Lorrie Reyes / Roundup
Last year’s women’s basketball team had a 23-10 record overall, was second place in Western State Conference North Division with a record of 9-3, and hosted their first playoff game. Ever.
Their goal this year is to be better than that.
“We are a smarter ball club overall,” said Head Coach Jim Couch. “Every year we start the season we hope to be better than the previous season.”
“We’re expecting to win conference this year,” said sophomore guard and team captain Tessondra Williams, “and we are expecting to have a good season so we have to strive for that.”
That might be a difficult hurdle to jump.
Within their conference is Ventura College, who went undefeated in the WSC North Division with a 12-0 record and an overall record of 34-1 and defeated Pierce both times that they faced each other.
The Brahmas have also lost WSC North Division most valuable player , center Tiara “Lucky” Richardson who had led the conference in rebounding.
“We are definitely going to miss Lucky because she’s a great rebounder,” said Williams “We don’t have as tall of girls this year but as a team we are going to help each other.”
But this is not last year’s team.
This is not last year’s team who lost in the final seconds of their first playoff game to Citrus College.
“We are a new team,” said Williams “We’re a different team. This year we are friends on and off the court.”
With 10 freshmen and only five returning players, this literally is a new team.
Leadership from the sophomores, especially captains Williams and Jessica Logo Logo will be key on the court for Pierce.
“Your sophomores have to step up and give you team leadership” they have to know what is expected of them, especially in a two year program.”
” Hopefully we can lead our younger ones just how [last year’s sophomores] led us,” said Logo Logo.
This year’s Brahmas have come to together because they want to win and better their game.
It usually takes defense to win games and luckily Pierce College has a new freshman who can bring the pressure they are looking for.
Candyse Farmer who is a top recruit, from Fairfax High School, brings ball handling and most importantly defense.
“She’s very quick with her hands and quick on her feet,” said Williams “she’s a great defensive player.”
Another freshman Pierce is looking to have a big season is Habi Hanne who will be replacing Richardson under the basket.
Hanne, who is 5’9, went to Reseda High School and will be defending
“I’m used to playing against taller girls, I’ve guarded girls who were 6’3 and 6’4 so I’ve learned [how to guard them].”
Pierce opened their season by facing Cerritos and West Los Angeles Colleges in Pierce College’s eighth annual Crossover Tournament on Friday and Saturday to put their new team to the test.
Friday’s game looked promising with Farmer handling the ball well and Williams hot shooting that led Pierce to a 38-31 lead at the half.
But during the second half tired, fouls legs and nerves seemed to take over and Pierce’s first game ended in a 69-83 loss.
Williams ended the game with 33 points and going 13-13 from the field, Farmer ended up with seven steals for her first college game.
The Brahmas turned it around on Saturday vs. WLA College winning 81-57 and bringing their record to 1-1.
“We are looking for wins, we don’t look for anything else.” said Couch “It’s not an easy opening.”
The women’s basketball team will continue with tournaments during Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 27-29 and throughout 2009.
Conference play will begin Jan. 6 against Cuesta College at Pierce.
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