Short-handed CR women host Lassen
The College of the Redwoods women’s basketball team will host Lassen College in a Golden Valley Conference matchup today at 4:00 p.m. in Eureka. It will be Redwoods first home game of the season, a season which has been anything but predictable for the Corsairs.
As has become the norm for Redwoods, only five players will suit up for the game. Redwoods (8-8, 1-2) has played with just five players in each of their last four games and has remained competitive. Redwoods pulled out a win over Butte back on January 11, and lost by less than 10 points in two other games in which they had no substitutes.
Head Coach Jain Tuey does not expect to add any fresh legs to the team for the remainder of the year. Nevertheless, Tuey believes her team will remain competitive throughout the rest of the season. “I definitely think we have a chance to win anytime we have a game,” Tuey said.
Tuey has never coached a such a short-staffed team before, and said that it has taught her to be a more careful game manager. “I have to make sure I call timeouts in a way that allows us to get enough rest,” Tuey said. Five players means no room for error as far as injuries are concerned. I have to make sure the girls stay healthy. It’s definitely a concern.”
Sophie Northern leads CR and the GVC in scoring with 21 points per game and her teammate, Bobbie Purify, is third in the conference with 17.5 points per game. Northern is shooting 38 percent from the 3-point line and Purify leads CR in rebounds with 8.1 per game.
Sophomore forward Braelyn Rose, who has become a permanent starter due to Redwoods limited numbers, said, “we are excited for our first home game, so our energy will be up, but we will have to conserve it, but that is something we are used to at this point. We are totally capable of gaining the momentum and getting a win.”
Expectations haven’t changed for Tuey, who said, “I still tell them they have to compete and do their job.” Tuey said her team has formed a very tight bond in the midst of such a unique situation.
“They have really come together, they pick each other up, it’s a special thing to be apart of.”
Lassen comes to Eureka having lost its last two GVC games.
The Cougars (13-9, 1-2) will be a test for Redwoods and focus their offense on 3-point shooting (40 percent).
They are led by guard Jocelyn Gandara who averages 17 points per game along with freshman guards Maddie Camacho and Shayla Carrier who each average 12 per game.