2005-06 Women's Basketball Preview
This years Grossmont College women’s basketball team is looking
to build on its recent success under head coach
Karen Caires. Entering her fourth
season at Grossmont, Caires has transformed the Griffins from a team
that lost 20 games in her first year, to one that won 20 games and
went to the playoffs last season. The Griffins were 4-24 in Caires
first term, 11-13 in her second, and 20-7 last season. The Griffins
finished a strong second in the Pacific Coast Conference, at 8-2. Grossmont’s only two conference losses came at the hands of PCC
Champs Imperial Valley College, who went undefeated in league play.
Grossmont was outed in the first round of the playoffs last year
by Compton.
The Griffins feature a balanced roster of six freshman, and six
sophomores, that kind of balance will ensure lasting success.
This season will be coach Caires 15th coaching
campaign. Caires came to Grossmont in 2002 following four years as
an assistant at the University of Arizona. Caires has coached at
almost every level from high school to Division I college ball.
Caires will be assisted again this year by
Lenny Schlein, and
Dustin Puskar.
The Griffins will return six players, but they must also deal
with the graduation of two key players from last season’s squad.
Jessica Cable was first team All-PCC last season and teammate
Laqueena Shenault was Honorable Mention.
The Griffins however will be in good hands with returners and
team captains Kayla Henry,
Heather Thomas, and
Marla Mason. Henry was named to the
All-State 3rd team, as well as first team All-PCC last
year. Thomas and Mason were named All-PCC Honorable Mention
following the 04-05 season.
The Griffin backcourt will feature
Thomas and Mason, along with
newcomer Brigayle Iglehart. All
three can play both guard spots, and will share the ball handling
responsibilities.
Caires sees the 5-8 Iglehart as
the X-factor for Grossmont this year. The versatile sophomore is a
true point guard who is athletic enough to play any of the wing
positions, and physical enough to post up.
"She’s a playmaker, she’s our go to player," said Caires. "She’s
added a wonderful dimension to our team." Caires hopes to see
Iglehart become a playmaker, and a distributor.
Mason is a gritty guard who is also
capable of playing multiple positions. Caires said the 5-4 Mason
will see action at the point, off-guard, and small forward
positions.
"She’s our defensive catalyst, and stopper," Caires said of
Mason. "She’s the heart and soul of this team."
Thomas is a 5-1 guard who has
earned the reputation as a clutch performer. Nicknamed "Ice" by
coach Caires, Thomas is a player the team trusts with taking the big
shot this season. The diminutive guard will handle the ball, but
Caires likes keeping her on the wing to exploit her shooting
prowess.
"She’s our brain trust on the court," Caires quipped. "She’s
smooth and steady, she doesn’t really get rattled."
Henry, who’s nickname is Bunso, is
the main option in the middle for the Griffins. Bunso means the baby of the family
in Tagalog. However among the Grossmont family, Henry is anything but the baby. The 5-11 forward,
who can also step outside, will lead the charge on the boards for
the Griffins. "She’s our powerhouse on the inside," said Caires.
Shakendria Mitchell is a newcomer
out of San Marcos whom Caires envisions developing into a strong
player for the Griffins. Nicknamed ‘Texas’ because of her Lone-Star
state roots, the 5-5 guard is a defensive standout. "I think she’s
got a lot of raw talent, she can get away to the rim very nicely,"
Caires said.
Coming off the bench for the Griffins will be a pair of guards
who were teammates last season at Pt. Loma High School. 5-5
Ruby Ramos and 5-8
Teri Bailey will give the Griffs a
boost in their first seasons respectively.
A blue collar player, Ramos is an
excellent distributor of the ball who works hard every time she is
on the court. "She can throw no look passes, and she is really
gritty on the court," noted Caires.
Bailey has shown marked improvement
since joining the squad this summer, and has a good feel for the
flow of the game. While young on basketball experience, Caires
expects Bailey to continue to grow as a player as the season moves
forward.
"Her improvement has already been a lot." I’m really looking
forward to the difference she can make this year."
Alanna Barnes is a returner out of
Hoover high. The 5-2 guard is seen as one of the Griffins premier
defensive stoppers, who has improved her jumper this past offseason.
Caires noted, "I wouldn’t want her guarding me." We’re looking
for big minutes for her off the bench this year."
Sophomore Laura Felice is a pure
shooter who will exploit any space given to her on the court. The
5-8 guard will be used primarily as instant offense off the bench,
although she could earn herself some starting time. Caires likes the
way Felice has improved on defense, and has become a vocal leader
for the team. "We see great things for Laura," said Caires.
Up front the Griffins will use a diverse group that can bang
inside, and shoot the 3. Anchored by Henry, the Griffins will
feature three freshmen at the forward positions.
Joining Henry in the starting lineup will be freshman forward
Gabriella Passentino. The 5-8
Santana product is a skilled rebounder and will be a valuable and
versatile player for the Griffins. With her ability to play inside
and out, Passentino gives Caires the option of going with different
sized lineups to exploit favorable matchups for the Griffs.
"Gabby is the quiet eighth wonder of the world," cracked Caires.
"She will get in the game and before you know it, she’ll have 10
rebounds. She’s one of those special players."
Kelly Boozel is a lanky 6-3 center
out of Steele Canyon High. The freshman will help on the boards as
her overall offensive game continues to develop. Caires would like
to see Boozel add some weight during her time at Grossmont to deal
with the physicality at this level.
"I want Kelly eating seven times a day," joked Caires.
Laura Roberts is an intimidating
presence in the middle for Grossmont. The 6-2 center is able to play
as physically as anyone the Griffs will encounter this year. Roberts
has been dubbed, Shaq, after Minnesota's 6-2 Janel McCarvillel.
"She’s a banger who will hit the boards," Said Caires.
The Griffs have their sights set on a PCC title this season, but
they know they will have to go through Imperial Valley and Palomar.
"This year I want to get past the first round of the playoffs,"
Caires said.
Caires has also challenged the Griffs academically to maintain a
3.0 GPA.
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