The Bakersfield College men’s basketball team started off the season Nov. 13-15 with a tournament in Ventura where the team won the first two games and lost in the finals of the tournament.
The first win came against Pasadena City 100-75 and the second win came against Orange Coast 105-77. The loss came against L.A. Valley 81-77.
According to head coach Rich Hughes, the team played harder in the first two days and just didn’t play up to team expectations. Free throw shooting percentage was poor on the first night and was worse when the Renegades lost, only making 33 percent on five of 15 from the line.
“We didn’t get to the line often and when we did we just didn’t make them,” said Hughes. “The only thing we can do is get more reps in practice.”
The Renegades record stands at 2-1 as they head out to play in the Fresno City Tournament on Nov. 19-21.
The team is excited because they play Fresno City College and have great respect for the Rams.
Hughes talked about that respect and the Fresno-Bakersfield Rivalry.
“They play the same type of game we do. Fast paced, pushing the tempo and strong defense.
“We like to get in there and play fast. Speeding the game up and creating turnovers to lead to our offense is how we want to play,” said Hughes.
“Whenever we go up there and play them, you know it’s going to be a good game, it’ll be a barn-burner.”
Hughes also talked about some of the other teams in the tournament and said, “they’re all good competition.”
Hughes talked about what the team needed to do to get better and what might have helped the team along the way.
“We need to get better in all aspects of the game, but our defense is what’s going to win us big games against good teams,” said Hughes. “Rebounding is also a big thing for us. We have a stat goal and we accomplished that the first two games, but we just didn’t get there in the last game. We just need to keep working on these things, and we’ll get better.
“Maybe losing a game early will get these guys refocused and get them to realize how much of an effort you have to put out there every night to get a win,” said Hughes.
“Sometimes a loss is good, it could give you a little wake up call, and maybe we can come out in that next tournament with the same intensity we had in the first game and keep that intensity throughout.”
The Renegades go on to host their own tournament here at BC on Nov. 27 and 28 after the Fresno City Tournament.
After the home tournament the team then plays Barstow at home on Dec. 3 and then Porterville at home on Dec. 9 before a set of road tournaments at College of the Sequoias and then at Allan Hancock.