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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
