Metro League Girls Basketball Capsules

Ballard

Nickname - Beavers.

1993-94 record - 8-6 in league, seventh; 12-11 overall (went 0-1 at Sea-King District tournament).

Coach - Mike Tretton, fourth season, 23-37 record.

Returning starters - 3.

Top returnees - Melissa Gusaas (G, 5-9, Jr., second-team Seattle Times all-Metro); Mary Connaughton (F, 5-10, Jr.); Jody Huden (F, 5-10, So.).

Others to watch - Ashley Zardis (G/F, 5-8, So.); Michelle Droullard (F, 5-8, Sr.); Micaela Thymian (G, 5-5, Jr.).

Outlook - Ballard has steadily bettered itself under Tretton. Four years ago, Beavers finished 12th in league, ninth in 1992-93 and seventh last season. The trend may not continue. Beavers dropped their first two games. Gusaas, who averaged 14.1 points last season during the regular season, is the top scoring threat.

Tomorrow's game - At Blanchet, 6:15 p.m.

Blanchet

1993-94 record - 9-5 in league, fifth; 17-11 overall (fourth at district, went 0-2 at state).

Coach - Terry Wilkinson, ninth season, 125-83 record.

Returning starters - 5.

Top returnees - Monique Zampera (F, 5-7, Jr., second team all-Metro); Shannon Ryan (G, 5-4, Sr.); Shannon Sifferman (G, 5-7, Jr.); Holly Millard (C/F, 6-0, So.); Jessica Jones (F, 5-9, Sr.).

Another to watch - Nadia Morgan (F/C, 6-1, Fr.).

Outlook - Leading candidate to fill the void left by Lakeside. Zampera led Blanchet in rebounds past two years with 10 per game average. She averaged 17 points per game. Millard has started every game in her prep career. She averaged 8.9 last season. Jones was the team MVP averaging 13 points and 12 rebounds late in the season.

Tomorrow's game - Hosts Ballard, 6:15 p.m.

Chief Sealth

Nickname - Seahawks.

1993-94 record - 13-1 in league, second; 22-5 overall (district runner-up, went 1-2 at state).

Coach - Carmen Martinez, first season.

Returning starters - 4.

Top returnees - Fono Keni (F, 6-0, Jr., first-team all-Metro); Lilly Siatunuu (G, 5-6, Jr.); Dorothy Talamaivao (F, 5-7, Jr.); Norma Fotualii (F, 5-7, Sr.).

Others to watch - Sheila Lambert (G, 5-5, F); Kim Neumann (C, 6-1, Jr.); Teresa Ortega (G, 5-2, Jr.).

Outlook - Seahawks may accomplish what they could not do with two-time all-Metro star Naomi Mulitauaopele - win a Metro title. It's been 11 years since Sealth won a league title and their chances never looked better than this season. Lambert (28 points vs. Mount Vernon) is early candidate for Rookie of the Year. She's the best freshman since Mulitauaopele. She should take scoring pressure off of Keni. How Seahawks and Martinez handle the pressures will largely determine their success.

Tomorrow's game - At Ingraham, 6:15 p.m.

Cleveland

Nickname - Eagles.

1993-94 record - 0-14 in league, 15th; 0-16 overall.

Coach - Annie Laufasa, second season, 0-16 record.

Returning starters - 1.

Top returner - Lawonia Brantley (G, 5-6, Sr.);

Outlook - Cleveland lost their 54th straight game yesterday, to Summit of the Sea-Tac B League. The Eagles' last victory, a 48-41 win over West Seattle, was in February 1991. That season they finished 5-11. They now trail Stadium of Tacoma for the longest losing streak in the state. Stadium has lost 56 straight games. A win this season seems unlikely for the Eagles. They allowed a state-high 75.9 points last season. Brantley averaged 16.5 points last season.

Next game - Tuesday at Garfield, 5:15 p.m.

Eastside Catholic

Nickname - Crusaders.

1993-94 record - 6-8 in league, 10th; 8-12 overall.

Coach - Gene Yerabek, first season.

Returning starters - 2.

Top returnees - Rachel Egger (G, 5-4, Jr.) and Katie Charles (F/C, 5-9, Jr.).

Others to watch - Kristy Carter (G/F, 5-5, Sr.); Alison Gurrad (F/C, 5-9, Jr.); Maurissa Dean (G/F, 5-5, So.); Regan Rogers (G, 5-5, Jr.).

Outlook - First year in Metro for Yerabek who coached the Cedarcrest football team last season. Crusaders need to find a consistent scorer. Dean, Gurrad and Rogers are bidding for top scorer spot. Egger is a good defender. Charles and Gurrad need to control the boards. If sophomore guard Erica Williams becomes eligible, then she will add sure ballhandler to the team.

Tomorrow's game - Hosts Roosevelt, 6:15 p.m.

Franklin

Nickname - Quakers.

1993-94 record - 6-8 in league, 11th; 7-13 overall.

Coach - Tonya Washington, first season.

Returning starters - 2.

Top returnees - Felicia Daniels (G, 5-6, Jr., second-team all-Metro); Nicole Franklin (F, 5-8, Sr.).

Others to watch - Takiyah Jackson (F/C, 6-0, Sr., two-time first team all-Metro and transfer from Lakeside);

Outlook - First year for Washington and Jackson. Washington was an assistant coach last season for Quakers. Jackson averaged 16.8 points and led Lakeside to AA state title. She has an 86-1 prep career record. Jackson may flourish with Nicole Franklin in the low post. Daniels who averaged 11.6 points last season is a talented point guard. Quakers who haven't finished better than seventh in the past three years are expected to compete for Metro title.

Tomorrow's game - Hosts West Seattle, 6:15 p.m.

Garfield

Nickname - Bulldogs.

1993-94 record - 11-3 in league, third; 18-12 overall (fifth at district, went 0-2 at state).

Coach - Ron Davis, 11th season, 217-66 record.

Returning starters - 2.

Top returnees - Shasta Smith (G, 5-4, So.) and Barb Ream (F/C, 5-11, Jr.).

Others to watch - Joi Edwards (G/F, 5-10, Sr.); Freida Gaskins (F, 5-8, Sr.); Sara Levin (G, 5-5, So.); Kelly Randels (F/C, 5-8, Jr.); Adrenne Saint Clair (F/C, 5-10, Sr.).

Outlook - Seven sophomores on the roster. Most of them played on Bulldog junior varsity team that was undefeated last year. Smith was promoted to varsity midway through last season and should again run the offense. Edwards returns to Garfield after two years of knee surgery. Ream has been plagued with ankle injuries and is probable for tomorrow. Norah Ervin-Stewart, who was to be a top reserve, suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Tomorrow's game - At Lakeside, 6:15 p.m.

Hale

Nickname - Raiders.

1993-94 record - 6-8 in league, eighth; 12-8 overall.

Coach - Lenora Lee, ninth season.

Returning starters - 3.

Top returnees - Rachel Martin (F, 5-9, Sr.); Lasina Smith (F/C, 5-10, Sr.); Leta LaVigne (F, 5-7, Sr.).

Others to watch - Becky Davis (F/C, 5-10, Sr.); Morena Newton (G, 5-5, Sr.); Casie Martin (G, 5-1, Sr.).

Outlook - Six seniors on varsity roster. Rookie starters in the backcourt in Newton and Martin. Hale's success will be determined by their maturation and development. Rachel Martin, a three-year starter, averaged 15.3 points and 8.1 rebounds last season. Most of the offense will run through her and Smith, the other captain. LaVigne averaged eight rebounds last season, but missed two non-league wins last week. She's expected to play tomorrow. Simetress Scott, a senior forward, will add defense if she becomes eligible after grade evaluation.

Tomorrow's game - Host Rainier Beach, at 6:15 p.m.

Holy Names

Nickname - Cougars.

1993-94 record - 6-8 in league, ninth; 12-9 overall (went 0-2 at Metro tournament).

Coach - Anna Jesse, fourth season, 19-40 record.

Returning starters - 3.

Top returnees - Ellie Olson (G, 5-1, Sr.); Shannon Curvey (G, 5-7, So.); Anne Evans (C, 5-11, So.);

Others to watch - Heather Allen (G, 5-5, Fr.); Miranda Cummings (F, 5-11, Sr.); Meghan Smith (G/F, 5-6, Sr.); Jasmine McDuffie (G/F, 5-6, Sr.); Jen Edwards (F, 5-8, Sr.).

Outlook - Two-year starter Jeannine Hanley has her ankle in a cast after suffering an injury during volleyball season. She should recover in about two weeks, but may not return to the Cougars. Her sister Jamie, a reserve last season, will play club volleyball instead of basketball. Olson, a three-year starter, will run the offense. Balanced scoring attack. Olson had 16 points against Seattle Lutheran. McDuffie, who had 16, is a good three-point shooter. Curvey had 15 points in season-opener.

Tomorrow's game - At Seattle Prep, 6:15 p.m.

Ingraham

Nickname - Rams.

1993-94 record - 1-13 in league, 14th; 2-16 overall.

Coach - Tracy Huffer, first season.

Returning starters - 3.

Top returnees - Katie Toth (C, 5-10, Sr.); Jessie Hanna (F, 5-9, Sr.); Tahwanna Sims (G, 5-9, Jr.).

Outlook - Rams were the lowest scoring offense in the Class AA classification last season, averaging 23.8 points per game.

Tomorrow's game - Hosts Chief Sealth, 6:15 p.m.

Lakeside

Nickname - Lions.

1993-94 record - 14-0 in league, Metro champions; 29-0 overall (Sea-King District champion, Class AA state champion).

Coach - Sandy Schneider, 15th season, 250-90 record.

Returning starters - None.

Top returnees - Aisha Burrell (F, 5-9, Sr.); Sabrina Cowles (G, 5-6, Sr.); Meghan Gould (G, 5-2, So.).

Other to watch - Faye Hutchinson (G, 5-2, Sr., transfer from Granite Falls).

Outlook - Meet the new look Lakeside Lions. Fast-breaking, up-tempo style has been replaced by half-court, perimeter offense. This year's squad bears little resemblance to teams that won two AA state titles. Small line-up led by Gould who handles the basketball and makes most of the assists. How Hutchinson adapts to her new surroundings will be key. Burrell injured her knee and will likely miss tomorrow's season opener.

Tomorrow's game - Hosts Garfield, 6:15 p.m.

Rainier Beach

Nickname - Vikings.

1993-94 record - 2-12 in league, 13th; 2-15 overall.

Coach - Joyce Walker, first season.

Returning starters - 4.

Top returnees - Trina Brown (G/F, 5-9, Sr.); Megan Milus (G, 5-8, Jr.); Celeste White (C, 6-1, Jr.); Katrina Taplin (F, 5-10, Jr.).

Others to watch - Arlene Deridge (G, 5-5, Fr.); Sheba Taylor (F, 5-9, Fr.); Desiree Suarze (G, 5-7, So.).

Outlook - First head coaching position for Walker, a three-time All-American at Louisiana State University and former Harlem Globetrotter. Vikings will struggle early (1-1 after two games), but will improve eventually. Rebounding is the key. White and Taplin need to play well in the frontcourt. Brown, who is the only senior, will need to be more aggressive offensively. Milus is a good perimeter shooter. Deridge, the point guard, leads a promising trio of freshmen.

Tomorrow's game - At Hale, 6:15 p.m.

Roosevelt

Nickname - Roughriders.

1993-94 record - 11-3 in league, fourth; 16-9 overall (went 0-2 at district).

Coach - Aileen McManus, third season, 34-20 record.

Returning starters - 3.

Top returnees - Regina Bresee (G/F, 5-9, Sr.); Shanae Anderson (G/F, 5-9, Sr.); Serina Miller (G, 5-5, Sr.).

Others to watch - Enjoli Izidor (C, 6-0, Fr.) and Leylan Richards (G, 5-4, Jr.).

Outlook - Bresee returns to Roosevelt after leaving the team last season. She played in 13 Metro games and averaged 14.1 points. McManus hopes Anderson becomes the second scoring threat. Izidor, whose brother Asawa plays at Franklin, will surprise many opponents. She's a good rebounder and defender.

Tomorrow's game - At Eastside Catholic, 6:15 p.m.

Seattle Prep

Nickname - Panthers.

1993-94 record - 9-5 in league, sixth; 16-9 overall.

Coach - Val Ritchie, 12th season.

Returning starters - 2.

Top returnees - Erica Sciola (G, 5-4, Jr.) and Sherri Sorromero (F, 5-6, Sr.).

Others to watch - Meghan Comunale (F, 5-7, Jr.) and Julie Dowd (G/F,. 5-9, Jr.).

Outlook - Panthers are largely composed of juniors who have varsity experience. May be a year away from seriously challenging for Metro title. Prep's defense will have to lead early in the season, until half-court offense jells. Sciola is a good defender and scoring threat. Sorromero sprained her ankle and missed the first two games. She is probable for tomorrow. Prep had 60 students turn out for girls basketball and kept 36, 12 on varsity.

Tomorrow's game - Hosts Holy Names, 6:15 p.m.

West Seattle

1993-94 record - 3-11 in league, 12th; 6-14 overall.

Coach - Velko Vitalich, 16th season, 117-179 record.

Returning starters - 1.

Top returner - Kristen Reetz (C, 5-10, Sr.).

Outlook - Perennial cellar dweller whose best finish in past three years was 10th place in the 1992-93 season.

Tomorrow's game - At Franklin, 6:15 p.m.