Mission Trail  2001-2002 Girl's Basketball Preview

2000-2001 MTAL girl's basketball was a tale of two seasons. Behind MTAL MVP Amy Crawford, Pacific Grove dominated league play, crushing rival King City 54-29 in league game #11 and running their league record to 13-0. But it was King City taking revenge in the MTAL postseason tournament, stunning Pacific Grove 55-46 to claim the MTAL tournament championship and a share of the league title.  King City then proceeded to add insult to injury, ending the Breaker's season with a 45-40 victory in the first round of the CCS D4 playoffs.

Several heartbreakingly close losses put a damper on the MTAL postseason. Santa Catalina lost 48-45 to Branham in the first round of the CCS D4 playoffs, Carmel lost 49-46 to Mercy-Burlingame in the first round of the CCS D4 playoffs, and Pacific Grove lost its opener 45-40 to King City CCS D4 quarterfinals. King City lost 55-21 in the semifinals to eventual CCS D4 champion Sacred Heart Prep. Gonzales lost its opener 54-30 to MBL member Notre Dame in the CCS D4 first round.

Early Favorites
With an overwhelming abundance of returning talent, King City is the clear-cut favorite to take yet another MTAL title. Pacific Grove, Santa Catalina, Carmel and Seaside will likely battle for second place and a spot in postseason play. Greenfield and Gonzales have enough quality returning talent to make a playoff run as well.
.

MTAL Returning Marquee Players

Players To Watch

Profile and Last Season's Order of Finish

Pacific Grove

The bad news - Pacific Grove lost two of the county's top basketball players, Amy Crawford and Robin Fussenich, to graduation. The good news - three of Pacific Grove's top five scorers return to help the Breakers defend their MTAL co-championship: All-MTAL second team standout Lee Stansbury (11.4 ppg), Ashley Miller (10.2 ppg) and Jessica Anderson (7 ppg). Three sport standout Marissa Boyns (3.3 ppg) also provides experienced senior leadership. Junior Michelle Posey has contributed heavily in the preseason, averaging 7.7 points per game and providing a strong rebounding presence for the Breakers. Stansbury and Posey were both named to the Breaker Classic All-Tournament Team. Leah Mark, Savanna Leyva and Megan Conover play important roles coming off the Breaker bench.

King City

Graduated: All-Monterey County selection Holly Barber and All-MTAL selection Milizza Pigao

The meteoric development of 6-1 sophomore center Natasha Marquis has turned King City from optimistic to downright giddy. Marquis, averaging 15.8 points per game, was named  King City Rotary Christmas Classic Most Valuable Player, and named to the Breaker Classic All-Tournament Team. All-MTAL selection Angela Samaro (9.7 ppg) returns as the league's top playmaking guard, and All-MTAL second team forward Katelyn Holcomb (5-8, 12.8 ppg) is a strong rebounder with an excellent shooting touch. Samaro and Holcomb rank among the area's top 3-point shooters. Holcomb was named to the Breaker Classic All-Tournament Team, and Samaro was named to the King City Rotary Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team. Brianne Diaz (King City Rotary Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team), Megan Conatser, Lindsey Lavelle and NellelieVega all figure heavily in the Mustang's back court rotations.

Santa Catalina

The Cougars may be the league's biggest wildcard, having played one of the area's lightest preseason schedules due to Catalina's extensive holiday break. Quality wins over Monterey and Watsonville, and a very close 4 point loss to MBL power Hollister make this team very intriguing. Leading the Cougar attack are All-MTAL guard Ashley Hightower and senior Cameron Rogers (9.3 ppg). Rogers was named to the Watsonville Wildcat Invitational All-Tournament Team. 6-1 freshman center Randy Goodenough, named to the All-County Volleyball team, will prowl the Cougar paint. Varsity returnees Haddie Dowson and D'Mari Crenshaw provide scoring balance and veteran leadership.

Carmel

Gonzales

A slow preseason start has the Spartans needing a .500 league record for a repeat of last season's playoff appearance. Returnees Claudia Sandoval (7.8 ppg) and Lindsay Almond (6.5 ppg) are the teams top scoring threats. All-MTAL volleyball player Cathy Colantro provides the Spartan with strong inside athleticism. With a strong all-around performance, guard Tasha Ramirez was named to the King City Rotary Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team. Leslie Castro also returns for the Spartans.

Seaside

Senior Ayana Hayes is the Spartan's top scoring threat. All-MTAL second team sophomore Dominique McClendon (5-11) has the tools to develop into one of the area's best players. Jessica Ray (6 ppg), Claudine Williams (5 ppg), and Myleca Garnett (4.3 ppg) provide multiple scoring options for the young Spartans. Center Tarren Smith and Jessica Holmes have battled injury. The status of All-MTAL selection Madrika Brooks is unknown.

Greenfield

Stevenson

Soledad

Anzar