SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

Capistrano Valley: 21-7, 9-1 in 1997-98. Coach: Pete Belanto (sixth year, 83-54). Belanto resigned but his replacement, Marc Ward of La Crescenta Crescenta Valley (the top-seeded team in last season’s Division I-AA playoffs), resigned shortly thereafter and Belanto returned. This is a young team; three returning guards saw only limited action, Stacey Watanabe and her sister, Stephanie Watanabe, and Melissa Navas. Two sophomores are likely starters, forwards Lindsay Peloza (5-9) and Sarah Flanagan (5-8), and two freshmen guards should make an impact, Allison Habekost (5-9) and Laura Perez (5-7).

Dana Hills: 10-14, 2-8 in 1997-98. Coach: Shawn Mulligan (second year, 10-14). Starters Jessica Hardy (5-7) and Nicole Howard (5-10) are back as junior guards, while forward Laura Pursley (5-10) and center Kim Reese (5-11) also return. The defense-minded Dolphins won seven more games than they did in 1996-97 without much scoring threat; improving in that area was the off-season focus. Sophomore forward Brittany Anzlovar could have an impact on the Dolphins’ playoff hopes.

Mater Dei: 15-14, 6-4 in 1997-98. Coach: Ollie Martin (first year). The Monarchs’ difficult schedule paid off with two playoff victories, including a 55-52 upset of top-seeded Cerritos in the Division I-A playoffs. Four junior starters are back, guards Maile Shimoda (5-5, nine points) and Kyra Melville (5-9, four points), forward Kristian Kirkpatrick (5-11, four points, three rebounds) and center Lindsay Pavlik (6-0, six points, four rebounds). Much-used reserve Anita Colon (5-11) is among the seven lettermen. Freshman guard Amy Sanders (5-8) will join the regular rotation on a team that should use its defense and transition game to challenge for the league title.

Mission Viejo: 7-15, 0-10 in 1997-98. Coach: Jim Irby (seventh year, 64-73). Diablo senior Suzie Burrage (5-9, 8.4 rebounds) will be surrounded by underclassmen, including junior forward Jenny Miller (5-10, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals) and sophomore point guard Abby Mecham (4.5 points, 2.7 assists). Freshman forward Meghan O’Donogue (5-10) could move into the starting lineup. She and sophomore forward Lindsey Eicher (up from junior varsity) could provide a more aggressive and physical presence.

San Clemente: 28-6, 9-1 in 1997-98. Coach: Mary Mulligan (14th year, 197-119). All-county first-team forward Colleen Turnbull (5-10, 14.9 points, nine rebounds) and second-team guard Debby Caine (5-6, nine points, 5.6 assists) are two of the county’s best players. Five players from a 19-2 junior varsity team, including most valuable player Whitney Jones (5-10) and three-point specialist Lindsey Stoudt (5-5) join four lettermen who helped San Clemente reach the Division I-A finals. Senior center Marissa Ficklin (6-3, 5.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) and forward Kimberly Noble (5-11) could hold the key to San Clemente’s fortunes, freeing Turnbull to play on the wing. Guard Dawn Regan (5-8) also returns.

Trabuco Hills: 15-11, 4-6 in 1997-98. Coach: Howard Stephens (sixth year, 64-62). The Mustangs will probably be good the next two years, but will probably experience growing pains this season with two sophomores, guard Brooke Bartelson (5-7) and forward Natalia Roberts (5-8), and a junior, center Megan Guild (6-0), in the starting lineup. The good news is Trabuco Hills’ leading scorer, senior guard Emily Deeley (5-6, 12.4 points), is back. Chermaine Spence (5-3, six points), adds much-needed senior leadership.