DIVISION IV BASKETBALL PREVIEWS : GIRLS

When Holtville and Coronado meet at noon for the girls’ Division IV championship, they will be much different teams than those that met in November.

In the second game of the season in the Coronado Tournament, Coronado (14-10) held as much as a 10-point lead before losing by five.

“I start three different kids than I did then, and he starts two,” Coronado Coach Ernie Dickerson said. “Looking back on that game, it doesn’t mean a whole lot.”

The teams played for the Division IV championship in each of the past two years, with Holtville (17-9) winning both.

Holtville Coach Mike Pacheco said the change to Golden Hall from the Sports Arena--where his team has played in section finals the past four years--could be a “key factor” for Coronado.

“His kids are so young that if we were playing in the Sports Arena, it could make a difference,” Pacheco said. “Nobody’s been at Golden Hall, so there’s no home-court advantage.”

The two only varsity returners for Coronado are Mary Strasser and Kelly Kaye. Strasser, a left-handed shooter who started as a freshman last year, has a 15.5-point average but has averaged 18 the past six games.

Holtville is led by Teresa Ibarra, a 5-1 senior point guard who is averaging 12 points a game.