GIRLS' BASKETBALL: LANCASTER BUILDS FOR FUTURE YOUNG EAGLES A SLEEPER IN THE GOLDEN LEAGUE.

Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News

There's no looking back for the Lancaster High girls' basketball team.

The majority of a team that was 8-15 last season and finished fourth in the Golden League at 3-7 has graduated. Sophomore point guard Desiree Butler is the only returning full-time starter.

``It is pretty much a brand new team,'' senior forward Courtney Whalen said. ``We can do well if we put it together as a team instead of playing individually.''

Lancaster, which went 1-2 in the season-opening Antelope Valley tournament, has a ways to go to reach that goal according to seventh-year coach Orbin Love.

``We should do much better than last year, that's for sure,'' Love said. ``We're at a point where we can't wait for improvement. Ball control, shooting and rebounding are major problems. We need to work on cohesiveness.''

Love isn't too concerned at the moment. He said the majority of the Golden League is also rebuilding.

He cites two-time defending champion Antelope Valley and Palmdale as the favorites with Lancaster battling with Highland for the third and the final automatic postseason berth. Highland appears to have the edge after defeating Lancaster 61-45 in the consolation final of the Antelope Valley tournament.

``Overall, the league is very young like us,'' Love said.

Lancaster will be looking to Whalen, a part-time starter last season with seniors Audrey Gomez and Katrina Kamel and sophomore Kelli Valentine, for guidance on offense. Whalen will be the team's top inside player along with senior Liz Brandt, who is also a threat from the outside with a baseline jump shot.

The Eagles have perimeter shooting specialists in Kamel, sophomores Shirifa Arnold and Claudia Allen. Lancaster's defense is shaky.

``Inside and out we have a good offense,'' Whalen said. ``We're pretty weak on defense right now. Hopefully, when league starts, we'll be strong in all aspects of the game.''

Love will experiment with the defense, trying a 2-3 zone, man-to-man and a full-court press in preleague play. Seniors Noel Merrick, Danielle Kydd, Crystal Enriquez and Tanesha Moss will be used extensively off the bench.

``This year I think we have a better chance of getting a better spot in league,'' Price said. ``I really don't think it is going to affect anything with a lot of new people from JV. They know what to expect. We're not sweating wins or losses right now but I really want to get everyone in the mood of doing things so we can become more of a team.''

AT A GLANCE

Team: Lancaster High girls' basketball

Coach: Orbin Love, seventh year

Top returnees: Desiree Butler, So., G; Katrina Kamel, Sr., G; Audrey Gomez, Sr., F; Courtney Whalen, Sr., F; Elizabeth Brandt, St., F.

Top newcomers: Noel Merrick, Sr., F; Danielle Kydd, Sr., G; Claudia Allen, So, G; Crystal Enriquez, Sr., G; Roxie Jackson, Fr., F; Taneshia Moss, Sr., C; Isoline Morris, Jr., F.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Returning players Courtney Whalen (32) and Desiree Butler are expected to bring stability to a young Lancaster High basketball team. The Eagles were 8-15 last season, but coach Orbin Love says they're already improved.

Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)