Duo Reached Top of Charts

VENTURA — Girls’ basketball rarely received this kind of attention.

Morning radio shows talked about Buena High’s team. A game against Narbonne in February was an announced sellout two weeks before tipoff. The Bulldogs became the first team from the region ever to be ranked No. 1 in the nation in the sport, a distinction it held for two months.

At the center of the attention stood Kelly Greathouse and Courtney Young, The Times’ Ventura County co-players of the year.

Greathouse, a 6-foot-3 center who could make a three-pointer just as easily as post up, might be the region’s best post player ever.

Young, a 5-10 guard, will likely be remembered as one of the region’s best all-around athletes, rivaled only by Marion Jones.

Together, Greathouse and Young, both seniors, led Buena to 28 consecutive victories and national prominence before losing to Troy in the Southern Section Division I-A final and Narbonne in the Southern Regional semifinals to finish 29-2.

Greathouse, who has committed to North Carolina State, averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots, finishing with school records of 1,969 points, 1,184 rebounds and 248 blocks.

Young, headed for Tennessee, averaged 18.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.3 steals, and finished with 2,096 career points.

This was the kind of season Young had in mind when she transferred from Crossroads after her sophomore season.

“That’s why I wanted to come here,” she said. “I knew how good the team was, but still I never thought I’d ever be on a high school team this good.”

Throughout the season, Buena players insisted they weren’t paying attention to the national rankings, but they were.

After losing two of their last three games, Buena dropped to No. 16 in USA Today’s final poll.

“Of course we wanted to end up No. 1,” Greathouse said. “But the season was a big thing for Buena, our area and girls’ basketball. I’m proud of that.”

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Girls’ Team

Sienna Abraham / Oxnard

5-2, Jr.

Guard

Led Yellowjackets to a share of the Pacific View League title and Division I-AAA semifinals. Averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 assists.

Teresa Cooper / Simi Valley

5-9, Jr.

Guard/Forward

Marmonte League tri-most valuable player averaged 20.3 points and is on pace to break Simi Valley’s career scoring mark, held by her sister, Tawnee.

Jenni Dooley / Ventura

5-9, Jr.

Guard

Was the top outside shooter in the region, making a region-record 91 three-pointers and averaging 17.3 points for one of area’s best teams.

Cassandra Harris / Newbury Park

6-1, Jr.

Forward

Mobile post player helped balanced Panthers to second consecutive Marmonte League title by averaging team-best 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Rachel Hever / Newbury Park

5-8, Jr.

Guard/Forward

Marmonte League tri-most valuable player helped team to 26 consecutive league victories. Averaged 8.6 points and three assists.

Jennifer Lacy / Agoura

6-2, Sr.

Forward

Pepperdine-bound standout was Marmonte League tri-most valuable player after averaging 16.1 points, 16.1 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Courtney LaVere / Buena

6-3, Jr.

Forward

One of the top junior post players in the country, averaged 13.8 points and 7.6 rebounds for Division I-A finalists and national powerhouse.

Gillian Lillich / Camarillo

5-6, Sr.

Guard

Pacific View League MVP averaged 20 points, 4.4 assists and 4.3 steals to lead Scorpions to the league co-championship.

Katy O’Brien / Ventura

5-6, Jr.

Guard

Sure-handed playmaker led the Cougars, averaging 17.5 points, 5.7 assists, 2.9 steals and was one of the region’s best free-throw shooters.

Coach of the year

Lindsay Strothers / Oak Park

Assistants: Anne Goehring, Randy McLeland

Led Eagles to their first section championship, first Division IV regional final, first outright league championship and a school-record 25 victories in 31 games.