They Need a Touch of Seasoning : Preview: Dominguez Hills, which opens the season today against Eastern Montana, must hope its underclassmen get wise to the world of college basketball.

Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s basketball Coach Van Girard says there’s a youth movement taking place in his program.

Girard, entering his sixth season as coach, has only two seniors on the roster.

“The talent is there, but the experience is not there,” he said. “This is the best team I’ve put together since I’ve been here in terms of athleticism, skill, size and depth. The question is how quickly they’re going to pick up the system.”

Girard will begin to find out today when the Toros open against Eastern Montana at the Chico State tournament.

The team is built around senior guard Karee Bonde, a three-time All-California Collegiate Athletic Assn. selection and the best three-point shooter in school history. She finished fifth among NCAA Division II three-point shooters last season.

“Not only is she our outside threat, but she has also developed into one of the best defensive forces on the floor,” Girard said.

Sophomore Trimika Jackson, a transfer from Long Beach City College, will replace four-time All-CCAA center Dionne Vanlandingham. The 5-11 Jackson averaged 10 points a game as a sophomore at Long Beach in 1991-92 and led the South Coast Conference in rebounding at 13 a game.

She sat out last season to concentrate on academics, but served as an assistant coach at Long Beach and trained with the team regularly. Jackson is looking forward to her return to competition, but will she feel the pressure of replacing Vanlandingham, considered the best player in school history.

“I don’t feel any pressure because I know Van wouldn’t put me in a position where he would ask me to do more than I can,” Jackson said. “I can’t wait. I’m really excited.”

Girard said the rest of the starting lineup is up for grabs. Sophomores Katina Duncans and Gina DeLeon will battle for the point guard duties. Duncans was an All-CCAA honorable mention selection last season and DeLeon played in every game.

Junior Pam Kirkwood and freshmen Jennifer Bates and Jalynda Medley are battling for the small forward position.

Kirkwood is a transfer from L.A. Trade Tech College, and Bates averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists as a senior at Burroughs High. Medley may also play guard.

Senior Monica Wood, freshman Tremayne Parker and sophomore Stephanie Cude are competing for the other starting forward spot. Wood, a graduate of Redondo Beach High and El Camino College, played in almost every game last season.

The 6-foot-2 Parker, a graduate of Pasadena High, is the team’s tallest player. The 6-foot Cude is a good shooter and should earn plenty of playing time.

The Toros will open CCAA play at home against powerhouse Cal Poly Pomona on Jan. 15. Bonde thinks Dominguez Hills has a legitimate chance of beating the Broncos.

“We’ve always said we’ll give Pomona a very good challenge, but it’s a reality this time,” Bonde said. “We’ll be good. Everybody is out there for one set goal and everybody is committed to do good. In past years not everyone was willing to put in the time.”