SMC Women’s Hoops Ready For Action

   The next few months are unpredictable for the Santa Monica College women’s basketball team and therefore the outcome of its season will best be left to unfold on the court – a place where head coach Lydia Strong feels confident that her team is ready to begin a new tradition of success at SMC. “This team has a sense of urgency, a self-imposed amount of pressure,” says Strong, who is now in her second season with the Corsairs. “I think they realize that this program is headed in a new direction and I think the team wants to establish their place in Santa Monica College women’s basketball history.”
   One obstacle the team will face is the loss of 2000-2001 leading scorer and first team All Western States Conference selection Crystal Conley. Conley accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Sacramento State University. “Crystal had an outstanding season for us last year. She was a very good offensive player who we counted on to lead us every game in that capacity. We will miss her offensive contributions of course, but now will look to others to share the scoring load” Strong says.
   “As far as this team goes, we’re trying to establish a comfort zone with our execution. We need to show poise at all times and we need to work as hard as we can on our precision and execution. If we can do that on a consistent basis, we’ll be successful this season.”
   The Corsairs boast five returning sophomores, many of whom saw significant time on the court last season: Elif Schmidt, Josefa Laguna, Maria Sanchez, Kirsten Melliger and Hannah Novian will lead the freshman, many of which the school recruited to help change the direction of the program.
   Says Strong: “I know the freshman want to break through and contribute right away. They want to taste what it feels like to be in the junior college playoffs and I think that if you have a team that feels that way and has those kinds of goals and standards, that is excellent!”
   The Corsair team that takes the floor this year will undoubtedly be very young and might take a while to develop. While youth is not always considered a positive characteristic, Strong feels that this year it could be.
   “This has been one of the most eager freshman classes I have ever been associated with,” says Strong, who enters her 17th year in the California junior college coaching ranks. “In addition, the sophomores have done a tremendous job of adapting, leading and generally setting the tone for the upcoming season,” adding, “I’m looking forward to this season and I hope that the players are as well.”
   The Corsairs will travel to El Camino College on Friday, December 21, at 5:30 p.m and return home to host Ventura on Saturday, December 22, at 7 p.m.