Forging a team

Mike Sciacca

The concept of “team” has not been lost on the 2003-04 Laguna Beach

High girls’ basketball team.

It’s something coach Stacy Howard has taken note of during

preparation for the season, which began for the Breakers Tuesday and

continues with play through Saturday at the Vernie Ford Classic in

Fullerton.

Last year, Laguna turned in one of its more successful seasons,

winning eight games overall and ending a long-standing winless streak

in Pacific Coast League play.

This year’s edition returns four seniors, two of which are the

only two returning starters Howard welcomes back.

“It’s a true team, Howard said. “This group will surprise some

people this year. They have proven that they can roll with the

punches and deal with adversity.

“We are a little on the small side but have a core of four senior

returners and leaders who will make a push for a CIF bid for the

first time in the program’s recent memory.”

Here is a capsule look at the 2003-04 Breakers:

Head coach/year: Stacy Howard (third)

Assistant coaches: Dan Breece, Scott Beckett (JV head coach); Dan

Shultis (JV assistant coach).

2003-04 record: 8-16

League record/finish: 4-6 (fourth)

Returning starters: Aja Roley, 5-9, guard/forward, 2.6 ppg., 3.6

reb., Sr.; Deana Awadalla, 5-7, guard, 3.2 ppg., 1.3 assists, Sr.

Returning lettermen: Katie Sexton, 6-0, center, Sr.; Summer

Kendrick, Sr.

Newcomers: Sam Grant, forward, Jr.; Haley Eaves, guard/forward,

Soph.; Chelsea Hairston, guard, Soph.; Brittany Clark, guard, Fr.

Team Strengths: “Senior leadership,” Howard said. “There is a

strong tradition of solid senior leadership in this program and this

year is no exception. We have a group of underclassmen who are eager

to learn and follow the example set by our four seniors.”

Keys to Success: “Senior play and how well they step up each

night. Katie Sexton is one of the league’s tallest players at 6-feet

and her ability to score for us inside and open it up for our guards

will be important. Both Awadalla and Roley have the ability to

explode on any given night, how many times they can do just that for

us, will be a key. Our freshman, Brittany Clark, is going to be a key

for us as well. With speed and a true, innate feel for the game, she

can make big things happen for us.”

Next games: Today and Saturday at the Vernie Ford Classic at

Fullerton High.