Coyote Athletics : Women's Basketball : Headlines

Citrus wins Coso tourney; Coyotes finish 4th

By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent

DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY MIKE DELANEY
Candace Poleyestewa (34, with ball) goes up for a shot during the first half of Cerro Coso 63-55 loss to L.A. Pierce College in the consolation game of the Coso New Year's Tournament. Poleyestewa had her best game of the season, scoring 28 points in the defeat. Jaime Donaldson (5) is at right, defending against L.A. Pierce. DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY MIKE DELANEY

The Coso New Year's Tournament came to an end at Cerro Coso Community College Thursday, with Citrus College taking the tournament's championship trophy with a 79-65 win over North Seattle Community College.

Forward Alexis Pope was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after scoring 29 points in the championship game. She scored 26 points in the tournament's opening game against L.A. Pierce Wednesday night.

In the consolation game of the tournament, Cerro Coso faced off against L.A. Pierce in the battle for third place. The Lady Coyotes lost 63-55, giving them fourth place.

Candace Poleyestewa had her best game as a Coyote, leading all scorers with 28 points.

"She had a great game," said a pleased Cerro Coso coach Tom Heck.

Tashena Nelson added 11 points, and Stephanie Hart (nine points) and Cetra Banks (seven points) rounded out the Coyote scoring.

L.A. Pierce seemed poised to run away with the game in the first half, opening up a seven-point lead with about five minutes to go. But the Coyotes surged back with perimeter shooting to tie the game at 23-23 heading into the intermission.

"We just have to try to get better..."

However, just as in Wednesday's game against North Seattle, Cerro Coso had trouble scoring after halftime. The Coyotes didn't score until the 13:11 mark of the half, nearly seven minutes into the period.

To make matters worse, Banks fouled out for the Coyotes just one minute later, leaving the team without one of its most experienced players.

"The effort is great," said Heck. "But we don't have the depth and we don't have the experience."

"We just have to try to get better," the coach said.

Cerro Coso needs help on the inside especially. The Coyotes were out rebounded again Thursday night, and are unable to beat a team on the glass.

The Coyotes will begin the bulk of their Foothill Conference schedule Monday night, when they host perennial conference power San Bernardino Valley College at 7 p.m.

December 31, 2004

For more on this story please subscribe to The Daily Independent at: dieditor@ridgecrestca.com