North Hollywood Has Big Plans

Not surprisingly, the North Hollywood High girls’ basketball team looks like a strong candidate to win the City Section 4-A Division title.

It seems like the Huskies are always contenders. But in recent seasons--the past three to be exact--they haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs.

“We’re saying we want to get to the Sports Arena [for the championship game] this [season],” said Lindsay Sotero-Higa, a senior guard. “It’s fun to see all the talent that we have.”

North Hollywood last season finished with a 22-4 record and won the Mid-Valley League title, finishing 10-0 and extending its league winning streak to 47 games.

But they got knocked out of the playoffs in the second round for the third consecutive season, making them more eager to advance farther this time.

They appear to have the cast to do it.

Tashean Thomas, a 5-foot-5 junior guard, provides star power. She averaged 15 points and 6.5 steals last season, earned All-City and Times All-Valley honors, and was selected the league’s most valuable player.

Complementing Thomas will be 5-7 junior forward Markia Derby, who was second on the team in scoring (11.5 points per game) and rebounding (8.3 rebounds per game).

“She’s the one who has really improved,” Coach Rich Allen said. “And Tashean, she’s phenomenal. Our first five are very strong. We have as good a starting team as anybody.”

Sotero-Higa, who averaged nearly 11 points and five assists, runs the show. Claudia Villa, a 5-11 senior forward who averaged 11.4 points and a team-high 10.6 rebounds, provides height.

The front line also will feature Richelle Sherman, a 5-11 freshman center who is expected to be the fifth starter and an inside force.

“You look at her and you think she’s a woman, but she just turned 14,” Allen said. “As Richelle develops, that’s going to give us an opportunity to be able to compete with the Dorseys and the Washingtons and schools like that.”

The Huskies will see just how close they are to that level when they open against Dorsey in the first round of the Washington tournament Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

“The big thing is the bench,” Allen said. “Somebody is going to have to come in and step up. We cannot play with five people the whole season.”

Other teams are trying to measure up to the Huskies.

“When somebody wins like 50 in a row, you kind of have to put them in that position,” said Lou Goodman, Poly’s coach. “To beat them is my goal, let’s put it that way.”

Said Steve Brumwell, Grant’s coach: “We can win every other game we play in the conference, but if we lose to North Hollywood, it’s still second place. We know that’s what it comes down to.”

For Allen, the immediate task is to prepare the Huskies for the long run.

“Our goal is not to pile up 27 wins, necessarily,” Allen said. “I’ll trade wins to develop players. The goal is really to win in the playoffs.”

Especially more than two games.

“Other schools don’t really recognize you unless you go farther,” Sotero-Higa said. “People are always saying, ‘Oh yeah, North Hollywood. They’re a good team, but they can’t get past the second round.’ But we feel we can do better this year, and that’s definitely our goal.”

Other teams to watch:

Cleveland: Although the Cavaliers last season struggled to a 5-12 record, Coach Kim Kelly hopes for big things from a young but talented and experienced team. The squad has only one senior, but several of the younger players, especially freshmen club team veterans Schquay Brignac and Arielle Thomas and sophomore Malinda Malone, are expected to make an impact.

El Camino Real: Aja Diamond, the team’s leader in assists and steals and second-leading scorer and rebounder, was lost to graduation, but the Conquistadores return junior standout Cara Blumfield and her 20-plus points-per-game average. The top newcomers include ninth-grader Karen Shun, a 5-10 center. Sophomore forward Chrissy McClain is an outstanding athlete with terrific jumping ability.

Grant: The Lancers boast depth and experience this year. The front line duo of Nakeisha Perkins and Angela Terry provide the latter. Complementing them will be sophomore guard Leslie Mui, a sharpshooter who last season made 48 three-point baskets. The newcomers include point guard Natalie Gabor and Kathleen Mallon, the league’s junior varsity most valuable co-players last season.

Sylmar: The Spartans should benefit from incoming transfers Giselle and Michelle Jimenez from Alemany and Veronica Ramos from Van Nuys. The influx of new talent has pushed returner Suzette Martinez to the bench.

Poly: Besides the Jeffries twins, Quiana and Ciara, the Parrots feature several players coming off the volleyball team that last week won the City 3-A title. Rhona Castillo, a 5-3 guard, could develop into a top player, and 5-9 senior Jamie Jefferson is a strong rebounder.

Reseda: There isn’t a senior in the starting lineup, but first-year Coach Mike Wagner expects the Regents to develop into a strong offensive team. “We may give up 200 points, but I think we’ll score some points, too,” he said.

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Top returning City Section girls’ basketball players in the region, with a comment from correspondent Lauren Peterson.

Player, School: Cara Blumfield, El Camino Real

Ht.: 5-5

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Led region City players in scoring (20.1).

*

Player, School: Schquay Brignac, Cleveland

Ht.: 5-6

Yr.: Fr.

Comment: Quick, aggressive and experienced.

*

Player, School: Jessica Cosby, Granada Hills

Ht.: 5-10

Yr.: So.

Comment: Averaged 18.5 points and 16.1 rebounds.

*

Player, School: Markia Derby, No. Hollywood

Ht.: 5-7

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Can play inside or out.

*

Player, School: Neisa Guerrero, Reseda

Ht.: 5-10

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Strong inside player, shoots well.

*

Player, School: Ciara Jeffries, Poly

Ht.: 5-8

Yr.: So.

Comment: Averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.

*

Player, School: Quiana Jeffries, Poly

Ht.: 5-8

Yr.: So.

Comment: Can play every position.

*

Player, School: Nakeisha Perkins, Grant

Ht.: 6-0

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Averaged 12.2 points and 15.5 rebounds.

*

Player, School: Angela Terry, Grant

Ht.: 5-9

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Gives Grant dominating 1-2 punch inside.

*

Player, School: Tashean Thomas, No. Hollywood

Ht.: 5-5

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Averaged 15 points as sophomore.