward Sharolunda Kennon (5-9) is a transfer from Bakersfield.

BEST OF THE REST

West Torrance (21-6), the defending Pioneer League champion, will be led by senior Tracy Holman. The 5-8 senior averaged 15.0 points and was named to The Times’ 1992 South Bay second team. Seniors Felicia Beaulieu and Wendy Miller also return.

Inglewood (12-11) finished second to Peninsula in the Bay League. It will be led by 5-11 junior forward Yannick Clay, a three-year starter who averaged 12.9 points and was the only sophomore on The Times’ 1992 South Bay team.