Women’s Basketball team playing large and taking charge!Women’s Basketball resurrects bigger and stronger
Jamie Garrison-women’s basketball preview
As the players run sprints to the single blow of a whistle, faces begin to glister with sweat and grunts of pain reflect hard work in practice, the Pierce College women’s basketball team prepares for the 2007-08 season. Last season, with an exceptional record of 25-6, the best in the history of Pierce College women’s basketball. Jim Couch, who is starting his 11th year as head coach, is turning the game up a notch by challenging his players to be the best this year.
With weight training two days and running four days a week for the players, since the beginning of the semester. However, Couch is not only preparing the team to be competitive, but to compete against the biggest opponent their chemistry.
“They all can play, it’s a matter of getting them to the same level,” said Couch. “We’re the best talent wise this year
According to Couch some players are often self-absorbed and parents have high expectations, because they believe their daughter should have gone to a four-year university right out of high school. “Most players think their ready to play at a division 1 college, but their not,” said Couch. “A junior college is a reality check.” His goals are to make sure his players are successful by creating the best academic student, athlete and having the team aim high.
Last season, the coach was forced to forfeit 24 games due to clerical errors regarding some of the players.
“It was unfair and a black eye to women’s athletics and the student athlete,” said Couch.
Despite the setback, Couch is following through with all physical paperwork on the athletes. This season the roster is fully equipped with players who can shoot, rebound and can move the ball up court.
” My main motivation is I want to prove we have quality program at Pierce,” said Couch. “I want to prove we have a good athletic and academic program.”
The goal of Ralph Wesson, assistant coach, who is starting his seventh year team, wants win conference and the championships.
“Everyday we are improving,” said Wesson, he also hopes to inflict in each game what he calls “40- minutes of hell” on their opponent.
As the returning players complete their second season this year, Emmilee Ringelberg, (33) guard, whose goal is to transfer and become a nutritionist, stated that in the program a player can learn.” Samantha Session (44) power forward, also plans to transfer and eventually direct a city recreational program. Mary Chirishayn (4) guard, plans to transfer and step her game up from last season. She “highly recommends” the program. Twin sisters Tiffanie Puente (1), Melodie Puente (2) who once played for San Francisco University are in the process of looking for four-year schools, according to Couch.
This season there are freshman’s including: Nicole Portius (32), Taryn Sherman (12),Bridget Jenkins(3) and Tiara Richardson(23) a.k.a “Lucky” hopes to build her academic and game career at Pierce. “It will be a nice transition when you go to a bigger school,” said Richardson.
The first official will be Nov. 7 at home vs. Victor Valley at 5:30 p.m.