Sea View League

Aliso Niguel

Coach: Ken Nedler

1999-2000 record: 14-13

League record: 2-6

One of the county’s leading scorers, guard Julia Pederson (18.2 points, 4.7 assists) begins her sophomore season with a new coach, Ken Nedler, who takes over for Kristen Okura, who went 19-34 in two seasons before being fired. Nedler coached 13 seasons at Santa Barbara San Marcos High. Yvonne Stoddard gives the Wolverines an all-sophomore backcourt, and senior forward Katie Krebs (5-9) rounds out the returning starters. Added to the mix are two junior transfers, Laura Perez, a 5-6 guard from Capistrano Valley, and Allison Habekost, a 5-9 forward from Irvine. Aliso Niguel and Laguna Hills should battle it out for the third automatic playoff berth.

Irvine

Coach: Dennis Hurley

1999-2000 record: 23-5

League record: 7-1

Dennis Hurley (second year, 23-5) and Joni Colburn continue their relationship as co-coaches, him handling much of the administrative duties, she focusing on the on-court tasks. Forwards Kristin Thawley (Jr., 6-0, 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds) and Jody Carlson (Sr., 6-0, 12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds) give the Vaqueros an outstanding front court, and guards Ali Grechko (Sr., 6-0, 9.0 points, 3.3 assists), Staci Morita (Sr., 10.5 points, 3.3 assists) and Nikki Kamada (Jr., 5-6, 3.8 assists) return in the backcourt. Irvine has a tougher schedule this season, and it should provide the Vaqueros a chance to show their mettle.

Laguna Hills

Coach: Jim Martin

1999-2000 record: 18-14

League record: 4-4

Laguna Hills finished third in league, got hot at the right time and won Orange County’s only section championship, in Division II-A, under Jim Martin (third year, 36-22). All-county guard Megan Aaker (Jr., 5-11, 18.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists) is one of the county’s best performers, but needs strong complementary performances from the other returning starter, Christianne Bengard (Sr., 5-9, 6.2 points, 5.8 rebounds), or those who got experience under fire in the playoffs, center Lara Beebe (Sr., 5-11, 1.3 points, 2.1 rebounds), guard/forward Christen D’Alessandro (So., 5-9, 3.7 points, 3.3 rebounds) or forward Christina Leets (Jr., 5-10).

Newport Harbor

Coach: Glenn Albios

1999-2000 record: 4-23

League record: 0-8

The same problem that dogged Gregg Savage, who went 19-36 in two seasons, is the same one that will dog first-year coach Glenn Albios: this is a tough league in which to rebuild. Irvine and Woodbridge are among the best teams in the county, Laguna Hills has the best player in the league, and Aliso Niguel has the top returning scorer. The task won’t be made any easier this season with a young team that has only one returning senior, forward Brianna Brooks. Forward Evita Castillo (Jr., 5-10) and guard Athena Vasquez (So., 5-5) are the Sailors’ returning starters, and center Lindsey Wollers (So., 5-10) is the other returning letterman.

Woodbridge

Coach: Eric Bangs

1999-2000 record: 18-10

League record: 7-1

One of the teams that really came on at the end of last season was Woodbridge, and its improvement wasn’t surprising, given their coach, Eric Bangs (15th year, 331-91). Three starters are returning and a reserve, forward Lara Gray (Sr., 6-0, 11 points, 7.0 rebounds) was a first-team all-league player. The three returning starters are forward Alia Stewart (Jr., 5-11) and guards Kathryn Geneau (Jr., 5-8) and Lindsay Yocum (Jr., 5-6). Forward Erin Riley (Jr., 6-1) is sister of Bryn Riley, a second-team all-county player. Kelsi Sousa (Sr., 5-10), a transfer from Foothill, is a three-point threat who shot 29.3% from the arc last season.