2002 PREVIEW GIRLS' BASKETBALL: A.V. GIRLS AIM HIGH UNDERSIZED ANTELOPES SHOOT FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE TITLE.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER- Under normal circumstances, the Antelope Valley High girls' basketball team likely would be considered prohibitive favorites to win its fourth consecutive Golden League title.

Especially considering the Antelopes return their two best players - reigning league MVP Sheena Crenshaw and Shaquina Mosley, a first-team all-league selection considered to be among the area's best - and have a strong incoming class.

However, these aren't ordinary circumstances for Antelope Valley, or anyone else in the league.

Palmdale, the Antelopes' rival to the south, has emerged as a preseason powerhouse led by senior Teiosha George, a 6-foot-4 center who's among the nation's most coveted high school recruits.

With Palmdale already having established itself as the consensus favorite to win the league, a surprising acknowledgment came from Antelope Valley coach April Davenport.

``Palmdale is the team to beat,'' she said. ``No question about it.''

Antelope Valley's most glaring weakness is its lack of size. The Antelopes' tallest player is newcomer Ronnie Clark, a 5-foot-11 forward.

It's a problem not altogether unfamiliar to the Antelopes, who've overcome it in recent years with excellent team speed, athleticism and relentless zone pressure. Antelope Valley has had success using as many as three players attempting to neutralize George, a plan it's likely to implement again.

But despite the challenges they face, Crenshaw isn't conceding anything.

``If we put all the players that we have this year together, I think we're even better than we were last year,'' she said. ``We're just shorter.''

A fourth-year varsity player, Crenshaw has an opportunity to be part of a league title team for every year in which she's played.

``There is a lot of pressure,'' Crenshaw said. ``We want to go four years in a row, and Shaquina feels the same way. We want to be known as the class that went four years.''

Antelope Valley (6-2) is off to a strong start, if not quite as dominant as last season's.

Crenshaw, who plays guard, forward, and center at times even though she's just 5-8, is averaging 21 points and five assists. Mosley, who plays both guard positions, is averaging 14 points and four assists.

Perhaps more importantly, Crenshaw and Mosley have been leaders on a team that's struggled with unity issues. Both were vocal in a two-hour team meeting Tuesday in which Davenport believes most of the issues were resolved.

In addition to Clark, the Antelopes' top newcomers include junior forward/center Lacee Frazier (5-9), sophomore guards Shakira Autry and Kiesha Adams (who saw limited action at varsity last season), and junior guard Ebony Howard, who's playing with a torn ACL.

Given what they're up against, unity will be a key factor for the Antelopes, who need to squeeze every last bit of talent out their team if they're to have any chance against Palmdale and other oversized opponents.

``We really want that fourth title,'' Davenport said, ``but we're going to have to outplay some teams to meet that challenge.''

AT A GLANCE

Team: Antelope Valley girls' basketball

Coach: April Davenport, sixth year

2001-02 record: 25-3, 9-1 Golden League

League finish: First

Playoffs: Lost in second round

Top returnees: Shaquina Mosley (Sr., G), Sheena Crenshaw (Sr., G/F).

Top newcomers: Lacee Frazier (Jr., F/C), Shakira Autry (So, G), Kiesha Adams (So., G), Ronnie Clark (Jr., C), Ebony Howard (Jr., G).

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 2) Returning All-Golden League seniors Shaquina Mosley, top, and Sheena Crenshaw will lead Antelope Valley's bid to win a fourth consecutive league championship in girls' basketball.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)