Giants storm Lassen ahead of CVC women's basketball opener

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

During a season of transition, College of the Sequoias women's basketball team appears to be rounding into familiar form.

The state No. 18-ranked Giants returned from an 18-day break for the Christmas holiday by dismantling Lassen 91-28 on Jan. 4 at Porter Field House in the team's final tuneup before launching Central Valley Conference play.

Sequoias (10-6) opens defense of the CVC title -- which the program has won in six of the past eight championship seasons, all under former coach Ray Alvarado -- at 5 p.m. Jan. 13 at Merced (4-4).

After losing only three games total during a 2022-2023 that ended in the quarterfinals of the state's Elite Eight championship tournament, the Giants lost five of their first 12 games this season under Doug White, who spent five years as Alvarado's assistant after becoming the Central Section's all-time winningest girls basketball coach during 23 seasons at Corcoran High. 

But Sequoias began to turn a corner during the Golden Gate Classic in San Francisco on Dec. 14-16. The Giants opened with a 66-60 victory over perennial Southern California contender Los Angeles Valley, then knocked off No. 11 San Francisco 64-51 in the semifinals before getting edged 46-44 against top-ranked Butte in the final.

Butte had rolled past Sequoias 73-55 -- on the Giants' home court, no less -- two weeks earlier during the semifinals of the Gilcrest Invitational.

"It was sad to lose, but we played tough," White said. "Now they know we can play with those top teams. They've had trouble adjusting to the difference between Ray and myself. I think now they think maybe he does know what he's talking about."

Against Lassen, in a game that was postponed from Dec. 9 because the Cougars (1-8) didn't have enough healthy players to compete, the Giants jumped out to a 25-2 lead behind six points from Andrea Perez (Porterville High) and five points from Trinity Ferro (Corcoran), and never looked back.

Sequoias' lead grew to 44 points (53-9) by halftime, and got as big as 63 points (91-28) when Taylor Whitfield (Sierra Pacific-Hanford) converted a layup with 7 seconds remaining in the game.

It was an impressive performance, especially given the Giants have had only two practices since the Golden Gate Classic. But White said there is more in his team's tank.

"They can play better," White said. "We want to get to the line more. Shoot a higher percentage. Play better defense."

Perez led all scorers with 17 points, to go along with four rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Three other Giants scored in double figures, including Lucia Ricci (Seattle, Wash.), who had 15 points, eight rebounds, six steals, three assists and two blocks; Ferro, who had 11 points, rebounds and an assist; and Maci Chavez (Kingsburg), who had 11 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Sequoias also received nine points, five assists, three steals and two rebounds from Jacqueline Ruiz (Kingsburg); eight points, five rebounds and a steal from Torres; seven points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal from Geizzle Jones (Bullard-Fresno); six points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal from Teresa Sandoval (Hanford West); five points, two rebounds and two assists from Whitfield; and two points, eight rebounds, a block and a steal from Sarah Upshaw (Las Vegas).

"We got some girls some playing time that hadn't been getting a lot," White said. "It helped to get them in the game and have them ready for when we need them."

Starting point guard Kyla Wandick (Bakersfield) -- who averages 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game -- missed the matchup against Lassen because of a family commitment. 

Fresno City and Taft appear to be the top contenders to challenge reigning champion Sequoias in the Central Valley Conference.

Fresno City is 11-4 overall and ranked No. 7 in the state. Taft is also 11-4, but unranked in the most recent California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association's poll released Dec. 18. Reedley (8-6), West Hills-Lemoore (3-8) and Porterville (2-12) round out the CVC.

"Fresno is up there," White said. "They have been able to get the big wins we're missing."

After playing at Merced, the Giants are scheduled to return home to host West Hills-Lemoore at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 in the nitecap of a doubleheader with the men's team, which faces the Golden Eagles at 5 p.m.

Admission to Porter Field House is $8 general, and $5 for seniors and students.