CHICAGO — D’Onta Foreman ran for a touchdown and the Chicago Bears boosted their shot at the top pick in the draft, beating the Carolina Panthers, 16-13, on Thursday night.

The prime-time matchup between teams among the bottom five in the NFL delivered about as much drama as expected. But Chicago (3-7) made enough plays to come away with the victory.

The Bears also boosted their chances at the No. 1 pick because they have Carolina’s first-rounder in 2024. They acquired the pick along with Moore last March for the top selection this year. The Panthers (1-8) are tied with Arizona – which plays Atlanta on Sunday – for the worst record in the NFL.

Foreman gave the Bears a 16-10 lead in the third quarter with a 4-yard run. Chicago was clinging to a three-point lead with 1:40 remaining when Carolina’s Eddy Pineiro attempted a 59-yard field goal. The ball landed well short.

Moore caught five passes for 58 yards against his former team. Rookie Tyson Bagent threw for 162 yards in his fourth straight start with Justin Fields sidelined because of a dislocated right thumb. The undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia didn’t see open receivers at times and completed 20 of 33 passes, after throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble last week in a loss at New Orleans.

Carolina’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. But Bryce Young, coming off his worst game as a pro, had another rough outing. The No. 1 draft pick this year, the former Mater Dei High standout was 21 of 38 for 185 yards with a 68.4 rating, after throwing three interceptions and having two returned for scores in a loss to Indianapolis.

Adam Thielen caught six passes for 42 yards, and the Panthers fell to 0-5 on the road.

The Bears grabbed a 16-10 lead midway through the third on a 4-yard run by Foreman – who spent last season with Carolina – to cap a 38-yard drive after pinning the Panthers deep in their own territory. Chicago opted not to try a 2-point conversion to go up by seven.

Carolina got a big opportunity late in the third, taking over at the Chicago 40-yard line after Trenton Gill shanked a punt. The Panthers got pushed back 20 yards to start the drive because of back-to-back penalties, then got to the 20 before Pineiro kicked a field goal to make it a three-point game early in the fourth.

The Panthers led 10-9 at halftime even though the Bears outgained them 205 yards to 97. Chicago ran 42 plays but settled for three field goals by Cairo Santos.

Smith-Marsette, who played part of last season in Chicago, gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when he returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. He broke a tackle by Josh Blackwell, cut through the middle and used a hesitation move to get past punter Trenton Gill for his first career touchdown return.

Chicago answered with a 54-yard field goal by Santos. Former Bear Pineiro kicked a 33-yarder early in the second quarter to make it a seven-point game. Santos booted two more field goals, hitting a 36-yarder with just over three minutes left and 39-yarder as time expired, to make it a one-point game.

INJURIES

Neither team reported an injury.

UP NEXT

The Panthers host Dallas on Nov. 19.

The Bears visit Detroit on Nov. 19.

“Isaiah!” yelled one young fan wearing a USC jersey, beaming, leaning toward the court in the direction of Isaiah Collier.

The Trojans’ electric freshman floor general turned to him, a smile spreading across the 19-year-old’s face. He pointed, right at him.

And the boy shrieked. 

The USC basketball program hasn’t had a figure quite like this in a while, a player who combines one-and-done talent with style and charisma to match. And a bolt of lightning shot through Galen on Thursday, amid an otherwise sleepy crowd for the 6 p.m. start in the team’s home debut, when Collier emerged from the tunnel during pregame introductions to the tune of Soulja Boy’s “Pretty Boy Swag,” the crowd roaring so loud it temporarily drowned out the public address announcer.

And the show Collier put on in the first half was special, the engine of a No. 21 Trojans squad that built a 24-point lead by halftime and boat raced Cal State Bakersfield, 85-59, Roadrunner defenders looking like tumbleweeds when he decided to gearshift from 0 to 60. He spent much of the first 15 minutes pushing the pace in transition, dishing assists to bigs off pick-and-rolls or firing torpedoes to shooters stationed in weak-side corners, and he showed notable patience after a six-turnover debut.

“Track meet – we say that a lot, so, I mean, it’s just runnin’,” Collier said after the game.

With a minute left in the first half and a 20-point lead, though, Collier went into attack mode, calling for a transition pass he never received. Senior guard Boogie Ellis motioned at him though, and a burly Collier sealed his defender, driving baseline and hanging long enough to split the outstretched arms of a couple of potential shot blockers.

He flipped a right-handed layup over his head, looking like it would clank off the backboard, but, seeming to defy the laws of momentum, it kissed with perfect spin and dropped through.

Collier finished with 19 points, five assists and four steals, part of a dynamic USC attack that has improved noticeably in shooting and ball movement compared to last year’s squad. Washington State transfer DJ Rodman hit back-to-back 3-pointers at one point in the first half, later draining a wide-open transition look, and finished with 13 points after a quiet showing in an 82-69 victory over Kansas State on Monday night in Las Vegas.

“I really feel like I’m gonna step into a role that’s going to be more of a scoring, more assertive role here,” Rodman said last week, a prophecy fulfilled on Thursday night.

USC shot 59% from the field in the first half, scoring 19 points off Bakersfield turnovers.

Collier, though, ran into some second-half trouble, turning the ball over on three straight possessions after he had six turnovers in his collegiate debut on Monday. It’s a noticeable issue for a lead guard who attacks at breakneck speed, sometimes prone to tripping over his own feet or getting stripped – but it’s also part of who Collier is, an agent of chaos in the open court.

“The good players can get to where they want,” Coach Andy Enfield said after the win, “but the great players know what to do when they get there. And so, he has to figure out what to do when he gets there, because he can get where he wants on the court.”

They couldn’t rely entirely, too, on a freshman point guard, as Enfield pointed out. And USC was helped, too, by balanced scoring overall, even in wing Kobe Johnson’s absence – day-to-day, Enfield said, after an injury suffered in the season opener.

Lithe sophomore guard Oziyah Sellers, who Enfield has pointed out as much-improved, chipped in an efficient 16 points. Stalwart big Joshua Morgan added 12 points off some nice feeds from Collier and Ellis, and the USC bigs and perimeter defenders rotated well while holding Bakersfield to 42% shooting.

Ellis was held to 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting (1 for 6 from 3-point range) after scoring 24 in the season opener.

Kaleb Higgins led the Roadrunners (1-1) with 19 points and Cameron Wilbon had 10.

UP NEXT

USC hosts UC Irvine on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Scores and stats from Orange County games on Thursday, Nov. 9

Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

THURSDAY’S SCORES

GIRLS GOLF

CIF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIP

Los Serranos GC (par 74)

Team scores: 1 Santa Margarita 364; 2. Walnut 376; 3. Torrey Pines 380; 4. Peninsula 389; 5. Northwood 392; 6. Rancho Bernardo 417; 7. Buchanan 417; 8. Clovis West 436; 9. Palisades 465; 10. Granada Hills Charter 558

Top individual scores: 1. Donina Zhou (Santa Margarita) 69 (Individual champion in one-hole playoff); 2. Kaila Elsayegh (Marlborough) 69; T3. Asterisk Talley (Chowcilla) 71; T3. Leigh Chien (Santa Margarita) 71; T3. Sehee Sim (Torrey Pines) 71; T3. Yurang Li (Sunny Hills) 71; T3. Kacey Ly (Temple City) 71; T8. Kandice Chuang (Buckley) 72: T8. Lauren Lee (Mater Dei) 72; T8. Juliet Oh (Diamond Bar) 72; T8. Anna Song (Palisades) 72; T8. Lauren Shin (Los Alamitos) 72.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

CIF SOCAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Round II

DIVISION I

Palos Verdes def. JSerra, 25-23, 10-25, 25-20, 25-22

La Canada def. Orange Lutheran, 25-14, 25-23, 25-22

San Luis Obispo def. Beckman, 29-27, 25-23, 25-21

DIVISION III

Poway def. Sunny Hills, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19

DIVISION V

Orangewood Academy def. Caifornia City, 25-18, 25-18, 25-16

Bass, who became chair of the USCM’s Homelessness Task Force in June, hosted the group of visiting mayors, who shared best practices and identified potential solutions to barriers that they hope to communicate to White House officials and federal lawmakers.

“When we join together as mayors, we build the national momentum to get this solved,” Bass said during a press conference on Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown L.A., where the mayors had gathered.

“Mayors are on the ground. Mayors are first responders. And we bear the responsibility to make sure that no one in the U.S. is left without housing, is left without support services and left to live and die on our streets,” Bass said.

USCM President and Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said elected officials need to start calling out outdated or failing policies, such as the fact that federal funding to combat homelessness often goes to state or county governments but not to the cities.

The group of mayors also brought up the need for policymakers to tackle issues like mental health illnesses and substance abuse as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness.

Wade Kapszukiewicz, the mayor of Toledo, Ohio, listed some major requests that the group of mayors is seeking from the federal government, including a dramatic increase in housing vouchers, more federal protections for tenants facing evictions, increased emergency rental assistance and more investments in mental health and other support services.

“(We’re) not interested in talking; we’re interested in doing,” Kapszukiewicz said.

Immediately following the press conference, the mayors participated in a discussion with White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, who announced that the Biden administration will issue guidance to increase the flexibility in the federal housing voucher program to shorten the time someone must wait for housing.

In addition, Tanden announced that the Biden administration launch a program to better ensure that people coming out of treatment for, say, substance abuse, will have access to Medicaid services.

“We know the federal government can be a burden or it can be a partner, and our goal is to be a partner,” Tanden said.

The Biden administration had previously set a goal of reducing homelessness nationwide by 25% by the year 2025.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ two-day event wrapped up on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the mayors toured Skid Row, the epicenter of L.A.’s homeless crisis, and the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village, which provides interim housing near L.A.’s Chinatown.

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The first view the final placement of two solid rocket motors as part of the California Science Center’s “Go for Stack” Thursday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. The process of moving the space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical launch-position display. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Work crews install the first of two recently arrived 116-foot-long Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) are lifted by a large, 450-foot-tall crane from their temporary location outside the California Science Center at Exhibition Park into their final vertical positions. Tuesday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Work crews lift the first of two recently arrived 116-foot-long Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) are lifted by a large, 450-foot-tall crane from their temporary location outside the California Science Center at Exhibition Park into their final vertical positions. Tuesday, Los Angeles CA/USA. Nov 7, 2023. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing Photographer)

The twins are both standing tall once more. Endeavour will rise anew to join them soon.

On Thursday, Nov. 9, both 116-foot-long Solid Rocket Motors of the Space Shuttle Endeavour were visible, secured in their final vertical positions at the California Science Center, the latest step in “Go for Stack” — a complex process of installing Endeavour’s 20-story vertical display — which will become the centerpiece of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Exposition Park.

The first of the two towering engines was hoisted up by crane on Tuesday and was joined by its mate on Wednesday.

The Thursday event was a chance for media to see the dramatic scale of the vertical display before the components are fully enclosed in scaffolding that will protect the components during construction. According to the California Science Center, those barriers will be built around the full shuttle stack to protect it from the weather and construction. The scaffolding will be covered with plywood and Kevlar fabric.

The $400,000 million, 200,000-square-foot Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will nearly double the California Science Center’s educational exhibit areas with an artifact collection of aircraft and spacecraft, hands-on exhibits to encourage people of all ages to learn about the “principles of atmospheric flight and the exploration of the universe,” the center explained in a statement.

The engines — which once propelled America’s famed space shuttles into orbit — chugged down the freeway last month, trekking from storage in the desert to their new upright home.

The giant motors — each 116 feet long, more than 12 feet in diameter and both 104,000 pounds —  will ultimately become part of the only vertical, launch-ready configuration of a shuttle in the world. Science Center officials began the process of creating the display last July.

The new exhibit won’t be open until sometime after 2025. The public will have until the end of this year to catch a glimpse of Endeavour — still horizontally, however — at its current display at the museum.

Betts batted .307 with a .408 on-base percentage and .579 slugging percentage in 152 regular-season games, finishing with a career-high 39 home runs and 107 RBIs. He’s won the award three times as a Dodger and three times with the Boston Red Sox.

Four other Dodgers – first baseman Freddie Freeman, designated hitter J.D. Martinez, third baseman Max Muncy and catcher Will Smith – were among the three finalists for a Silver Slugger award in the National League, but none of them won.

One player per position is chosen for the award in both the American and National League; an additional Silver Slugger award is given to a “utility player” in each league.

The Dodgers were also a finalist for the first team-wide Silver Slugger award, given to one club in each league. In the National League, that award went to the Atlanta Braves, who led the NL in runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.

A vote of MLB managers and coaches decides the Silver Slugger Award winners. Each team is allotted four votes, given to the manager and three coaches of his choice. Votes are based on a combination of offensive statistics including OBP, OPS, OPS+, home runs, hits, RBIs and batting average as well as the managers’ and coaches’ general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value.

Betts will receive a three-foot tall Silver Slugger award from Louisville Slugger, fashioned in the shape of a bat. Each trophy bears a custom engraving of the recipient’s name along with the names of the other Silver Slugger winners in that player’s league.

There are, after all, two other bona fide contenders for the honor in female standout Idiomatic and Cody’s Wish, who will earn many votes on the strength of the tear-jerking story alone.

If you go purely by record, Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Idiomatic earns the prize based on eight victories in nine starts, five graded stakes and three Grade I wins. White Abarrio’s résumé includes only two graded-stakes victories, both Grade I’s, and Cody’s Wish won four of five starts, including three Grade I’s.

What say you, Mr. Dutrow?

“I think that he’s (White Abarrio) the best one going around two turns in this country right now,” he said. “I think Cody’s Wish is the best one that is not going around two turns in this country right now. Cody’s Wish had a huge year, one more Grade I than (White Abarrio) and that’s all great.”

Right now Dutrow has his sights set on the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 24. He believes the Race Day colt is one of the best horses in the world as he readies to embark on his 5-year-old season.

“I would be comfortable running him in the Saudi Cup in his next start,” he said. “I would be comfortable. I’m going to be pushing for it. I think that’s where this horse belongs. From all the horses we’ve seen run, I think that it’s going to take a big effort for a good horse to beat him in his next start.”

Then Dutrow decided enough was enough and decided to indeed go Buddy Delp on us and talk up White Abarrio like the latter gushed over Spectacular Bid during his career. But before you reach for your keyboard to type an email, I am in no way comparing White Abarrio to the sensational Spectacular Bid.

“I’ve already bought all the ChapStick that I can because I’ll be licking my lips everywhere with this,” Dutrow said. “I just don’t want him to get all rustled up, you know, when you guys are interviewing. But that’s what we can’t wait for and I want to make sure that he is on top of his game when he goes into that race. It means everything to us.”

What if he doesn’t win Horse of the Year? Dutrow says there’s always next year.

“I’m not putting my vote in for (White Abarrio), but if they gave it to him I will be behind it a million percent,” he said. “We’ve got next year for him. We can do it with him next year. As long as he stays the way he is right now. He can get Horse of the Year next year. That’s if they don’t give it to him this year. I mean, we’re not doing the voting.”

Brad Cox, trainer of Idiomatic, made a strong case for his 4-year-old Curlin filly taking home the top Eclipse Award of the year.

“She totally deserves to be in there,” Cox said. “She was not just a horse of the fall or a horse of the summer. She was a horse that danced a lot of dances through the season. She has a beautiful record and I’m proud of her.

“Look, there are a lot of good horses. White Abarrio, Cody’s Wish … her. They probably all deserve it. She gets my vote and I don’t have one.”

Of course, the story of Cody’s Wish is the feel-good story that turned tragic Sunday when 17-year-old Cody Dorman died after a “medical event” on the family’s way home to Kentucky the day after his namesake won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in dramatic fashion over National Treasure.

It’s a tale and a journey that just might earn Horse of the Year for the son of Curlin.

If so, who could argue with it?

Follow Art Wilson on Twitter @Sham73

(Final standings)

JOCKEYS / WINS

Juan Hernandez / 24

Umberto Rispoli / 20

Antonio Fresu / 19

Ramon Vazquez / 12

Hector Berrios / 10

TRAINERS / WINS

Mark Glatt / 12

Philip D’Amato / 11

Peter Miller / 10

Three tied / 9

WEEKEND STAKES AT DEL MAR

Friday

• $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 mile (turf)

Saturday

• $75,000 Kathryn Crosby Stakes, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, 1 mile (turf)

Sunday

• $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up bred in California, 7 furlongs

DOWN THE STRETCH

• It was announced this week that Del Mar will host the Breeders’ Cup in 2025, marking the first time the track Where the Turf Meets the Surf will host the event in consecutive years. Del Mar, which will have hosted the World Thoroughbred Championships four times after the 2025 edition, is hosting next year’s event on Nov. 1-2. Santa Anita and Churchill Downs are the only other tracks to host the Breeders’ Cup in consecutive years. Santa Anita hosted in 2008-09 and 2012-14 and Churchill Downs was the site in 2010-11.

• Del Mar begins its 13-day Bing Crosby fall meet Friday with an eight-race card highlighted by the $75,000 Let It Ride Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 mile on the turf. The 10th Bing Crosby season will include a pair of $300,000 Grade I grass races on closing weekend (Dec. 2-3) – the Hollywood Derby for 3-year-olds at 9 furlongs on the turf on Dec. 2 and the Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 mile on the grass on Dec. 3. Overall, Del Mar will offer 13 major stakes and two overnights that are worth more than $2 million in purses.

• Del Mar racing secretary David Jerkens loves the time of year when the track’s four-week fall meet falls. “Where we’re laid out on the calendar is perfect,” he told Jim Charvat of Del Mar publicity. “There is just not that many graded opportunities at this time of the year, so it becomes attractive. Especially to have a 3-year-old race like the Hollywood Derby in December and then the Matriarch, a Grade I for fillies.” The Derby and Matriarch are two of the stakes races that comprise the Turf Festival during the final two weeks of the meet.

— Art Wilson

O.C. PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Mater Dei: The Trinity League juggernaut didn’t lose to a county foe last season and will again be tough to beat. Reigning county player of the year Addison Deal returns as a versatile guard (15 ppg) while Duke commit Jenessa Cotton provides the inside muscle (12.4 ppg, 6.1 reb.). The Monarchs round out their starting lineup with Amaya Williams, Kaeli Wynn and Devyn Kiernan, the daughter of coach Kevin Kiernan. Depth has been a strength but the Monarchs’ roster doesn’t appear to be as deep as last season.

2. Sage Hill: It’s the final, united run for five products of Kobe Bryant’s Mambas travel team. Emily Eadie, Kat Righeimer, Zoie Lamkin and Annabelle Spotts are seniors while Amalia Holguin is a sophomore. Eadie, Righeimer and Spotts have committed to Princeton, Northwestern and Chicago, respectively. The defending Pacific Coast League champion figures to have strong chemistry, and improved depth. Senior Aurora Elder, a 6-foot-3 post, arrived from Riverside Poly. The unit will also lean on freshman Kamdyn Klamberg and sophomore Alyssa Cuff.

3. Orange Lutheran: The reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion will mix several returners with some newcomers. The backcourt duo of Shea Joko and Kelly Garrity returns along with versatile guard/forward Princess Cassell and post Sheridan Kennedy. Joko, the Division 1 player of the year last season, will be joined by her freshman sister Lexi. Orange Lutheran lost post Taliyah McFerson, who transferred to Lynwood, but added three transfers, including post Emalynn Vong from Orangewood Academy.

4. Rosary: The Division 1 semifinalist from last season will team Loyola Marymount-committed guard Allison Clarke with an array of intriguing transfers and freshmen. Clarke, a first-team All-County selection, joins forces with Troy transfer Kayla Borgelt, a third-team All-County selection. The newcomers include twins Calista and Mikayla Purwadi from Indonesia and point guard Rihanna Meaders.

5. Buena Park: The Coyotes, the Division 4AA runner-up last season, return three of their four top sophomores in Alana White, Bella Harmon and Ava Wiley, daughter of coach DeAnthony Wiley. They also added three transfers in All-County forward Mya Barnes of Rosary, forward Gloria Barrera of St. Paul and guard Hannah Fuentes of Orangewood Academy. The squad lost speedy point guard Sydnie Lendsey to a transfer to Santa Margarita.

6. San Juan Hills: The reigning South Coast League champion remains formidable with the return of All-County selections Anna Shreeve and Aryanna Hudson, along with well-rounded Sydney Peterson. Hudson committed to Vanguard. The Stallions added Trabuco Hills transfer sophomore Olivia Morgan but still face a void after graduating All-County guard Amanda Edwards, now at Weber State.

7. Fairmont Prep: The Huskies and first-year coach Josh Lozano are on the rise. Their returning core is led by improving sophomore point guard Adyra Rajan, a third-team All-County pick. They also have added 6-foot-2 post Sarah Aldeguer, who has played for the French 15-and-under national team. Long Beach Poly transfer post Lesina Afu will join the mix after the sitout period.

8. Esperanza: The undersized Aztecs are retooling after graduating All-County guard Kaiya Mack, now at Cal Lutheran. Sophomore guard Madi Lam is the top returner and coming off a stellar flag football season playing under Jimmy Valverde, also the Aztecs’ basketball coach. The Crestview League champion also returns sharp-shooter Charlotte Muller.

9. Orangewood Academy: The San Joaquin League contender will blend its returners and with some intriguing newcomers. All-County forward Maria Mejia leads the group of returners that includes point Vicky Om, who missed last season with a knee injury. The squad added international players in Ndeye Astou Ndiaye, a 6-foot junior, and Vivian Grenald, a 6-foot-1 freshman.

10. Portola: The Pacific Coast League runner-up from last season begins the post-Moka Saika era by returning four starters. The key player is point guard Kira Watanabe, who continues to raise her game. The senior will lead one of the fastest squads in the county.

Also considered: Brea Olinda, Crean Lutheran, San Clemente, Sonora, Woodbridge

TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Princess Cassell, Orange Lutheran, Sr., G

The well-rounded Cassell is generating Division I college interest with her ability to sink 3-pointers, attack the basket and play active defense. She earned third-team All-County honors last season.

Allison Clarke, Rosary, Sr., G

The Loyola Marymount commit averaged 19.5 points and 2.6 steals last season en route to first-team All-County honors. She scored at least 30 points five times during the regular season.

Jenessa Cotton, Mater Dei, Sr., F

The Duke commit combines excellent shooting touch from the perimeter with the ability score inside and rebound. The 6-foot-3 Cotton has the talent to contend for county player of the year.

Addison Deal, Mater Dei, Jr., G

The reigning O.C. player of the year is coming off a strong summer in which her offensive arsenal continued to evolve. The 6-foot Deal is the No. 1-ranked junior in California, and No. 12 in the nation, according to HoopGurlz Recruiting.

Emily Eadie, Sage Hill, Sr., F

The Princeton commit is one of the county’s most complete players. She led the Lightning last season in scoring (15.2 ppg), rebounding (11.2) and assists (3.0) en route to first-team All-County honors.

Amalia Holguin, Sage Hill, So., G

The freshman burst onto the scene last season by averaging 14.4 points — on 35 percent shooting from beyond the 3-point line — and 2.6 steals. Be ready for an encore.

Shea Joko, Orange Lutheran, Sr., G

The reigning Division 1 player of the year proved herself last season with clutch performances in the playoffs. She’s a gifted shooter but watch for her passing and defense, too.

Kat Righeimer, Sage Hill, Sr., F

The Northwestern commit has improved each season so expect the versatile senior to build off her averages last winter of 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Anna Shreeve, San Juan Hills, Jr., F

The athletic junior continued her rise last season by leading the South Coast League champion in scoring (14.9), rebounds (7.6) and steals (3.0).

Amaya Williams, Mater Dei, Jr., G

The 5-foot-10 guard has made a “huge jump”, Monarchs coach Kevin Kiernan said, and holds about 15 Division I-level college offers.

Please send girls basketball news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy