Numbers Tell a Lot

Nearly everyone agrees that defending Division I state champion Lynwood -- with four returning starters, including one of the top prospects in the nation, and two talented transfers -- is the best high school girls’ basketball team in the country, and so the pressure is on every day.

In practice. In games. In the classroom. Even in the administration office. Don’t do anything to slip up, to become ineligible, to put at risk a remarkable opportunity.

“The challenge is, day in and day out, knowing that each competitor is going to raise its level of play to meet ours,” said Ellis Barfield, who last season coached Lynwood to a 33-0 record, which included a Southern Section Division I-AA title and a mythical national championship that was all-but-decided-on-the-court by victories over some of the top programs in the country. “Our biggest challenge is maintaining our focus, and to take each game one at a time.

“Last year we achieved a lot of greatness and success, but I think we can achieve that [again], but we can’t take anything for granted. Just like we work hard, other teams are working hard to have success to get where we got last year. It’s going to take double the effort. Everyone knows about us.”

Sade Wiley-Gatewood, The Times’ player of the year in the Southeast/South Coast region and a Southland all-star, averaged 22 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and six steals last season as a sophomore. The 5-foot-9 guard will be the focal point of the team and will get the opportunity to define her legacy.

“Last year, you could say Lynwood had [seniors] Janice Bright and Andrea Adams, but this year there’s no doubt whose team it is,” said Coach James Anderson of Harbor City Narbonne, which began last season as the No. 1 team in the Southland -- and the nation, according to some -- but lost to Lywnood in the Southern California final, 52-33. “This year, there’s no speculation on who to stop.”

Wiley-Gatewood has the ability to make those around her better -- and to begin with, they are talented.

“We’re riding her right now,” Barfield said. “Sade knows how to create her own offense, and she can get the ball to the right person at the right time. She knows when someone is hot. The game runs smoothly with the ball in her hands.

“We know Sade stands head and shoulders above the competition level, but we also have great players returning that people fail to mention, but now they’re going to get a chance to see.”

Those players include senior swing player LaJoyce King, who averaged eight points and four assists last season, junior swing player Lorie Rayford, who averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds, and 6-4 senior center Tiffani Burries, who averaged 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Then there’s the influx of new talent.

Senior guard Kameca Simmons transferred to Lynwood from Long Beach Poly -- which lost to Lynwood in last year’s regional semifinal, 58-52 -- along with forward Brandi Kimble, who attended Newhall Hart last season and commutes daily.

Simmons and Kimble were Times’ all-region players last season. Another transfer is guard Sade Cunningham, who played briefly last season at Redondo before leaving the team.

All can make an impact and add to the depth of a team that would have been ranked No. 1 in the Southland without them. “They bring a lot of big-game experience to the table,” Barfield said of Simmons and Kimble. “Our chemistry is fine right now, but like a game, you want to build on it and become better.”

This is where Lynwood’s administration has to make the big play. As of last week, Simmons still was not eligible and wasn’t even practicing with the team, according to Barfield. Because Simmons already used a hardship waiver to transfer from Compton Dominguez to Poly as a freshman, she must change residence to be eligible at Lynwood. If she plays and is later considered ineligible, a perfect season could be lost.

Not that Lynwood couldn’t go on to win a state title without her.

Three Players to Watch

Ashlee Trebilcock, Newhall Hart, So.: With Kimble out of the picture, the sophomore guard will be tested even more than she was as a freshman, when she averaged 16.7 points. As good as she was in leading her team to the Division I-A finals, she needs to be even better this season.

Camille LeNoir, Narbonne, Jr.: The area’s best pure point guard averaged 12 points, seven assists and four steals in helping the Gauchos win the City championship last season. With the team clearly in her hands, she will be the key if Narbonne is to regain its status as the area’s top team.

Sara Brown, San Clemente, Sr.: She’s not the best player on her team, but Brown might be the most important because her perimeter success will open avenues for Lindsey Pluimer (6-3) and Lauren Riley (6-4), a transfer from Irvine Woodbridge, as the Tritons go for a third section title in a row.

Three Teams to Watch

Chino Hills Ayala: Only one starter is back, but many rave about the freshman class and its impact, especially LaTara Darrett, a 5-10 guard.

Ventura: Southern Section Division II-AA champion surpassed Ventura Buena last season as the best team in a basketball-rich area but graduated its two best players. Buena has had staying power through the years, and with senior three-point shooter Lindsey Albrant stepping in to replace Jenni Dooley, can Ventura stay around too?

Etiwanda: Eagles have great expectations, and opposing coaches rave about their talent, quickness and athleticism, but being fundamentally poor and impatient aren’t exactly characteristics of champions.

Three Transfers to Watch

Dominique Harris, Redondo: This explosive junior guard from Venice joins seven returning players and offsets the loss of injured Allison Bretana (torn anterior cruciate ligament), who could return by mid-month.

Andrea Jacobson, Brea Olinda: A senior from Minnesota, this 6-4 center gives the Ladycats an inside presence not seen since Chelsea Trotter readied herself for Stanford.

Eva Camarena, Huntington Beach Edison, Jr.: A three-point shooter with terrific range, Camarena averaged 17 points as a freshman at Westminster, but didn’t play last season. She will help fill the void left by the graduated Ziemann twins, Rachael and Bianca.