County All-Star Game Offers Most, Not All, of Best Girls’ Players

Most--but not all--of the area’s finest graduating girls’ high school basketball players will play in the first half of today’s Orange County all-star doubleheader, beginning at 5 p.m. in Peterson Gymnasium at Orange Coast College.

The North team figures to be led by Magnolia center Michelle Carter, El Dorado forward Jill Matyuch, Esperanza forward Sharon Warmus, Western guard Melanie Williams and Brea-Olinda guard Charlene Schuessler.

Carter, who averaged 30.5 points and 18 rebounds a game this season, will attend Brigham Young University. Matyuch and Williams were generally regarded as the county’s best all-around players. Matyuch averaged 25.8 points and will attend Cal State Fullerton; Williams averaged 21.9 points and will play at Nevada Las Vegas.

Warmus averaged 21.8 points and will attend UC Irvine. Schuessler was considered the top point guard in the county, averaging 6.8 assists a game. She helped lead Brea to the 3-A championship this season.

The South team features Foothill center Chris McFerson and forward Stephanie Fleischaker, Fountain Valley forward Dawn Lawler and guard Kerri Clower.

McFerson, who averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Fleischaker, who averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds, led Foothill to the 3-A final this season. Lawler (11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Clower (6.8 points, 5.3 assists) led the Barons to the Sunset League title.

The South team has been hurt by a county all-star rule that allows a maximum of two players from each school on a team. Because of the rule, South Coach Dave White (Edison) had to drop two players who seem more than deserving of taking part.

Foothill’s Felice Geddy and Fountain Valley’s Susan Walin were two of the top guards in the county this season but could not be on the roster because White had already chosen two players from those schools.

Officials of the all-star game say the rule ensures that a fair cross-section of schools is represented.

North Girls’ All-Star Team:

Centers: Michelle Carter (Magnolia), 6-2; Kim Ellerman (Mater Dei), 5-8. Forwards: Maile Carlisle (Whittier Christian), 6-1; Lynne Legaux (Villa Park), 5-7; Jill Matyuch (El Dorado) 5-8; Cathy Newvine (El Dorado), 5-7; Sharon Warmus (Esperanza) 5-11. Guards: Venetta Dorlis (Savanna) 5-5; Debbie Kerr (Orange) 5-5; Noelle Manfre (Mater Dei) 5-5; Charlene Schuessler (Brea-Olinda) 5-5; Melanie Williams (Western), 5-8.

Coach: Mickey McAulay (Katella)

Assistant Coach: Debi Woelke (Valencia)

South Girls’ All-Star Team:

Centers: Chris McFerson (Foothill) 6-3; Jennifer Uecke (El Toro) 6-3. Forwards: Stephanie Fleischaker (Foothill) 5-10; Dawn Lawler (Fountain Valley) 5-11; Kristen Wilson (Edison) 5-9. Guards: Jeannine Battaglia (Westminster) 5-4; Kerri Clower (Fountain Valley) 5-8; Debbie Drake (Mission Viejo) 5-5; Kris Herman (Edison) 5-7; Ann Jeffries (Tustin) 5-8; Bridgid Moynihan (El Toro) 5-6.

Coach: Dave White (Edison)

Assistant Coach: Mike Thornton (Marina)