CORONADO LADY LEOPARDS

Head coach: Eric Kajca (first season)

2008-09 record: 16-11, lost 69-55 to Navajo Pine in the first round of the Class AA State Tournament.

Returning starters: Katherine Trujillo, senior, 5-5, wing; Angie Schmitz, senior, 5-10, post; Stephanie Vasquez, senior, 5-9, wing.

Key newcomers: Gabby Vigil, sophomore, 5-6, wing; Erin Cordova, sophomore, 5-6, wing.

Outlook — Kajca is still on getting-to-know-you basis with the Lady Leopards — he was hired two weeks ago. He feels like he has stepped into a good position with a senior-laden team, and the transition has gone smoothly so far. Of course, Coronado hasn't played a game yet.

"They pick up things very quickly," Kajca said. "They seem to adjust well on the court to certain situations, and they don't seem to make mistakes."

Kajca envisions a team that is strong on the defensive end and hit jumpers on the offensive end. Will it be enough to thwart the reigning AA champion Navajo Preparatory?

ESCALANTE LADY LOBOS

Head coach: Tara Terrazas (first year)

2008-09 record: 7-18, lost 40-33 to Coronado in the District 2AA semifinal.

Returning starters: Serenity Zamora, senior, 5-8, forward; Sarah Archuleta, senior, 5-6, wing; Ana Martinez, junior,
5-4, guard; Arneshia Avalos, 5-2, guard.

Key newcomers: Louchelle Desederido, senior, 5-8, post; Bonnie Salazar, sophomore, 6-0, post

Outlook — Terrazas returns after being let go after the 2007-08 season, and she believes the Lady Lobos can contend in the district. Escalante has added size in Desederido and Salazar to go with the speed of Martinez, Archuleta and Avalos.

"This is going to be the first year we've had height in 15 years," Terrazas said. "We've had one or two girls with height (in the past), but not like this."

It is a senior dominated team (four in all), and the leadership of that group will be vital to any postseason chances.

District 2A

DESERT ACADEMY
LADY WILDCATS

Head coach: Natalie Passalacqua (sixth year)

2008-09 record: 22-5, lost 64-39 to Des Moines in the first round of the Class A State Tournament.

Returning starters: Estrella Flores, sophomore, 5-8, guard; Maredith Davis, senior, 5-7, guard; Katie Boot, sophomore, 5-10, post; Solange Pihut, senior, 5-8.

Key newcomers: Diamar Beltram-Taylor, eighth grade, 5-10, forward; Luna Redondo, eight grade, 5-8, forward.

Outlook — The ever shrinking bench for the Lady Wildcats can't get any smaller. Six players hit the practice floor, and each of them will be needed. Desert Academy won't lack for size, with its smallest player being Davis, but the team can't press and attack like it has over the past couple of years.

"We will not be the team we were before," Passalacqua said.

Expect a slower tempo and maybe even some zone defenses to help the team navigate around any potential foul problems. The returning quartet of starters will be asked to do a lot more if the Lady Wildcats want to repeat as district champions.

NEW MEXICO SCHOOL FOR
THE DEAF LADY ROADRUNNERS

Head coach: Letty Perez (eighth year)

2008-09 record: 12-11, lost 34-21 to Evangel Christian in the first round of the District 2A Tournament.

Returning starters: Karina Mitchell, senior, 5-5, guard; Rosina Garcia, freshman, 5-4, guard; Caldonia Wilding, sophomore, 5-8, forward.

Key newcomers: Mia Fernandez, junior, 5-5, guard; Rosenda Bustamante, sophomore, 5-8, center; Kimberly Herrera, freshman, 5-1, guard.

Outlook — Last year was a watershed moment for the program — it was the first winning season in six years. But the Lady Roadrunners lost their second-leading scorer in Katie Velasquez and three other players to graduation. Mitchell, whose
14.5 points per game average led NMSD,
is a senior returnee. Garcia and Wilding will be expected to step up their play.

It's been a long road to improvement, but NMSD has a chance to make a statement before heading to the new Class B in 2010.

SANTA FE WALDORF
LADY WOLVES

Head coach: Daniel Wendland (second year)

2008-09 record: 9-17, lost 45-30 to Evangel Christian in the District 2A quarterfinal.

Returning starters: Kayla Salyer, freshman, 5-4, guard; Sophia Richards, freshman, 5-6, forward.

Key newcomers: Pilar Mullican, freshman, 5-6 forward.

Outlook — What was supposed to be a season of progress for the Lady Wolves now is a battle of survival for the program. Three would-be starters from last year's squad transferred, gutting the heart of the team before Waldorf even hit the court.

"We're trying to play some junior varsity teams because we really are a junior varsity team," Wendland said.

The rebuilding begins with four freshmen, and behind them are two eighth-graders. The encouraging news is that
13 players dot the middle school roster, and those reinforcements can't come soon enough.