9/24/09: Women’s basketball optimistic about turnaround
Basketball season is just around the corner at Saddleback College and the women’s program is looking for a big turnaround after a season of disappointments in 2008-09. The Gauchos return two players from last season’s team and one from the 2007-08 team, in hopes of rebounding in 2009-10.
Head Coach Fentriss Winn is determined to put together a solid squad this season after suffering through his worst season as the Gaucho coach last season when Saddleback finished 9-18. Previous to last season, Winn had never won less than 21 games as the head coach at Saddleback and he says the team took a long look at what needed to change.
“We had to look at every area of our program to see where we could get better, and maintain the high level of success we are used to,” Winn said. “We looked at staff, recruiting, preparation, student academic performance, and focused on being better in all areas.”
 Saddleback returns two players from the 2008-09 team in small forward Johnondra Patterson and guard Jasmine Hamilton. In addition, the Gauchos return guard Justine Chacon from the 2007-08 team, giving Saddleback a lot of experience in the backcourt.
Patterson (5’9) was an All-Orange Empire Conference selection following the 2008-09 season, when she averaged 14 points per game and led the Gauchos with seven rebounds per game.
“She has an amazing vertical jump which allows her to play around the rim where others just can’t go,” Winn said. “She has really put the time in since last year when she was very good, and we expect version two of Jay to be special.”
 Hamilton (5’7) made her presence known towards the end of the season, leading the team on the defensive end with 2.1 steals per game and getting her feet wet at the community college level. Coach Winn has high hopes for Hamilton in 2009-10, as she returns to her normal position of off guard after being forced to play point guard due to injuries in 2008-09.
“Jasmine has the ability to be a dominate defender, and gets to the basket as well as anyone we have,” Winn said. “She will play a major role in our success this season, and we are expecting a breakout year for her”
With very few options on the offensive end in 2008-09, Saddleback returns one of the top sharpshooters from the 2007-08 team in Justin Chacon (5’7).
“Chacon is an offensive threat from anywhere on the court,” Winn said. “With superior ball handling skills, we expect her to be among the best players in the state.”
Winn has also been beating the hardwood for freshman, and claims to have one of his top incoming classes of all time.
“We have had the best recruiting year of the five previous years that I have coached here,” Winn said. “We brought in a whole new team of talented kids in every position. One of the keys to our success this season will be our ability to go to anyone on our bench and feel good about it.”
The incoming players include Audri Sargent (6’0), Brittney Salomon (5’6), Christina Williams (5’3), Meaghan Curran (5’10 transfer from Sonoma State), Cherreia Reeves (5’8), Sara Johnson (5’7), Nicole Rice (5’8), Meagan Johnson (6’1), Alex Mullen (6’2) and Kari DePaolo (5’10 transfer from Azusa Pacific).
The Gauchos open the season on November 6 at the Mission College Tournament in Santa Clara, California.
Archives:
2008-09 News
2007-08 News
2006-07 News
| Important Information |
California Community College Athletic Association Women's Basketball page
|
|
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges, of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
