1995-96 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

Ocean View: 21-8, 10-0 in 1994-95. Coach: Ollie Martin (10th year, 163-78). Prospects: The Seahawks were undefeated in the Golden West League and return five starters--sisters Jennifer and Andrea Tuiolosega, Becky Fraser, Anna Lembke and D.J. Douty--and that’s good enough to make them the favorites. Junior guard Jennifer Tuiolosega (17.8 points) was the league MVP, a Times all-county second-team selection and one of the county’s premier playmakers, but is coming off knee surgery. Fraser (5-11, 14.7 points, 12 rebounds) is also one of the county’s best players and, like the Tuiolosegas, was an all-league performer. Sophomore center Lembke (6-1, 6.6 points, 8 rebounds), provides the height, which is a weakness. The bench--guards Tracy Beelner and junior Kammi Konishi, and forward Jill Ferris--should be complemented by Rebecca and Vickie Beelner, who are up from the league champion JV team, and freshman three-point threat Tracy Lindquist. Their goal? Win 20. Shouldn’t be a problem.

Rosary: 16-6, 7-3 in 1994-95. Coach: Rich Yoon (second year, 16-6). Prospects: The Royals were stung badly when Kathleen Celio (5-9, 20.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists) tore her anterior cruciate ligament last week participating in soccer; Celio was a Times all-county second team selection as a junior. The other three returning starters will have to pick up the slack. They are guards Lauren Murphy and Stephanie Torres (6-1) and junior forward Marissa Perez (5-11). Expected to step into the point guard role is sophomore Sarah Belavic. The Rosary running game averaged 71 points last season, and Yoon had high expectations--the Southern Section finals. He even lined up an impressive schedule, playing Woodbridge, Edison and Mater Dei over an eight-day period, and got into the Brea and Marina tournaments. With Celio, Rosary’s a Top 10 team. Without her, they’re probably not.

Saddleback: 5-17, 1-9 in 1994-95. Coach: Todd Cameron (first year).Prospects: The Roadrunners are without the graduated Nicole Wiora (31.8 points), the county scoring leader. They’ll rely heavily on junior forward Toni Ibarra (5-9), guard Evelyn Ramirez (5-7) and center Marisol Heal (6-0) to try to replace her.

Santa Ana: 14-12, 4-6 in 1994-95. Coach: Amira Thompson (first year). Prospects: The Saints’ coach went to Newport Harbor and their two best returning players went to Westminster. This is a rebuilding season in every sense of the word. The reconstruction begins with junior forward Sue Nuth (5-11) and continues with guard Sylvia Lopez, and juniors Ariadna Orozco (5-11) and Maria Ramirez (5-6).

Tustin: 9-16, 1-9 in 1994-95. Coaches: Rick Falk, Michele Bilodeau (11th year, 157-89). Prospects: Tustin is in a transition season after missing the playoffs for the first time in school history. Three starters are back, guards Janna Needham (6 points) and juniors Shamekia Perkins (5 points) and Chantelle Simoes (5 points, 5.7 assists), a second-team all-league player. Center Kim Speicher (5-11, 3 points) is the presence down low, but the front-court positions are wide open. Two freshman centers, Brook Brown (6-0) and Jesse Cooper (6-1), provide the height.

Westminster: 15-10, 7-3 in 1994-95. Coach: Dick Katz (12th year, 96-182). Prospects: The Lions, senior-dominated last season, finally escaped the Sunset League with the formation of the Golden West; they should again do well. The addition of two transfers from Santa Ana, Tanzenika Holmes (5-11, 17.8 points, 13.8 rebounds) and Letty Gil (12.5 points, 5.3 assists), again make them formidable; they should blend in nicely with center Kristin Schult (6-2, 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds).