GIRLS BASKETBALL CAPSULES

SUNRISE REGION

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

BASIC

Coach: Teresa Gallegos

2006-07 record: 11-13

Top players: PG Lauren Johnson, Sr.; C Michaela Thomas, So.; F Marquichea Burns, So.

Outlook: With all but one of last season’s players coming back, the Wolves appear in position to compete with anyone in the Southeast. Last year’s respectable rebuilding season yielded valuable experience that should take the team back to the playoffs. Thomas, who averaged 10 points and eight rebounds, could be a key. If she and Johnson (12 points, 5 assists) can lead the team, Basic could battle Silverado for the league’s top spot.

CORONADO

Coach: Joe Moyes

2006-07 record: 14-15

Top players: G Danielle Boyle, Sr.; F Courtney Whitaker, Jr.; G Kristen Carver, Sr.; F Jenna Giorgione, Sr.; F Jessica Smith, So.

Outlook: Moyes’ squad will consist of 6-2 sophomore Smith and an abundance of guards. The team is more experienced than last season’s fifth-place squad and could slip into the playoffs with great quickness and discipline.

FOOTHILL

Coach: Keith Starr

2006-07 record: 5-21

Top players: G Britney Bell, Sr.; F Danielle Wolf, Sr.; F Brigitte Rigon, Jr.; F Sabrina Johnson, Sr.

Outlook: Starr, a first-year coach, has a number of strong returners, but it might be unrealistic to think the Falcons can ascend to the top of the division in one season. Though the team looks improved, Foothill probably will not contend for the division title.

GREEN VALLEY

Coach: Lorenzo Jarvis

2006-07 record: 19-11

Top players: G Victoria Naylor, Sr.; G Jazmine Jarvis, So.; G Danielle Christenson, So.; F Sarah Pickus, So.; C Vajae Robinson, Jr.

Outlook: Jarvis returns a strong mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers. Naylor (16 points, seven assists, seven steals), a third-team all-state point guard, again will lead the way, giving the Gators a chance to beat just about anyone in the region. Green Valley looks like a team to watch.

LIBERTY

Coach: Chris Zunno

2006-07 record: 1-20

Top players: F/C Angela Tai, Sr.; F/C Daynice Cochran, So.; G Ge’nai Fuentes, Sr.; G Amanda Delgado, Fr.; G Jade Washington, Fr.

Outlook: Zunno led Bonanza to a second-place finish in the Southwest last season, but he takes over a squad that went winless in league play in the 2006-07 season. Count on Liberty to improve, but don’t count on the Patriots to see postseason action.

SILVERADO

Coach: Diane Hernandez

2006-07 record: 23-8

Top players: C Jessica Schmidt, Sr.; C Mikayla Thielges, Jr.; G Shea Collins, So.

Outlook: This could be the Skyhawks’ year. Thielges (10.1 points, 11.9 rebounds) helped Silverado to a breakthrough season and again could lead the team deep into the playoffs. Longtime coach Hernandez got her team into the state tournament last season. This season, she has an outside shot at winning it.

TECH

Coach: Jaime Palmer

2006-07 record: 19-11

Top players: G/F Mechel’la Logan, Sr.; F Chalon Reynolds, Sr.

Outlook: The Roadrunners return four of five starters from last year’s Southeast runner-up squad, including Logan, the reigning league Most Valuable Player, who averaged 21 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.6 steals. Along with Reynolds, who averaged 11 rebounds, Logan should help the Roadrunners to another postseason berth.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

CANYON SPRINGS

Coach: Cheryl Dameron

2006-07 record: 4-18

Top players: G/F Briony Hinton, Sr.; G/F Amanda Kilgore, Sr.; PG Tatiana Burkett, Fr.; C Rhonesia Reed, Sr.; G Shante Thomas, So.

Outlook: Dameron’s roster has improved, particularly in the area of height and experience. Though the Pioneers won only two league games last season, they are looking for a postseason berth this season. That goal might be lofty but isn’t out of the question in such an unpredictable division.

CHAPARRAL

Coach: Adrianna Donnelly

2006-07 record: 4-19

Top players: G Desiree Pierce, Jr.; G Roxanne Pipitone, Jr.; F/C Victoria McDonald, Sr.; F/C Amanda Mayes, Sr.

Outlook: Donnelly’s squad is more experienced than last season’s, but she still might lack the personnel to compete with the division’s top teams. The Cowboys, who went winless in the Northeast last year, might need another year of experience before they can begin thinking about compiling a winning record.

DESERT PINES

Coach: Mel Washington

2006-07 record: 17-12

Top players: F Ashley Flemming, Sr.; G LeBrea Walker, So.; F/C Clarissa Davis, Jr.; G Ashley Gytan, Sr.; G/F Rozie Bell, Jr.

Outlook: Longtime Western coach Washington takes over a squad that suffered heavy roster losses in the spring. But with a reasonable amount of talent and above-average height, the Jaguars could battle into the playoffs.

LAS VEGAS

Coach: Jennifer Brown

2006-07 record: 10-8

Top players: PG Amber Kelly, Sr.; G Emily Turkington, Sr.; F Milana Jones, So.; F Jervaie Taylor, Sr.

Outlook: The Wildcats, who have a long tradition of winning the Northeast, finished second in the division to Rancho last season. Brown has a relatively young squad, but she plans to use her players’ impressive speed to return to the top of the standings. At the least, a playoff appearance is almost certain for the Wildcats.

RANCHO

Coach: Renae Whitt

2006-07 record: 23-9

Top players: G Khalia Branch, Jr.

Outlook: First-year coach Whitt will be without several key starters from a squad that fell just shy of making the state tournament last year. Even so, Branch (17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds) will be back to help the Rams compete against most teams in the division. Count on Rancho to make the playoffs, but a lack of depth could keep the Rams from winning the division.

VALLEY

Coach: Barney Holmes

2006-07 record: 10-15

Top players: G/F Vanessa Corona, Jr.; PG Camille Calma, Sr.; F Jasmine Williams, Jr.; F Nicholette Corona, Fr.; G Christina Davis, Fr.; C Rachael Zimmerman, So.

Outlook: Longtime Vikings coach Holmes, who was set to retire after last season, has returned to give it one more try. His squad was young last year but has improved considerably since then. Williams (14.3 points, nine rebounds) will miss the start of the season with a knee injury but could lead Valley to the playoffs when she returns.

SUNSET REGION

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

BISHOP GORMAN

Coach: Sheryl Krmpotich

2006-07 record: 31-2

Top players: G Darriel Gaynor, Sr.; C Ashley Gayle, Sr.; G Aaryn Ellenberg, So.

Outlook: The Gaels appear unbeatable. They’re ranked in the top 10 in several national polls. At 6-4, all-state returner Gayle (11 points, 8.4 rebounds, five blocks) arguably is the best player in town. With a cast of tall, quick and experienced teammates behind her, she could lead Gorman to a third consecutive state title and possibly an undefeated season.

BONANZA

Coach: Dean Bosch

2006-07 record: 17-10

Top players: G Tara Novack, Sr.; G Christin Figgins, Jr.; G Jill Gentile, Sr.; C Laura Nelson, Sr.

Outlook: Standout Kathy Willinski graduated in the spring, a departure that likely will hurt the Bengals. First-year coach Bosch still has one of the league’s better starting lineups, however, which should help Bonanza compete for one of the top spots in the division. Though the Bengals would love to get past longtime nemesis Bishop Gorman, that probably won’t happen this season.

DURANGO

Coach: John Bartleson

2006-07 record: 18-10

Top players: G Lindy La Rocque, Sr.; G Mia Bell, Jr.

Outlook: Southwest Division Most Valuable Player La Rocque (21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists) is among the top players in town. Bartleson’s squad looks competitive but doesn’t have the depth necessary the topple the division’s top teams.

SIERRA VISTA

Coach: Lindsay Whalen

2006-07 record: 19-12

Top players: F Jessica Mojica, Sr.; F Brianna Tolliver, Sr.; G Brea Foster, Sr.; F Danielle Patella, Jr.

Outlook: Mojica (14 points, eight rebounds) will lead a fairly small squad that hopes to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Lions, however, play in one of the toughest divisions and probably will not be a serious threat in the postseason.

SPRING VALLEY

Coach: Patti Delfs

2006-07 record: 4-21

Top players: G Brianna Mills, Jr.; G Teaira Newman, Sr.; F Chyna Wimberly, Jr.

Outlook: Delfs takes over a team that appears better than the one that won two league games last season. Transfer Newman and Wimberly, who was injured last year, will join Mills in helping the Grizzlies win a few games. They don’t however, appear to have the depth necessary to become a threat in the Southwest.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

ARBOR VIEW

Coach: Leon Doss

2006-07 record: 0-19

Top players: G JaLeesa Williams, Jr.; C Erika Lang, So.; G/F Ashley Dawkins, So; F Michelle Gould, Jr.; PG Kayla Dervies, Jr.

Outlook: The Aggies went winless in their first varsity season last year, but they have improved. Doss suffered minimal roster losses and, with three 6-footers, could be looking at a handful of wins this year. Arbor View still is developing, but things are looking up for the Aggies.

CENTENNIAL

Coach: Karen Weitz

2006-07 record: 31-4

Top players: G/F Johnna Brown, Jr.; F Deanna Daniels, Jr.; G Dela Jones, Sr.; G/F Rashawnda Gray, Jr.

Outlook: Weitz’s squad will go through an adjustment period after the loss of all-state guard Italee Lucas, who graduated in the spring. Even so, the coach thinks she has a wider variety of weapons and again could compete for the state championship. Brown, a 6-footer, averaged 15.3 points and nine rebounds last season, and Daniels averaged 15.6 points and 11 rebounds. Look for strong team play to lift Centennial deep into the postseason once again.

CHEYENNE

Coach: Marcus Conard

2006-07 record: 14-7

Top players: G/F Raven Hicks, Sr.; F/C Ayoola Weaver, Sr.

Outlook: Hicks, a Centennial transfer, will join Weaver, who at 6-3 averaged eight points and three rebounds last season. If the duo can mesh by the time league play begins, a playoff appearance will be within reach. The Desert Shields don’t appear to have the depth necessary to topple Centennial from the top spot, however, especially after all-state center Monique Oliver transferred out of state.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

Coach: Pat Thomas

2006-07 record: 11-15

Top players: G/F Catherine Wyre, Jr.; F April Johnson, Sr.; G Karyn Turner, Sr.

Outlook: The Spartans, who have struggled in recent seasons, lost height to graduation in the spring. Even so, Thomas thinks his squad will compensate with quickness. If Wyre (14 points, 7.3 rebounds) can develop into a strong on-court leader, Cimarron could sneak into the postseason.

LEGACY

Coach: Tiffany Richardson

2006-07 record: 4-19

Top players: C Kindrea Poole, Jr.; G/F Jacqueline Burton, Sr.; G/F Raven Miller, So.

Outlook: The Longhorns won two league games last year in their inaugural season, so a handful of wins would be considered a step in the right direction. Richardson has reasonable height with which to work, including 6-2 Poole. Burton is the team’s lone senior, so a general lack of leadership could be a problem.

PALO VERDE

Coach: Rick Eurich

2006-07 record: 11-12

Top players: G/F Mikala Pride, Sr.; F Britney Stanley, Sr.; PG Hayley Henderson, Jr.; F Aundrea Perez, So.; G/F Natalie Ramirez, Sr.; G Ashlyn Young, Sr.

Outlook: Eurich’s squad endured a rebuilding season last year but has improved considerably since finishing fifth in the division. With one of the region’s tallest rosters and an abundance of returning players, the Panthers should be in the middle of the Northwest playoff mix.

SHADOW RIDGE

Coach: Gary Markuson

2006-07 record: 17-12

Top players: G LeNette Battle, Sr.; F Cheyana Slocum, Jr.; F/C Jessica Scarpati, So.

Outlook: The Mustangs suffered major graduation losses after last season, so returners Battle (12 points), Slocum (10 points) and Scarpati (nine points) will have to carry the load for a team that lacks depth. Markuson’s team still should be competitive but is unlikely to get past the region’s top squads.

NOTE: Clark, Del Sol, Eldorado, Mojave and Western did not respond to requests for information about their teams.