Narbonne Bounces Back for an Encore

It’s hard to imagine starting any discussion of high school girls’ basketball--especially in Southern California--without beginning with the team still standing at the end.

Harbor City Narbonne.

The City Section’s Gauchos have won the last two state championships in Division I, and would have won three of the last four if not for a rules violation that forced them to forfeit the title in 1998.

They have also been ranked No.1 nationally the last two years by various Web sites and publications that try to ferret out the best teams in the nation, as difficult as that is. Many have Narbonne, 28-3 last season, at No. 1 in this preseason. It’s a good start.

Narbonne doesn’t duck anyone and, with its national schedule, is happy to prove it has the best team anywhere.

With four starters returning--point guard Loree Moore, a defensive whiz, is a freshman at Tennessee--it’s easy to like the Gauchos. Moore’s absence will have an effect, though.

“We’ll be more of a halfcourt defensive team,” said Coach James Anderson. “We’re a great rebounding team. We’ve never been a great field-goal or free-throw shooting team. We rebound and we defend. That’s why we win.

“We know where our bread is buttered.”

Camille LeNoir, the most valuable player in last season’s Brea Olinda tournament, has the task of replacing Moore, and the returning starters are led by Willnett Crockett, a 6-foot-3 forward who has signed with Connecticut. She is one of five seniors who have college scholarships, the others being 5-10 guard Lisa Willis (UCLA), 6-0 forward Amber Pruitt (Cal State Fullerton), 5-7 guard Amber Fouse (San Diego State) and 5-9 guard Lisa Turner (Morgan State). Recruiters are also hot on the sneakers of 6-3 junior guard/forward Jamie Funn and 6-2 junior forward Indi Johnson.

Can anyone beat the Gauchos? Probably. After all, it’s difficult to bring the A-game every night, and there’s plenty of talent out there. But Narbonne will never go down easy.

As for the 2001-02 season, here’s a primer to whet your appetite. After all, everyone needs to know where their bread is buttered.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

* Willnett Crocket, Narbonne, Sr., 6-3, forward. Averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds last season for the Gauchos; can do more.

* Lauren Ervin, Lakewood Artesia, Jr., 6-3, center. Only thing standing in Artesia’s way is her commitment to work hard.

* Courtney LaVere, Buena, Sr., 6-3, guard/forward. Won 28 games before losing Division I-A title game to Fullerton Troy. Think she’s driven?

* Noelle Quinn, Torrance Bishop Montgomery, Jr., 6-0, guard/forward. Two-time state champion going for a third.

* Sade Wiley-Gatewood, Lynwood, So., 5-9, guard. Point guard already has eyes for Tennessee.

FIVE SURE SHOTS:

* Jenni Dooley, Ventura, Sr., 5-9, guard. Averaged 17.3 points last season and led team’s long-distance shooting barrage with 93 of Ventura’s 236 three-pointers.

* Tyesha Fluker, Pasadena Muir, Sr., 6-4, center. Best center in the state, runs floor well, a sure thing under the basket who has signed with Tennessee.

* Alexis Kendricks, Playa del Rey St. Bernard, Sr., 5-6, guard. Ultra-quick point guard can equally make the big pass or the money shot.

* Alicia Komaki, Troy, Sr., 5-6, guard. Shot 54.5% from the three-point arc last season and was difference in victory over previously unbeaten Buena in title game.

* Lisa Willis, Narbonne, Sr., 5-10, guard. A 53% three-point shooter for her career who doesn’t let down against Narbonne’s toughest opponents.

FIVE ON THE VERGE:

* Erika Arriaran, Norco, Fr., 5-9, guard. This year’s most ballyhooed freshman--hailed as the next Diana Taurasi--should fit nicely with Norco’s four returning starters.

* Daveri Bonnewitz, Brea Olinda, Sr., 5-10, guard. Out of position at forward for two seasons, missed last year with torn knee ligament, should finally have a chance to shine.

* Araceli Gil, Santa Barbara, Sr., 5-3, point guard. Outstanding player whose only limitation is her size. Rarely makes wrong decision, and can beat you one-on-one.

* Meghan McGuire, Troy, So., 6-0, guard. Developed three-point shot over summer, and with teams clamping down on Komaki and Amanda Livingston, has chance to score 20.

* Ashlee Trebilcock, Newhall Hart, Fr., 5-9, point guard. Considered top of the freshman class with Arriaran. With teammate Amanda Patton, Hart should be impervious to the press.