SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: Girls Basketball Preview - Flintridge Prep, Muir
Ashley Chea returns for a final season at FP; Adam Conover takes over at Muir.
Flintridge Prep’s Ashley Chea. (Escarcega)
Flintridge Prep High School
Co-Coaches: Jayme Kiyomura-Chan & Kevin Kiyomura
2021-22 Record: 15-7
Number of Returning Players: 6
Assistant Coaches: Julia Tani, Shelley Gupiplan, Garin Phae
PROJECTED GUARDS RETURNING
Ashley Chea: 12, 5’8 PG, Avg 30 points per game: Area MVP, Princeton University Commit.
TOP NEWCOMING PLAYERS/TRANSFERS
Maddie Smith: 9, C/F
Akemi Fu, 9, F/C
Pressley Huie, 9, PG
Coach Jayme Kiyomura-Chan’s Comments: “The Wolves are hungry and have their eyes set on a league championship and deep playoff run. With the area’s best player Ashley Chea leading the charge the sky is the limit. With only 4 upperclassmen The Wolves are counting on Junior veterans Izzie Chan and Kassidy Huie to help lead this young team. The Wolves welcome Frosh. Akemi Fu, Pressley Huie, and Maddie Smith.”
2022-23 Schedule: 2022-23 Flintridge Prep Girls Basketball Schedule
CRYSTAL BALL: If you are looking for an electrifying player to watch this year, this is the one. During a fall league basketball event, a longtime San Gabriel Valley girls basketball coach sent me this text, “Just wanted to let you know I finally played against Ashley Chea today and she is special.” Her balling handling skills are off the charts, she can drive the basket with purpose and has a terrifically consistent three-point shot. What doesn’t get talked about a lot is that she can play defense on a relentless basis. She just recently committed to Princeton University where she’ll be reunited with former Flintridge Prep legend Kaitlyn Chen. The player that will be counted on for adding additional scoring will be Kassidy Huie and Izzie Chan. If the Kiyomura’s are putting down names of freshmen that will be on the team, trust me when I tell you that are not there to occupy a spot on the bench. Look for the Wolves to challenge Providence for the Prep League title. The best thing for Flintridge Prep is that they are in Division 3-AA, which makes them instant playoff contenders. They are on the short list of teams that are under consideration for the top ranked team in the preseason. Solid squad!
Adam Conover (far right) and staff take over at Muir High School. (Photo: Adam Conover)
Muir High School
Coach: Adam Conover
Number of Returning Players: 8
Assistant Coaches Names: Horace Wormely, Staci Mitchell, Edder Bardowell
PROJECTED GUARDS RETURNING
Truth Evans: 11, G
Josie Diaz: 11, G
PROJECTED FORWARDS RETURNING
Naj Harding: 12, F
Alyssa Holmes: 10, F
TOP NEWCOMING PLAYERS
Amari Wilson: 10, F
Coach Conover’s Comments: Strengths will come from our athleticism. It will help that are tough and aggressive. Defense will be big for us. Weakness will be our lack of experience.
2022-23 Schedule: 2022-23 Muir Girls Basketball Schedule
CRYSTAL BALL: It was the move that shocked everyone in the west region of the SGV. Adam Conover, who had a very successful coaching career at Arcadia, was stepping down take over at his alma mater, Muir, and start from scratch. The move is a shakeup in the Pasadena area as Pasadena has been the dominate program for the past several years. With one senior projected to be the starting lineup, this team will most definitely a work in progress. Amari Wilson will be a player that we will follow as the season progress. The Pacific League is no joke when it comes to girls basketball, which makes projecting a record for this team that much dicer. I would like to think a 12-win season is in the cards and if this team makes the playoffs, then the first year of the Conover era would be considered a huge success.