Conference Play Begins With a Full House

The strong Orange Empire Conference returns to a full schedule this year, with Saddleback and Golden West fielding women’s basketball teams after a hiatus last season because of a lack of players.

Instead of breaks of up to 10 days, it’s back to the twice-a-week grind of games Wednesday and Friday. Santa Ana is the easy pick as favorite, but a strong case can be made for Irvine Valley and Fullerton.

Here’s a look at the women’s teams (with current records in parentheses):

:

Cypress (13-6)--Coach Kevin Kiernan starts conference play with 100 career victories in his sixth season. Sophomore guard Nancy Love, who played at Golden West but sat out last season, leads in scoring with a 14-point average. Amber Farroux leads in rebounding (nine) but suffered a knee injury last week and is expected to miss about a month.

Fullerton (14-5)--The Hornets become contenders by winning their 16-team tournament last week, including an 80-68 overtime victory over Irvine Valley in the final. Center Aimee Copp (19 points) is flanked by sophomore guards Angie Baca (18 points), Paola Flores (13 points), Heather Floyd (6.5 assists) and Lauren Murphy.

Golden West (5-12)--Matt Murphy has the task of restarting the program and has a couple of talented offensive players. Becky Fraser, a freshman guard from Ocean View who is playing after taking a season off, is averaging a conference-best 24 points. Shauna Steward, a freshman from Edison, is at 21.

Irvine Valley (12-3)--The Lasers have about the same depth and more experience than last season’s conference championship unit. Heather Cunningham (16 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Jaime Broneer return up front and Kristen Kopp is back at point guard. Sophomore Andrea Picchi is the best reserve forward in the conference.

Orange Coast (12-6)--The Pirates recently won 10 in a row but have since lost four of five. Sophomore guard Jennifer Ludwicki (a transfer from Washington State) is averaging 23 points. Becky Loshak is back at one forward and Allison Ovitt returns at the other.

Natalie Weeks, who is 6-3, starts at center to give the Pirates an inside option.

Riverside (6-9)--Riverside is last in the conference in scoring at 59 points per game. Nicole Baker is the leading scorer, averaging 10 points.

Saddleback (6-9)--Vicki Mallett, a former Fullerton assistant, is charged with reviving a program that was in the state title game two seasons ago. Saddleback has only six players, all freshmen, and forward Erin Edmiston leads in scoring (15 points) and rebounds (10.5).

Christine Carcich is averaging 11 points and swing player Hayley Hall is at 10 points.

Santa Ana (12-2)--Center Nekeda Allen, forward Shanna Renken and guard Lashieka Henderson are back with Coach Jack Single after sitting out last season under the transfer rule. All three were on Single’s 1995-96 Saddleback team that lost in state final to Ventura.

Freshman swing player Rochelle Anthony (Brea Olinda) and Fiaave Tipoti, a freshman center add power for Santa Ana, which is the most physical team in the conference.