1995-96 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : SMALL SCHOOLS

Bethel Baptist: 2-6 in 1994-95. Coach Becky Marx (first year). Prospects: Marx is a graduate of Bethel Baptist, and played basketball there. Too bad she doesn’t have any eligibility left, because this season she can use all the help she can get (including the assistant coach she is still searching for.) The two returning Warrior players are sisters: Elizabeth Williams is a 5-8 sophomore center, and Kimberly Williams is a 5-4 senior guard. The rest of Marx’s players are sophomores and freshman, many of whom have not played basketball before.

Capistrano Valley Christian: 10-13, 6-3 in 1994-95. Coach: Tim Shelton (ninth year, 91-95). Prospects: The Eagles edged St. Margaret’s by one game for the Academy League title. This season, they not only set their sights on repeating but also on going deep into the playoffs. Four starters are back: 5-7 junior guard Hayley Hall (9.2) and 5-9 forward Olivia Lindsay (5.1) were first-team all-league selections, while 5-6 sophomore guard Gini Carney (4.4) and 5-10 sophomore forward April Flanagan were second-team picks.

Fairmont: 9-1 in 1994-95. Coach: John Zubas (first year). Prospects: Last year, Fairmont, a second-year school, didn’t get to play many games so no one knew how good they really were or could be. This season, the Huskies have a 19-game schedule and join the Academy League. Zubas inherits seven players 5-8 or taller and four returning starters, including 6-1 sophomore center Katy Barstow, and Freedom League MVP Bethel Otuteye, a 5-1 sophomore guard.

Heritage Christian: 6-14, 5-9 in 1994-95. Coach: Jon Caffrey (first year). Prospects: This could be a team to watch. At worst the Patriots should be much improved, and at best they will contend for the Express League title and make the playoffs for the first time. Caffrey walks into a bountiful situation; four returning starters led by first-team all-leaguer Chrish Larsen (11.6), a 5-4 junior guard, and 5-7 sophomore forward Isreal Green (7.1). Add to that transfers Natalie Irwin, a 5-6 junior forward from Mater Dei, and 5-8 senior forward Bekah Ramirez (10.6) from Whittier Christian.

Liberty Christian: 11-12, 2-7 in 1994-95. Coach: Rudy Sass (second year, 11-12). Prospects: Another team whose fortunes appear on the upswing. Sass has two potential consistent scorers among his four returning starters: 5-8 senior forward Lynlee Vaccaro (12.7), and 5-7 senior guard Lisa Winters (11.3). Becky Renoon, a 5-4 senior guard, will also get her points. And there is depth on the bench, from 5-4 senior guard Annabel Garcia to 6-0 junior center Teresa Johnston.

St. Margaret’s: 8-10, 5-4 in 1994-95. Coach: Brady Lock (seventh year, 72-45). Prospects: One of the reasons the Academy League will be fun to watch is there are several strong veteran teams. The Tartans are among that group. Lock will have six returning letterwinners and three dependable senior starters: 5-8 forward Jean Freeman (14.8) and 5-5 guard Shay Trette (12.3) were first team all-league choices, and 5-4 guard Stephanie Canright (8.1) was honorable mention.

Southern California Christian: 0-14, 0-10 in 1994-95. Coach: Eric Cameron (first year). Prospects: First things first. The Flames need a victory badly, having gone 0-32 the past two seasons. Cameron has 10 letterwinners and all five starters back, the keys being 6-0 junior center Felicia Lewis and 5-6 junior forward Sheeba Mathews. Cameron will also seek contributions from 5-11 junior center Holly Strickland and 5-4 junior guard Cami Horuath.