THE TIMES’ 1996 ALL-COUNTY BASKETBALL TEAMS : Girls

RONNIE GONDRINGER

School: Mater Dei

Year: Sr.

High: 5-9

Position: F

Gondringer was an integral part of the Monarchs’ run to the state championship, providing quiet leadership and scoring (16.3). She shot 49.5% from the field, and her driving, slashing style gave her lots of free-throw attempts: she made 126 of 177 (73.7%).

*

TAMARA INOUE

School: Laguna Hills

Year: Jr.

High: 5-6

Position: G

Inoue averaged a team-high 13.3 points and averaged 5.2 rebounds for the county’s most surprising team. Her ballhandling was crucial to the Hawks’ 24-3 season--their best. She shot 45.3% from the field and sparked the team’s trademark intensity.

*

JENNIFER LUDWICKI

School: Fountain Valley

Year: Sr.

High: 5-11

Position: F

A two-time pick, Ludwicki’s slashing style led to her county-high 217 free throws. She made 72.4%. One of the county’s more entertaining players, she was the second-leading scorer (21.4). She shot 30.1% from the three-point line, 50.2% overall, and will attend Washington State.

*

AIYANA NASH

School: Sonora

Year: Sr.

High: 5-5

Position: G

Nash’s numbers are too great to ignore. Her 27.8 points led the county in scoring. Despite seeing all kinds of specialized defenses, she averaged 20 shots a night and made 47.6% from the field. For her career, she attempted 1,521 shots, made 40.1%, and averaged 19.2 points.

*

MELANIE PEARSON

School: Woodbridge

Year: Sr.

High: 6-1

Position: F

A two-time all-county player, Pearson’s versatility provided the stability in the Warriors’ run to the state title. She averaged 16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists, and could be as dominant as she wanted to be. She is part of the UCLA recruiting class ranked second-best nationally.

*

MELODY PETERSON

School: Mater Dei

Year: Sr.

High: 5-9

Position: G

Peterson, player of the year last season, is a three-time all-county pick and one of the most physically gifted players in county history. Averaged 17.3 points, 4.6 assists and more than 3.5 steals as Mater Dei won state title. She shot 49.4% from the field. Will attend Stanford.

*

MARIE PHILMAN

School: Edison

Year: Sr.

High: 5-11

Position: F

Philman, a three-time all-county pick, averaged 21.7 points against some of the county’s best competition. She averaged 9.6 rebounds, shot 49.1% from the field and 78.9% on free throws. The third-most prolific scorer in county history, she totaled 2,186 points. Next stop: UCLA.

*

JENNIFER SAARI

School: Brea Olinda

Year: Jr.

High: 5-8

Position: G

Saari’s ballhandling was invaluable, and her three-point shooting (44%) opened the middle for her teammates in one of the county’s most balanced offensive attacks. She had 5.6 assists, shot 44.3% from the field, and was instrumental in Brea’s eighth straight section title.

*

ERIN STOVALL

School: Woodbridge

Year: Jr.

High: 5-7

Position: G

Few players pick their moments the way Stovall does, especially on defense. A two-time selection, she had 112 steals and is the catalyst of a Woodbridge team that won its second straight state title. She averaged 20.2 points and shot 52.1% from the field.

*

NICOLE STRANGE

School: Fountain Valley

Year: Sr.

High: 5-10

Position: F

Strange, a two-time all-county choice who is headed to Oregon State, was a primary reason the Barons were a premier team. She averaged 15.3 points, shot 54.6% from the field, and 78.4% from the free-throw line. Well-rounded? She added 9.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 3.4 steals.

The Second Team

* MARISSA BRADLEY

Brea Olinda

Guard, 5-8, Jr.

14.2 ppg, 3.6 apg

* SONYA BRYANT

Marina

Forward, 5-11, Sr.

17.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg

* KIRSTEN CAPPEL

Marina

Center, 6-2, Sr.

13.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg

* BECKY FRASER

Ocean View

Forward, 5-11, Sr.

15.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg

* LINDSAY FOSS

Esperanza

Forward, 5-11, Sr.

17.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg

* TANZENIKA HOLMES

Westminster

Forward, 5-11, Sr.

13.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg

* ANDREA PICCHI

Magnolia

Forward, 5-11, Sr.

20.8 ppg, 12.1 rpg

* KRISTIN SCHULT

Westminster

Center, 6-2, Sr.

13.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg

* JENNIFER TUIOLOSEGA

Ocean View

Guard, 5-8, Jr.

14.6 ppg, 33% 3-pters

* JESSICA WALTZ

Estancia

Guard, 5-8, Sr.

14.7 ppg, 7.8 apg