BIG SHOTS

One of the most anticipated girls’ basketball games in the history of the sport in the Southland will take place Jan. 23 when Brea Olinda plays host to Harbor City Narbonne.

Narbonne won the City Section 4-A title and the state Division I championship last season but forfeited both titles because the Gauchos used players ruled ineligible because of residency issues. Narbonne still has plenty of talent and is generally regarded as one of the top teams in the nation.

Brea Olinda won the Southern Section II-AA championship and the Division II state title. Like Narbonne, most of the Ladycats’ top players are back, and they are a presence on the national scene as well.

Brea Olinda and Narbonne are the schools with the highest profiles, but there are others that will be there come playoff time.

Here are 10 teams to watch:

* HARBOR CITY NARBONNE (32-1 in 1997-98 season)

* Coach: James Anderson.

The Gauchos are on probation and not eligible for the City Section playoffs this season. But Narbonne will play one of the toughest schedules in the nation and is sure to have an impact on the local scene. Center Portia Mitchell, who has committed to USC, is ineligible. But junior forward Ebony Hoffman, the City player of the year; senior guard Jessica Cheeks, senior forward Amber White and sophomore guard Lorie Moore provide more than enough talent.

* BREA OLINDA (33-1)

* Coach: Jeff Sink.

Four of the top five players from last year’s team are back in Chelsea Trotter, Lindsay Davidson, Kate Ides and Jeri Costello. Trotter, a highly recruited junior forward, averaged 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds and was the state Division II player of the year. The Ladycats get an early test Friday when they play Chino Hills Ayala in the John Wooden Classic at the Arrowhead Pond.

* CHINO HILLS AYALA (28-3)

* Coach: Mel Sims.

The Bulldogs have been on the rise ever since junior guard Candice Allen entered the program three years ago. Allen was a three-point threat as a freshman but showed all-around skills last season when she averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists for a team that advanced to the Southern Section semifinals.

* PALOS VERDES PENINSULA (30-4)

* Coach: Wendell Yoshida.

Center Natalie Kelly, who averaged 16 points and provided rebounding and a defensive presence, and point guard Lauryn Morita return for a team that won the Southern Section I-AA championship and lost to Narbonne in the Southern California regional of the state tournament.

* SAN CLEMENTE (28-6)

* Coach: Mary Mulligan.

The Tritons were the Southern Section I-A runners-up last season. Collen Turnbull, Debby Caine and Marissa Ficklin will have them contending for the title again.

* PALISADES (22-7)

* Coach: Joi Tanita.

Guard Leilani Estevan, who averaged 13 rebounds and six assists, and forward Nicole Lockley are back for the Dolphins, who advanced to the City Section 4-A final before losing to Narbonne. With Narbonne ineligible for the playoffs, Palisades is regarded as the favorite to win the City’s championship division.

* VENTURA BUENA (26-3)

* Coach: Joe Vaughan.

Kelly Greathouse, a 6-foot-2 sophomore center, is the top player for the Bulldogs, who have won four of the last six Division I-A championships under Vaughan.

* NORTH HOLLYWOOD HARVARD-WESTLAKE (26-6)

* Coach: Bryan Taylor.

The Wolverines will be formidable once again with senior Omelogo Udeze, who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds, and junior guard Brooke Porter.

* LA PUENTE BISHOP AMAT (26-5)

* Coach: Richard Wiard.

Returning forwards Alison Box and Shannon Wosman each averaged about 16 points last season.

* LAKE FOREST EL TORO (27-3)

* Coach: Vincent Avitabile.

The Chargers have four starters back from a team that upset Capistrano Valley and top-seeded Crescenta Valley in the Division I-AA playoffs last season. Giuliana Mendiola is the top scorer and one of the best clutch shooters in the Southland.