Renegade Rip

Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: Features

Stephanie Rodriguez and Cece Gomez practice at the Bakersfield Collee soccer field on Aug. 17. The women's team finished last seas with six wins, nine losses and eight ties.

The Bakersfield College Renegades keep proving to be the Spartans of discipline, coaches affirm.
Many teams worked out during the summer and are primed for the new seasons with new and returning players, according to the coaches.
All of the teams are dealing with the loss of valuable players, but the departures are amicable, say the coaches.
Men's Basketball
Assistant men's basketball coach Aaron Chavez says that he is anticipating a fine season with new players, as six players from last year have gone on to four-year institutions. Nevertheless, coaches are always particularly happy to see players progress to a higher level at four-year institutions, said Chavez.
According to Chavez, both Steve Alford and Andrew Ready are preparing themselves for Division II team Western Washington.
According to head coach Rich Hughes, Western Washington has one of the best Division II basketball programs. Alford and Ready are delighted that they will be playing together, Hughes said.
Forward Demetrius Williamson is taking the plunge into Division I at Niagara University in New York.
"Niagara U. is a good academic school, and Demetrius is a good student," said Hughes.
Lawrence Billings is bound for Division II at Metro State in Denver, Colorado.
At Metro, Billings will have an opportunity to play at one of the more outstanding Division II programs, Hughes said.
According to Hughes, Metro's basketball style is comparable to BC's, so Billings' segue to Metro will be smooth.
"We place players in different parts of the country," Chavez said. "We want to make it the right fit, and we want them to be happy wherever they go."
Two other players making an exit are Aaron Perez, who heads off to Oklahoma Baptist University and the NAIA, as well as consistent standout Terrence Johns, who is heading to Division I at Cal State Bakersfield.
For Terrence Johns, although a native of Chicago, CSUB was a natural choice because he has enjoyed a lot of success in Bakersfield. "Bakersfield is a second home to him," Hughes said.
Looking forward to the upcoming season, Hughes believes the team will show many of the strengths it has shown before.

Continued...

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