Johnson Leaves but Plenty Left

The 1996 Golden League season has plenty of spicy ingredients even without Jaclyn Johnson, a standout player who transferred out of Quartz Hill, which might have the Rebels out of championship contention.

Too bad. It might have been fun. But the league still promises to be entertaining.

Palmdale, with its potent guard-center tandem of Edniesha Curry and Kristi Rose, will try to defend its championship.

Ridgecrest Burroughs, with triple towers Allyson Drinnon, Tiffany McCollum and Alexis Collier, each standing taller than 6 feet, will try to block the Falcons’ path.

Littlerock, with four seniors, including center Cheree Hicks, could be a surprise team.

Highland, with a pair of high-scoring freshman who have led the team to a 6-5 record, could be a spoiler.

And then there is Quartz Hill.

The Rebels are 7-2 and playing well without Johnson. But with her, they would have made it a three-team race.

Johnson, a center-forward, averaged 21 points and 13.5 rebounds last year as a sophomore. But she checked out of Quartz Hill and transferred to Bell-Jeff during the fall, leaving the Rebels with three returning starters instead of four.

“We don’t have Jackie with us anymore,” Quartz Hill Coach Brett Neal said. “But it seems the girls are playing well together anyway.”

Neal still doesn’t know why Johnson would leave a team that had a chance to win a championship.

“No one has ever told me,” he said. “I’ve called the parents several times. They’ve never called back. They have had no contact with the school. If you find out, let me know.”

The Rebels would have trouble stopping Palmdale (13-3), even with Johnson. The Falcons have eight returners, led by Rose, who signed a letter of intent to Utah, and Curry, who some believe is the best player in the league.

Palmdale crushed then second-ranked Crescenta Valley, 63-44, last week.

Going into the game, Coach George Corisis didn’t know what to expect, saying, “I don’t think they realize how good CV is.”

Now it is the Falcons who own the No. 2 ranking.

Everybody in the Golden League knows about Palmdale, which has won eight of the past 12 championships.

“I don’t see anyone coming close to them in our league,” Littlerock assistant coach Vince Lipari said.

“They’ve got seven, eight players who can play and they play hard. After Palmdale, any other team can beat anybody an any given night.”

Around the League

ANTELOPE VALLEY

1994-95: 4-15, 1-9

The Antelopes figure to be an improved team with the return of all-league player Kenya Corley and Tashie Aquinaga, who received honorable mention. Corley, a forward, and Aquinaga, a guard, are both juniors. Juniors Cati McCanna and Britta Hoff are both 6-1 and give Antelope Valley strength on the low post. But both players lack experience.

HIGHLAND

1994-95: 3-14, 1-9

The Bulldogs (6-5) could be the surprise team of the league if youth doesn’t get the best of them. The starting lineup includes two freshmen, a sophomore and a junior. The freshmen are the most talented, with forward Tiffany Winkfield averaging 10 points and 14 rebounds and guard Mae Bidaure averaging 14 points. Junior forward Autum Bedford is a three-point shooting threat. Highland is young and quick but might be a year away from doing real damage.

LITTLEROCK

1994-95: 6-12, 4-6

The Lobos might not be able to match the firepower of a year ago, but should challenge for a playoff spot. Senior guard Kristin Phillips averages 14.5 points and center Cheree Hicks averages 10.7 points and 11 rebounds. In a victory over Montclair Prep, Hicks had 22 points and 21 rebounds. Power forward Raushana Booker has played strong defense. Senior forward Jamie Foster led the team in rebounds, assists and steals until she was sidelined recently with minor eye surgery. Coach Tom Hegre is unsure of her status.

PALMDALE

1994-95: 21-4, 10-0

The Falcons have their sights set not merely on a league title but a section title. Senior center Kristi Rose leads a cast of eight returners. Rose is all-section, has signed a letter of intent to Utah and is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds. Guard Edniesha Curry is a returning all-leaguer. Marjorie Knott, a 6-2 center, will help Palmdale match up with Burroughs. Casey Bledsoe, Chanel Edwards and Monique Nolan can also score.

QUARTZ HILL

1994-95: 16-7, 8-2

The Rebels lost one of the league’s top players when Johnson transferred, but, at 7-4, they have had success without her. Amanda Chelette, Becky Welch and Sanethia Thomas have assumed the bulk of the scoring. Chelette, a three-point specialist who made seven in a recent game against Hart, is one of three returning starters. The others are forwards Welch and Thomas, who average about 13 points a game. April Garza has moved from shooting guard to point guard.

RIDGECREST BURROUGHS

1994-95: 5-14, 5-5

The Burros have a potentially devastating front court with 6-2 Allyson Drinnon, 6-1 Tiffany McCollum, and 6-1 Alexis Collier. After stumbling to a 5-4 start, Burroughs is 9-5. Senior forward Kathy Chilbes leads the team in scoring, averaging nine points. Guard Shelby Allred is a strong passer who could create easy scoring chances for the post players.