GIRLS

Kate Beckler, Alemany

5-8, Sophomore

Guard

Among the region’s most prolific scorers, Beckler averaged 20 points and 5.1 steals for an Alemany team that advanced to the state final for the first time. She was named player of the game in section final.

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Cara Blumfield, El Camino Real

5-5, Junior

Guard

Blumfield consistently faced specialized defenses designed to shut her down, yet she tied for the region’s scoring lead with a 23.3 average. She led El Camino Real with averages of five assists and five steals.

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Markia Derby, North Hollywood

5-7, Junior

Forward

Derby averaged 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds and set a school record with 36 points against Monroe. She averaged 16.6 points in the playoffs to lead the Huskies to the City 4-A semifinals.

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Tara Gregory, Crescenta Valley

5-4, Senior

Guard

The quickest defender in the region and a three-year starter who never lost a Pacific League game, Gregory averaged 11.5 points, five steals and 4.8 assists.

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Melissa Harrison, Hart

5-10, Senior

Forward

A repeat selection to the All-Valley team, the Foothill League player of the year averaged 16.9 points and 9.4 rebounds for the Indians, who won their eighth league title in nine seasons.

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Kelli Kobayashi, Alemany

5-4, Senior

Guard

The Mission League’s most valuable player led the Indians to four consecutive league titles, their first section title since 1994 and a berth in the state Division III final. Kobayashi averaged 14.7 points and 5.3 assists.

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Nakeisha Perkins, Grant

6-0, Senior

Center

A three-year starter, Perkins became one of the area’s premier post players. She was second in the region in rebounding at 15.3 per game and is Grant’s single-season and career leader in scoring and rebounding.

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Corrie Roberts, Harvard-Westlake

5-7, Senior

Guard

The four-year starter averaged a team-high 15 points during the playoffs to lead the Wolverines to their first Southern Section title.

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Omelogo Udeze, Harvard-Westlake

6-0, Junior

Forward

The Wolverines’ leading scorer and rebounder, Udeze battled through season-long knee problems to help the team reach the state semifinals.

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1997-98 ALL-VALLEY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. G Michelle Greco Crescenta Valley Sr. 5-10

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COACH OF THE YEAR

Melissa Hearlihy, Alemany (27-7, 9-1), Mission League co-champion

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FIRST TEAM

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Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. G Kate Beckler Alemany So. 5-8 G Cara Blumfield El Camino Real Jr. 5-5 F Markia Derby North Hollywood Jr. 5-7 G Tara Gregory Crescenta Valley Sr. 5-4 F Melissa Harrison Hart Sr. 5-10 G Kelli Kobayashi Alemany Sr. 5-4 C Nakeisha Perkins Grant Sr. 6-0 G Corrie Roberts Harvard-Westlake Sr. 5-7 F Omelogo Udeze Harvard-Westlake Jr. 6-0

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SECOND TEAM

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Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. G Tashean Thomas North Hollywood Jr. 5-5 F Angela Terry Grant Sr. 5-9 G Jessica Cosby Granada Hills So. 5-7 C Tynisha Howze Taft Sr. 6-3 C Karina Siam Alemany Fr. 5-10 F Sinnamonn Garrett Crescenta Valley So. 5-10 G Brooke Porter Harvard-Westlake So. 5-5 F Briana Kentfield Hart Jr. 6-2 F Kameelah Purdom Highland Sr. 6-0 C JoAnna Garrick Burroughs Sr. 6-2

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