1995-96 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : EMPIRE LEAGUE

Century: 14-11, 5-5 in 1994-95. Coach: Jeff Watts (sixth year, 57-61) Prospects: The Centurions are looking for a sixth-consecutive trip to the playoffs behind strong rebounding and a deep bench, but they may have to improve their outside shooting to get there. Century, which finished tied for third place in league last season, has starting sophomore guard Yvette Martinez and forward Victoria Gordon returning. Melissa Astran, Ashleigh Griset, Addie Alexander and Nikki Love (6-3) are also back. Two talented newcomers are 6-2 junior Allison Napier, a transfer from Santa Ana Valley, and an outstanding freshman, 6-2 Aprile Powell.

Cypress: 10-14, 3-7 in 1994-95. Coach: Doug Mitchell (first year). Prospects: What the Centurions lack in outside shooting, they make up for with experience. Cypress, which tied for fifth place in league last season, will be led by its five returning starters: Kelly Fleshiman, a 6-0 senior forward, Vivian Cheung, a 5-9 junior forward, Stacy Silva, a 5-11 junior center, Krisdee Munesato, a senior guard, and Cynthia Ishihara, a junior guard. Kerri Wadell, a senior guard, also is a returning player for Cypress. The Centurions will get a boost from junior transfer LaCoya Cole, a guard who was a first-team All-Olympic League selection last season for Brethren Christian.

El Dorado: 20-6, 10-0 in 1994-95. Coach: Tara Brown (first year). Prospects: Brown takes over for Gary Raya, who died at age 29 in September. El Dorado is the defending league champion and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division II-A tournament last season, when it lost to Pasadena Muir, 59-56. But gone from that team because of graduation are forwards Shanna Renken and Michele de Bruijn and guard Kim Korsmeier. The Golden Hawks’ two returning starters are all-league junior guards Beau Bryant and Jamie Nebeker, who averaged eight and 12 points, respectively. Heather Cunningham, a 6-2 senior center, also returns for the Golden Hawks, but the rest of the lineup will be inexperienced.

Katella: 7-16, 4-6 in 1994-95. Coach: Jim Germinaro (first year). Prospects: Germinaro was an assistant the past two years before taking over for former coach Joni Easterly before this season. The Knights lost five starters from last season’s team, including Kristy Kette, a 5-9 senior forward who decided not to play this season. Katella will be led by 5-7 senior forwards Mandy Vandenburg and Naomi Morales. Junior Deandra Jay, who led the junior varsity to a 10-0 league record last season, will start at guard.

Kennedy: 15-10, 6-4 in 1994-95. Coach: Marc Harrison (second year, 15-10). Prospects: Kennedy finished in second place in league last season behind El Dorado, but this may be a rebuilding year for the Fighting Irish. Lost to graduation are forward Erryn Gutjahr and guard Karin Kitagawa, who led the Fighting Irish to the second round of the Southern Section Division II-A tournament, where they lost to Brea. Kennedy will be led by senior guard Marcia Eguchi, who averaged 4.5 steals last season, and 5-7 senior forward Noelani Westall. Allison Chow, a freshman, will start at point guard.

Loara: 7-14, 3-7 in 1994-95. Coach: Vicki Mallett (second year, 7-14). Prospects: The Saxons’ four returning starters give them a lot of experience, play scrappy defense and can shoot from the outside. Their weakness is their size--no one on the roster is over 5-11. The returning starters are Paola Flores, a senior guard, Christina Colon, a sophomore guard/forward, Betsy Holman, a sophomore guard/forward, and Carole Jackson, a senior forward.