Lady Coyotes return to the court facing an uphill Foothill
Conference battle
By Cheeto Barrera, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent
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DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY CHEETO BARRERA LaShonda Jones attempts
to drive past a San Diego City defender in the first half of Cerro
Coso’s season opening victory on Monday. |
After losing key players to injuries, transfers, Heck must do battle
with five teams ranked in top five in So. Cal.
The Cerro Coso women’s basketball team will open the 2007-2008 season
Monday at 5 p.m., hosting San Diego City College at the Ray McCue
Activity Center.
The Coyotes are returning six players from last year, joined by four new
freshmen.
Coach Tom Heck returns for his seventh season at the helm of Cerro
Coso and said he hopes to keep his team healthy — something that has
plagued his program in the past.
“With our depth problem, we can’t afford any injuries, lengthy
sicknesses and will need to play near perfect basketball to compete in
the Foothill Conference,” Heck said.
The Foothill Conference has continued to grow in size and talent level,
with three of the final eight teams in the playoffs came from the
Foothill. Heck added he thought the nine-team conference was one of the
best in the state.
The Coyotes will be led by former Burroughs student Brenda Cantrell.
This will be Cantrell’s third tour with the Coyotes, with the previous
two cut short because of injuries and receiving a medical red shirt.
“Nobody deserves to get through an entire season without being hurt more
than Brenda,” Heck said. “She’s already had her share of tough breaks.”
Joining Cantrell will be Mariah Bomberry, a 6-0 sophomore from Kayenta,
Ariz., who returns to the Coyotes after missing last year. Two years
ago, she earned All-League honors.
“Mariah will really be counted on for scoring and rebounds,” Heck
said.
Also coming back is Sheerena Gene, a 5-8 sophomore from Chink, Ariz.,
who returns after suffering a season-ending injury last January. She is
joined from last year’s team by point guard Felicia Miller from Detroit.
Miller was hampered the entire second half of the season with an ankle
injury.
Returning sophomore LaShanda Jones from Thoreau, N.M., is one of the
team’s top defensive players are guard, Heck said.
Also returning as a sophomore is Alisha Freeman, a 5-9 forward from
Detroit.
“Alisha has undergone some medical issues this fall, and is waiting to
be cleared” by a doctor, Heck said. “We really need her back on the
squad, for rebounding help.”
Jaque Marshall is a 5-10 newcomer from Phoenix and has earned a starting
spot.
“Marshall will be an offensive and defensive asset,” Heck said.
Samantha Harrison and Cara Greymountain are two new players from
Monument Valley High School in Kayenta, Ariz.
“Samantha and Cara are both very good shooters, and will really help
us,” Heck said.
Rounding out the squad is freshman Charmaine Lowe, a 5-5 guard from
Chink, Ariz., giving the Coyotes more quickness in the backcourt.
The team suffered a tough break when starting returners Ashley Logan and
Kaylina Abeyta received scholarships to Mew Mexico Highlands (a small
four-year college) in late July.
Heck noted the loss of Brittany Graybill, a former Burroughs High School
standout. Graybill was one of the team’s top rebounders last season, but
had her basketball career shortened by medical problems.
“Brittany demonstrated great courage last season as she played
through pain on many nights. We’ll miss her leadership and inside play,”
Heck said.
The Coyotes finished 18-12 last season. Heck is in his sixth year with
an overall record of 98-71.
All home games are free.
Friday, November 23, 2007
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The Daily Independent.
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