Publication Date: Friday, January 07, 2005
GIRLS' PREP BASKETBALL
Pinewood has another good shot at reaching state this season
Pinewood has another good shot at reaching state this season
(January 07, 2005) by Keith Peters
Coaches more often than not are hesitant to lay out season goals for all to see. It's safer to hold those cards close to the vest, rather than face criticism if expectations come up short.
Doc Scheppler is not one of those coaches. He holds his Pinewood School girls' basketball program in high regard and generally expects nothing but the best from his players. More often than not, they respond.
Since 1998, when the Panthers won their first of seven straight Central Coast Section titles, they have failed to reach the Northern California championship game only once. During that span, Pinewood has compiled a record of 184-27, winning a state title in 1999.
Despite the fact his 2004 squad failed to reach 20 wins for the first time since 1995 (finishing 18-10) and failed to play for a NorCal crown for the first time in seven years, Scheppler is convinced his 2005 team may be one of the school's best.
"We could win state," Scheppler said this week. "It's a very reachable goal. If things work out, we could be the Division V state champion."
With that said, Scheppler has placed his cards for all to see. Does someone have a better hand? Scheppler is betting against it.
"This is one of my best teams ever, shooting-wise," he said. "Defensively, we're not where I thought we would be. We're a little bit inexperienced inside and on the perimeter we're a little small. But, we can play with a lot of teams."
Pinewood (7-5) opens defense of its Private Schools Athletic League title tonight with a roster of two freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.
"How's that for balance," Scheppler said. "We play everybody."
Leading the way is 5-foot-7 senior Daniela Roark, last season's MVP of the PSAL and one of only three returning players off a squad that fell in the NorCal semifinals. Roark, like many Pinewood players before her, is deadly from three-point range. She's headed to Fordham on a scholarship next fall.
The other returnees are 5-10 junior Liz Altmaier and 5-6 sophomore Sami Field-Polisso. They're joined by 6-1 senior Thea Morin, 5-9 junior Hannah Lippe, who transferred from Los Altos and was MVP of the PSAL in volleyball in the fall; 5-6 sophomore Tika Koshiyama-Diaz, plus 6-1 Aly Geppert and 5-5 Grace Beck, both freshmen.
Scheppler expects this group to learn from early season mistakes, win another PSAL title, and use some tough mid-season nonleague games to prepare for the ultimate test - a state championship.
"It's well within our grasp," Scheppler said.
Castilleja
The Gators played a tough preseason schedule, splitting eight games and losing four by a combined total of 55 points. The question entering the West Bay Athletic League season is whether that schedule will prove to be beneficial in the long run.
Coach Jez McIntosh has a veteran group that includes 5-10 senior Nikki Perlman, MVP of the WBAL last season who's averaging 11.6 points and 10.3 rebounds, and senior Mika Peterman, the league's MVP two years ago. To that the Gators have added 6-1 junior forward Alissa Flesher, a transfer from Pinewood.
The Gators have plenty of additional height in 6-foot senior Kirsten Stasio, 5-10 sophomore Anne VanderPloeg, 5-10 sophomore Brett Powers and 5-10 junior Alex Chang-Graham.
Castilleja (1-0, 5-4) opened league play Wednesday with a 52-29 win over visiting ICA as Perlman produced 22 points.
Eastside Prep
The Panthers have their tallest player ever in 6-foot freshman Samantha Bunch, but otherwise little else has changed. Eastside Prep still relies on its quickness and three-point shooting, which has carried the Panthers to an 8-6 preseason record.
Seniors Brijitti Crum and Sharissa McDaniel are the veterans in coach Gretchen Seeley's lineup. Both helped the Panthers reach the CCS semifinals last season, where they lost to Sacred Heart Prep. Both will be responsible to help their teammates advance further in 2005.
The 5-8 Crum averaged 17.8 points a game during last season's 21-5 campaign, and already has a 30-point outing. The 5-3 McDaniel is equally prolific on offense. Their supporting cast includes 5-3 sophomore Geniesha Robinson, 5-3 junior Ausharre Harvey, 5-6 sophomore Torey Walker, 5-5 freshman Kendra Thomas, 5-9 sophomore Zaquis Coleman and Bunch.
Gunn
It has been more than a month since the Titans (0-1, 2-7) have won. Senior Jill Klausner is one of the bright spots, but the Titans are short on height and experience. Other returnees include junior Patti Fung, junior Leanne Perricone, junior Audrey Pereira, senior Shreya Pereira and senior Jessica Perricone. The supporting cast includes junior Tal Cohen, freshman Neva Hauser and junior Danielle Negrin.
Gunn opened league play Wednesday with a 46-41 loss to visiting Saratoga.
Menlo-Atherton
The Bears missed out on the postseason a year ago, but already have equaled their win total of 2003-04 when they finished 8-15 (5-7 in the PAL South Division) thanks to Wednesday's 50-41 division-opening win over visiting San Mateo.
Coach Pam Wimberly has a solid group that has no seniors and features height in 6-foot juniors Ann Sbardellati and Marike Wolters, quickness in 5-foot sophomore Brittany Wilson and 5-5 sophomore Christina Dixon, and experience in 5-6 junior Karley Marty, 5-7 junior Lori Maumasi and 5-8 junior Mia Sanchez.
Sigourney Jellins, a 5-9 sophomore and 5-4 junior Ariel Winawer also have been productive this season.
Wilson and Dixon provide an interesting twist for Wimberly this season: she coached their mothers in the 1970s and 80s.
Menlo School
The Knights failed to qualify for the postseason a year ago, but took a positive step toward that goal Tuesday with a 62-43 romp over host Jefferson to open the PAL North Division season.
Four members of the '04 team - seniors Julia Martin, Christina White, Konstance Kirkendoll and Anna Wipfler - displayed the kind of leadership against Jefferson that could carry the Knights to the CCS playoffs this season, Kirkendoll led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds, Wipfler added 11 points and eight rebounds, Martin dished 11 assists and White scored 10 points. Sophomore Alex Shepard also shared in the win with 14 points.
Other contributors this season include sophomore Allie Zamaria, sophomore Laura Olson, junior Lauren Kaewert, and junior Brittany Schoof.
Palo Alto
The Vikings' season looked promising during a 10-4 start, but a knee injury suffered by starting junior guard Bre Clay in Wednesday's 48-39 loss to visiting Los Gatos to open SCVAL De Anza Division play could change all that.
"Bre is our top player this year and is producing some big numbers," said Paly coach Amy Stock. "It would have been a different outcome (against Los Gatos) with her on the court."
Clay injured her knee at the beginning of the second quarter and did not return. She since has been x-rayed and is wearing a brace.
"I don't when she will be back," Stock said. "It will be a long season if she is on the bench, but hopefully somebody else will step up and be a leader on the court."
Candidates for that role include 5-8 junior forward Amber Jones, who scored 10 against Los Gatos; 5-7 junior guard Melody Gaal, who had 12 points; 5-5 junior guard Ranecia Fields, or 5-8 sophomore forward Katie Barich.
Stock has only one senior, 5-11 Dami Wusu, while 5-10 junior Lola Wusu, 5-8 Megan Grant and 5-6 Inez Fletcher round out the supporting cast.
Sacred Heart Prep
The Gators are off to a 10-3 start and apparently headed for another showdown with Pinewood for the CCS Division V title. The teams already have met once this season, with the Gators dropping a 48-41 decision.
SHP is much improved from last season's 13-16 squad that reached the NorCal tourney before losing. Senior starters Jessica Pecota, Christina Dillingham and Emma Hoffacker led the way. The 5-11 Pecota is averaging 14.8 points and eight rebounds per game while Hoffacker and Dillingham spark the Gators' tenacious defense. Pecota scored 19 in Wednesday's 65-36 WCAL-opening loss at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Other key members include 5-6 freshman point guard Hannah Stephens, 5-8 junior Elizabeth (Isa) Dillingham, 5-8 sophomore Kim Culpan, and 5-6 senior Rosemary Prince.
Woodside Priory
The Gators got off to a late start with both coaches and four players helping bring the school a CCS championship in volleyball, but rolled quickly to a 5-1 start to end 2004.
Head coach Rick Riebhoff has demoted himself to assistant in order to help his pregnant wife, who's expecting this month. Floyd Alexander takes over a group that includes four-year starter Laura Trudelle, a 6-foot senior; 5-7 sophomore Katie Zappas, 5-9 senior Lissy Powell, 5-7 junior Ciarra Villaflor, 5-10 sophomore Chrissa Trudelle and 5-8 sophomore Alexa Zappas.
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