2016-17 Girls Basketball Team Capsules

Head coach: William Naftaly, first season

2015-16 record: 4-10 (2-6 Division IV Southern, seventh)

Returning starters: Four

Top players: G Caroline Altman (Jr.), G Hayden Jansen (Sr.), F/C Claire Mason (Sr.), G Brittany Risko (Sr.)

Outlook: The Lions return four starters and hope their debut in the Class 2A Southern League is a successful one.

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AGASSI PREP

Head coach: Wendell West, first season

2015-16 record: 13-7 (12-4 Division III Southern, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (five)

Top players: G Destiny Rover (Jr.), G Sharmayne Finley (So.), F Lovely Glinton (Sr.)

Outlook: West takes over a squad that advanced to the Division III state tournament last year and returns five starters.

“We’re going to play fast and physical,” West said. “We have an even balance of senior leadership and youth.”

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ARBOR VIEW

Head coach: Annette Turley, third season

2015-16 record: 15-13 (4-4 Northwest, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)

Top players: G Alaysia Reed (Jr.), G Kalli Hosier (Sr.), F Autumn Westmoreland (Jr.), G Madison Cvijanovich (Jr.)

Outlook: Four starters return for the Aggies, but the team still has plenty of youth.

“The Aggies are a young team this season, returning only one senior on their roster,” Turley said. “We will enter the gym and compete hard in a tough Northwest League. Our goal is to be playoff bound.”

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BEAVER DAM

Head coach: Charles Hurley, second season

2015-16 record: 20-6 (5-3 Division IV Southern, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (two)

Top players: G Jailene Hernandez (Sr.), F Chyanne Dahlberg (Sr.), C Brittany Wilson (Sr.), F Danielle Garlick (Jr.)

Outlook: The Diamondbacks return seven letter winners from a 20-win team.

Hernandez, who averaged 18.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, has the potential to be one of the top players in the Class 1A Southern League and leads the list of returnees. Dahlberg averaged 4.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg.

“We’re very short this year,” Hurley said. “We will try to pressure with man-to-man defense. The top six make the playoffs, and our goal is to be in the mix once again.”

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BISHOP GORMAN

Head coach: Kevin Nixon, first season

2015-16 record: 29-2 (8-0 Southwest, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (one)

Top players: G/F Skylar Jackson (Sr.), G Samantha Coleman (Sr.), F Georgia Ohiaeri (So.), G Ciara Young (So.), G Shaira Young (So.), G Quinece Hatcher (So.)

Outlook: The Gaels certainly will have a different look this season.

Veteran coach Sheryl Krmpotich resigned after a long, successful run. Three four-year starters, all of them Division I signees, graduated.

Nixon, who once was an assistant coach for the girls squad, takes over and hopes to maintain the Gaels’ strong tradition.

“Over half of the team is either a sophomore or freshman,” Nixon said. “Not an abundance of experience, but we expect to be formidable competitors.”

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BONANZA

Head coach: Michael Moulchin, first full season

2015-16 record: 2-19 (0-8 Northwest, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Two (zero)

Top players: F Maysan Raleigh (So.), G Makayla Webb (Sr.), C Miranda Acosta (Jr.), F Kerianne Reilly (Jr.)

Outlook: The Bengals struggled last season, and have just one senior on the roster this year.

But with five juniors, four sophomores and a freshman on the varsity roster, Bonanza is hoping to make big progress this year.

“We are rebuilding the program this year with a new attitude and a new group of exciting young players,” Moulchin said. “We should see constant improvement during the season with the future looking bright.”

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BOULDER CITY

Head coach: Paul Dosch, fourth season

2015-16 record: 11-15 (7-7 Sunrise, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (two)

Top players: Hanna Estes, Jules Worrall, Jerra Hinson

Outlook: The Eagles missed out on a playoff berth last season but hope to bounce back this year.

Five letter winners return to lead the way for Boulder City.

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CANYON SPRINGS

Head coach: Chris Walker, second season

2015-16 record: 17-7 (6-2 Northeast, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)

Top players: G Aleza Bell (Sr.), G D’Licya Feaster (Sr.)

Outlook: For the past several years, the Pioneers have been one of the Northeast League’s top teams. They’ll have some work to do to stay there as only two starters return from last year’s squad.

“We’re expecting to work hard,” Walker said.

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CENTENNIAL

Head coach: Karen Weitz, 16th season

2015-16 record: 31-1 (8-0 Northwest, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (four)

Top players: G/F Sam Thomas (Sr.), F Jayden Eggleston (Sr.), G Pam Wilmore (Sr.), G Justice Ethridge (Jr.)

Outlook: Coming off arguably the best season in Nevada girls basketball history, the Bulldogs are primed for more success this year.

Centennial returns four starters, including three Division I signees in Thomas (Arizona), Eggleston (Iona) and Wilmore (New Mexico State). Thomas (first team, state player of the year), Eggleston and Wilmore (second team), and Ethridge (third team) all were all-state honorees last year.

After finishing the season ranked No. 4 nationally by USA Today, the Bulldogs have beefed up their schedule this year and will play in the Art Turner Memorial tournament in Fairfax, Virginia in early December. Centennial also has games scheduled against Saint Mary’s (California) and Clovis West (California) in January and could make a run at a mythical national title.

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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

Head coach: Malcolm Griffin, first season

2015-16 record: 7-12 (2-6 Northwest, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (three)

Top players: G Niara Smith (Sr.), G Amoura Whitney (Jr.), Tasia Moore (Jr.)

Outlook: Griffin starts his first full season guiding the Spartans, who return three starters and should be improved this season.

“The Lady Spartans set out on their mission of establishing a winning culture and creating a program that is respectable in Las Vegas,” Griffin said. “We’re very excited about this year’s team and look forward to the challenge of competing in arguably the best conference in the state.”

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CORONADO

Head coach: Rich Santigate, third season

2015-16 record: 12-15 (5-5 Southeast, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (four)

Top players: G Haley Tyrell (Jr.), G Payton Caci (Sr.), F Aeryn Hawkins (Jr.)

Outlook: Tyrell (11.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game), Caci (8.8 ppg) and Hawkins (2.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg) lead a list of nine returnees for the Cougars.

“Returning nine players with varsity experience, including four starters, should provide the upstart Cougars with the experience needed to compete in a very tough Southeast League,” Santigate said.

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DESERT OASIS

Head coach: Laurie Evans-Gygax, ninth season

2015-16 record: 16-9 (6-2 Northwest, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (four)

Top players: G Mikala Kirby (Sr.), G Ashlynn Sharp (Sr.), F/C Sierra Mch’l (So.), G Ahmaya Smith (So.) G Brianna Clark (So.)

Outlook: The Diamondbacks return nine letter winners, including a pair of double-figure scorers in Sharp (11 points per game) and Kirby (10 ppg).

Mich’l (4 blocks per game), Clark (4 assists per game) and Smith (4 steals per game) also are expected to contribute

“With an experienced team and almost everyone back from last year, the Diamondbacks have high expectations,” Evans-Gygax said. “With the addition of freshman point guard Eliyjah Pricebrooks and the combination of strong guard play and strong post play, the sky is the limit for this team.

“We are in the toughest conference, but hope to take this team all the way.”

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DURANGO

Head coach: Bill Thompson, fifth season

2015-16 record: 3-18 (0-8 Southwest, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Two (two)

Top players: F Rianne Lu (Sr.), F Laila Loring (So.)

Outlook: The Trailblazers are starting almost completely fresh this year with just two letter winners back.

Lu (6 points, 8 rebounds per game) and Loring (5 ppg, 8 rpg) are the only two holdovers from last year’s squad and hope to bring the newer players along.

“We have a really young team with a lot of new and first-time players,” Thompson said. “We are looking to give these new team members a chance to gain some experience early in the year so that they can compete as the year moves on.”

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ELDORADO

Head coach: Jon Walker, first season

2015-16 record: 5-11 (1-9 Southeast, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Three (two)

Top players: G Skakayzzia Hunt (Sr.)

Outlook: Walker takes over a program that is hungry for success.

“We’re young and athletic,” Walker said. “We will continue to grow together throughout this season and gain experience as we go.”

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FAITH LUTHERAN

Head coach: Jennifer Karner, 11th season

2015-16 record: 23-8 (11-3 Sunset, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (two)

Top players: G Madison Bocobo (Jr.), F/C Bryanna Neagle (Sr.)

Outlook: After winning the Division I-A state title last year, the Crusaders welcome back eight letter winners, but just two starters.

Bocobo (10.1 points, 4.5 assists per game) and Neagle (9.2 ppg, 6.6 rebounds per game) are expected to be the leaders on a team that should be competitive in its return to Class 4A.

“They have high hopes to compete to make it to playoffs, but they know this will be no cake walk,” Karner said. “They come into one of the toughest leagues in the state and expect to battle every game to reach their goal of making postseason play.”

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FOOTHILL

Head coach: Laura Allen, first season

2015-16 record: 24-6 (9-1 Southeast, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (four)

Top players: G Trinity Betoney (Sr.), G/F Rae Burrell (Jr.), F Kylie Vint (Sr.), G Bri Rosales (Jr.)

Outlook: The Falcons return nine letter winners, including four starters, from last year’s team that won the Southeast League title.

Betoney (13 points, 8 rebounds per game), Burrell (10 ppg, 10 rpg), Vint (6 ppg, 5 rpg) and Rosales (4 ppg, 3 rpg) should be among the team’s leaders.

“We are excited to have a strong returning group of players who have improved and matured in the offseason,” said Allen, who served as the team’s assistant coach the past several seasons. “We look forward to improving each and every day and seeing how far we can go as a team throughout the season.”

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GREEN VALLEY

Head coach: Eric Johnston, sixth season

2015-16 record: 20-8 (8-2 Southeast, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (two)

Top players: G/F Brooke Haney (Sr.), G Jamaica Lewis (Sr.), G Shelby Clark (So.)

Outlook: Coming off a 20-win season, the Gators have some holes to fill after losing six players to graduation.

Haney (16 points, 6 rebounds per game) and Lewis (5 points, 2 steals per game) should be among the team’s leaders.

“We look forward to competing for a conference championship in what will be a very competitive and challenging league,” Johnston said.

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GV CHRISTIAN

Head coach: Susan Lee, second season

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (four)

Top players: F Hope Watson (Jr.), G Jessica Stewart (Sr.)

Outlook: The Eagles begin their first season as an NIAA member with four returning starters.

Watson (7.2 points, 8.9 rebounds per game) and Stewart (7.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg) are expected to be among the leaders on the squad.

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LAKE MEAD

Head coach: Karen Yamzon, sixth season

2015-16 record: 2-20 (0-16 Division III Southern, ninth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (four)

Top players: F Kayla Freund (Sr.), G Lauryn Freund (So.), F Chloe McDonald (Jr.), G Jillian Morejon (Jr.), G Shelbi Shaw (So.), G/F Jacea Tillman (Sr.), G/F Josey White (Jr.)

Outlook: The Eagles struggled to find success last season, but with nine letter winners back, the team should show big improvement this year.

“With our returning players, which includes a few starters that were injured for part of last season, and the addition of a few new faces, we have great potential,” Yamzon said. “With a lot of hard work and perseverance, we look forward to reaching a different level of competitiveness this year.

“We have several players with the potential to emerge and provide great contributions to our team.”

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LAS VEGAS

Head coach: LaShondra Rayford, fifth season

2015-16 record: 5-23 (2-6 Northeast, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (three)

Top players: G Teconna Dyer (Sr.), F Armonnie Byrd (Sr.), G Jasmine Perez (Jr.), G/F Raymani Bordenave (Sr.)

Outlook: Only four letter winners return for the Wildcats, but it’s not reason to despair as plenty of talent remains.

“We lost eight players from last year’s team, however the bulk of the offensive output and defensive rebounding remains,” Rayford said. “It’s a perfect mixture of young and old with five seniors, two sophomores and a freshman that will get a lot of playing time.

“We are looking to finally get over the hurdle. We are always competitive, long, quick and athletic, but it has not always translated into victories.”

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LEGACY

Head coach: Tiffany Richardson, 11th season

2015-16 record: 14-16 (5-3 Southwest, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (five)

Top players: G Taeha Pankey (Jr.), G C’Aree Stevenson (Jr.), C Otilla Price (Sr.), F Zania Watkins (Sr.), G Rory Carter (So.)

Outlook: The Longhorns should be a bit ahead of the game this year with five starters returning.

Pankey (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists per game), Stevenson (11 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg), Price (8 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 blocks per game), Carter (7 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg) and Watkins (5 ppg, 6 rpg) all can be weapons for Legacy.

“We are returning our entire starting five from the previous season, which gives us high expectations for a promising season,” Richardson said.

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MOAPA VALLEY

Head coach: Stuart Humes, fifth season

2015-16 record: 17-11 (10-4 Sunrise, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (two)

Top players: G Matilda Thompson (Sr.), G/F Kinlee Marshall (Sr.), F Kaila Enosa (Sr.)

Outlook: Six letter winners return for the Pirates, who finished third in the Sunrise League last year.

“The Pirates are looking to build off their playoff appearance from last season,” Humes said. “We have a strong group of players, led by our outstanding seniors. Our goal is to reach the state playoffs.”

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MOUNTAIN VIEW

Head coach: Raymond LeBoeuf, first season

2015-16 record: 3-20 (3-13 Division III Southern, eighth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)

Top players: G Tayah De’Bouck (Sr.), F Jordan Spriggs (Jr.), F Nia Van Kempen (Jr.)

Outlook: The Saints struggled most of last season, but return four starters and should be improved.

De’Bouck (9.6 points per game), Van Kempen (3.6 ppg) and Spriggs (2.2 ppg) are expected to be among the team’s leaders.

“I believe that Tayah De’Bouck is without question the fastest girl in our league and also one of the most talented,” LeBoeuf said. “She is surrounded with a solid inside presence of Jordan Spriggs and Nia Van Kempen, along with the complementary guard play of Kristine Horita and Laylonie Leonhardt.

“The team has high potential in a historically tough league.”

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PAHRUMP VALLEY

Head coach: Bob Hopkins, 14th season

2015-16 record: 2-16 (0-14 Sunset, eighth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (four)

Outlook: Hopkins, who had a highly-successful run as the Trojans’ coach from 1999-2008, returns for his third-stint guiding the team.

Nine letter winners return for Pahrump, which is starving for success on the varsity level and has nine seniors.

“These girls went undefeated when they were freshmen,” Hopkins said. “The biggest obstacle we have is that is the last time they won at any level. We know we have a lot of work in front of us.

“We are deep at a lot of positions. Several of the girls put in a lot of time in the gym this summer, shooting, and so far in practice it looks to have paid off. As a coaching staff, we look to get the program back where it was from 1999-2008 where we made it to the state tournament seven of nine years.”

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PALO VERDE

Head coach: Phil Clarke, ninth season

2015-16 record: 19-11 (5-3 Southwest, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (zero)

Top players: G Ariana Davis (Jr.)

Outlook: The Panthers’ top five scorers and rebounders last year combined for 53.7 points and 23.3 rebounds per game. All were seniors, and Palo Verde will have to work quickly to pick up the slack.

“We graduated a good group of seniors last year, so there are some big shoes to fill,” Clarke said. “We are a young team with not much varsity experience.

“It’s a hard-working group that looks to improve as the season goes along and they get more experience.”

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RANCHO

Head coach: Ashley Vossen, fourth season

2015-16 record: 18-12 (6-4 Southeast, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (two)

Top players: F/C Sam Pochop (Sr.), F/C Courtney Plumer (Sr.), G Kyndal Ricks (Jr.), G Aleese Hall (Jr.)

Outlook: The graduation of Maureen Macato and Tatianna Lee took away more than half of the Rams’ scoring from last season.

Five letter winners and a handful of newcomers hope to pick up that slack.

Pochop (4.4 points, 7.5 rebounds per game) and Plumer (2.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg) return in the post. Ricks (5 ppg, 4 rpg) and Hall (3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg) are expected to be among the leaders in the backcourt.

“This will be a rebuilding year for Rancho, but that doesn’t mean you should expect them to not compete,” Vossen said. “We lost two integral parts of the team because of graduation, but this group is energized and motivated.

“With the leadership of senior post Samantha Pochop and junior guard Kyndal Ricks, this team is up for any challenge because they believe in themselves and each other.”

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SHADOW RIDGE

Head coach: Dorothy Kendrick, second season

2015-16 record: 9-12 (2-6 Southwest, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top players: G Lauryn Calo (Sr.), F Alexa Martins (Sr.), G Caitlin Covington (So.)

Outlook: Kendrick, who recently had a highly-successful run at Canyon Springs, continues in the process of trying to build the Mustangs’ program.

“We have two returners, Lauryn Calo and Alexa Martins, that will help with this transition period,” Kendrick said. “We are young, and we have a lot of work to do, but that’s where senior leadership comes into play.

“Getting these young players to embrace a stronger work ethic will be the key. We are in the toughest league, and we have to be prepared to take each game day by day and continue to work hard in the process.”

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SPRING VALLEY

Head coach: Billy Hemberger, fourth season

2015-16 record: 29-4 (14-0 Sunset, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (four)

Top players: G Essence Booker (Jr.), G Kayla Harris (Jr.), F Lynnae Wilds (Sr.), G Alyssa Scott (Jr.)

Outlook: Booker (16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists per game) and Harris (15 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 5 steals per game) both were second-team all-state selections last year and will form one of the top backcourt combinations in the state again this year.

Getting contributions from Scott (9.5 ppg), Wilds (6 ppg, 6 rpg) and others could be a key to success for the Grizzlies, who won the Division I-A state title in 2015 and finished second in the state in I-A last year.

“Spring Valley is excited to be back in Class 4A and looks to compete for championships all season,” Hemberger said. “In year four as a head coach, I could not be more excited with the level of commitment the Lady Grizzlies continue to show.

“The goal is to be considered one of the best teams in the city, but more important, to be respected when the Lady Grizzlies are in anyone’s gym.”

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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN

Head coach: John Wallace, second season

2015-16 record: 2-14 (2-12 Sunrise, seventh)

Returning letter winners (starters): Zero

Outlook: The Miners are starting from scratch.

“It’s a rebuilding year with young players,” Wallace said.

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TECH

Head coach: Diane Hernandez, third season

2015-16 record: 4-20 (3-11 Sunrise, sixth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (two)

Top players: G Tayler Muwwakkil (So.), F Victoria Keane (Sr.), F Melissa Fuller (Jr.), F Patrice Thomas (Sr.), G Makenna Faught

Outlook: Muwwakkil was an all-league honoree last season, and Hernandez said both Muwwakkil and Keane are expected to lead the team.

“After losing our top post player to graduation, we look to play aggressive defense,” Hernandez said. “What we lack in height, we hope to make up for with speed. Though we are young this year, we look to bring a strong shooting game to our offense.”

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VALLEY

Head coach: Donna Gentry, first season

2015-16 record: 4-25 (0-8 Northeast, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (three)

Top players: Sondra Scroggins, Jeuzel Pollins, Almond Slayton

Outlook: The Vikings have fallen on hard times the past two seasons after a run of seven consecutive playoff appearances.

Gentry, who helped build Arbor View into a contender, takes over a program that returns six letter winners, including Scroggins (12 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game), Slayton (8.3 ppg, 11 rpg, 2.4 blocks per game) and Pollins (6 ppg, 5 apg, 3.8 spg).

“The Vikings struggled last season, but have hopes of a turnaround year with three returning starters and a new coaching staff.”

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VIRGIN VALLEY

Head coach: Chimane Creer, seventh season

2015-16 record: 13-12 (11-3 Sunrise, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)

Top players: G/F Briana Todd (Sr.), G/F Emma Barnum (Sr.), F/C Bernice Fiso (Sr.)

Outlook: After finishing second in the Sunrise League last year, the Bulldogs return seven letter winners, including four starters.

Todd (12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists per game), Barnum, 7 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2 steals per game) and Fiso (9 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 blocks per game) should be among the leaders on a squad that appears to be primed for more success.

“This is going to be a fun year for Virgin Valley High School,” Creer said. “We are excited to see where this group of seniors will take us. We have a good nucleus returning and feel that the incoming players will help with the success this year.

“We expect to be one of the top contenders in our league.”

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WORD OF LIFE

Head coach: Kim Martinez, second season

2015-16 record: 1-8 (1-7 Division IV Southern, eighth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)

Top players: Arie Banks (Jr.), Taliyah Wilson (Fr.)

Outlook: The Eagles are hoping to show improvement this season.