ORANGE LEAGUE

Anaheim

Coach: James Steen

1998-99 record: 13-10

League record: 5-5

Anaheim reached the playoffs for the first time in 15 years last season and even a 45-point first-round loss at the hands of Woodbridge did nothing to cloud the season. Coach James Steen (second year) was named Orange League coach of the year after producing almost twice as many wins as the team had in 1997-98 when it went 7-16. It didn’t take long for the Colonists to accept Steen’s style, advancing to the Garden Grove tournament finals. Anaheim will count heavily on Yuri Alvarado (Sr., 16 points, 10 rebounds), a first team all-league selection, and point guard Alicia Gallardo (Jr., 4 assists, 8 points).

Brea Olinda

Coach: Jeff Sink

1998-99 record: 32-3

League record: 10-0

Brea Olinda, defending Division II state champion, has won 11 consecutive Southern Section titles and 141 consecutive Orange League victories (17 consecutive league titles). Stanford-bound forward Chelsea Trotter (Sr., 6-3, 19.6 points, 10.8 rebounds), The Times Orange County’s player of the year, missed the state title game with a torn ACL but doesn’t expect any lingering problems. Also back are starting guard Jackie Lord (Jr., 10.5 points), and several players who contributed from the bench, including forwards Jill Trader (Sr., 6-1, 10 points) and Daveri Bonnewitz (So., 5-10), and guards Tara Hefferly (Jr., 5-8) and Robyn Phillips (5-11). Coach Jeff Sink (151-15) is in his sixth season.

Magnolia

Coach: Marian Mendoza

1998-99 record: 7-19

League record: 2-8

It may be time for Coach Marian Mendoza (fourth year, 19-54) to experience some appreciable success. The Sentinels have eight players returning, including four starters. Senior Armida Galvez was a first-team all-league selection, an honor that’s notable in the same league as six-time state champion Brea Olinda. Forwards Yanet Flores (Sr., 5-5, 10 rebounds) and Vao Faoa (So., 5-8, 10 rebounds) return, along with Jazmin Young (So., 5 assists). Magnolia lacks height, but hopes to make up for it with quickness.

Savanna

Coach: Mike Willey

1998-99 record: 9-17

League record: 4-6

The Rebels return their second-leading scorer and top rebounder, first-team all-leaguer Reanita Starr (Sr., 5-2, 9 points, 4 rebounds), one of the county’s top horizontal jumpers in track and field. She is expected to carry the offensive load, which was handled last season by Clorinda Dorame (11.3 points). The other returning starter is forward Bernadette Bilazon (Jr., 5-6, 6 rebounds). Coach Mike Willey (fourth season, 26-51) likes his team’s speed and guard play, but a lack of height is cause for concern.

Valencia

Coach: Chris Cox

1998-99 record: 19-8

League record: 8-2

Chris Cox (third year, 32-13), after taking over midway through 1997-98, says this is his last season. Monika Jackley (Sr., 6-0, 17.9 points, 11.6 rebounds) is the league’s best returning player outside of Brea. Height won’t be problem, as center Sandy Harris (Jr., 6-1) and forwards Marissa Marousse (So., 5-9) and Allyson Hoppe (5-9) return. Guard Michelle Pietka (Sr., 5-10), at Brea and Troy previously, is an outstanding player if she’s healthy--she missed all but four minutes of last season with a knee injury. Goldie Fadaker, a freshman, will also get plenty of court time. Lower level MVPs, Cherise Lee (junior varsity) and Antoinette Johnson (frosh/soph) could also play a big role.

Western

Coach: Bill Murvin

1998-99 record: 6-20

League record: 1-9

The Pioneers will play an up-tempo style this season and should be exciting to watch if they can exercise the fundamentals. Western returns four starters: senior guards Angel Davis and JoAnn Eleopoulos and junior forwards Dina Hill and Lori Pouliot. If the Pioneers can avoid turnovers, they could be in the hunt for a playoff spot under first-year coach Bill Murvin.