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Lawrence Girls Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 10-11, lost in Division 1 North first round

Returning starters (3): Stephany Colon, 5-9, Sr., guard/forward; Karina Lopez, 5-10, Jr., forward; Lucy Francisco, 5-7, Jr., guard

Returning lettermen: Ramona Moore, 5-6, Sr., guard; Magda Soria, 5-5, Sr., guard; Sofia Mendez, 5-10, Jr., forward; Luz Brenz, 5-8, Jr., guard/forward; Ana Villavizar, 5-2, Jr., guard; Minerva Rivas, 5-6, Jr., guard; Tiffany Espinosa, 5-9, Jr., forward; Krystal Rodriguez, 5-8, Jr., forward; Gyna Santana, 5-6, Jr., guard; Ashleigh Greer, 5-6, Soph., guard

Newcomers: Johelly Hernandez, 5-9, Sr., guard/forward; Xiomarie Quinones, 5-6, Sr., guard; Alysia Clark, 5-5, Jr., guard; Jericka Santiago, 5-8, Frosh., guard/forward; Janina Santiago, 5-6, Frosh., guard; Grace Lopez, 5-3, Frosh., guard; Kelly Sicard, 5-6, Frosh., guard

Candidates in all grades: 65

Captains: Stephany Colon, Ramona Moore, Karina Lopez

Returning leaders: Stephany Colon 10.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg

Returning honorees: Stephany Colon, Eagle-Tribune All-Star

Assistants: Mike Mansour, varsity assistant; Kim Anderson, JV; Shaun Dunlevy, Frosh.

Opener: Dec. 14 at Chelmsford, 7:30 p.m.

Odds and ends: Lawrence qualified for state tournament for the third straight season after nine years of not making it. ... The program's renaissance plus the move to a brand new gym has piqued interest with 65 candidates. ... Senior Johelly Hernandez joins the Lancers from Greater Lawrence Tech, where she averaged 8.3 points per game including a 29-point effort against Savio Prep in late February. Notre Dame of Lawrence's high scorer, junior Alysia Clark (11.7 ppg) also has made the move to the new campus this year. ... Stephany Colon will become the first player in ages to be on four state tournament teams if the Lancers qualify this season.

Coach Dan Blouin (4th year, 32-31): "Stephany Colon's a four-year starter and everybody else has played significant minutes. Players in secondary roles before are now starters and will have to step up. We'll go 9 or 10 deep, and this year we'll have players to back people up. It's a good sign of the program's success to see 65 kids on opening day as the kids in the lower grades see what's going on and want to be part of it."