The Bakersfield College women’s basketball team wins its season opener 66-58 against Santa Barbara City College on Nov.1.
The team is modest with its win, each player echoing the next. “I could have done better,” said Claesey Tarver. Tarver led the team in scoring 16 points, including the team’s first three-pointer. The three fell in, nothing but net, with ease and Tarver set the momentum for her team.
Tarver played very strongly and was all over the board, with some of the most time on the court.
“I am proud of the team. We worked really well together,” said Tarver. In a sport in which teamwork is imperative, all the players said that their individual games would need work, but the teamwork went perfectly.
“We were nervous as with any start of a season,” said guard Melissa Duggins, “but coach [Paula Dahl] really works with us on a personal level. She is very caring and nurturing, aside from her being strict on us, and it helped a lot [for the team] to work together for the win.”
The team’s only pitfall was the foul trouble. With 55 fouls in the game, 29 of them belonged to the ‘Gades.
“I will do better next game, mainly just by not getting as many fouls,” said Nakia Page. Page finished the season opener with an impressive run of 13 points and eight rebounds. “We just have to stop fouling. That’s all we can do to do better,” she said.
Alex Green agreed with her teammates by saying, “Fouls really hit us. Luckily, our offensive game made the necessary plays to combat the points we gave up to the other team.”
When asked how Green thought she played, she said, “I am my own worst critic. I will foul less in the next games, and the only way to do that is just to not foul. There isn’t a formula or quick fix. You just have to work hard toward being on the top of your game.”
Yoemma Esparza, making her debut for the team and being a transfer from another school, said, “Aside from picking up two quick fouls in both halves, I was happy with how I played. I loved playing for my old school, and I love playing here [even more]. Here, my family can attend my games, and that’s a great benefit I didn’t have [before].”
The team had definite chemistry as all of the players had great things to say about it.
Page spoke extremely highly of her team by saying, “I thought we came out strong with a message that we are ready to take on anyone in conference.”
The reserves had an outstanding show, with Coach Dahl utilizing the bench. There were 17 points and 17 rebounds from those players that came off the bench.
Khiylah Dean and Alyssa Garcia, both off the bench, had six points each, respectively. Garcia had a playmaking steal, and Dean had two steals and two rebounds to help the team’s defense to overpower SBCC.
MacKaiela Tyler had five points, five rebounds and seven boards off of the bench, also.
“We gave up like 24 points to the other team because of foul trouble, so we each had to play a strong defense,” said Tarver. Tarver had over three turnovers by just the half-time score.
When asked of what the players expect from the tournament, Tarver said, “We should do really good. We don’t want to overlook other teams, but I feel our team is the stronger one.”
Page feels that the team will be, not only contenders for the championship, but should have no problem winning it this season, “We got great coaches and great players, and we work hard every day. There shouldn’t be any reason why we aren’t going to be conference champions.”
Esparza agreed with Page and Tarver by saying, “I’m really excited for this season. We are going to be great this year.”
The BC women will compete in a two-day weekend tournament, coined the BC Crossover, to take place on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.
The Nov. 7 games will be held at noon and 2 p.m. At noon, the BC team will matchup with Taft; and at 2 p.m. Reedly will play Rio Hondo.
The Nov. 8 games will be held at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Taft will play against Rio Hondo, and BC will play against Reedley.
All games for the BC Crossover will be held in the Gil Bishop Gymnasium, which is BC’s gym. BC students receive free admission to all home games, so be sure to show your support for the women’s team.
Following the weekend tournament will be the team’s first road game, versus West Hills Lemoore, held in Lemoore on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.