HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

The Marmonte League is annually among the most competitive girls’ leagues in the region.

This season, six of the seven teams enter league openers tonight with winning records.

“It’s always been tough in our league,” said Coach Nori Parvin of Newbury Park (10-4). “But this year, it’s even tougher. Anyone is capable of beating anyone else.”

If a front-runner had to be picked, it would probably be Newbury Park.

The Panthers won the Ayala tournament Open Division championship last week, thanks to the clutch play of Bridget Harris, the tournament’s most valuable player. Their four losses have come against No. 2 Buena, No. 3 Alemany (twice) and No. 10 Camarillo.

Kristen Galbreath of Royal (10-3) is averaging 20 points and led the Highlanders to the Thousand Oaks tournament title last week. Senior post player Kellie Gesell sprained her ankle in the opener, but recently returned, making Royal a threat.

Simi Valley (10-4) is young, but a recent victory over Camarillo proved the Pioneers are capable. Senior forward Elise Metcalf is averaging 14.4 points and sophomore point guard Teresa Cooper is averaging 14.2.

Defending champion Moorpark (8-4) has moved on without graduated Damaris Hinojosa, the Ventura County player of the year last season. Junior center Kristin Nadas and sophomore guard Kelly Geis are the Musketeers’ top threats.

Westlake hasn’t finished above .500 since 1995, but enters league play at 7-4 and advanced to the Thousand Oaks tournament final. The Warriors have three strong scoring threats--Tawny Thorp, Lottie Kanama and Sammonia Ware, who all are averaging in double figures.

Agoura, which has also struggled in recent seasons, has one of the region’s best athletes, Jennifer Lacy, and is 9-6 against a tougher-than-usual nonleague schedule.

Thousand Oaks (5-9) has the least experienced team and has stumbled in nonleague play.

A healthy Lisa Kennedy, a junior guard, and the development of sophomore guard Courtney Vasquez give the Lancers reason to be optimistic.