Undefeated Buena Faces a Tall Order

Having used different styles to obtain similar results, the Buena and Santa Barbara girls’ basketball teams will find themselves in the same gym tonight for a Channel League matchup of grand proportions at Buena.

Quick and aggressive Buena, which is 15-0 and ranked No. 2 in the Southern Section 4-A Division, uses a variety of full-court presses and runs opponents into a state of fatigue.

Said Buena Coach Joe Vaughan, whose team has won the past 11 league titles: “We’ll apply full-court pressure and run when we have the opportunity.”

Tall and experienced Santa Barbara, which is 13-2 and ranked No. 4 in the 4-A, plays an even-tempo game and relies on offensive rebounding.

But there are similarities--both teams have an All-American.

Buena boasts 5-7 senior guard Mary Klemm, who averages 10.5 points, 10.1 assists and 9.8 loose-ball recoveries a game.

Santa Barbara counters with 6-2 senior center Shannon Frowiss, who averages 16.3 points and 9.4 rebounds a game.

The Dons double their Frowiss prowess, however, with Shannon’s twin, Heather, a 6-0 forward who Butcher said is the team’s best defensive player.

Santa Barbara, in fact, has seven players 5-10 or taller.

The Dons last defeated Buena in 1984, the last time Buena lost a league game.

Besides Klemm, Buena relies on forwards Stephanie Rainwater (13.8 points a game) and Gia Giardino (10.6), guard Jenny Weinerth (9.1) and center Nicole Ellis (8.0).