TEAMS TO WATCH

BUENA

1994-95: 24-4, Channel League champion

The Bulldogs advanced to their sixth consecutive section final last season, losing to Mater Dei, 57-53, in the Division I-A championship game. Buena also advanced to the semifinals of the Southern California regional.

Coach Joe Vaughan enters his 21st season with six returning varsity members. Buena remains the league favorite.

Nicole Greathouse (6-2) and senior guards Kori Sebeck (5-6) and Eboni Conley (5-8) are returning starters. Sebeck averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, and was an all-league selection. Conley averaged 12.3 points and 5.1 rebounds and earned all-league and All-Southern Section honors. Junior forward Stephanie Kinnear (6.1 points), a part-time starter, also returns. Sophomore guard Renae Hofmann averaged 13.7 points on the junior varsity.

* ALEMANY

1994-95: 24-6, Mission League champion

The Indians, who lost in the Division II-AA final last season, are favorites to claim their third consecutive league title and eighth in Coach Melissa Hearlihy’s 10-year tenure.

Senior center Carly Funicello will draw most of the attention, but 5-11 junior forward Francine Bennette, a returning varsity member, will help make the Indians difficult to out-rebound.

Senior guard Jen Stoughton (5-4), a three-year varsity member, will play an increased role. Sophomore guard Kelli Kobayashi (5-4) was a second-team all-league selection.

Top newcomers include 5-9 junior forward Rachel Manning and 5-6 senior guard Stacey Mendoza, both impact players on the junior varsity.

* NOTRE DAME

1994-95: 20-7, second in Mission League

Chemistry is a strength for the Knights, who last season advanced to the Division III-A semifinals.

Four seniors--5-7 guard Ashly Ritter, 6-foot forward Stacey Phillips, 5-11 guard Lourdes Slinsky and 5-7 guard Stephanie Eden--are three-year starters and likely to have opponents seeing double.

Ritter wears jersey No. 88, Phillips is No. 66, Slinsky is No. 00 and Eden is No. 99. All four picked their numbers as freshmen.

“We built our whole program around these four players,” Coach Rob DiMuro said. “When they came in as freshmen, you could tell they were going to be special.”

Ritter, who averaged 21 points during summer league, might be the team’s best player. Eden has improved as a three-point shooter and Slinsky has recovered from a knee injury that limited her to five games last season.

* SIMI VALLEY

1994-95: 24-6, second in Marmonte League

The Pioneers, Division I-AA quarterfinalists last season, are the league favorite, thanks to senior forward Tawnee Cooper and an experienced supporting cast.

Senior guard Jamie Griffin (5-7), an all-league selection, enters her third varsity season after averaging 10.1 points and 3.5 assists. Senior guard Angela Mosesso (5-4), a second-team all-league selection and a returning starter, is among eight returning lettermen.

Five other players logged considerable playing time last season: seniors Kayla Hughes (6-0), Jennifer Hanley (5-9) and Stacey Brenner (5-7) and juniors Christina Mosesso (5-7) and Shannon Malia (5-8).

* CRESCENTA VALLEY

1994-95: 23-7, second in Pacific League

The Falcons have nine returning letterman, including five starters. They have talent and speed to go with their depth.

Michelle Greco and Amirah Leonard, who averaged a combined 40 points last season, should continue to produce. Sophomore point guard Tara Gregory (5-2), a transfer from Temple City, was an All-Rio Hondo League selection. Senior center Stephanie Coulter (6-2) transferred from Verdugo Hills and will be pushed by 6-2 freshman center Kelly Paige.