A look at The Times’ preseason poll’s...

A look at The Times’ preseason poll’s top 20 high school girls’ basketball teams in the City and Southern sections, with division, last season’s record and comment by Times prep editor Eric Shepard.

1. IRVINE WOODBRIDGE

Southern Section Division II-AA

Last season: 32-1, beat Hemet, 59-47, in Div. II-AA final.

Outlook: Woodbridge’s only loss last season was to undefeated El Camino of Sacramento in the State Division II final. The Warriors should be even tougher with the return of 6-4 center Angela Burgess, who averaged 13 points and 12 rebounds last season, and 5-10 junior guard Melanie Pearson.

2. BREA OLINDA

Southern Section Division II-A

Last season: 33-0, beat Newport Harbor, 70-40, in Div. III-AA final.

Outlook: Jeff Sink replaces John Hattrup as coach but this well-established program should see very little drop-off. The Ladycats might not be as dominant as last season, but a talented group of new players should contend for a title. Forward Lee Moulin and guards Kiyoko Miller and Jennifer Saari are three to watch.

3. MISSION HILLS ALEMANY

Southern Section Division II-AA

Last season: 30-1, beat San Bernardino, 49-46, in Div. II-A final.

Outlook: Alemany might well end up No. 1 with a lineup that is the area’s most talented on paper. Returning for the Indians are all-state selections Samantha Rigley, a 5-10 guard, and Carly Funicello, a 6-4 center. Freshman sensation Kelli Kobayashi also joins the lineup.

4. NEWBURY PARK

Southern Section Division III-AA

Last season: 23-5, lost to Newport Harbor, 43-41, in Div. III-AA semifinals.

Outlook: Newbury Park might be one of the most improved teams in the Southland. The Panthers played well during the summer and feature a powerful lineup led by 6-1 forward Kara McKeown and 5-7 guard Julie Wastell.

5. CRENSHAW

City Section Division 4-A

Last season: 22-6, beat Roosevelt, 75-68, in Div. 4-A final.

Outlook: The two-time defending City Section champions are bolstered by two returning starters. Kristi Lattin, a 5-7 guard-forward, averaged 20 points and seven rebounds last season, and Naila Moseley, a 6-0 center, averaged 14 points as a freshman.

6. CERRITOS GAHR

Southern Section Division II-AA

Last season: 13-16, lost to Hemet, 41-37, in II-AA semifinals.

Outlook: Gahr had to forfeit 10 games last season for not filing proper paperwork on transfer Nicki Oliver. Oliver, a 5-11 guard-forward, is back and eligible. That is a big boost for the Gladiators, who also return standout guard Rhonda Anderson.

7. DIAMOND BAR

Southern Section Division I-AA

Last season: 23-2, lost to Lynwood, 52-32, in Div. I-AA semifinals.

Outlook: Diamond Bar was a surprise contender last season, and with three returning starters, expectations are high. The Brahmas are led by guards Jamie Gast and Princess Hatcher, who averaged 14 and 10 points, respectively, last season.

8. SANTA ANA MATER DEI

Southern Section Division I-A

Last season: 24-5, lost to Buena, 50-41, in Div. I-A final.

Outlook: The Monarchs are proving boys’ basketball is not the only game at Mater Dei. They advanced to the Southern Regional tournament last year and have a good chance again this season. Guard Melody Peterson, a 5-7 junior, is back after averaging 15 points and six assists last season.

9. VENTURA BUENA

Southern Section Division I-A

Last season: 25-3, beat Mater Dei, 50-41, in Div. I-A final.

Outlook: Joe Vaughan, who has won 91% of his games in 19 seasons, should have another successful season. Ventura has two of the state’s top players in junior guard Eboni Conley and sophomore center Nicole Greathouse.

10. LONG BEACH POLY

Southern Section Division I-AA

Last season: 21-5, lost to San Gabriel, 56-49, in Div. I-AA quarterfinals.

Outlook: What Poly lacks in size--it has no starter taller than 5-10--it makes up for in experience. The Jackrabbits return four starters, including 5-6 guard K.K. Johns, who is a three-year starter, and 5-8 forward Kanesha Sanders.

11. RIVERSIDE NORTH

Southern Section Division II-AA

Last season: 23-3, lost to Moreno Valley, 65-50, in Div. II-AA first round.

Outlook: North should be a force with nine of 10 varsity players returning. The Huskies have the top three-point shooter in Riverside County in senior guard Sheila Frial. She is joined by senior Elizabeth Edmond, a 5-8 guard-forward.

12. LYNWOOD

Southern Section Division I-AA

Last season: 32-2, beat Peninsula, 53-46, in Div. I-AA final.

Outlook: If Lynwood can put its troubles behind, it might have a shot at a third consecutive section title. Coach Ellis Barfield was dismissed last October for disciplinary reasons but fought the action and was reinstated before the season started in November. One of the Knights’ top returning players is Barfield’s sister, 5-10 guard Monique Matthews.

13. SAN BERNARDINO

Southern Section Division II-A

Last season: 26-6, lost to Alemany, 49-46, in Div. II-A final.

Outlook: Second-year Coach Tony Selph helped San Bernardino to its first section final last season since 1982. The Cardinals should be even stronger with the return of 5-7 senior guard LaTonya Kindle and 6-0 senior forward Kizzy Hollman.

14. CERRITOS

Southern Section Division I-A

Last season: 15-13, lost to Mater Dei, 65-62, in Div. I-A semifinals.

Outlook: Cerritos should benefit from its move from the rugged San Gabriel Valley League to the Mission Valley League. It hopes to repeat its surprise performance in the playoffs last season and looks to 5-8 junior guard Sherilyn Frazier to lead the way.

15. WASHINGTON

City Section Division 4-A

Last season 18-7, lost to Roosevelt, 60-54, in Div. 4-A semifinals.

Outlook: Third-year Coach Julie Rousseau is trying to return Washington to the success it enjoyed under her predecessor, Phil Chase. The Generals appear poised to make a run at the title with a balanced lineup led by 5-2 guard Tina Greer, who averaged 13 points last season.

16. CERRITOS VALLEY CHRISTIAN

Southern Section Division IV-A

Last season: 27-3, beat Village Christian, 79-64, in Div. IV-A final.

Outlook: Valley Christian, which has won three sectional titles in a row, has a good chance for a fourth with highly touted Jody Parriott returning. Parriott, a 6-3 forward, averaged 22 points last season. She has already signed with USC.

17. PALOS VERDES PENINSULA

Southern Section Division I-AA

Last season: 25-5, lost to Lynwood, 53-46, in Div. I-AA final.

Outlook: The Panthers return four starters, including 5-9 guard Allison Fortner, who averaged 11 points last season. Sophomore transfer Monique Langston, a 6-0 forward, will also help.

18. NEWPORT HARBOR

Southern Section Division III-AA

Last season: 24-8, lost to Brea-Olinda, 70-40, in Div. III-AA final.

Outlook: Newport Harbor has been one of the most stable programs in Orange County. The Sailors are once again a contender with a talented front line of 5-11 Melissa Shutz, 5-10 Dianne Pulido and 5-10 Tina Bowman.

19. PLAYA DEL REY ST. BERNARD

Southern Section Division IV-AA

Last season: 28-4, beat Santa Ynez, 52-39, in Div. IV-AA final.

Outlook: It’s a new era at St. Bernard, which has been a power in recent seasons. Olympia Scott and Marte Alexander are gone, leaving Coach Lori Pawinski with a young team that includes junior guard Tracie Oaks.

20. HUNTINGTON BEACH MARINA

Southern Section Division II-AA

Last season: 11-2, lost to Corona, 55-47, in Div. I-A second round.

Outlook: Marina has one of the biggest front courts in the area in 6-1 Shandy Robbins, 6-3 Kirsten Cappel and 5-10 Sonya Bryant.