GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ‘94-’95: SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

MISSION VIEJO

1993-94 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 8-13 2-8

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Jim Irby 23-21

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Jill Barker Sr. 5-11 C Shelley Higham Sr. 5-8 G Kortney Okura Sr. 5-9 F

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Christina Carcich Sr. 5-6 G Cheryl Harmon Jr. 5-8 G Amy Hayes Jr. 5-8 F Tami Higham So. 5-11 F

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Kelly Fergus Jr. 5-9 F

OUTLOOK

The Diablos took their lumps last season but should be much more competitive with a more mature team. Irby believes they will play with more self-confidence because he reverted to his positive approach in the spring after being more negative last year. Okura averaged 12.4 points and eight rebounds and is the likely candidate to take on the bulk of the leadership responsibilities. Shelley Higham, the team’s best ballhandler and defensive player, is a three-year starter, and Barker averaged seven rebounds. When Mission Viejo wins, it will do so with the fundamentals, starting with defense and rebounding--height is not something it’s lacking at most positions. The value of strong defensive play and voracious rebounding can’t be stressed enough, because it will have to overcome the Diablos’ weaknesses: passing and shooting. Those two skills should come around as the season wears on; the question is whether the Diablos come around enough to earn one of the three automatic playoff berths.

SCHEDULE

November 30 at Etiwanda/Rancho Cucamonga tournament.

December 1-3 at Etiwanda/Rancho Cucamonga tournament; 5-10 at Brea-Olinda tournament; 22 at Loara; 26-30 at Marina tournament.

January 5 vs. San Clemente; 10 at Capistrano Valley; 12 vs. Dana Hills; 17 vs. Mater Dei; 19 vs. Trabuco Hills; 21 at Cerritos Gahr; 24 vs. Capistrano Valley; 26 at San Clemente.

February 2 at Dana Hills; 7 at Mater Dei; 9 at Trabuco Hills.

*

TimesLine: (714) 808-8463. School code: *4440