SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

Capistrano Valley: 19-9, 7-3 in 1996-97. Coach: Pete Belanto (fifth year, 62-47). Three starters return to a team that was seeded fourth in the Division I-AA playoffs. Senior guards Natasha Combs (5-11, 15.8 points), a two-time first-team all-league player, Mary Anderson (11 points, five assists) and Nicole Hoperich (five points) make up the nucleus. Forward Sarina Kissel (5-11) started two years before missing last season with a knee injury. The Cougars get a lift from center Monique Mathews (6-0) from University and forward Leah Wilde (5-11), who arrived from Washington state. Mathews averaged 14.4 points and 10.9 rebounds, and Wilde, a three-point specialist, replaces graduated Jenny Jennings (53%).

Dana Hills: 3-22, 0-10 in 1996-97. Coach: Shawn Mulligan (first year). Mulligan, husband of the San Clemente coach, will try to rebuild the program with returning senior starters Jennifer Carlisle (5-7) and Jeri Howard (5-11), along with two key newcomers, junior center Laura Pursley (6-0) from Colorado and sophomore guard Nicole Howard (5-10) from the junior varsity, and a commitment to defense.

Mater Dei: 21-7, 9-1 in 1996-97. Coach: Geri Campeau (first year). Campeau, formerly Gainey, takes over for her sister, Mary Hauser. Mater Dei, seeded fourth in Division I-A, missed reaching its fourth consecutive section championship game by one point in a 51-50 loss to Ventura Buena. Guard Mary Neff (5-6) and forwards Christina Colon (5-10) and Ana Grey (5-10) return to the starting lineup. Grey and Colon can get physical inside, and they will be bolstered by junior Anita Colon (6-0) and two 6-0 sophomores, Ohio transfer Kristian Kirkpatrick and Lindsay Pavlik. Sophomore guard Maile Shimoda showed flashes of brilliance last year with her driving and shooting, and senior guard Cassie Pappas should also have an impact.

Mission Viejo: 12-10, 5-5 in 1996-97. Coach: Jim Irby (sixth year, 57-58). The Diablos’ inexperience is a major disadvantage in this league, but Irby says they are more athletically gifted than his teams in the past. Senior guard Geneva Kelly is a three-year starter and junior forward Suzie Burrage (5-9) averaged more than eight rebounds. Senior forward Julie Loya (5-7) and junior guard Alecia McKinney (5-3) also return.

San Clemente: 20-9, 7-3 in 1996-97. Coach: Mary Mulligan (13th year, 169-113). Mulligan has waited her entire career for this season. All five starters return, and Woodbridge transfer Debby Caine (9.6 points, 7.2 assists) can play either guard spot. Caine, forward Colleen Turnbull (5-10, 12.9 points, 9.2 rebounds) and 6-2 center Marissa Ficklin, a reserve, are all juniors. The senior nucleus is center Andrea Jacobs (5-11, 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds), forward Taryn Commins (5-10, 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds), and guards Kelley Kruger (7.1 points, six assists, 4.3 steals) and Amanda Engle, who averaged 9.1 points before her season ended in late December with a knee injury. Senior Molly Ela (5-7) had 36 three-pointers last season. Height is a weakness, but experience and quickness are advantages. San Clemente should make a run at a section title, maybe more.

Trabuco Hills: 8-15, 2-8 in 1996-97. Coach: Howard Stephens (fifth year, 49-51). The Mustangs don’t have a returning player over 5-9, but one of the three starters returning is junior guard Emily Deeley (11.7 points, 3.1 steals, three assists), a first-team all-league player. She will be surrounded by senior forwards Suzanne Linn (5-9, 7.7 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Jennifer Rakowitz (5-8, 6.7 points).