TEAMS TO WATCH

* CHATSWORTH

1994-95 record: 20-6, North Valley League champion

Four senior starters return for the Chancellors, who advanced to the 3-A title game before losing to Narbonne. The Gauchos moved up to 4-A, leaving Chatsworth as the 3-A favorite. “I expect we should be able to do as well or better than last year,” Coach Emad Whitney said. Center Nancy Vincent and forward Tynitra Wilson practiced for the first time Monday after playing for the Chatsworth volleyball team. Both starting guards, seniors Jodi Borenstein and Parisa Plant, are starters on the Chancellor softball team. Sophomore forward Sara Gudis, who played on the varsity as a freshman, gets first shot at joining the four senior starters.

* KENNEDY

1994-95 record: 17-8, second in West Valley League

The Golden Cougars are expected to challenge Taft for the West Valley League title. Kennedy lost Tami Ross, who averaged 18.5 points, but 5-6 junior point guard Tamaya Morris, who averaged 14.2 points, six assists and more than four steals, returns. Morris will be joined by junior forward Coyles Scarbrough, who averaged 12.1 points and is expected to play a larger scoring role. Coach Donis Bailey is certain 6-1 sophomore center Melissa Kuhn will make an impact. Bailey is awaiting word on the availability of senior Savannah Muse, a Sylmar transfer whose eligibility will be decided by the City Section Rules Committee on Monday.

* NORTH HOLLYWOOD

1994-95 record: 20-3, Mid-Valley League champion

The Huskies lose the leading scorer among City players in the region, but life goes on without guard Anna Celaya, now at Occidental. Two starters, Samantha Fargeon and Stephanie Wasserman, return from last year’s team that was undefeated in league play and advanced to the second round of the 4-A playoffs. They are joined by sophomore guard Lindsey Sitero-Higa, a transfer from Monroe, and freshman Tashean Thomas, a point guard with dazzling moves. “Some of the things she does make you ooh and aah, but sometimes you have to cover your eyes,” Coach Rich Allen said. A rugged nonleague schedule that includes Crescenta Valley, Burroughs, Notre Dame and Simi Valley should toughen the Huskies for league play.

* TAFT

1994-95 record: 18-3, West Valley League champion

First-year Coach Stephanie Blin inherits one of the best teams in the City. Senior point guard Nyoki McKeith was the only player in the Northwest Valley Conference selected to The Times’ All-Valley team last season. She is surrounded by a talented group of juniors led by post players Vanessa Dunn (5-11), Rosa Ortiz (5-11) and defensive stopper Marisol Lopez (5-6). The best newcomer is shooting guard Sheree Garrett, up from the junior varsity. Blin, who coached at Lincoln before coming to Taft in 1990, replaces Jim Woodard, who led the Toreadors to a league title, a school record for victories and the second round of the 4-A playoffs.

* VAN NUYS

1994-95 record: 6-13, last in Mid-Valley League

Don’t be fooled by the Wolves’ record. Van Nuys lost its two best players midway though the season. But senior post player Gohar Tumanian (5-8), who missed seven games because of a broken finger, and sophomore forward Lynne Berry (5-8), who was removed from the team by her family because of poor grades, are back. They join senior swing player Jocelyn Tanaka (5-4) to give Van Nuys a chance to unseat North Hollywood for the league title. “We’re going to be small,” Coach Tony Magnante said, “so we’re going to run.” Van Nuys might get help in the middle from 6-foot center Jasmeen Burton, the middle blocker on Van Nuys’ 3-A champion volleyball team.