Ignore the 0-7 start.
The Lobos are 2-2 since their early season struggles, providing hope for a productive conference season in women's basketball.
"It was an adjustment to the pace of this level,'' MPC women's basketball coach Wendy Bates said. "And in their own mindset, how much more could they push themselves.''
That's expected when seven of your nine players are freshmen -- three of which also played a fall sport at MPC.
"Our philosophy is to get better each day in practice,'' Bates said. "Even if it's small steps, we are going in the right direction. I don't feel we're taking steps backwards.''
Part of MPC's non-conference schedule included battles with three teams ranked in the top 20 in Northern California. It also has two losses by four points or less.
"Every game matters to me,'' Bates said.
Despite an 0-5 start, the Lobos were still ranked higher (RPI) than some programs that were off to a 5-0 start.
"That's a testament to our schedule, who your opponent is,'' Bates said. "All that is taken into account when the RPI rankings come out.''
While the youth of the Lobos continues to mature as Coast Conference play draws near, Bates' two sophomores have at times carried the weight of the program on their shoulders.
Salinas High graduate Marissa Hernandez is averaging over 14 points a game for MPC while one-time San Benito product Denise Martinez is providing quality minutes off the bench.
"Marissa plays at a high level,'' Bates said. "She needs a lot of touches. I like Denise coming off the bench because she can play a variety of positions. She's very versatile."
Which is critical with a rotation of only nine players.
"We have nine players from eight different high schools,'' Bates said.
And while developing chemistry is work in progress, off the court Bates calls it one of her closest teams in 20 plus years of coaching.
"Because of late arrivals from fall sports and injuries, we've only had three games where we've had our entire squad,'' Bates said.
Over the last two weeks, MPC has looked like a different team, going 2-2, with both wins being by 10 or more points.
"I never sensed any frustration,'' Bates said. "It can be hard to believe when you start 0-7. But these ladies see themselves getting better. They're committed to the process of wanting to get better.''
While Hernandez has provided the offense with a lift, Bates has watched former North Salinas High standout Alissa Foster adapt to the collegiate game, averaging 8.6 points a game.
"She's made the transition quicker than some of the others,'' Bates said. "She's very competitive.''
Foster was a part of two teams at North Salinas that lost a total of eight games.
"She's not used to losing,'' Bates said.
Neither is Aly Carroll, who led King City to an 11-3 MTAL finish last season, averaging a double-double.
The 5-foot-11 Carroll was a late arrival after playing volleyball for MPC. The freshmen leads the team in rebounds at just under eight a game.
"I like our rotation,'' Bates said.
A rotation that includes Seaside graduate Marielle Tuazon, who is averaging 8.5 points a game, and R'Leesha Gooden-Fair.
"It's hard to teach the pace,'' Bates said. "Sustaining it has been a struggle. The approach for me has not changed. I believe it works.''
No comments:
Post a Comment