From Fantasy Island to Dream On for Taft

If 1994-95 was a dream season for the Taft High girls’ basketball team, ‘95-96 is turning into a fantasy for the Toreadors.

Last season, Taft set a school record for victories (18) and reached the second round of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs.

Even with a coaching change, from Jim Woodard to Stephanie Blin, the Toreadors may surpass their accomplishments of last season.

Taft enters today’s Northwest Valley Conference opener against Cleveland with a 9-0 record and a legitimate chance at finishing the regular season unbeaten.

The reason? Taft has a balance of speed (point guard Nyoki McKeith) and size (5-foot-11 center Vanessa Dunn and 5-10 forward Mona Calhoun), and a full-court pressure defense that leaves opposing teams breathless.

“I would have been very disappointed if we weren’t undefeated at this point,” Blin said.

The Toreadors haven’t been challenged since the first half of the final of the Eagle Rock tournament. Taft was tied with Eagle Rock at halftime before winning, 57-42.

The rest of the conference is looking for ways to stop, or just slow down, the Toreadors.

“We need to collapse on their big players, but we’re not big enough to do that,” El Camino Real Coach Lori Chandler said. “Other than that, we’re going to have to play perfectly, not turn the ball over and try to use our athleticism.”

The Conquistadores, along with Kennedy and Granada Hills, must face Taft twice in West Valley League play.

Kennedy (4-6), traditionally one of the strongest teams in the conference, has struggled and Granada Hills has played only twice.

North Valley League favorite Chatsworth might have the best chance to upset the Toreadors. The Chancellors feature post players Nancy Vincent (6-1) and Tynitra Wilson (6-foot), who can match up with Dunn and Calhoun.

But Chatsworth will need better production from guards Jodi Borenstein and Parisa Plant when the teams meet Jan. 17. Earlier this season, the Chancellors committed 27 turnovers and lost to Taft, 74-55.

“We’re probably the only team that can match up with them in the post,” Chatsworth Coach Emad Whitney said. “We were just overwhelmed with their press.”