The girls basketball preseason O.C. top 10 for the 2015-16 season:
1. Mater Dei
The Monarchs’ cupboard is far from bare. They possess great size and skill up front in forwards Ally Rosenblum and Emma Torbert, and a rotation of guards led by Jayda Adams and Nikki Freeman will be more than capable of running the show.
2. Brea Olinda
Incredibly talented. Extremely young. The Ladycats roster features one senior, one junior, seven sophomores and six freshmen. Senior guard Reili Richardson could wind up being the county’s player of the year, and Tyiona Watkins is a budding star.
3. Troy
The Warriors roster is loaded with 11 seniors and four juniors. The Pepperdine-bound connection – Barbara Sitanggan to Rebecca Lazuka – will continue to thrive, as will the defense. Add JW North transfer Kianna Smith into the equation, and you have the makings of a special group.
4. Fairmont Prep
The Huskies return four starters from last season’s Division 4A championship team. Tristen Rollon is one of the county’s top point guards and Cierra Hall consistently produces double-doubles. Both players are only juniors.
5. Orange Lutheran
Virtually the same squad is back for the defending Division 3A champs. Boasting a skilled one-two punch in seniors Gloria Bates and Taelor Griffin, the Lancers looks plenty capable of making another late postseason run.
6. Orangewood Academy
Jaqueline Saucedo and Estafania Giner shared Player of the Year honors in Division 5AA as freshmen, forming one of the best frontcourts in the county. The Spartans bring back their entire starting five and will push Fairmont Prep for San Joaquin League supremacy.
7. Santa Margarita
The Eagles welcome back eight players from last year’s Division 3A finalist. Juniors Tori Anderson and Morgan McMullen each averaged in double figures last season and figure to carry the scoring load again.
8. JSerra
The Lions graduated some elite talent, but have plenty of athleticism coming back. Junior guard Julia Ackerman can light it up from beyond the arc and sophomore Kabreah Anderson should continue to develop in the post. This young JSerra team will only get better as game experience begins to pile up.
9. Foothill
The Knights were the only team to knock off Brea Olinda in Crestview League play last season, and they figure to be the Ladycats’ top competition again this year. Veterans like Sydney Sharp and Daija Black make Foothill one of the county’s most consistent programs.
10. Corona del Mar
UC Santa Barbara-bound Natalia Bruening was one of the area’s most dominant post players last season, averaging 17 point and 10 boards. With center Krista Anderson also consistently turning in double-doubles, the frontcourt makes the Sea Kings the early favorites in the Pacific Coast League.
More in the girls basketball preview for 2015-16:
Girls basketball preview: Top 5 players to watch
Girls basketball preview: Other players to watch
Mater Dei girls ‘starting over’ with Samuelson gone
Girls basketball preview: Important dates
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
