SMALL SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian: 23-7, 10-0 in the Academy League in 1996-97. Coach: Ivana Kovacic (first year). Capistrano Valley Christian returns only one starter from last season’s Division V-AA finalist. Junior guard Melissa Sands (5-6, guard) will lead the team. With a new coach and new team, the Eagles will be hard-pressed to finish in the top three.

Connelly: 13-8, 8-2 in the Academy League in 1996-97. Coach: Earnie DaRe (first year). DaRe was hired after the resignation of Jett del Mundo a week before practices began. Connelly finished second in league and should battle for the title this season, with all five starters returning. Sophomore Ruth Lazzari (5-10) will play center and sophomore Jamie Poon (5-7) forward.

Fairmont: 11-9, 5-5 in the Academy League in 1996-97. Coach: Jay Sadler (third year, 18-21). Four starters are back, and the outlook for a league title is hopeful. The team is led by senior center Katy Barstow (6-1, 14.4 points, 11.1 rebounds), an all-league first-team player. Shooting guard Jennifer Glassman (8.1 points) moves to the point to replace Anchal Saigal, who transferred to Troy (but isn’t playing). Senior Morgan Cottrill (5-7, four points, 4.5 rebounds) moves from forward to shooting guard. Sophomore forward Rebecca Agnew (5-7, six points, eight rebounds) also returns. Fairmont will be more of a half-court team than the running team of the past.

Heritage Christian: 10-14, 6-6 in the Express League in 1996-97. Coach: Jon Caffrey (third year, 18-27). Senior forward Melinda Williams (5-9) will be back as the leading rebounder for Heritage Christian. Williams led the team with 12 rebounds a game. They will miss graduated Melissa Caparino (5-9, 10.3 rebounds), who helped Williams on the boards.

Liberty Christian: 8-12, 3-7 in the Academy League in 1996-97. Coach: Bryan Speer (first year). Liberty Christian, which finished in the Academy League last season, will move to the Express League this year and Speer expects at least a third-place finish. The team returns four starters, junior forward Tiffany Potter (5-6) and sophomores Stephanie Wu (5-6 guard), Felicia Jao (5-3 guard) and Sharon Halpin (5-5 forward).

Orangewood Academy: 2-17, 0-10 in the Academy League in 1996-97. Coach: Jared Fulton (first year). The Spartans return only two players this season, Lorri Long and Jamie Steiner. The Spartans hired a coach a few days before their first game of the season.

Southern California Christian: 6-16, 3-7 in the Arrowhead League in 1996-97. Coach: Eric Cameron (third year, 11-30). The Flames will struggle again this year against the bigger teams in the league, Riverside Sherman Indian, La Sierra Academy and Loma Linda Academy. Cameron graduated three of his top players, guard Kami Horvath, forward Sheeba Mathews and forward Emily Lambert.

St. Margaret’s: 7-11, 4-6 in the Academy League in 1996-97. Coach: Brady Lock (ninth year, 96-62). Finishing fourth in league last season, the Tartans return four starters and should challenge for a playoff spot. Senior Amber Arnold, a 5-8 first-team all-league selection who averaged nine points and 10.8 rebounds is back at forward. Her twin sister Abbey (5-8, 6.8 points) will start again at guard and junior Megan Canright (5-7) will be at forward.