Bakersfield College’s men’s basketball team beat Cuesta 103-92 for the championship of the BC Tournament held Nov. 24-26. The Renegades won all three games they played in the tournament.
Speaking of the game against Cuesta, Coach Rich Hughes said that the team “played solid for three days and played as a team.”
Hughes credits sophomore Steve Alford for helping the team win against Cuesta with his excellent drives to the basket. Alford scored 31 points in the final game.
Assistant Coach Aaron Chavez said guard Alford is a “‘tweener and does a lot of good things. He is not a vocal leader, but he has always worked hard for us.” Hughes also commended sophomore Terrence Johns for his driving abilities. Johns scored 21 points against Cuesta.
So far, Cuesta has been the BC team’s most formidable opponent this season, Hughes said. Hughes conceded Cuesta had a size advantage over BC.
“Cuesta had 6’8″ and 6’10” kids,” Hughes said. “They were bigger than us.”
The game against Porterville College Dec. 1 proved to be tough battle as well. Nevertheless, BC won 101-75.
The team’s overall record is 10-1. Although this successful record is due in part to a few standout role players, all of the team players play “unselfishly,” Hughes said.
In fact, Hughes said that not only does his team possess great intensity, the team’s other strength is its ability to pass the ball.
Hughes commended the team’s unselfish play.
Chavez agreed, saying that the team “does a tremendous job of passing the ball. The team wants to win the game. With this group, it’s not about individuals, it’s all being Renegades; it’s all about one team, one goal. Hopefully, this will continue.”
Chavez said that the team plays defensively although it often gives up a lot of points. The team typically wins by 19 points a game, Chavez said.
He also pointed out that there are guys to fill positions and that there is “not that much of a drop off this year as there was last year.” Chavez said that the team has more depth than it did last year. Chavez expressed gratitude for the presence of the sophomores who are well acquainted with the game.
Their knowledge and experience helps in the freshman training, Chavez said. The men’s team will play the San Diego Mesa Tournament at San Diego Mesa Dec. 8-9. The team will face Cuesta again Dec. 12 at Cuesta and will have the College of the Sequoias Tournament at the COS Dec. 15-17. The team plays in the Allan Hancock Tournament in Santa Maria Dec. 28-30.
The BC women’s basketball team has an overall record of 9-1.
The team’s one loss to Reedley Nov. 28 with a score of 75-87 was overshadowed by their wins including victories over San Bernardino Valley Dec. 2 with a score of 65-60, Rio Hondo Nov. 21with a score of 74-49 and winning two games in the Allan Hancock Crossover Nov. 17-18. The BC women also beat Porterville 72-61 Nov. 15.
According to Assistant BC Women’s Basketball Coach Susan Pinza, the Women’s team is a “quick team with good height inside.”
Pinza also said that the returning sophomores are great assets to the team because they work well with the freshmen.
The team overall, Pinza said, “gels well and everyone looks out for each other.” Fellow Assistant Coach Jenny Dahl said the women’s team has impressive shooting skills.
Dahl also said that the team “has height, which helps on defense and makes the team a solid rebounding team.”
Nevertheless, Dahl said that the team should improve its intensity “especially on defense.” The team also needs to minimize its turnovers, Dahl said. Pinza said the team was highly competent at demonstrating the skills learned.
Pinza remarked that the team must work harder dealing with an opposing team’s good defense.
Freshman and guard Amber Williams said the team should play “our game at our tempo.”
The women’s team played a home game with San Bernardino Dec. 2. The team will challenge Santa Barbara at Santa Barbara Dec. 7.
On Dec. 9, the team faces El Camino at BC.
Dec.12 is when BC will battle the College of the Sequoias at BC. Dec.14-16 is when the team will play in the Antelope Valley Tournament in Lancaster.