1995-96 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : SUNSET LEAGUE

Edison: 20-7, 6-4 in 1994-95. Coach: Dave White (ninth year, 164-55). Prospects: The development of the Chargers over the course of last season was scary. Marie Philman is one of the county’s dominant players, but Kerry O’Bric and Becky Loshak improved so much that Edison became a team rather than a collection. Philman averaged 24.5 points and 12.3 rebounds, shot 59.1% from the field and 82.4% from the line--and that was with teams keying on her. Those numbers could go up because teams can’t focus on Philman, or they could go down because others pick up the slack. Regardless, the Chargers--who reached the Division II-A semifinals last year--will win 20 games this season.

Esperanza: 19-9, 6-4 in 1994-95. Coach: Marc Hill (14th year, 207-122). Prospects: The Aztecs have good depth and quickness, and should be strongest inside with starters Lindsay Foss (5-11, 11.8 points) and sophomore Leah Combs (6-1, 8.2 points) returning, and Diane Severinsen (5-10, 6.9 points). The absence of Monique Toney, who went to Cerritos Valley Christian, creates a hole, but sophomore Heidi Hill looks to step up as an outside threat.

Fountain Valley: 22-7, 9-1 in 1994-95. Coach: Carol Strausburg (19th year, 307-16-4). Prospects: The Barons reached the Division I-A semifinals last year and return forwards Nicole Strange (5-10, 14.3 points, 9.9 rebounds) and Jennifer Ludwicki (5-11, 18.6 points)--both were Times all-county first-team selections. There’s also inside help with center Heather Basco (5-11) and guards Jen Rizzo, Jenny Nakano and Jocelyn Tu. Strausburg was The Times’ coach of the year; it’s unlikely the Barons lose seven games again. One intriguing question: How much will they miss graduated point guard Erin Avila, who wasn’t as flashy as the others but was an important part of the mix?

Huntington Beach: 14-12, 4-6 in 1994-95. Coach: Bill Thomson (first year). Prospects: The Oilers lacked height last year but got a lot out of a little, winning twice in the Division II-A playoffs because of their scrappy, pressing style. Guards Renee Kimoto and junior Phouangmaly Pravongviengkham anchor the Oiler attack, which will probably be overmatched most nights in this league but could be spoilers nevertheless. And they could also present real problems in the playoffs, as they did last year.

Los Alamitos: 6-18, 0-10 in 1994-95. Coach: Mike Ford (sixth year, 39-80). Prospects: The Griffins return forward Stacey Nichols (5-10), the team leader in steals and rebounds, sophomore center Kristin Geoffroy (6-5), and junior Christa Ellis (5-10), who averaged 8.5 rebounds the last seven games last season; joining them are sophomores from the junior varsity, Jillyn Smith (6-1, 10.5 points) and Molly Avery (5-11, team MVP). Critical to Los Alamitos’ success is the guard play of Jessica Peterson, Lisa Woo and junior Brooke Donberg.

Marina: 21-7, 6-4 in 1994-95. Coach: Pete Bonny (sixth year, 130-36). Prospects: Although the Vikings took a big hit with the graduation of Shandy Robbins, they have three solid starters returning in forwards Sonya Bryant (5-10, 12.5 points, 6.7 rebounds), Kirsten Cappel (6-2, 9 points, 9 rebounds) and guard Natalie Nakase (6.4 points, 6.2 assists). Also returning are two players who alternated as first off the bench, junior guards Adria Sortino and Marisa Emde. They might be hard-pressed to return to the division semifinals--they lost to state champion Woodbridge, 44-42, in Division II-AA--but Marina is a definite player in Orange County.