PREP BASKETBALL ‘92-’93 / CENTURY LEAGUE

Santa Ana Valley

1991-92 RECORDS OVERALL: 12-10 LEAGUE: 7-3

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL

Beth Lovett: 78-67

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Susie Guerrero Sr. 5-4 G Marie Pulu Jr. 5-9 F Gabriella Rumps Sr. 5-8 F

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Melanie Beranek Jr. 5-11 C Anna Lopez Jr. 5-8 F

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Veronica Garcia Sr. 5-7 F Velina Gibson So. 5-7 G Norah Mariner Jr. 5-11 C

OUTLOOK

Lovett appraised her team in two sentences: “We’re taller than ever, but that never means anything. We’re more skilled than ever, but we’re inexperienced.” The other league coaches place Santa Ana Valley as the top contender to Canyon because the Falcons have some exciting players. Pulu, a first-team all-leaguer who can touch the rim, is Santa Ana Valley’s top returner after averaging 12 points last season. Guerrero, the starting point guard who averaged six points, also returns after earning second-team all-league honors. Two newcomers, Gibson and Mariner, also figure to contribute immediately. Gibson, the MVP point guard who averaged 10 points for the league-champion JV team last season, will start at shooting guard. “Velina’s a ball-handler with great court sense,” Lovett said. Mariner, a 5-11 transfer from Samoa, will start at center. Rumps, whose sister Francesca earned a scholarship in ’90 to play at Grambling, will start at forward opposite Pulu. Although the Falcons lost their leading scorer, Tracey Thomas, Lovett said she has one of her better balanced teams this season. “There’s some outside shooting to go with our inside game this year,” Lovett said.