Troy’s Lexi Joko, Kaidyn Kiernan, Coach Kevin Kiernan and Mei-Ling Perry. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).
Crean Lutheran High School was the site of the inaugural Orange County girls basketball media day Tuesday. The event was organized by Austin Loeb, associate AD at Crean Lutheran who is also boys basketball coach.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
TROY
Former highly successful Mater Dei Coach Kevin Kiernan is back coaching in Orange County to lead Troy. The Warriors were 12-16 overall and 6-2 in league play last year.
The Warriors are led by senior Mei-ling Perry and juniors Lexi Joko and Kaidyn Kiernan (the daughter of Coach Kiernan).
“We have a whole new team at Troy,” Kiernan said. “We only have two kids with varsity experience returning and only two seniors, Mei-ling being one of them and we have eight or nine freshmen on varsity right now. We’re taking it one day at a time and working as hard as we can and we’re real excited to play. We will see what happens. I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
“That’s the whole idea of doing it, the challenge of rebuilding. Roger Anderson (the previous coach) did a great job. He took over for me when I left Troy and ran a great program. The last couple of years, the freshmen classes have been a little dry and they’ve had a little downturn. This really is the definition of starting over again. But it’s a lot of fun and the kids are awesome.
“We think we will be better later in the year. We will have some sitout periods. My goal is always to win the league title and get to CIF and see what happens.”
Troy opens play Monday in the Villa Park/Portola Classic vs. Santiago.
SAN CLEMENTE
The Tritons, coached by Kerri Husbands, were 25-6 overall and won the South Coast League with an 8-0 record atop the South Coast League last season.
San Clemente is led by juniors Izzy Sims, a returning all-league player and all-CIF player and Kiley Husbands, a returning all-league player last year.
“We’re taking on an extremely challenging schedule, but we have players who are young and hungry and will hopefully rise to the challenge,” said Husbands, now in her 11th season. “We want to keep building and growing and get these guys ready not only for our league this but prepare for beyond high school years.”
Husbands is also excited about her senior class which includes senior forward/center Reese Tremper, who has committed to play soccer at Villanova; guard Ellie Anderson, who is also a track and field standout and Rachel Riewerts, a 5-6 guard who is one of the Tritons’ captains. Sophomore Mya Rex, a 5-7 guard, is also expected to be another key player.
Another standout player senior guard Quinsey Bryan, is out with a knee injury but could return near the end of the season, Husbands said. She has committed to play at Santa Clara University.
The Tritons open the season Monday in the Oxford Academy Tournament vs. Wilson.
SAN JUAN HILLS
Jay Williams returns to lead the Stallions. The Stallions were 19-12 overall and 6-2 in league play last season.
Among the San Juan Hills standouts are senior Ellasyn Hunter, a three-year varsity player and an all-league player last year and senior Adelyn Boberg, who was all-CIF and all-league last year.
“This year, we’re really excited with the group that we have coming back,” Williams said.
The Stallions were led last year by Anna Shreeve, the league MVP who earned all-county honors as a senior leading the team in scoring, rebounding and assists.
“She is a program player who is all over our record books from career points to rebounds and steals and blocks,” Williams said. “Initially, it’s going to be a little bit of a learning curve but there is also excitement. We get to see who steps up and who fills those holes. Obviously, these two (Hunter and Boberg) are going to be a big part of that equation.
“We’re excited to to do what we try to do every year and that’s to be competitive in the South Coast League. We’ve been fortunate three of the last four years to win the South Coast League title and that’s our goal every year.”
Other players expected to contribute are senior forward Olivia Morgan, a four-year varsity player who is currently sidelined with an injury but is expected back soon.
Three other returners: sophomore guard Finley Campbell, sophomore forward Katie Schafer and junior forward Tatum Davis.
San Juan Hills first game is Monday vs. Kennedy.
SANTA MARGARITA
Santa Margarita, coached by Sey Bell, was 18-11 overall and 1-5 in Trinity League play last season.
The Eagles are led by senior Madi Lam, junior Grace Anderson and sophomore Ellie Palmer.
“We are pretty much returning 97 percent of our team from last year,” Bell said. “We graduated one senior and we had one student transfer out, other than that, everybody else who would qualify as an impact player is returning this year. We have some depth this year, we’ve added a few transfers and we have some impactful freshmen.
“Hopefully from a chemistry standpoint, we’re going to roll that over to this year. It’s all going to come down to how much work we put in preparing and how we step onto the court because all that history is not really going to mean much if we don’t carry it over to the game.”
Santa Margarita opens the season Monday in the Oxford Academy Tournament against West.
SONORA
The Raiders, coached by Melissa Barajas, finished 17-13 overall and 4-4 in the Freeway League last season.
Sonora is led this year by junior Rajya Elisaldez, a returning starter and sophomore Samantha Gavaldon, also a returning starter.
“We have a great group of young girls,” said Bargas. “We have five freshmen and three or four sophomores and a few juniors who are all going to play a ton of minutes for us. We’re young, we have a lot of energy and a lot of depth. Our signature is creating chaos on defense and pressure.
“The league is going to be very tough this year, it’s a competitive league from top to bottom.”
The Raiders first game is Saturday, Nov. 22 vs. Santa Fe.
VILLA PARK
Coach Brad Willis returns to lead Villa Park. The Spartans were 24-5 overall and 8-0 atop the Freeway League standings last season. It was the second winningest girls basketball team in school history.
The Spartans are led by senior shooting guard Sabina Patel, senior guard-forward Bailey Roczey and senior guard Olivia Sturdivant.
“We have a really veteran squad this year,” Willis said. “A lot of these girls have been playing together since they were relatively young. We’re looking to build upon the success that we started a few years back. Last year we were 24-5 and had a lot of success and it was due to not only all the hard work of the ladies but the leadership of the three who are here.
“The program really wouldn’t haven’t risen to the level without the work of these ladies and all the ladies on our team have put into it the last several years. They share the ball really well and they don’t necessarily look for individual glory but for team success.”
The Spartans open the season Monday vs. Westminster.
(The 10 other previews appear in part one).
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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