Rams secure perfect conference record

By Aaron Turner
The Guardsman

It seems like a year ago since the last time the City College women’s basketball program tasted defeat.

In fact, it was last year, on Dec. 30, 2009, one game before their conference opener, that the Rams fell to Solano College in the championship game of the Gervasoni Classic. Since then, they have not lost a single game.

On Feb.19 at the Wellness Center, their historic tear through the Coast Conference was completed, as they beat Skyline College 91-59 in their regular season finale.

The win both captures City College’s first conference title since 2006-2007, and marks the first time the team has gone undefeated in conference play.

“It’s a great accomplishment,” Rams head coach Jamie Wong said of her team’s victory.

“We are excited and enjoying it but playoffs are around the corner, and we want to be ready to get the same results,” she said.

Sophomore forward Cierra Foster finished with 20 points to lead all scorers, and sophomore guards Marlee Rice and Mone Peoples scored 19 and 18 points apiece, as the Rams routed the hapless Trojans for the second time this season.

“They zoned us all night,” Peoples said. “We figured if they did that, they’re afraid of our penetration, so we were able to rely on our three point shots.”

By halftime, the Rams had already amassed a 51-29 lead.

Scoring was not a problem all night for the Rams, as they once again capitalized on their superior size and speed on both offense and defense.

As the whole Rams team turns its collective eye towards the California state playoffs, both players and coach well remember last year’s disappointment, an overtime heartbreaking loss to Pasadena City College in the state semifinals.

“Earlier in the season, coach reminded us of that game,” Peoples said. “She made sure we knew what we did to lose that game, and how she doesn’t want us to feel that ever again.”

Hayes however feels nothing but confidence as the number one ranked team in Northern California begins their preperation for playoffs.

“I have a lot of confidence in this team,” she said. “They’re experienced when it comes to playing in big games, since we have four players from last year who played in the state tournament.”

Coast Conference MVP Brittney Allen, along with all-conference sophomore Mone Peoples will get a chance to erase  last season’s playoff loss from their memory.

The Rams, who have a first round bye in the playoffs, will face the winner of the contest between American River College and Diablo Valley College.

That game will be held on Feb. 27 at the Wellness Center at 5 p.m.