OCVarsity’s top 5 players to watch in the 2015-16 season:
GLORIA BATES
Orange Lutheran
The versatile stretch forward came into her own at the tail end of last season, leading the Lancers to the Division 3A title. She was selected the division’s Player of the Year. When you pair her footwork in the post with her ability to take defenders off the dribble, Bates is oftentimes a matchup nightmare for opponents.
REILI RICHARDSON
Brea Olinda
The Arizona State-signee is the only first-team All-County performer returning from last season. Richardson averaged 17 points a game as a junior and was among the top-10 scorers in the county. With range for days to go along with excellent ballhandling skills, the Ladycats star could end up being the area’s scoring champ as a senior.
TRISTEN ROLLON
Fairmont Prep
An active defender, willing passer and tenacious scorer, Rollon is exactly what you want in a point guard. The Huskies junior was named Division 4A Player of the Year after leading the Huskies to the school’s first CIF-SS championship last year.
ALLY ROSENBLUM
Mater Dei
The power forward was the third leading scorer behind Katie Lou Samuelson and Andee Velasco on one of the nation’s elite squads last year. Now a senior, the UCLA-bound Rosenblum will have an opportunity to thrive as one of the team’s primary options in the low post.
BARBARA SITANGGAN
Troy
If there was an award for defensive player of the year, the Pepperdine commit might be the reigning recipient. Sitanggan has proven to be one of the county’s top two-way players for the past two seasons, thriving atop Troy’s defensive press which causes most opponents headaches for 32 minutes.
Girls basketball preview: Other players to watch
More in the girls basketball preview for 2015-16:
Girls basketball preview: O.C. top 10
Mater Dei girls ‘starting over’ with Samuelson gone
Girls basketball preview: Important dates
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
