Rosary Duo to Play Final Act

Wayne Carlson, the El Dorado High girls’ basketball coach, saw Rosary’s Jen Farner and Jenise Karcher from an opposing bench the last four years. But the last two weeks, Carlson got a different look in preparation for today’s Orange County All-Star basketball game at Orange Coast College.

“Boy, are they nice girls,” Carlson said. “They work hard. I see now why Rosary was so good. They’re intelligent, they’re intense. They make everyone else on the team feel real comfortable. They’re a delight.”

There is also a chance that Carlson, who is coaching the North, will be the last basketball coach for the two girls. Neither has plans to play for a college. Farner, Rosary’s valedictorian with a 4.6 grade-point average, has an interest in social services and will attend UCLA. Karcher, who has a 3.9 GPA and an interest in special education, will attend San Diego.

Karcher and Farner, both 5-foot-9 guards, were prominent players in Rosary’s success the last four years. Karcher was to be a starter as a freshman until she was sidelined by a knee injury. Farner started as a freshman.

Their contribution, along with former teammate Maggie Barnett and current seniors Hayley Munroe and Jenny Asensio, helped the Royals win a Southern Section title two seasons ago and remain a constant fixture in the county’s top-10 rankings.

In their final season, each was a second-team selection on The Times’ All-Orange County team.

Farner averaged 13.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.5 steals. Karcher averaged 15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 steals. Farner shot 57.1% from the field, Karcher shot 58.2%, including 38.2% from the three-point line.

“I think we brought out the best in each other,” Farner said. “We challenged the other one to get better. She would get everyone involved because she’s such a good driver, always looking for the open pass. She brought up the level of intensity.”

Rosary came within one victory of playing for a state title, losing to eventual state champion Torrance Bishop Montgomery in the Southern California Regional final.

“They were the backbone of our team, Jen on defense and Jenise on offense,” said Rosary Coach Richard Yoon. “They were a huge supporting cast when they were younger, and then they stepped up as seniors.

“The success we’ve had over the years is because of those two; they’re tall guards who had the ability to play every position and they provided stability.”

Karcher and Farner won’t be out of their element on an all-star team that features Veronica Johns-Richardson of Troy, Brandi Davis of Sonora, Bethany Blair of Esperanza, and an opposing squad that includes Kristen Mann of Foothill and Kelsi Sousa of Woodbridge.

“Now that we’re on a different team together,” Karcher said, “I’m noticing how well we connect with each other.”

It is a connection that ends with the game’s final buzzer tonight.

“I’m not worrying about what’s coming in the future,” Farner said. “I’m just going to enjoy playing in the here and now. I know it’s going to be so much fun--this caps it all.”