Camarillo Is Too Good to Ignore

Camarillo High has been the best-kept secret among Southern Section girls’ golf teams this season, but several impressive victories the last two weeks have made the Scorpions difficult to overlook.

Camarillo (5-0) has defeated Newhall Hart, Agoura and Goleta Dos Pueblos--all considered favorites in their leagues--and has averaged 223 in its five matches. That includes an eye-opening 213 at Spanish Hills Country Club and a 215 at Camarillo Springs.

“People don’t really think of golf when they think of our league,” Camarillo Coach Bill Dowden said. “We are a little hidden because of that, but we’ve got some girls who can play.”

Junior Alanna Silvertrust and sophomores Katrina Sutton and Vanessa Lopez have been medalists this season--a testament to the Scorpions’ depth. They were 14-1 last season, won their third consecutive Pacific View League title and advanced to the Southern Section finals for the first time. The Scorpions finished 14th out of 15 teams, but Dowden said experience will go a long way this year.

“We were very young last year,” he said. “We had a sophomore and two freshmen. We’ve got everyone back this year and we’ve got about eight girls who can break 50.”

Watching the Sunset: Tuesday’s match between top-ranked Marina and No. 4 Esperanza has obvious implications for the Sunset League championship, but the atmosphere might be intensified by bragging rights.

“They are our biggest rival,” said junior Kayley Parrett, Esperanza’s top player. “We want to beat them pretty bad.”

So badly, in fact, that four Esperanza players played Saturday at Meadowlark, Marina’s home course, to get a feel for the lay of the land.

Marina (7-0) has cruised with a lineup featuring three elite players. Freshman Jennifer Osborn has been the top player this year, senior Lisa Sweller was Marina’s top player last year, and senior transfer Kelly Hunt was the No. 1 player at Newport Harbor the last two years.

Esperanza (6-0) passed its first test of the season last week with a 209-224 victory over No. 10 Rosary and continues to wear down opponents with its depth. The Aztecs remain undefeated despite losing Parrett for three matches because of strep throat.

Parrett will play Tuesday. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” she said.

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THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

1. Huntington Beach Marina (7-0, SS-Sunset)

Won Estancia tournament by eight strokes; won two league matches by average of 29 strokes.

2. Dana Hills (6-0, SS-South Coast)

Cruised to 225-246 victory over El Toro at difficult El Niguel CC.

3. Redondo Union (4-0, SS-Ocean)

Marina Choi has become solid No. 3 player behind Elena Kurokawa and Elena Robles.

4. Anaheim Esperanza (6-0, SS-Sunset)

Rising Aztecs can make statement Tuesday in key Sunset League match against Marina.

5. North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake (2-0, SS-Mission)

Wolverines shot 216 in victory at Encino GC.

6. Palm Desert (6-0, SS-Desert Valley)

Ashley Forbes and Alana Erlandson had impressive week as Aztecs averaged 222 in three wins.

7. Long Beach Wilson (5-0, SS-Moore)

Bruins cruising through depleted Moore League. Shot 423 in 18-hole nonleague victory.

8. Camarillo (5-0, SS-Pacific View)

Scorpions showed previous week was no fluke by shooting 215 in win at Camarillo Springs GC.

9. Villa Park (6-1, SS-Century)

Spartans showed signs of breaking out of slump by shooting 224 at Anaheim Hills.

10. Fullerton Rosary (8-1, SS-Serra)

Clinging to top-10 spot after losing to Esperanza and squeaking out two league victories.