The Irvine Valley women's basketball is looking forward to the start of trying to defend its Orange Empire Conference title when the Lasers begin conference play on Wednesday at home against Orange Coast at 7 p.m.
Irvine Valley went 13-1 in conference a year ago and shared the crown with Cypress.
The Lasers finished with a record of 26-5 overall and reached the state tournament for the second time in program history.
Irvine Valley has a record 10-3 so far this season and is ranked 18th in the state and 10th in South California in the latest coaches' polls.
The Lasers are coming off a consolation tourney title at the Ventura Tournament, beating Antelope Valley, 72-41, in late December and then defeating San Diego City, 83-57, in a nonconference road game last week.
Against San Diego City, the Lasers shot 48.3 percent (29 of 60) from the field and out-rebounded the Knights, 39-28.
Freshman guard Anai Washington led the way with 19 points.
Sophomore guard Lexi Vail added 13 points, six rebounds and 12 assists and freshman guard Megan Herrera had 13 points and four steals for the Lasers.
On the year, Washington averages 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals, freshman post player Zoe Stachowski is averaging 12.3 points and 14.3 rebounds, Herrera averages 11.3 points and 2.9 steals and Vail is averaging 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game for Irvine Valley.
Orange Coast has a record of 0-10 overall.
The Pirates, under first-year head coach Sabrina White, last played in late December in the Ventura Tournament, falling to Rio Hondo, 75-49, and then Antelope Valley, 70-39.
Against Antelope Valley, Alexus Johnson had 15 points and eight rebounds and Monet Oncu added 11 points.
On the year, Jalisa Simons averages 19.4 points and 11.4 rebounds, Oncu is averaging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds, Raelynn Denson averages 9.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists and Johnson is averaging 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.
