Women’s team unfazed by high expectations

By Aaron Turner
Staff writer

Coming off a season that produced the best ever record for women’s basketball at City College, Rams head coach Jamie Hayes knows expectations are higher than ever before, following her team’s 33-3 mark last season. However, for Hayes and company, there is nothing but optimism heading into 2009-2010.

“I am very excited about this season,” Hayes said after a team practice. “With our four returning sophomores from last season welcoming the freshmen, I’m excited about the coming together of our new team. I definitely feel we have a great chance to be just as competitive as last year.”

With four players from last year’s lineup returning and only two of them starters, first-year Ram players are sure to be thrust into a productive role right from the beginning.

Marlee Rice, who was a starter last season at San Francisco State University, will help anchor the guard position along with returning sophomores Brittney Allen and Moné Peoples.

Red-shirt sophomore Cierra Foster, who was captain of the Sierra College basketball team last season, is expected to be a key contributor as she looks to help replenish a frontcourt that lost four of last season’s forwards.

Foster is excited to be playing her final season at City College.

“Playing against the Rams while I was at Sierra, I always knew that this was one of the better ball clubs I will ever play,” Foster said. “I’ve never been more excited to start a season as I am now.”

As for her role on the team, Foster noted very simple instructions from her coach.

“Coach told me that she expects me to be a ‘monster’ in the key,” Foster said. “Since April, we have been practicing running the floor and working to be faster and quicker. We are expected to be both mentally and physically tough.”

Hayes also praised freshman Shaneyce Thomas from Mission High School, who will spend significant playing time at forward, as well as Shawnte Taylor, who could see playing time  at both guard and forward.

While versatility is expected to be one of this year’s biggest strengths for the Rams, the loss of last year’s starting point guard Jazmine Holmes means added pressure on sophomore and team captain Brittney Allen, who was a first-team all conference player last season.

For Allen, however, the pressure appears to be nonexistent.

“I’ve always been both a distributor and a scorer so I feel very comfortable doing both,” Allen said.

After a long offseason of strength and conditioning, Allen  is confident that her team can once again be a powerhouse.

“I think we can be just as good, if not better than last season,” she said. “If we work hard and stay focused all year I don’t see us losing much at all.”

The Rams, who were recently ranked third in the nation and first in California, are sure to have the bull’s-eye on their backs for the entire season. With a new look and makeup to this year’s team, Hayes hopes a quicker, more athletic lineup will replicate the winning ways established last season.

City College tips off the 2009-2010 season Nov. 13, when they travel to Rocklin to compete in the Sierra Tournament. Their first  home game will be Friday Nov. 20 against San Jose City College at 5:30 p.m.