GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Bolsa Grande: 3-20, 0-12 in 1997-98. Coach: Ed Eldridge (second year, 3-20). Five starters and eight lettermen return to the Matadors, but none averaged as much as six points per game. Senior forward Kim Cruz (5-10, 5.8 points), senior guard Katie Mai (5-2, five points) and junior Debby Baeder (5-9, five points) lead the starters. Senior guard Kim Quach (5-2) averaged 5.3 points off the bench. There is some height to work with: senior center Terra Mucha and forward Ebony Ward are 5-10, and Rosalie Maciel is 6-0. Guard Angela Diaz is a transfer from Mater Dei.

Garden Grove: 17-11, 9-3 in 1997-98. Coach: Keith Clarkson (fourth year, 50-36). Four starters will be juniors, including guard Gloria Rojas (5-5, nine points, 4.2 rebounds), who will be counted on heavily to supply the scoring. Jill Nakagawa averaged 2.1 assists, and Erin Deane (5-10) averaged 4.6 assists for a team that has good quickness at the guard spot, and reasonable size inside in senior Wynter Hawkinson (5-10) and junior Alyssa Bradac (6-0).

La Quinta: 7-15, 4-8 in 1997-98. Coach: Holly Jefferson (third year, 11-33). The Aztecs figure to continue their steady rise with four starters and six returners. All-league performer Nadiya Aziz, who averaged 12.4 points and 11 rebounds, and forward Jessica Young are the two senior starters. Two junior starters return, guard/forward Lacee Keller (5-6) and forward Bonny Shum (5-8). Newcomer Tina Nguyen (5-6) should become the starting point guard. Senior Sarah Skinner (5-8) and freshman Amy Otsuka (5-4) might find starting roles.

Los Amigos: 7-13, 6-6 in 1997-98. Coach: John Keating (second year, 7-13). The Lobos’ playoff appearance last year was their first in seven years, and all-league guard Monica Curiel (5-6, 8.5 points) and two other returning starters, seniors Maria Elias (5-4 guard) and Karen Alvarez (5-9 center), try to push Los Amigos toward .500. Senior guard Erika Ruiz (5-4) is the Lobos’ best three-point shooter.

Pacifica: 19-8, 12-0 in 1997-98. Coach: Garth Anderson (first year). The Mariners have won four consecutive league titles and reached the playoffs’ second round the last two seasons. Junior guard Diana Barreras (5-3) was a second-team all-league player last season and is one of two returning starters, along with senior forward Kristin Tompkins (5-9). Junior Dominique Valencia averaged 12 points per game during the summer, and that kind of continued contribution could go a long way toward helping Pacifica repeat. The role of senior Elisa Foss (6-0) could be critical when playing taller teams; she’s the only player over 5-9. The Mariners will try to overcome their lack of height and experience by pressuring opponents into mistakes.

Rancho Alamitos: 11-14, 5-7 in 1997-98. Coach: Vern Broadnax (second year, 11-14). There’s not much height here, and not a lot of experience either. Guard/forward Katrice Pickerington (5-9), who averaged 3.4 points and 4.5 rebounds, is the only returning starter. Guard Angelica Romero (5-6) and junior post player Staci Bradley (5-11, 2.5 rebounds) are the only other returning varsity players.

Santiago: 14-13, 6-6 in 1997-98. Coach: Ron Huesser (10th year, 112-125). Sophomore Stephanie Reupena (5-7, 14.5 points, 4.5 assists) and senior Sega Asiata (5-8, 11 rebounds), two all-league performers, and junior Jasmine Buenrostro (5-8) are the three returning starters who help the Cavaliers play such tough defense.