GIRLS’ BASKETBALL 1993-94 / ORANGE LEAGUE

Valencia

1992-93 RECORDS OVERALL: 6-14 LEAGUE: 4-6

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Kelly Stephenson: 6-14

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P LaQuinta Alexander Jr. 6-0 C Cindi Judd Jr. 5-3 G

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Tina Katz Jr. 5-5 G Michelle Prager So. 5-7 F Sandy Sarmiento Sr. 5-10 F/C Jamie Snavely Jr. 5-9 F

TOP NEWCOMER YR. HGT. P Shelly Gamba So. 5-6 G

OUTLOOK

With only one senior returning from last year’s fourth-place squad, Stephenson is still optimistic. “Our starting five are all juniors and sophomores,” she said. “It might be a weakness, but I consider it a strength. We are at a greater starting point this season than last year.” Stephenson, the program’s sixth coach in as many seasons, returns one of the tallest girls in the league in Alexander, and said she will use the team’s overall height as an advantage. Along with Alexander, the Tigers will have Snavely and Sarmiento down low, creating one of the tallest trios in the league. Katz should provide outside shooting, and Judd and Prager will be leaders on the floor. Stephenson said one of the team’s weaknesses is coping with history. “They think that they can’t win,” she said. “We are trying to develop the attitude that we can win, and we can be competitive.” The Tigers also will have to fill the shoes of Nikki Kubota, a senior last year who accounted for 46% of the team’s scoring. Stephenson said the tough nonleague season should toughen the team, and a playoff berth is not out of the question. “We have the potential to reach the playoffs. I think we could finish as high as third.”

SCHEDULE

November 23 at Esperanza; 30 vs. Rosary.

December 9-11 at Savanna tournament; 14-18 at El Dorado tournament; 20 at La Mirada; 22 vs. Troy.

January 4 vs Loara; 6 vs. Savanna; 11 vs. Western; 13 at Magnolia; 18 at Brea-Olinda; 20 vs. Anaheim; 22 vs. La Habra; 25 at Savanna.

February 1 at Western; 3 vs. Magnolia; 8 vs. Brea-Olinda; 10 at Anaheim.