Eagles have promise

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Paul Kirby resigned, then reclaimed his post as

Estancia High girls basketball coach in the off-season. One of the

factors helping him change his mind may have been a talented mix of

returners from last year’s 17-9 CIF playoff squad, as well as some

noteworthy newcomers off a Pacific Coast League champion junior varsity

team.

“I like this team,” said Kirby, who opens his fourth season at the helm

Monday with two returning starters and a lot of promise. “With seven

returners the potential is there. We should be able to compete in every

game we play.”

Among the returners is two-time All-PCL performer Lauren Cassity, a

5-foot-8 senior forward who consistently challenges opponents with

tenacious hustle and rare athleticism.

Cassity averaged 10.4 points last season, when she joined departed

seniors Francia Diaz (All-CIF) and Lisa Steinfeld (all-league) as

consistent double-figure scorers.

“She’s our best athlete and she could be our leading scorer,” Kirby said.

Junior Lisa Hirata, a 5-4 point guard, is the other returning starter.

She enters her third varsity season with determination, a high basketball

IQ, and some prowess as a defender. She will need to improve her

offensive game, after averaging 3.9 points last season.

Becky Lenhart, a 5-8 senior, will step into the starting lineup after

scoring 58 points off the bench (22 in one game against Laguna Beach).

Kirby will ask Lenhart to fill the perimeter-shooting role Steinfeld

provided the last three seasons.

“Hopefully, when teams zone us, (Lenhart) can hit some threes,” Kirby

said.

Erika Avalos, a 5-6 sophomore who shared junior varsity MVP honors with

Marie Rodriguez last season, will take over for Diaz in the post.

“Avalos and Rodriguez were by far the two best JV players in the league

last year,” Kirby said. “(Avalos) can score the ball inside. She does

stuff you can’t teach.”

Rodriguez, a 5-3 sophomore guard who was called up for the final three

league games and the playoffs last season (four ppg), is among those

battling for the final starting spot. She can also handle some of the

point guard duties when Hirata needs relief.

Zuyin Barrera, a 5-5 junior, and Jennifer Ollila, a 5-9 senior, figure to

see more playing time than they did as varsity reserves last season.

Xochitl Byfield, a 5-8 freshman, has a strong basketball background and

is the team’s second-best athlete, according to Kirby.

Jessica Orellana, a 5-7 junior, and Tory Matsufuji, a 5-4 junior, are

additional returners who should contribute.

Hilda Vasquez, a 5-7 junior, and Claudia Villa, a 5-4 junior who is the

younger sister of former Estancia boys standout Agustin Heredia, are also

in the mix.

“It’s a hard-working group,” said Kirby, who elected not to schedule

games the first week of the season.

“Hopefully, we can fine tune things that first week,” he said.

The Eagles open Monday at 3 p.m. against reigning CIF Southern Section

III-AA champion Rosary in El Dorado Tournament pool play at Corona High.

ESTANCIA ROSTER

10 Lisa Hirata Jr.

12 Marie Rodriguez So.

15 Claudia Villa Jr.

22 Erika Avalos So.

23 Zuyin Barrera Jr.

24 Tory Matsufuji Jr.

25 Jennifer Ollila Sr.

31 Xochitl Byfield Fr.

32 Jessica Orellana Jr.

33 Lauren Cassity Sr.

35 Hilda Vasquez Jr.

44 Becky Lenhart Sr.

Coach: Paul Kirby