GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

Ocean View

Coach: Adara Newidouski

1998-99 record: 9-15

League record: 2-8

With no returning starters and a new coach, the Seahawks define the term “rebuilding year.” Gone is leading scorer Jasmine Leibel, a 6-1 second-team all-league forward, but the Seahawks will have decent size with guard Andrina Valenzuela (Jr., 5-10) and Julie Tanner (Jr., 5-11) at the post. Coach Adara Newidouski is hopeful the team can contend for a playoff berth, and several league coaches point to Ocean View as the potential dark horse in the league. Point guard Kristan Graves (So., 5-7) will run the offense. Guard Katie Bowen (Sr., 5-9) and center Kristin Valeski (Sr., 5-9), though reserves, gained some experience last season, but the Seahawks’ success will depend on how quickly the players adjust to the new system.

Saddleback

Coach: Robert Morgan

1998-99 record: 11-13

League record: 4-6

Coach Robert Morgan moves up from the freshman team, which he coached last season, and brings a realistic goal of making the playoffs. Three returning starters should help ease Morgan into his new position: Janet Gonzalez, a 5-5 forward, Denise De La Rosa, a 6-0 center, and Elidet Bravo, a 5-7 forward. De La Rosa was a second-team all-league selection. Point guard Lorena Adame, a reserve last season, moves into a starting role this season. A strong inside game and solid half-court offense should give the Roadrunners enough to contend for one of three automatic playoff berths.

Santa Ana

Coach: Pete Rivas

1998-99 record: 1-25

League record: 0-10

It has been a long couple of years for the Saints, who are a combined 3-47 over the last two seasons, but Coach Pete Rivas (second year) is looking to surprise some opponents. Senior guard Sonia Ruiz was a bright spot for Santa Ana last season, earning second-team all-league honors. Alejandra Ramirez, Mayra Hernandez and Alejandra Palacios round out a group of four returning starters, who Rivas said are all committed to the program and to each other. The Saints may have a long way to go, but Rivas said this year’s team will get the program headed in the right direction.

Tustin

Coach: Sarah Davis

1998-99 record: 14-12

League record: 6-4

Another team with no returning starters and a new coach, the Tillers will look to Le’Ciesha Vann and her outside shooting prowess to carry the load. Four starters of 5-10 or taller graduated, including all-league selections Brook Brown and Terrial Cole, but up from the junior varsity are Constance Brinson, Ebone Curry and Heather Wall. All are good defenders. Always a solid program, Tustin could make a run at the playoffs despite an inexperienced squad.

Westminster

Coach: Dick Katz

1998-99 record: 22-6

League record: 9-1

The two-time defending league champions are a good bet to win a third, especially with Rosary departed to the Serra League. The Lions shared the title with Rosary last season. All-League shooting guard Christine Arganda (Sr., 5-3), second-team all-league point guard Holly Armstrong (Sr., 5-6) and guard Diana Hernandez (Sr., 5-5) lead a three-pronged attack that is not afraid to shoot the long ball. Armstrong and Hernandez are third-year starters who give the Lions the experience they need to overcome their lack of size. No player is taller than 5-8, but quickness and intensity are hallmarks of teams coached by Dick Katz (16th year, 182-208), and they force opponents into mistakes.