Centennial returns four key starters

Adam Candee and Leah Robinson

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

The 2001-02 season marked the first time in more than two decades that a team from Southern Nevada claimed the big-school girls basketball championship. Whether or not that event signified a changing of the guard remains to be seen.

The south will field a number of quality teams this season, highlighted by Centennial, last season's 4A state champion. With some young talent across the city, the girls basketball scene in town should be in good shape for a few years to come.

Some key questions and answers about the girls hoops season:

1.Is Centennial as good as it was last year?

Duplicating a 34-0 state championship season is pretty much impossible, but the Bulldogs are already off to a 4-0 start. Centennial is again displaying dominance -- the Bulldogs have won their four games by a combined score of 340-117, including victories over strong Green Valley and Western teams.

Still, Centennial coach Karen Weitz separates this hot start from last year's success.

"We're definitely not looking ahead or behind," Weitz said. "Last year was last year."

The Bulldogs bring back four starters from the squad that won the 4A state title a year ago, headlined by Arizona-bound senior forward Rachael Schein.

"Just what she does in general as an overall player is unbelievable," Weitz said.

Sophomore guard Ashley Blake is part of a solid sophomore class that should keep the Bulldogs in contention over the next few years.

2.Can the South keep the title that belonged to the North for so long?

With the first big-school state title in 21 years residing in the far northwest part of the Valley, southern teams are in no hurry to give it back.

"They're not happy with that, either," Weitz said. "They definitely had some good teams up there."

Centennial is the best bet to keep the trophy in Las Vegas, but the traditional balance of power favors the north in girls basketball. Last season, the Bulldogs defeated Carson and Douglas en route to the title, and Reno and McQueen also field consistently strong teams.

3.Who should rule the roost in the city?

Centennial is again the team to beat, but it can expect challenges from a number of teams in its own region.

Bishop Gorman returns four starters from a 26-7 state qualifier in 2001-02, and coach Sheryl Krmpotich should have the Gaels in contention again. Western, another state qualifier last season, returns one of the city's better players in senior guard LaMesha Walker and looks strong in the early going.

In the Sunrise Region, Green Valley brings back senior post Jenn Todd and sophomore guard Jabrenta Hubbard from a 27-win campaign. Coach Alma Randolph's squad, like most, is searching for consistency.

"We're up and down right now," Randolph said.

Las Vegas added a couple of strong transfers and should also be a contender on the Sunrise side.

"It'll take a little while for them to come together," Las Vegas coach Bill Giguere said.

4.Who are some of the city's best players?

The city features a number of solid prospects, including a host of younger players poised to make immediate impacts.

Schein and Blake are the two best that the Bulldogs have to offer in their title defense. In the Sunset, Gorman junior guard Breona Gray, Bonanza senior guard Lyndsay Gensler, Mojave junior swing Sequoia Holmes and Walker are four of the better players in town.

Over in the Sunrise, Wildcats senior post Melisa Cejas will be one of the tougher players in the city to stop. Hubbard will be a force as well.

Another handful of strong players includes Palo Verde senior forward Vivian Ewalefo, Chaparral senior guard Oshalyee Thomas, Valley sophomore guard Yolanda Johnson, Silverado senior center Brittney Turner and Coronado senior guard Erica Santigate.

5.Any sleeper teams to watch out for?

A pair of teams from the Sunrise is ready to make some noise.

Coronado comes off a 20-win state season and the Cougars are off to a solid start. Chaparral is also poised to break out this year behind Thomas. Palo Verde and Bonanza could be in the mix in the Sunset.

Other than that, the field appears to be wide open in both regions, with a handful of clear-cut favorites and a host of teams battling below that tier.