‘91--’92 PREP BASKETBALL: EMPIRE LEAGUE

Los Alamitos 1990-91 RECORDS OVERALL: 6-18 LEAGUE: 0-10

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Mike Ford: 6-18

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Cindy Yamasaki Jr. 5-5 G Tritia Yamasaki Sr. 5-6 G Jhamara French Sr. 5-10 C Rachel Gilgoff Sr. 5-7 G-F Wendy Blanks Jr. 5-10 F

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Erin Roberts So. 5-7 G-F

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Cavetra Mitchell Jr. 5-7 F Dondi Tondro Jr. 5-11 C

OUTLOOK

Ford hoped the Griffins would sneak up on people this year after last season’s 0-10 league finish, but the word already is out among the other league coaches: The Griffins should be a much-improved team. Five returning starters and some talented newcomers have made Los Alamitos a contender, at least on paper. “It always sounds good when you say you’ve got all five starters back, but I keep reminding the team that doesn’t mean too much because our returning starters went 0-10 last year,” Ford said. “But, yes, I do think we’ll be a much better team this year. I just wish the other teams didn’t think so, too.” Los Alamitos won’t need to surprise many people with all-league guard Cindy Yamasaki back. Yamasaki averaged 16.5 points last year, and has made 75 three-pointers in the past two seasons. Her sister, Tritia, was an honorable mention all-league choice last year, averaging 9.8 points. The front court should be solid with French and Blanks returning in the post and 86% free-thrower Gilgoff back at forward. Roberts and Tondro, a transfer from Red Bluff, add more skill and size, and Mitchell provides the Griffins with outstanding athleticism.