Though season was frustrating, Coyotes finish strong
By Cheeto Barrera, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent
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"With only seven players for most of the season, we
had no margin for error in regards to trying to win a game.” |
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The 2007-2008 Cerro Coso women's basketball season was not the worst
Tom Heck has had in his seven-year tenure, but at times it turned his
hair even whiter than it already is.
Facing the year in, year out battle of bringing talent to Ridgecrest and
keeping them healthy, Heck at times could only suit up five players. He
started with 10 players, but had that number quickly pared down to seven
by the midway point and eventually down to six by the end of the season.
The injury bug, one scholarship winner and one player leaving for
personal reasons left the Coyotes with a minimal roster to go up against
one of the toughest conferences in the state - having five teams ranked
at one time or another.
But like in other seasons, Heck and the Lady Coyotes found a way to win
games and keep the season respectable.
Going into the Feb. 9, Cerro Coso had just six wins. The least number of
wins in the history of the team is four and Heck's worst season was
seven wins.
But the girls rallied, winning four of their last six to give Heck his
sixth 10-win season.
Heck, however, put the season in perspective, noting the tough task his
ladies faced in the Foothill Conference.
“Nine of our 17 losses were to ranked teams,” Heck said. “We lost six
very close games because we had no depth. With only seven players for
most of the season, we had no margin for error in regards to trying to
win a game.”
Of the 17 losses, six were by margins of seven points or less including
Wednesday's finale against Rio Hondo, losing 67-66.
When the two schools faced off at Rio Hondo on Dec. 4, the Coyotes lost
by 23 points.
The Coyotes started off the season with a win over San Diego City then
hit a stretch of five straight losses, four of which came against
conference opponents.
A Northern California tour seemed to breath new life into the Coyotes,
who came home winners of four of five games and extended the streak with
a win over Ursuline University's junior varsity from Ohio.
But then hard times fell on the Coyotes.
As 2007 gave way to 2008, the Coyotes went on an eight-game losing
streak. In that stretch, Cerro Coso was out scored an average of 22.75
points and were held to an average of 44.63 points.
The Coyotes have at least two players returning to next year. Freshman
Kara Graymountain was the lone-first year player who lasted through the
entire season healthy enough to play.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
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© 2008
The Daily Independent.
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