2002 PREVIEW: GIRLS' BASKETBALL: CONNECTING PIECES HIGHLAND HAS THE TALENT, BUT IT'S NOT YET TOGETHER.Byline: Gideon Gideon (gĭd`ēən), or Jerubbaal (jērŭb`āəl, –rəbā`əl) Rubin Ru´bin n. 1. A ruby. Staff Writer PALMDALE - The talent is there. But the time to develop it is quickly running out. That's the predicament Predicament Dancy, Captain Ronald must persecute friend to save own skin. [Br. Lit.: Loyalties, Magill I, 533–534] Gordian knot inextricable difficulty; Alexander cut the original. [Gk. Hist. the Highland High of Palmdale girls' basketball team faces with just two weeks remaining before their Jan. 10 Golden League opener. That the Bulldogs have been inconsistent through a 3-6 nonleague schedule is understandable considering they graduated four starters and return just two players with significant varsity experience. Some of the positives so far have included a 61-60 overtime victory over Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame of Riverside and a strong showing in an eventual loss to defending state champion Ventura. Against Ventura, the Bulldogs held their opponent to seven points for most of the first quarter. However, Highland is relying on several underclassmen and inexperienced in·ex·pe·ri·ence n. 1. Lack of experience. 2. Lack of the knowledge gained from experience. in newcomers, and it's showed. ``We have the talent to compete,'' Highland coach Frank Wright said. ``It's just a matter of how quickly we learn to play together.'' Highland's most talented player, junior guard Lindsey Blunt blunt (blunt) having a thick or dull edge or point; not sharp. , is serving a four-game suspension for disciplinary reasons. Junior forward Lila Organista, the only other experienced returnee re·turn·ee n. 1. One who returns, as from a journey or to school after a long absence. 2. A person returning from military duty overseas. See Usage Note at -ee1. , is being counted on to lead an inexperienced group of newcomers that includes senior guard Ashley Cambliza, junior forwards Carla MaGee and Ashley Seeger, and freshmen guards Rose Celis and Jessica Mundine. Seeger, the team's leading scorer, is averaging 12 points a game. Cambliza, a cross country standout - she placed fifth in league - has junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. experience and quickness. MaGee played on the freshman team but did not play last season. ``We've got a lot of new players on the team, but they're really good,'' Organista said. ``We all know each other, it's just never we'd never actually played with each other until this year. The Bulldogs expect to compete with their quickness, but their lack of height is a major weakness. At 5-foot-9, Organista is the team's most effective low-post player. MaGee (5-10) is the team's tallest player. ``Right now, we're just kind of a running team,'' Organista said. ``We don't really have height, so we just have to run all the time.'' AT A GLANCE Team: Highland girls' basketball Coach: Frank Wright, third year 2001-02 record: 13-14, 6-4 Golden League League finish: Tied for third Playoffs: Lost in first round Top returnees: Lila Organista (Jr., F), Lindsey Blunt (Jr., G) Top newcomers: Ashley Seeger (Jr., F), Ashley Cambliza (Sr., G), Carla MaGee (Jr., F). CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Highland junior guard Lindsey Blunt is one of the Golden League's most athletic players. John Lazar/Staff Photographer Box: AT A GLANCE (see text) |
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