OLYMPIC LEAGUE

Brethren Christian: 20-11, 6-4 in 1997-98. Coach: Kim Harris (sixth year, 69-55). The Warriors beat rival Cerritos Valley Christian, 44-37, in overtime for the Division IV-A title. Matching that performance will be tough because Cindy Oparah (UC Irvine) and 6-3 center Rachael MacDonald (Brown) have moved on. Senior guard Sarah Muilenburg (5-9, six points, four rebounds) and junior Katie Mullins (5-7, four points) anchor a team that’s athletic but young in key roles: freshman Heather Spowart (5-10) tries to replace MacDonald along with senior Moriah Meeks (5-10). Sophomore guards Jesiree Dizon and Liz Mack add ballhandling and scoring skills. Sophomore Sarah Amberry (6-2) is coming off knee surgery.

Calvary Chapel: 24-7, 8-2 in 1997-98. Coach: Russ McClurg (fifth year, 59-44). Calvary Chapel reached the Division IV-AA finals last season, and its best player, senior forward Cathy Joens, returns. Joens (5-10), a second-team all-county selection, averaged 15.3 points and five assists. T.J. Gause (5-8, 8.2 points), a second-team all-league forward, also returns on a team that is strong defensively and likes to run. The Eagles will be helped greatly by two transfers: senior Marcene Guerrero is the point guard who should allow Joens to concentrate on her game (instead of sharing duties as she did last season), and senior Michelle Pitts is a shooting guard who averaged 4.5 points with Marina, the Division I-A champion. Lindsey Richelli is a 6-0 freshman center.

Cerritos Valley Christian: 23-8, 8-2 in 1997-98. Coach: Eleanor Dykstra (28th year, 513-103). Most years, people point at the players transferring to Valley Christian, not those leaving, like Calvary Chapel’s Guerrero. Only one starter, junior Jamilla Veasley (6-0), returns.

Sierra Madre Maranatha: 12-12, 7-1 in 1997-98. Coach: Barbara Ireland (fifth year, 43-51). The Minutemen shared the Alpha League title with Lebec Frazier Mountain. First-round losers to Mojave in the Division IV-A playoffs, they could be a dark horse in their first Olympic League season but are unlikely to unseat Calvary Chapel.

Ontario Christian: 13-12, 4-6 in 1997-98. Coach: Robert Reichert (first year). Juniors Becky Vanderzee and Cheryl Miersma, and seniors Cynthia Offinga and Mary Musser, are returning starters for the Knights, who scored a victory over Calvary Chapel last season.

Orange Lutheran: 6-16, 3-7 in 1997-98. Coach: Rod Sherman (first year). With only three returning varsity players, and no seniors, the Lancers’ weakness is obvious. Their best chance for success lies with their defense until the offense matures. Two returning starters, junior forward Nicole Grady (6-0, 12 points, 10 rebounds) and Anna Klitzing (5-0, four points, six assists), and holdover Rebecca Rodgers (5-11), a junior forward, will have to carry the load until sophomores Monika Schulte and Leah Cariker, and freshmen Rachel Cariker and Krystle Miller get comfortable at this level.

Whittier Christian: 10-14, 1-9 in 1997-98. Coach: Steve Randall (second year, 10-14). Senior point guard Allison Holland (5-8, 12.6 points), sophomore guard Vanessa Zambrano (5-7, 8.6 points) and senior center Stephanie Medina (5-10, 8.3 points) return as starters. Senior Erin Seals (5-9) and sophomore Melissa Carlisle (5-10, 4.3 rebounds) also return. Melissa Villa, a senior, and Chris Garza, a freshman with good defensive and ballhandling skills, could also make important contributions in a league that’s much more balanced.