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Volume 38 Issue 5
November 7, 2000

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Women’s Basketball: MCC has speed, lacks size

BY KEVIN CASH
MESA LEGEND
Submitted November 7, 2000

 As women’s basketball embarks on a new season, they decided to kick this one off with a “Jamboree”

The Jamboree Tournament was held at MCC on Oct. 28. The tournament consisted of 11 Arizona junior college teams. The T-Birds won two of the five games they played.

Kim Patterson/ MESA LEGEND

MCC's Leann Anderson attempts a baseline jump shot against Pima Community College Oct. 28 during the Jamboree preseason tournament.

Not having the height or size of players she did last season, Head Coach Pam Olerich plans to exploit opponents with the speed this year’s team has.  Losing last year’s forward, Jessica Law to Idaho State and point guard Theresa Dinn to the University of Colorado, will definitely be an obstacle to overcome.

“We’re not as big as last year, but we’re quicker,” Olerich said.

Listed at 5-4, sophomore Megan Ward would like to step it up, and become more of a leader this season. She will also get help from freshman Erin Yaikos of Chandler, and Katie McDonald from Corona del Sol.

Yaikos, who are already familiar with each other from a high school rivalry, will do their best as teammates to reach the playoffs.

In her 11 seasons at MCC as the women’s basketball coach, Olerich is confident this team will go far in the playoffs. To help ensure success, the team practices Monday-Friday, 4-6:30 p.m.. The team goes to the weight room before practice four days a week.

Olerich and the players also benefit from the help of Assistant Coach Kori Hoff.

After finishing fifth in conference with a record of 18-11, and losing last year in the first round of the playoffs to Glendale Community College, Olerich strives to keep the players believing in the system.

There are 29 games on the schedule this season. The Regional Tournament will be held March 5-10, at a site to be announced. Nationals will then be held in Hagerstown, Md. on March 21- 24.

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