PC women set for new season

W

hen the term “Gutty Little Pirates” is used to describe the Porterville College womens’ basketball team, PC coach Dave Kavern doesn’t mind the term at all.

He knows his team is small with no player taller than 5-10. But he also knows his team is athletic which should lead to an entertaining brand of basketball this season.

“I like to play man-to-man (defense) and pressure and get weakside help,” Kavern said. “I think we will be fun to watch because we’re athletic and we shoot the ball pretty well. We’re not going to pound the boards and battle inside with the big teams.”

Porterville will open in the Mission College Tournament on Santa Clara on Nov. 5, playing one of Southern California’s top teams in Santa Barbara. This year’s PC team is also loaded with local players from throughout the Valley. Here’s a look at this year’s team:

Alex Shew, 5-8 guard — One of Porterville’s top two returning players, Shew made the all-Central Valley Conference first team last year after leading the conference in scoring, averaging 27.1 points a game. Shew was the state’s top scoring freshman and one of the state’s overall top scorers.

“She knows how to create her own shots and she can finish,” said Kavern about the Porterville High graduate. Kavern said Shew’s improved outside shooting and her fitness has improved her overall game. “She’s probably one of the top conditiioned kids in the conference if not the state,” Kavern said. “She never gets tired.”

Stevee Thomas, 5-5 guard — PC’s other top returning and another PHS graduate, Thomas earned all-CVC honorable mention honors last year. “She spent all summer shooting,” Kavern said. “She’s been knocking down shot after shot.”

Cassandra Gomez, 5-4 guard — After leading Corcoran to the Valley title last season as the starting point guard, Gomez will take over as the starting point guard this year for PC. “Very smart basketball-wise,” Kavern said. “Just a high basketball I.Q.” Kavern said Gomez penetrates well and is an outstanding defender.

Linda Ramos, 5-7 forward — “A great athlete, a great shooter,” said Kavern about Ramos, who is from South High in Bakersfield. 

Regina Mercenario, 5-3 guard — “She is a shooter,” said Kavern about Mercenario, who is from Delano High. “When she gets on she can score extremely quick.” Kavern said Mercenario comes off screens well and has an advantage being left-handed.

Janette Landa, 5-3 guard — Landa, who Kavern said is an outstanding defender, will be the backup point guard.

Ana Barroga, 5-4 guard — The Delano High graduate is a returning veteran from last year. “I look for her to play more this year and do more things than she did last year.” Kavern said.”

Yesenia Salas, 5-8 forward — Salas, who’s from Madera South High, will be a leader on the boards for PC. She’s been bothered by a knee injury but Kavern said he hopes to have her in time for next Friday’s season opener.

Tanzania Dunn, 5-10 center — “She is one of our more phyiscal players,” said Kavern about Dunn, who’s from Edison.

Haleigh Alvidrez, 5-2 guard — Alvidrez, an outstanding three-point shooter, played for Stockdale’s Valley title team as a junior and last year’s Valley runner-up who lost to Clovis West.

Priscilla Zepeda, 5-7 forward — Zepeda was a teammate of Gomez at Corcoran. “She is very athletic, very aggressive,” Kavern said. “I’m looking for big things from her.”

Kee’Maya Snowden, 5-9 forward — Snowden comes to PC from Andre Agassi High in Las Vegas. Snowden is out with an ankle injury and Kavern said he hopes to have her back in time for the home opener on Dec. 17 against Cuesta.

Lupe Luna — 5-8 forward — “One of our stronger players,” said Kavern about the Delano High graduate. “She is one of our better defensive rebounders.”

Erica Hughes — 5-6 guard — Kavern said Hughes, who comes from Madera South, will play shooting guard.

Carmen Millan — 5-8 forward — Kavern said Millan, who comes from Cesar Chavez, will provide the Pirates with valuable minutes off the bench.

Yesenia Gomez — 5-10 center — As a senior at Delano, Gomez led the Valley in rebounding.

In the preseason poll, Fresno City was the overwhelming favorite to win the CVC title. Fresno has six returning players and nine players who played in the Fresno Area City-County All-Star Game joining the program. By comparison, PC has just one player who played in that game in Cassandra Gomez.

Merced was picked second, Taft third, PC fourth, Reedley fifth and College of Sequoias sixth in the preseason poll.