PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Brethren Christian

Coach: Kim Harris

1998-99 record: 14-14

League record: 4-8

After winning the Southern Section Division IV-A title in 1998, Brethren Christian’s young team struggled to a fourth-place finish in the Olympic League. Coach Kim Harris (seventh season, 83-69) has four starters back: senior guard Katie Mullins (5-7, six points), sophomore forward Heather Spowart (5-10, six points, six rebounds), forward Jesiree Dizon (Jr., 5-9, seven points) and center Sarah Amberry (Jr., 6-2, seven points).

Calvary Chapel

Coach: Russell McClurg

1998-99 record: 28-6

League record: 12-0

The Eagles return only one starter from last season’s team, which won the Southern Section Division IV title and reached the state championship game. But Russell McClurg (sixth year, 87-50) lost four starters from that team, including guards Cathy Joens (17.9 points), Michelle Pitts (10.1 points) and Marcene Guerrero (11.6 points). Six-foot sophomore center Lindsey Richelli is the Eagles’ only returning starter. Richelli, who averaged 4.2 points, will lead a corps of junior guards.

Capistrano Valley Christian

Coach: Ivana Kovacic

1998-99 record: 21-5

League record: 11-1

The Eagles and Coach Ivana Kovacic (third year, 29-21) attempt to defend their Academy League title with guard Bethany Thom (Soph., 5-6, 17.1 points) and forward Crystal Hickey (Jr., 5-11, 9.1 rebounds), the returning starters, leading the way. Although the Eagles will be quick, they need newcomers Amber Larson (Fr., 5-11) and Amy Shaw (Jr., 5-10) to make immediate contributions inside.

Connelly

Coach: Rich Kitjima

1998-99 record: 13-6

League record: 10-2

You would be hard-pressed to find a better pair of forwards in the Academy League than Connelly’s Ruth Lazzari (Sr., 5-11, 14.7 points, 16.6 rebounds) and Jamie Poon (Sr., 5-11). Lazzari tied for the lead as the top rebounder in Orange County last season. Poon brings tenacity on defense and outside shooting. The Koalas lost in the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons under former coach Ernie DaRe, who resigned to take a sabbatical.

Fairmont

Coach: Jay Sadler

1998-99 record: 9-12

League record: 4-8

Coach Jay Sadler (five years, 38-46) said the goal is for his team to win more than half its games and make the playoffs. The Huskies return four starters and two additional post players. The reason Sadler isn’t aiming higher is all of Fairmont’s returning starters are sophomores. Point guard Shari Tanizawa (5-2, 5.0 assists) may be the best of the bunch.

Heritage Christian

Coach: Mark Berokoff

1998-99 record: 4-12

League record: 2-6

Coach Mark Berokoff could point to three returning starters as a positive factor heading into his second season at Heritage Christian. But to be fair, he would also have to point out that he has only six players on his roster. Guard Ali Dye (Jr., 5-6, 12 points) and forward Liz Heredia (Sr., 5-6, 7.0 rebounds) will form the backbone.

Liberty Christian

Coach: Bryan Speer

1998-99 record: 13-11

League record: 5-3

Liberty Christian has the experience and depth to make a run at the Express League title. The team returns four starters--all seniors--and six letter winners. Guard Stephanie Wu (Sr., 5-6) was first-team all-league, and center Chrissy Davis (Sr., 5-10) and point guard Felicia Jao (Sr., 5-2) made the second team. Forward Sharon Halpin (Sr., 5-6) is the other returning starter.

Mater Dei

Coach: Ollie Martin

1998-99 record: 22-5

League record: 9-1

The Monarchs, in the newly-formed Serra League with Rosary, Santa Margarita and Lakewood St. Joseph, has four potent starters and six others returning, and should contend for the county’s top ranking. Two second-team all-county selections, guard Maile Shimoda (Sr., 5-6, 10.3 points, 5.4 assists)) and center Lindsay Pavlik (Sr., 6-0, 10.3 points, 9.9 rebounds) lead the pack. Guard Kyra Melville (Sr., 5-10, 8 points, 5.3 assists) and forward Kristian Kirkpatrick (Sr., 5-10, 10 points, 6 rebounds) also return to the starting lineup.

Orange Lutheran

Coach: Tony Matson

1998-99 record: 15-11

League record: 6-4

Tony Matson has moved from assistant coach at Brea Olinda to head coach at Orange Lutheran. Three starters return from last season’s third-place team, as well as eight other letter-winners, giving Matson something to work with. Center Nicole Grady (Sr., 6-0, 12 points, six rebounds) is complemented by sophomore guards Rachel Cariker and Krystle Miller.

Orangewood Academy

Coach: Jared Fulton

1998-99 record: 3-18

League record: 2-10

The Spartans and Jared Fulton (third year, 5-36) suffered through a long season, with a mostly young team that had to rely heavily on two freshmen and two sophomores. With a year’s experience, forward Tiffany Nasralla (So., 5-7) and swingman Laura Garnica (So., 5-6) and guard Celeste Warriner (Jr., 5-1) should be more competitive.

Rosary

Coach: Richard Yoon

1998-99 record: 24-9

League record: 9-1

Although they didn’t have a great deal of height, that didn’t prevent the Royals from winning the Division III-AA championship last season and coming within one victory of playing for the state title. Four starters return, including all-county guard Maggie Barnett (Sr., 5-6, 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 3.1 steals), the division’s player of the year. Others back for Coach Richard Yoon (sixth year, 82-53) are guard Jenise Karcher (Jr., 5-7) and forwards Hayley Munroe (Jr., 5-11) and Jennifer Farner (Jr., 5-9). Forward Jennie Asensio (Jr., 5-10) figures to be the fifth starter.

Saddleback Valley Christian

Coach: Rod Markum

1998-99 record: None

League record: None

The Warriors are a first-year program comprised of freshmen and sophomores who will play a freelance schedule, including games against Southern California Christian, Riverside La Sierra Academy and La Verne Calvary Baptist. Guards Danielle Harbin (Soph., 5-8) and Jenny Wilder (Fr., 5-8) are the top players in the program.

St. Margaret’s

Coach: Brady Lock

1998-99 record: 8-12

League record: 6-6

St. Margaret’s will count on center Monique Kettler (Jr., 6-0, 15.5 points, 13.6 rebounds) to be the dominant force, but the Tartans will also look to five other returning letter-winners for contributions. Guards Lindsay Stamp (Sr., 5-7), Annie Blumberg (Sr., 5-3) and Alanna Gino (Jr., 5-5) and forwards Katie Massrey (Sr., 5-7) and Marissa Balak (Jr., 5-5) could propel St. Margaret’s to an upper-division finish in the Academy League.

Santa Margarita

Coach: Richard Schaaf

1998-99 record: 20-10

League record: 7-3

Venessa Ferragamo (Sr., 5-9, 13.9 points) returns with a potent jump shot that kept many opponents at bay last season. Ferragamo, a first-team Division II-A player, hopes to get help down low from Chelsea Argol (Sr., 5-8) and Chrissy Bloomgren (Sr., 5-10) on a team whose tallest player is a sophomore, 6-0 Megan Moen. Guard play is anchored by returning starters Shannon Simon (Sr., 5-2) and Colleen O’Leary (Sr., 5-7). The Eagles must take advantage of their experience to make inroads in the Serra League, and though they could become one of the county’s top 10 teams, they might finish no better than third for Coach Richard Schaaf (fourth year, 54-29) in a four-team league.

Southern California Christian

Coach: John Mata

1998-99 record: 0-15

League record: 0-12

There’s no way to go but up for Southern California Christian, which was winless last season and failed to place any of its players among Orange County’s statistical leaders. The Flames don’t return any high-profile players but do have a trio of seniors on their seven-player roster who should provide leadership: sisters Sara and Soraya Esfandiari and Yona Richman.

Whittier Christian

Coach: Kimberly Rahm

1998-99 record: 4-22

League record: 0-12

First-year Coach Kimberly Rahm has nowhere to take this team but up. Returning three starters from last season, Rahm is relying on the quickness and aggressiveness of her two veteran guards, Allison Holland (Sr., 5-7) and Vanessa Zamorano (Jr., 5-5).