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Lady Bear Cubs hope to find repeat success

Buckley Collins, Contributing Writer
Published: November 25, 2009

Expectations are high as the SRJC women’s basketball team returns 11 players from the previous season. They hope to use their experience to build upon their success from last year.

After compiling a 20-13 record with only one returning player in the previous season, the women’s basketball team is looking very strong and hopes to add to the win total.

“We have a lot of experience which should help us out tremendously expectations are high with our league we have finished in the top three so we look to finish there if not first. I personally think we can win the league outright,” said Head Coach Lacey Campbell.

Even though the team is mainly comprised of sophomores, Campbell does expect the freshman players to contribute, possibly start at some point in the season and become leaders in some aspect. She expects the same amount of growth from the freshman players that she saw in players like sophomore guard Natalie Wisdom last season.

“We expect every player to be a leader regardless of their age and experience, [Players] only have two years here so we always expect them to step up,” Campbell said.

To add to the confidence from last season is the success the team had in the preseason. Because so many are players returning, Campbell is able to run the same offense from last season which relies on more of an open court and posting up and the occasional outside shot.

But, it will not be an easy road to first place; the competition is looking as strong as the Bear Cubs. Delta College is coming off of a season in which they place second overall in state and Sierra College is another team to look out for as they are a top five team as well. Both are big rivals.

Not only do the Bear Cubs have to look out for Delta and Sierra, but they will also have to look out for many potential top 15 teams that they will be facing in tournaments this season.

“We will just have to rely on our strength which is our depth and experience,” Campbell said.

To help combat these tough opponents, Campbell is looking for veteran players like Amanda Briare and Charlene Popoff to step up and lead by example.

The Bear Cubs also hope to have much success this season and repeat the desire of their coach to finish first, almost as if it were the team’s slogan.

“I think we can win league, we definitely have the talent and depth to do so,” Popoff said.

“Our main goal is to have a successful season, win league and work together,” Briare said.

Both sophomores realize that the road to first place is not going to be easy and recognize which teams to look out for as Campbell does. Briare and Popoff also know that everyone on the team will have to work extremely hard this season if they want to have repeat success. “I believe Jeanette [DeWitt] and Rachel [Zarate] will really step up this season,” said Briare when asked which players she feels will make a big impact. As far as which freshman will impress the most Popoff feels that guard Mia Greco will be able to lead and communicate easily.

“We have a lot of returning players and are hoping for another top three finish,” Popoff said.

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