2002 PREVIEW GIRLS' BASKETBALL: A BETTER FIT FOR PARACLETE EXPERIENCE WILL HELP SPIRITS.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - After last season, almost anything would seem like an improvement for the Paraclete High girls' basketball team.

What started out as growing pains for the Spirits turned into a disastrous season, punctuated by Dani Gaeta, the team's best player, suffering a season-ending ACL injury in their Alpha League opener.

However, if their strong nonleague start is any indication, Paraclete's outlook is much improved.

After undergoing reconstructive surgery and eight months of rehabilitation, Gaeta, a fourth-year varsity player, is back, and with the help of several other key returnees and a strong incoming class, the Spirits are off to a 4-3 start.

``It (last season) was pretty hard because basketball has been my life,'' Gaeta said. ``Last year, there were two returnees, and we'd never played together.''

This season, Gaeta, a small forward, point guard Nikki Cordova and 6- foot center Karina Worden return with an understanding of how to play together.

``It's great to have experienced players this year,'' said Gaeta, an all- league selection as a sophomore. ``We work a lot better together this year.

``We're a more well-rounded team. We have a lot more experience, we had a lot of time to play together last year.''

Although several Paraclete newcomers lack varsity-level experience, most have played against older players on traveling teams, and they've made an immediate impact.

Freshman forward/center Bria Fields is averaging 20 points per game, and freshman guard Jessica Echenique has emerged as one of the team's best 3-point shooters.

Echenique and Cordova each are averaging eight points per game, and Gaeta is averaging six.

Sophomore guard Sara Stipanovic also has seen significant playing time and is expected to play a key role.

Second-year coach Steven Echenique (Jessica's father) likes what he's seen so far but acknowledged his team's lack of varsity experience presents tough challenges.

``Any time you're trying to bring in new players, it's going to be difficult, and to go from junior high school to varsity basketball is a huge jump,'' he said.

This season, the Spirits will be among six teams that inaugurate the Delta League, which includes former Alpha League rivals Scott Academy of Saugus and Marshall of Pasadena, last season's Alpha League champion.

The Delta League also features Grace Brethren of Simi Valley, Archer of Los Angeles and Campbell Hall of North Hollywood.

Steven Echenique isn't sure how Paraclete matches up against several of the programs in the league. However, he believes the Spirits are a playoff- caliber team.

``I think it's obvious that we're doing much better this year,'' Echenique said. ``We're competing in every game, even when we lose.''

AT A GLANCE

Team: Paraclete girls' basketball

Coach: Steve Echenique, second year

2001-02 Record: 5-17, 2-8 Alpha League

League finish: Fourth

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Top Returnees: Dani Gaeta (Sr., F), Nikki Cordova (Jr. G), Karina Worden (Jr., C).

Top Newcomers: Bria Fields (Fr., F/C), Sara Stipanovic (So., G), Jessica Echenique (Fr., G).

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Dani Gaeta, considered the best player on Paraclete, is back to 100 percent after suffering a season-ending ACL injury last season.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)