SMALL SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian: 8-16, 6-4 in 1997-98. Coach: Ivana Kovacic (second year, 8-16). Senior Melissa Sands (15 points, 10 rebounds), Academy League most valuable player, anchors a lineup with four returning starters. Becca Zaino (5-6) and junior Harvest Sukut (5-7) complete the backcourt.

Connelly: 18-1, 10-0 in 1997-98. Coach: Earnie DaRe (second year, 18-1). The Koalas’ first loss was to a 10-8 team in the first round of the Division V-AA playoffs. That shouldn’t happen this year. Ten players (four starters) are back, including forward Ruth Lazzari (5-11) and point guard Diane Kelly (5-6), both juniors. Lazzari averaged 13.8 rebounds, while Kelly averaged 13 points. They’re supported by two other all-league players, junior forward Jamie Poon (5-11) and senior guard Melanie Maton (5-5).

Fairmont: 11-13, 5-5 in 1997-98. Coach: Jay Sadler (fourth year, 29-34). The Huskies were fourth in the Academy League, and should have good guard play. Three talented freshmen could be impact players, point guard Sheri Tanizawa, center Christine Reggairdo and forward Sheena Manek. They’ll try to blend in with senior guard Jennifer Glassman (5-3, 7.6 points) and center Meera Manek (5-8, 3.5 points) and win the battle for third place.

Heritage Christian: 6-15, 3-7 in 1997-98. Coach: Mark Berokoff (first year). Prospects: Ali Dye (5-5, 13 points) and Iona Lupas (5-9, 8 points), both sophomores, are the only returning starters. Senior forward Trisha Feria (5-6) must provide leadership on team that’s building with young players. The Patriots could start four sophomores, including center Jennyfer Kelly (6-1) and freshman point guard Cyndi Liskey (5-5). As Dye goes, so go the Patriots.

Liberty Christian: 16-7, 8-2 in 1997-98. Coach: Bryan Speer (second year, 16-7). The Minutemen finished second in the Express League and have eight players returning, including three first-team all-league performers, Crissy Davis (5-7, 11 points, 10 rebounds), Stephanie Wu (5-5, 15.7 points) and Felicia Jao (5-2, eight points, five assists). Tiffany Potter (5-5, four points, six rebounds) was a second-teamer.

Orangewood Academy: 2-18, 1-9 in 1997-98. Coach: Jared Fulton (second year, 2-18). Fulton has high expectations for his freshmen, forward Tiffany Nasralla (5-7) and guard/forward Laura Garnica (5-6), and sophomore forward Mia Vaipulu (5-7), all of whom Fulton says should average eight to 10 points. They’ll join three returning starters, sophomore guard Celeste Warriner (5-1), senior forward Corrie Long (5-8) and senior center Heidy Machado (5-9)

Southern California Christian: 3-16, 3-9 in 1997-98. Coach: Ramona Riseh (first year). The Flames had difficulty finding enough players to field a team. They’ll have virtually no varsity experience and hardly any depth in a definite rebuilding year.

St. Margaret’s: 3-13, 1-9 in 1997-98. Coach: Brady Lock (10th year, 99-75). Senior forward Megan Canright (5-6, 5.6 points, 6.6 rebounds) and junior guard Annie Blumberg (5-1, six points) will be counted on heavily. Though four others also return, the Tartans’ improved fortunes this season may rest with the contribution of five junior varsity players.