No. 14 Hancock Women Open Conference Play Wednesday at Home against SBCC

No. 14 Hancock Women Open Conference Play Wednesday at Home against SBCC
January 4, 2016

Coming off its best preseason in 21 years, the women's basketball team opens Western State Conference play with two home games this week. The Bulldogs, who are 11-4 and ranked No. 14 in the South Region, host Santa Barbara City College on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 5 p.m., and Oxnard on Saturday, Jan. 9, at 3 p.m.

The 11 wins and .733 winning percentage represent the program's best preseason performance since a 14-6 mark in 1994-95.

The Bulldogs opened 2016 with a 63-41 win at Hartnell. Freshman Syenna Ramirez (St. Joseph HS) led the way with 15 points. Destinee Garcia recorded a double-double, her fifth of the season, with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and four assists. Sophomore Marissa Torres (Templeton HS) added eight points, while forward Kelly McClain finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.

Overall, Ramirez's 18.2 points per game ranks 17th in California. The St. Joseph High School graduate also averages 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game.  The freshman is shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range.

Garcia is tied for fourth in the state with 3.9 steals per game.  She also averages 9.9 points. Torres averages 9.1 points and is shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range. McClain averages 8.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs.

Hancock's team defense still remains the stingiest in the state. Hancock opponents are averaging 41.8 points per game, the lowest among California's 90 teams.

The Vaqueros finished the preseason 9-7 overall. Freshman Destinee King is the team's leading scorer and ranks 24th in the state by averaging 16.9 points per game. She has five games with 20 or more points, including 27 against Merced. She averages 10.6 rebounds per contest. Freshman Jeanie Pattison averages 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Kesler Johnson averages 8.8 points and 6.0 boards.

Oxnard enters conference 6-5. The Condors are led by sophomore guard Juliette Marquez, who averages three three-point baskets and 14.6 points per game. Richell Bequilla averages 10.1 points and 4.8 assists. Sophomore center Katie Franklin averages 9.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest.