Last fall, the women on the Southwestern College basketball team were competing against each other in high school. Now they are trying to bond at the collegiate level and take on the season together.
The Jaguars are striving to coalesce and have a pre-conference record of 2-3. They will have to wait until January to play in The Den.
Sophomore guard Malia Talavera is the only returning sophomore on the roster. With an inexperienced team, she said her leadership approach will have to evolve.
“I try to get everyone disciplined and be as vocal as I can, on and off the court,” she said.
Assistant coach Louie Lingaza said the new season is a harbinger of change.
“It’s hard when you only have three returners and two redshirting,” he said. “We only have one returner and the rest are freshman. It’s like starting all over again.”
Lingaza said he believes his experience as a former high school coach will help him with the incoming freshman.
“I’ve coached against these girls in high school,” he said. “So I know what they can and can’t do, which is helpful.”
All seven freshman played on Sweetwater Union High School District teams. Many remember playing against each other.
Freshman guards Jaylean Arenas and Destiny Gilkes, recalled finding out they were teammates after battling as seniors.
“I remember guarding her in high school, she was nothing. I’m big body out here,” joked Arenas. “Now we have a bond and friendship.”
Gilkes said her first impression of Arenas at SC was not positive, until Arenas was able to break the ice.
“I didn’t like her at first, because she used to be my rival,” she said. “Then she made me laugh one day during practice and then we became friends.”
Lingaza said freshman guard Stephanie Cosio has motivated members of the coaching staff to learn how to improve their Spanish.
“Stephanie is a Spanish speaker so we expanded our communication,” Lingaza said. “Simple things go along way. Like instead of saying guard number three we translate in Spanish to make sure she understands as well.”
The Jaguars will compete in the L.A. Harbor Round Robin Tournament during winter break. Their first league game will be on January 10 at Mira Costa, followed with their January 13 home debut against Grossmont College.
