EMPIRE LEAGUE

Century: 21-7, 10-0 in 1996-97. Coach: Jeff Watts (eighth year, 99-72). Century came within a 21-foot buzzer-beater from reaching the Division I-AA quarterfinals in a 44-42 loss to Esperanza. Three starters are back, including junior forward Aprile Powell (6-2), a second-team all-county player and two-time league MVP who averaged 16.8 points and 12.1 rebounds. Senior Nikki Love (6-3, 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds) could be the complementary post player Allison Napier was last season, but won’t be available until late December; she had a daughter on Nov. 11. Century’s guard play will be critical, meaning Yvette Martinez must distribute the ball effectively and break down the pressure she is likely to face against the county’s better opponents--especially in the Marina tournament Dec. 26-30. Senior Alejandra Martinez and sophomore Ana Villalovos, both guards, must also step up in the big games. Century has better speed and quickness than last year, but depth and inexperience could prove a sticking point. Six players come from the 20-1 JV team.

Cypress: 16-11, 5-5 in 1996-97. Coach: Doug Mitchell (third year, 27-26). Like everyone else who is not Century or El Dorado, Cypress doesn’t have much height with which to replace the graduated Stacy Silva (12.1 rebounds). However, it does have two second-team all-league players back, senior forward Jennifer Laster (9.7 points, five rebounds) and junior guard Lyndsay Weaver. Junior guard Kirsten Wong averaged four assists. Evalani Tagaloa, a senior transfer from Arizona, averaged 18 points last season and should help.

El Dorado: 16-10, 8-2 in 1996-97. Coach: Wayne Carlson (second year, 16-10). The Hawks made a run at state champion Laguna Hills in the Division II-AA quarterfinals before losing, 57-47, and have four senior starters and eight returners back. They have great height with Jennie Bluth (6-0, 8.8 rebounds) and four-year varsity player Stephanie Patten (6-1, 14.4 points, 7.1 rebounds) in the post, as well as guards Yvette deBruijn (5-8, 6.3 points, 5.2 assists) and Alexis Graves (5-8, 4.5 points). Patten scored 22 against 6-6 Tayyiba Haneef in the playoff loss. Carrie Gadd (6-0) and Melissa Van Natta (6-0) are key reserves. El Dorado won 14 of its last 18, but needs to develop an outside shooting threat to compensate for the loss of Jamie Nebeker (14.5 points, 31.2% from the arc), who is at Brigham Young.

Katella: 12-12, 3-7 in 1996-97. Coach: Jim Germinaro (third year, 23-26). This is the epitome of a rebuilding season. The Knights don’t have any starters back and of the four returning players, Rachel Angulo, (5-9) is the only one taller than 5-4 junior point guard Summer Vance. Other returning players are Mercy Santos (5-1), a second-team all-league player, and Geo Vargas (5-1).

Kennedy: 8-18, 1-9 in 1996-97. Coach: Manny Anaya (second year, 8-18). After going 7-9 in nonleague games, Kennedy had trouble. The Fighting Irish will try to improve on that with three returning seniors, center Tammi Cavender (5-11), forward Natalie Gallaher (5-11) and guard Megumi Pereira (5-4). Junior guard Allison Chow is worth watching.

Loara: 12-14, 3-7 in 1996-97. Coach: Shelly Noble (second year, 12-14). Freshman Courtney Rorick (5-11) and senior Erin Lind (5-10) are the only players taller than 5-7. Junior guard Carrie Banister (5-7, five rebounds) was a second-team all-league player, and swingman Jessica Miles (5-7) was honorable mention. The Saxons will try to utilize quickness in a fastbreak scheme, but also need to develop an outside threat.