1995-96 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Bolsa Grande: 5-16, 3-9 in 1994-95. Coach: Rich Brodowski (fifth year, 51-79). Prospects: Brodowski and Santiago Coach Ron Heusser are the only two coaches in the league who are not rookies. Bolsa Grande has never finished higher than fifth in league but could surprise some with its corps of experienced returners. The Matadors will be led by juniors Jana James, a 6-1 center, and Mary Petrie, a 5-9 forward, and Jonielle Schmidt, a 5-10 forward. There is a big volleyball influence on Bolsa Grande--James was a second-team all-league middle blocker and Brodowski also is the volleyball coach. Bolsa Grande finished second in league in volleyball and lost in the first round of the Southern Section Division III tournament.

Garden Grove: 14-8, 10-2 in 1994-95. Coach: Keith Clarkson (first year). Prospects: The Argonauts finished as co-league champions last season and are led by four returning starters, including first-team all-league selection Gina Huizar, a 5-11 senior forward, second-team all-league selections April Boose, a senior guard, Sara Monsoor, a senior guard, and Kathy Moore, a 6-1 junior center. The Argonauts are excellent on defense and rebound well, but they are weak behind the three-point line.

La Quinta: 0-23, 0-12 in 1994-95. Coach: Joe Stern (first year) Prospects: Stern is one of five first-year coaches in the league. He hopes to turn around the Aztecs and will rely on his only returning starter, Tina Shum, a 5-4 senior guard who averaged 10.4 points last season and was a first-team all-league selection. The Aztecs’ strengths are their quickness and conditioning. Other returners are: Theresa Do, a senior guard, Jaclyn Fredreickson, a junior guard, and Jessica Heredia, a senior center.

Los Amigos: 10-12, 6-6 in 1994-95. Coach: Mike Loftis (first year). Prospects: The Lobos will rely on senior guards Tiffany Nguyen and Truyen Ngo as well as 5-8 senior center Tofi Togogae. Other returners are Thao Le, a senior guard, Stacey Tagatauli, a senior forward, Andrea Peralta, a senior forward and Janet Romero, a senior forward.

Pacifica: 12-13, 10-2 in 1994-95. Coach: Matt Murphy (first year). Prospects: The Mariners, co-league champions last year, have people who can score but need to improve their defense. Senior guard and four-year starter Erin Kiyomura, a first-team all-league selection last season, has had five head coaches in her career. Pacifica will be led by guards Heather Green, a junior, Jaymee Pendergast, a sophomore, and Natalie Hupf, a senior.

Rancho Alamitos: 8-15, 6-6 in 1994-95. Coach: David Jankowski (first year). Prospects: The Vaqueros return two starters, including senior guard Wendy Lopez, from a team that finished in fourth place in league last season, but have excellent athletes. The key will be converting them to basketball players. Other returners are: Nguyet Nguyen, 5-7 senior forward, To Doan, a senior guard, Melissa Loera, a senior guard, Ha Nguyen, a junior forward, and Sonia Ramirez, a senior forward.

Santiago: 12-13, 7-5 in 1994-95. Coach: Ron Heusser (seventh year, 72-75). Prospects: The Cavaliers have excellent depth, improved outside shooting and a dominating player, Angie Ching-Sam, a 5-9 senior forward. Ching-Sam was the league’s most valuable player last season after averaging 16.6 points per game. Santiago’s biggest problem is its lack of height.