|
Life for a girls basketball player wasn't easy in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League's El Camino Division last season—unless of course she played for Homestead or Lynbrook. Except for the two games they split, the Mustangs and Vikings didn't lose a league game in 2003. The teams—as well as their junior varsity squads—posted 11-1 records and shared the division championship.
Well, in 2004, life in the El Camino Division should be a little easier, because the defending co-champs have been promoted, joining Los Gatos, Saratoga, Palo Alto, Monta Vista and Milpitas in the De Anza Division.
Lynbrook coach Darrin Garcia considers the De Anza among the best divisions in the Central Coast Section.
"Next to the Catholic league and probably the Santa Cruz league, ours is one of the toughest," says Garcia, whose Vikings sparkled in December, posting a 9-4 record with a defense that allowed just 34 points a game. "The way our league is set up is a monster. At least four of the top 15 teams in our section are in our league."
Interestingly, last week's league openers featured last year's El Camino co-champs tangling with the top two De Anza finishers of 2003. While Lynbrook's road trip to take on defending champion Palo Alto ended in a 56-26 disappointment, Homestead managed to win a close 35-33 encounter with visiting Saratoga.
Lynbrook plays at Saratoga Friday night. Garcia is looking for his Vikings to perform as they did in the Mitty Holiday Classic.
Against Leigh in the Black Division third-place game, the Vikings gave one of their best efforts of the season. "The kids were in the game from start to finish," Garcia explained, "and the bench was fantastic in its support and play."
The Vikings, known for their defensive quickness and three-point shooting, were led by junior Nikki Chang's 17 points. Garcia praised the defense of Chang, who was picked to the all-tournament team, and 5-10 senior Jenny Dorman. Junior Tiffany Pan scored 10 points and Vickie Chien added eight.
The Vikings started the tourney with a 49-28 win over Santa Teresa. Chang (13) and Pan (nine) again were the top scorers. Senior Jenn Ling sparked the defense by helping limit Santa Teresa's best scorer to three baskets.
At 5-foot-10, Dorman and freshman Emily Shen are the tallest players for Lynbrook, who must use its scrappy defense to overcome "a serious lack of height," Garcia said.
Shen is one of eight newcomers to the Lynbrook varsity this year. Sophomores Laura Crisler and Courtney Itow and junior Gloria Sue were leaders of the 2003 JV co-championship team.
|
