Title team veterans look for more magic

A year after first league championship, girls’ basketball team readies for repeat.Eight months ago, the Laguna Beach High girls’ basketball program reached heights it never had attained before.

The 2004-05 year ended with a 15-12 record. What you don’t see in those numbers is the fact that the Breakers won the school’s first league championship and its first CIF playoff game played on its home court.

This year, the cast from that championship team is pretty much intact and should be favored to win the Pacific Coast League again. The key replacement has come in new head coach Nicholas Ilagan, who takes the reigns from Stacy Howard.

Ilagan’s previous coaching experience at the prep level was with the boys’ programs at Irvine and Westminster.

Below is a capsule look at the 2005-06 Breakers:

Laguna Beach Breakers

Head coach: Nicholas Ilagan

Year: First

Coaching staff: Michael You

2004-05 record: 15-12 overall; 7-3 league (first)

Returning starters: Claire Bevacqua, forward, league MVP, first-team All-CIF, Sr.; Lauren Delgado, guard, Sr.; Haley Eaves, guard, Sr.; Chelsea Hairston, guard, Sr.; Lisa Avila, post, Sr.; Brittany Clark, point guard, all-league, Jr.; Emily LaRose, small forward, Soph.; Tess Grogan, guard, all-league, Soph.; Lauren Kelly, post, Soph.

Key newcomers: Katie Daff, small forward, Fr.; Dinika Bagga, small forward, Jr.; Lea Sherman, guard, Soph.; Shauna Reinert, point guard, Soph.

Biggest challenge: “There are a few things that should challenge us this year, and they all revolve around our depth and talent,” Ilagan said. “Because we have nine of 10 returners from last year, it will be difficult to find chemistry on the court with different lineups with such a deep bench. I also feel that our focus on each game has proven to be difficult. We had a lot of problems putting away teams and losing close games during the summer, but we hope to have drawn from those experiences and not repeat the same mistakes.”

Team outlook: “I expect this team to do very well this season. We definitely have our sights set on another CIF playoff berth and to compete for a CIF championship. We have spent the entire preseason conditioning to play an in-your-face defense and up-tempo offensive game,” Ilagan said.

“I think this season will come down to layups and free throws. Our defense gives us the chance to be in any game with anyone, but we have had huge problems with easy shots, layups and free throws, in the past. I think if we can capitalize on those easy things, we should give ourselves the opportunity to have a magical season.”

Season opener: Wednesday at Century Tournament.

*Next week: Breakers boys’ preview.20051125iqe5maknMARK DUSTIN / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Tess Grogen, left, drives to the basket against the defense of Ashley McMillion during a recent practice.