Monterey Bay League 2001-2002 Girl's Basketball Preview

The 2001-2001 campaign saw some excellent young talent make its presence known in the league. Quality starting sophomores and juniors dotted most MBL rosters as they learned the varsity ropes and gained valuable experience. The youth movement was validated with the selection of  a sophomore by MBL coaches as the league's most valuable player. The one experience-rich team in the league was Hollister, whose 4 starting seniors carried the Balers to their second consecutive MBL title. It seems like rivals Hollister and Notre Dame square off in the MBL opener every season (they do again this year), and last season's opener got league play off to a roaring start. Not only did the game go into overtime with the Balers pulling out an eventual 50-47 victory, but 54 cumulative fouls were called for an eye-popping 75 charity stripe attempts!

As dominating as the MBL has recently been in softball (11 CCS titles in 6 years), the league has surprisingly never won a CCS girl's basketball title. With state and nationally ranked teams like Mitty and Pinewood annually in their playoff path, the MBL girl's have had difficulty finding postseason success. Last year's top MBL teams fared no differently. Hollister lost 75-35 to Mitty in the CCS D1 semifinals, Live Oak lost 101-41 to Mitty in the CCS D1 second round, and North Salinas lost 72-28 to Pinewood in the CCS D2 quarterfinals. The rest of the league had similar results in the postseason. Gilroy lost to Hollister 46-35 in the CCS D1 1st round, North County lost to Sacred Heart Cathedral 76-32 in the CCS D3 2nd round, and Notre Dame lost to Valley Christian 48-45 in the CCS D4 quarterfinals. Overall, the MBL went 5-7 in the 2001-2002 CCS playoffs, but gained valuable experience that should improve this season's postseason chances.

Early Favorites
With stellar returning talent, North Salinas, Notre Dame and Hollister will battle it out for the 2001-2002 MBL title. All three squads are capable of going deep into the CCS playoffs. A much improved Salinas squad will try and fend off Gilroy, Monterey and North Monterey County for a postseason bid. Live Oak, Alvarez and Alisal are capable of jumping up and biting any team that may overlook them. 

MBL Returning Marquee Players

Players to Watch

Profile and Last Season's Order of Finish

Hollister

The return of standout junior point guard Gina Caianiello, an All-MBL honorable mention selection last season, will go a long way to soften the blow of losing seven seniors to graduation. Senior off guard Nicole Donley and power forward Naomi Ruiz (5-10) have put up impressive offensive numbers in the preseason, with Ruiz very active on the boards as well. Volleyball standout Sarah Groman (6-0) and athletic Shelby Funk (5-10) patrol the paint  for Hollister. Senior forward Stacey Perrien and junior guards Desina Gonzales and Sabina Murphy give Hollister the option of playing several different quality rotations.

North Salinas

Graduated: All-Monterey County and All-MBL selection Michelle Metcalf

To put it bluntly, the Vikings are loaded. Junior All-MBL second team center Monica Abbott (6-2) is the league's most physically imposing player. Not only did Abbott average 12 points per game in the preseason, she also pulled in 154 rebounds. Abbott was named to the Wildcat Invitational All-Tournament Team. By here side is 5-11 Jennifer Patterson, averaging over 7 points per game and hauling in 111 rebounds in the preseason. All-MBL honorable mention Ashley Pemberton, Nicole White, and Brittini McCready all return to make up a solid Viking back court. Heather Corsaro led the Vikings with 7 preseason 3-pointers. Junior guard Amanda Lemos and Alexis Villarin provide crucial depth off  the bench. An 11-1 preseason record, including a thrilling 52-50 victory over highly CCS ranked Santa Cruz on December 19th, has the Vikings ready for a run at the league title. 

Gilroy

With All-MBL center Lindsay Goodere, All-MBL honorable mention Jenna Boyd, All-MBL honorable mention Keisha Webster, and All-MBL second team junior guard Laura Hennessey all returning, the Mustang's a have solid core of veteran varsity players. With the valuable addition of varsity newcomer Nicki Day leading the Mustang's in scoring, a second consecutive playoff appearance is within reach. Look for senior Brianna Diaz and Sara Hoeft to make valuable contributions as well.

Live Oak

Player to watch: Amber Hall (10.7 points per game).

Notre Dame

How do you top having the MBL's most valuable player and All-County selection Serena Benavente (5-6) on your roster for the next two years? How about adding another phenom guard, freshman Jessica Ross (5-9), to your roster for the next four. Both have already garnered significant recognition in the preseason. Benavente was named the Gilroy Mustang Classic Tournament Most Valuable Player, and Ross was named to the Gilroy Mustang Classic All-Tournament Team. Both Benavente and Ross were named to the Seaside Sweet 16 All-Tournament Team as well. All-MBL honorable mention junior Julie Martin (5-10) has blossomed into a strong post player, averaging close to 8 points per game in the preseason and leading the team in rebounds. Sophomore forward Kirstyn Martin has been a pleasant surprise for the Spirits, averaging 10 points per game (including 15 against Louisiana state power St. Mary's Academy) and named to the Gilroy Mustang Classic All-Tournament Team. Monterey County volleyball MVP Mallory Hook returned to the basketball court after a 1 year layoff, and the results have been very encouraging for the Spirits; Hook is finding her scoring touch, averaging 5.3 points per game, and has become a rebounding force. Teri Ann Caogan, Danielle Whitney, Hailey Vaughn and Joanne Merrill give the Spirits many talented options off the bench.

Alvarez

All-MBL honorable mention junior Jenny DelReal averaged 8.6 points per game during the preseason. Jessica Burnett (7.6 ppg), Crystal Hinojosa (5.3 ppg) and junior Victoria Johnson (4.9 ppg) all had double-digit scoring efforts during the preseason. Alejandra Saldana, Patti Melano, and forward Jaime Priest should also see significant playing time for the Eagles during league play .

Monterey

North Monterey County

Alisal

Team captain Brenda Ayala hopes to lead the lady Trojans to their first playoff appearance since 1998. Lilly Valenzuela (7 ppg) and junior Veronica Contreras (7.8 ppg) were both named to the Breaker Classic All-Tournament Team. Roxanne Bernal (3.5 ppg) and Mayra Barocia (4.9 ppg) will also make significant team contributions.

Salinas