According to assistant basketball coach Aaron Chavez, there are no basket cases this season in Bakersfield College’s men’s basketball team.
“We’re very athletic. We’re better than we were last year; we have a lot of return players, but we also have a lot of quality freshmen who will help the sophomores out,” Chavez said.
This year the team has 12 players; according to Chavez, most teams usually have only nine.
The team, Chavez said, is looking forward to strengthening its defense.
“We press 40 minutes a game,” Chavez said.
Chavez admitted he is eager to see the new freshmen “add a one-two punch” to future games.
Head coach Rich Hughes believes that the team can profit from the experience of the sophomores; Hughes says there are five returning players, including Terrence Johns who won all state last year and Steve Alford who was all-conference last year.
Hughes said that not only is experience a team strength, but speed also has proven to be a great team asset. However, Hughes conceded that the team’s rebounding efforts need improvement.
“We are a smaller team this year, so we need to do a better job of rebounding,” Hughes said.
BC opened the season Nov. 7 by beating Hancock 132-91.
Nov. 9-11, the team will engage Ventura at Ventura’s Tournament. Nov. 16-18, the team will challenge Fresno/Reedley at the Fresno/Reedley Tournament. Nov. 24-26 is when the team will have its own tournament at Bakersfield.
Volleyball
BC’s game against College of the Canyons Oct. 31 was not abysmal. The Renegades won 3-0.
However, their game against Citrus College Nov. 3 was a lemon with the team losing 3-1.
Nevertheless, as Coach Carl Ferreira says, the team’s strengths continue to be an “ability to manage the game.”
“I really enjoy this about this team,” he said.
With an overall record of 7-5 and 5-4 for WSC, the team continues, as Ferreira says, to try to “minimize unforced errors.”
Defensive Specialist Jennifer Brite, 18, believes the team has “improved dramatically.”
Brite notes that the team’s strengths include all of the members’ readiness to learn from each game situation, and she also cites the members’ strong “relationship with each other” as the team’s strengths.
“This is the best season ever,” said Candice Roach, middle blocker, 20. “The group is great, we work together, and the coach is awesome.”
“There’s communication in and out of the court,” Roach said.
Natalie Hierlmeier, outside hitter, 19, believes the team is developing and improving rapidly as a team.
“We’re doing awesome,” Hierlmeier said. “We’re all friends, and we’re all committed to each other.”
The team will play an away game at Santa Monica Nov. 10, will host Glendale Nov. 14, and will travel to Canyons on Nov. 17.
Golf
BC sophomore Sara Ansolabehere is this season’s standout player for BC’s Women’s Golf team. Ansolabehere played Nov. 6 at Los Serranos Golfing Course in Chino Hills and shot seven over par, according to BC Women’s Golfing coach Larry Cook. Nov. 7 at Chino Hills was the first round for the Southern Cailfornia Regional playoffs, said Cook.
“Sara shot 81; par is 74,” said Cook.
Ansolabehere tied for eighth, said Cook. Cook said that Ansolabehere was the only player who qualified to advance to the next playoff level Nov. 7, which is the state championship at Belmont Country Club at Fresno. Only the top 12 players make it to the state championship. “We’re looking to see Sara keep up her good play,” Cook said.
Cook also coaches BC’s Men’s Golfing team. Men’s Golf will start Jan. 15. Cook said last year was the best year for BC’s men’s golf because the team qualified for the state final championship n northern California during the team’s southern California regional championship. Thirty teams from around the state competed in SoCal, and only four teams go to the state championship, according to Cook.
It has been about 15 years since BC Men’s Golf has qualified for the state championship. Cook is looking to a win at the state championship with the help of sophomores Nick Vallejo, Nate Hamblen and Chris Baden.