SUNSET LEAGUE
Edison: 21-7, 5-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Dave White (12th year, 225-79). All five starters, and two bench players, return to a team that at one point last season was 18-2 and ranked eighth in the county. Junior Michelle Zylstra, a 6-0 center, is the only non-senior among the starters. Forward Christina Patterson was a second-team all-county selection who averaged 13 points and 6.4 rebounds and, like Zylstra, was a first-team all-league choice. Forward Allison Libeu (5-10) was a second-team all-league player, and guards Trisha Grady (5-11) and Lauren Brown (5-5) also return. Two freshmen, twins Rachel and Bianca Ziemann (both 5-7) are good athletes, and sophomore Courtney Wexler (5-7) is a transfer from Mira Costa High. The Chargers have speed, quickness, depth and leadership.
Esperanza: 20-9, 8-2 in 1997-98. Coach: Marc Hill (17th year, 267-144). The Aztecs were seeded fourth in the Division I-AA playoffs, but were upset in the quarterfinals. Three players return from that team, point guard Kim Omer (10.7 points), guard Allison Gerber (11.6 points)--both all-league players--and junior forward Kristen Peters (5-10, 4.5 points). Freshman Lindsay Helvey, a tough defender, and sophomore Laura Jacobson, a good rebounder, should contribute as forwards. They’ll miss a dominant post player but a strong backcourt and overall speed and athleticism should get the Aztecs to the playoffs for the 20th time in 21 seasons.
Fountain Valley: 5-21, 1-9 in 1997-98. Coach: Carol Strausburg (22nd year, 347-207). The Barons are coming off a season unlike any in Strausburg’s career. A greater maturity, desire and confidence this summer should translate into being more competitive this season. Senior forward Lindsay King (6-0) and point guard Allison Fujii are returning starters. Euriel Jennings transferred from Edison.
Huntington Beach: 13-14, 4-6 in 1997-98. Coach: Bill Thomson (fourth year, 40-40). Senior center Courtney McKinney (6-1, 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds), sophomore forward Lauren Murray (6-0) and freshman forward Kelsey Ball (6-0) give the Oilers some rare height. Senior guard Megan Masuda (5-6, 8.5 points) and junior guard Christine Kimoto (5-5, 5.2 assists) also started last season. Melanie Cherney, who played at Edison and El Toro last season, is a 5-9 guard.
Los Alamitos: 13-13, 3-7 in 1997-98. Coach: Mike Ford (ninth year, 72-121). The Griffins are inexperienced but athletic and aggressive with improved three-point shooting. With starting point guard Teresa Wang out for the season (knee injury), senior forward Chioma Ohalete (5-11, 4.7 rebounds) is the only returning starter. Junior point guard Acrivi Coromelas (6.3 points, 2.2 assists), and sophomore Lindsay Geoffroy (6-5), sister of the graduated Kristin Geoffroy (6-6, Kansas), are also key returning players.
Marina: 28-5, 9-1 in 1997-98. Coach: Pete Bonny (ninth year, 198-54). The Vikings won their first section title last season before losing in the second round of the Southern California playoffs to Harbor City Narbonne, which was later stripped of its state title for using ineligible players. Missing from this year’s Marina team is point guard Natalie Nakase (UCLA), the county’s player of the year, who will be difficult to replace. Seniors Chanda McLeod (5-11, 13 points, 9.7 rebounds) and guard Karyn Fierst (11-point average, 79 steals), and junior forward Nikki Lee (5-11, nine points, seven rebounds) return. Leanne Lambert, a 5-8 guard, was third on the team in assists.