O.C. Names Dot Big West Rosters

Most of the Big West Conference men’s and women’s basketball teams begin their regular-season play this week. On those rosters are many players with Orange County connections.

Chavaughn Brown, the career rebounding leader at Foothill High, is a freshman at Idaho. “She is a six-foot banger,” Idaho Coach Hilary Recknor said. “One of the things we didn’t do last year was rebound, and that’s what she brings us.”

At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Coach Faith Mimnaugh calls 5-10 junior guard Leah Wilde “a great three-point shooter.” Wilde played at Capistrano Valley High and Orange Coast College.

The Mustangs’ roster also features 5-6 sophomore guard Kari Duperron, a graduate of North Torrance High. Duperron spent her freshman and sophomore years at Woodbridge, where she was a member of the Warriors’ 1996 state championship team. Her sister, Krissy, also played at Woodbridge and is now at UC Irvine.

Debby Caine, a two-time all-county guard at San Clemente High, is expected to start at point guard for UC Santa Barbara. “Debby is more of a floor general,” Gaucho Coach Mark French said. “She is a good passer and sees the court well.”

Last season, Tamara Inoue transferred from California to Long Beach State. Inoue was an all-county player at Laguna Hills High in 1997. “She was our two-guard last year,” 49er Coach Dallas Bolla said, “but she will play the one-guard for us this season as well.”

For the men’s teams, Capistrano Valley graduate Mike Stowell, a 1999 all-county guard, returns to Utah State after a year-long church mission to Australia. The 6-4 freshman will help the Aggies, who are the favorites to defend their Big West title.

Coach Jeff Schneider said his Cal Poly SLO team will be strong on the boards now that 6-6 Brandon Beeson, a 1997 all-county selection from Woodbridge, is healthy. Beeson tore an anterior cruciate ligament last season.

Mike Vukovich, a 6-9 junior center, is one of seven returning players competing with six highly touted freshmen for starting positions at UC Santa Barbara. Vukovich, a 1997 all-county selection from Mater Dei, played in 26 games last season.

Former Dana Hills forward Tadeu Souza, a 6-8 community college transfer, is sitting out the season at Long Beach State because of a knee injury. The 49ers also have 6-4 senior guard Brad Smith, from Whittier Christian High, and 6-5 freshman guard Larry Johnson, a graduate of Compton Dominguez High, who spent two years at University.

“Brad Smith has worked hard in the off-season to improve his game and he will help us,” 49er Coach Wayne Morgan said.

LADY LIONS

Vanguard junior Beth Weidler, a graduate of Esperanza, was a standout in the basketball team’s season opener Saturday with a 23-point, six-rebound, three-assist performance. The Lions, ranked No. 10 in NAIA, defeated La Sierra, 100-38.

“Her effort was impressive,” Coach Russ Davis said. “She was the third guard at her position to come off the bench.”

Freshman forward Jill Trader, from Brea Olinda, and sophomore forward Paulette Seaman, from Canyon, sat out the opener because of knee injuries. Trader has since returned to practice and Seaman might be back next week.

Junior center Kelly Boeke from Fountain Valley High, sophomore center Courtney McKinney from Huntington Beach High and senior guard Marisa Emde from Marina return for the Lions.

*

If you have an item or idea for the alumni report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at paul.mcleod@latimes.com