Despite some team injuries, Bakersfield College’s women’s basketball team put up a good fight against Reedley Nov. 27 although BC lost 85-82.
The game showed the team making numerous competent passes with the team’s coaches constantly commending the team members on defense during the game. However, many team members felt the team’s performance could have been better.
“We were a little light on defense,” said Tiffany Jones, 29, center.
Chrysta Pera, 19, guard, felt that the team performed very well at the beginning but not during the overtime period.
“We were a little tentative in overtime,” Pera said. “We were safe and sorry.”
Cristen Perry, 20, point guard, believes the team played aggressively during the game, but she feels that the team needs to develop and mature.
“We didn’t have any composure or patience during the whole game,” remarked Ashley Hiriate, 18, guard.
Assistant coach Jenny Dahl said that the team suffered many frustrating injuries. Cristen Perry suffered a turned ankle during the game with Cuesta Nov. 17. Catie Mueller also suffered a turned ankle this season. Kapresha Davis endured a torn ligament. Mueller and Davis did not play in the Reedley game. During the Reedley game, Ashley Van Zandt sustained an injury to her face near her eye. Tiffany Jones turned an ankle during the Reedley game. However, both Van Zandt and Jones returned to the game after receiving brief treatment. The coaches were glad to see Van Zandt go back into the game.
“Ashley Van Zandt is our leader right now,” said Jenny Dahl.
Perry made six baskets in the game; four were made in the first half. Hiriate made two free throw baskets near the end of the game, when the score was 84-82 in Reedley’s favor.
Jenny Dahl cited some player inexperience and some lack of consistency in the Reedley game. She said the team hopes to limit turnovers in future games.
The women’s team suffered a 77-33 loss to San Bernardino Nov. 30. The women will go to Lancaster for the Antelope Valley Tournament Dec. 13-15. Their record stands at 2-7.
BC men’s basketball suffered their own losses as well despite many team strengths.
Men’s basketball head coach Rich Hughes believed his team’s loss to Fresno City during the tournament held at BC Nov. 23-25 was due to “turning the ball late in the game” as well as missing three free throws. Hughes said his men’s team will practice free throws more often.
In the tournament, the men beat Reedley 96-88 and beat Cuesta 81-59 but lost to Fresno City 96-93.
“We could’ve executed plays more and better,” said guard Jimmy Scroggins, 19, about the loss to Fresno.
Scroggins said in the future, the team will reduce turnovers and make crucial free throws. Scroggins said the loss to Fresno City was not a truly bad loss, and that BC will face that team again with a “different outcome.”
“Fresno executed better than we did at the end,” said Daniel Thomas, 19, guard. “Fresno won state last year, and they are used to playing big games.”
Thomas emphasized that during the tournament, BC played three teams and won against Reedley and Cuesta.
“Fresno outworked and outhustled us,” said Alex Alcott, 18, center. “They executed better at crucial times.”
Alcott said Fresno’s free throws were better than BC’s. Nevertheless, looking at the team’s total season so far, Alcott believes the men’s team’s strengths are toughness, willingness to work hard and overall athleticism.
The men’s team later lost 95-90 Nov. 30 to Allan Hancock. The men’s record stands at 4-6. The men will play in the San Diego Mesa Tournament Dec. 7-8.