Cuesta College's Miriam Zabinsky and Los Angeles Valley College's Ajai Ford lead their respective teams into Western State Conference play, which begins tonight. Cuesta College photo by Jay Thomspon. LA Valley College photo by Scott Mitchell

January 8, 2014

Western State Conference Women's Basketball Conference Preview

A preview of the Western State Conference Women's Basketball teams as conference play begins tonight.

WSC North

The Western State Conference North Division is shaping up to one of the deepest and toughest conferences in the State. Cuesta College (15-2) heads into conference play after an impressive pre-conference run that started off with the Cougars winning their first 12 games of the year. Sophomore guard Miriam Zabinsky is fifth in the conference thus far, averaging 17.8 points per game. The Cougars are currently ranked #12 in the State and #7 in Southern California. Right behind Cuesta in the wins column during pre-conference play is perennial State Title contender and current State and SoCal #1 Ventura College (15-3). The Pirates as usual are a formidable crew with a deep roster that paced by sharpshooting sophomore Cynthia Hernandez, who leads the team with 16.2 ppt and leads the WSC in 3-point shooting, converting her shots from downtown at a 51% clip.

Los Angeles Pierce College (13-5) looks like they're rounding into form just as conference play begins. The Brahmas have won 8 of their last 10 and are currently ranked #18 in the State and #9 in the South. Pierce's sophomore guard Monica Jackson is the second leading scorer in the WSC, averaging 21.8 points per contest, while sophomore forward Gasia Sarkis is averring a double-double with 17.1 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game, the second best mark in the WSC. Allan Hancock College (10-5) will prove to be another tough squad this 2014 conference season. Although they aren't currently ranked, they have received votes in both the State and regional rankings. Freshman guard Ali Rodriguez has been the key contributor for the Bulldogs early on averaging 17.9 points per game while shooting 45.8% from the floor.

The hits just keep on coming, in the WSC North when you see Santa Barbara City College (8-6), Moorpark College (9-7), and College of the Canyons (6-9) still left to talk about. The Vaqueros only have one player in double figures on the year in sophomore forward Mhiah Vickers (11.6 ppg), but Santa Barbara has a balanced attack that features four players who averages at least seven points a contest. The Raiders are always a solid squad and feature one of the conferences best in sophomore Riley Abraham. Abraham leads the entire WSC in both scoring (22.2 ppg) and rebounding (12.4 rpg). Last but certainly not least, you have the Cougars who move to the WSC North after dominating the WSC South for many years. You can never count out Coach Greg Herrick and his squad, who boast the assists leader in the WSC in the form of sophomore point guard Shawn Kolani (8.1 apg).

WSC South

The Western State Conference South Division may not be as strong top to bottom, but there is no doubt that it will be a dog fight over the next couple of months. Los Angeles Valley College (13-5) is the likely favorite headed into Wednesday after a strong pre-conference schedule and being ranked #11 in the State and #6 in the South headed into conference competition. The Monarchs are another team that boasts waves of depth. Sophomore guard A'Jaee Foster has been their top player early on averaging 13.1 points and 8.2 rebounds a game, both team highs. You can't count out the rest of the competition though as the teams in the WSC South seem to save their best effort for conference time.

Citrus College (9-5) is arguably playing it's best basketball of the year headed into Wednesday and have just cracked the SoCal Rankings for the first time debuting at #15 this week. Sophomore Jaelyn Wilson has been dominant for the Owls as of late averaging 16.5 points and 9.4 rebounds a contest for Citrus. Glendale College (9-7) is off to one of it's best starts in recent memory. The Vaqueros have won three in a row and their uptempo style has worked well for them early on. Freshman forward Samantha Pyros (12.2 ppg) has shown a special knack for finishing around the rim, while freshman guard Elsie Mejia can hurt you from anywhere on the floor.

Bakersfield College (5-9) heads into the conference portion of their season having played some of their best basketball during the month of December. The Renegades recently advanced to the finals of the Grossmont College Holiday Tournament knocking off State ranked Cuesta College along the way, before falling to Citrus in the Championship Game. The young Renegades are led by freshman guard Claesey Tarver. Santa Monica College (5-10) is another one of those teams you can never underestimate and sophomore forward Imani Holloway is a large reason for that averaging 15.1 points and 9.8 boards a game.

WSC newcomer Antelope Valley College (4-11) has struggled this year, but history says that the Marauders won't lay down. Sophomore guard Mikeisha Moore will play a large role in that (14.6 ppg). Lastly, West Los Angeles College (1-11) has struggled to find wins this year, but you can bet that Head Coach Colleen Matsuhara will find a few ways to surprise some folks over the final two months of the year.