Women's Basketball
Basketball Teams Hit the Road--Hopefully
By Jackie Christensen/Eureka Reporter
Jan 7, 2008, 12:03

The College of the Redwoods men’s and women’s basketball teams are each scheduled for a one-game road trip today, with the women playing at Napa and the men at Skyline — weather permitting.

Severe wind and rain storms are expected to fall on the North Coast today and through the weekend, and although U.S. Highway 101 was open at press time Friday night, both CR teams are keeping their fingers crossed to beat the weather and their opponents.

“I’m kind of nervous about the drive,” said women’s head coach Kara Newman. “But as far as I’ve heard, everything is still a go.”

The Lady Corsairs (6-10) will look to snap their current five-game losing streak, after starting the season 6-5. Although the Corsairs have never had a full roster playing at 100 percent due to multiple injuries, and have struggled to execute during the skid, things took a turn for the better following a great performance at Southwestern Oregon on Wednesday. Although it came in a 61-55 loss, it was against the same team that beat them 67-50 Dec. 20 in Eureka.

“It was actually a great game,” Newman said of Wednesday’s contest. “We showed so much improvement. Now we’re looking to build off that game and take that confidence to Napa.”

According to Newman, Napa (2-8), which is also on a five-game losing streak, is a scrappy team known for its aggressiveness, and the Corsairs are expecting to have their hands full trying to contain freshman Jessica Zeller, a 5-foot-11-inch center who is averaging 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds a game.

“We just have to get after every loose ball and try to set the tone on their home floor,” Newman said.

The Lady Corsairs are scheduled to play two games next weekend before opening Golden Valley Conference play Jan. 16 at home against Shasta.

The CR men (11-7), on the other hand, who won the GVC crown for the first time in eight seasons last year, have only today’s game against Skyline scheduled between now and their conference opener Jan. 16 against Shasta, and could use a tune-up.

CR snapped its four-game skid with a 94-72 win over De Anza Dec. 19, but hasn’t played since.

Although the Corsairs looked sharp in the win, hitting nine 3-pointers and having four players score in double-digits, that game was three weeks ago, and as they begin their quest toward defending the conference title, they can certainly use the practice.

Skyline is currently 10-7 after beating West Valley 83-75 on Monday.


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