25 January 2012
by Chandler Drachslin, Sports Writer
The 2012-2013 Poly girls’ basketball team has started the year off with a bang. With an overall record of 12-4 and 1-1 record in the Inland Valley League, the lady bears have been stepping up to contend at a higher level this year. Tied for third place in league, the girls find themselves vying for an early playoff spot; the team already handily defeated league adversary Vista del Lago 69-42. Lauren Henninger (12) stepped up and contributed 16 points while going 6 for 11 on the court, and teammate Felisha Carrasco (12) provided lethal support, knocking down 14 points and racking up 7 steals.
After a thrilling quarterfinal loss to Huntington Beach last year and a finishing record of 18-11, second-year head coach Scott Clark has a new perspective. The squad improved its defense and its “want for the ball.” “We’re a scrappy team and we’d give every team a fight. Also, our defense is key and has helped us win; we have held almost all of our opponents to 45 points or less,” Clark said. With four players averaging over three steals a game, the team’s defense has not only improved, but posed as a remarkable threat on the defensive side of the ball by creating turnovers left and right.
Entering the Inland Valley League, some may be skeptical about the future of the team. Not this team. Freshman stand-out Delacy Brown (9) has supplied a spark for the defensive team, leading the team in scoring with 15.2 points a game and tied for the lead with point guard Carly Davis (10) with three assists per game. Coach Clark looks to the help of his eight seniors to contend in league play. Players like Tyease Bryson (12), who averages 8.2 rebounds a game, can create damage in the key, along with the strong play of juniors. Two such juniors are forward Lauren Morrison, who averages 5.7 points a game, and center Regine Mosley. Clark added: “The new league is ultra-competitive so we must be ultra-competitive.”
After a tough 45-34 loss to Rancho Verde where the team was held to 15 bench points, the girls’ squad looks to avenge its loss with a rematch to gain pace for first place on January 23 at Rancho Verde.