Women’s Basketball Preview: Irvine Valley Looks to Defend its Title

Three teams from the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) reached the 2020 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern Regional playoffs highlighted by the undefeated and conference champion Irvine Valley College Lasers. Joining them were the Cypress College Chargers and the Riverside City College Tigers. 

In 2021-22, the Lasers will look to run the table once again with a slate of conference competitors that will without a doubt give them a run for their money.

After failing to hit the hardwood in 2020-21, women's basketball is ready to make a comeback with IVC, the eighth-ranked team in the California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCWBCA) poll, as surely the favorite to pull off another conference title. They are the only ranked team in the conference with Golden West and Orange Coast receiving votes.

The Lasers (10-2) have earned some impressive victories highlighted by scoring 129 points in a win over Taft to start the season. They followed with a commanding victory over LA Trade Tech, then won seven of their following eight games. They lost a close game to No. 8 Mt. San Antonio, 44-41, but routed Ventura, 90-51, leading into conference play.

Four players are averaging double-digit points with sophomore Jessica Suruor leading the way. She is averaging 16.4 points-per-game and has landed in double digits 10 of the Laser's 12 games. Additionally, she has dropped 20 or more points in six games highlighted by a 25 point showing in a win over LA Trade Tech. She has recorded at least one assist in 11 games and one or more rebounds in 10 games.

Sophomore guard Morgan Higgins (14 PPG) and Sarah Matossian (13.7 PGG) follow on the scoring front.

Golden West (9-2) has the next-best record as they have averaged a conference-high 88 points-per-game, 21.3 steals-per-game, and 47.9 rebounds-per-game. However, the numbers may seem deceiving as they have not played a team that has a strength of schedule of over 30, according got the Massey ratings. The majority of their preseason schedule has come against teams in the bottom of the barrel throughout the state.

Nevertheless, the Rustlers have landed in triple digit points four times this season with a whopping 123 points scored in a win over LA Southwest. They defeated Palo Verde twice while netting over 100 points, while Compton was the third and final victim to succumb to a triple digit defeat at the hands of the Rustlers.

It is a two-headed monster in Huntington Beach with freshman point guard Meghan McIntyre leading the way with 29.7 PPG. She has been outstanding on the scoring end by scoring 20 or more points in 11 games, 30 points in a win over Compton and a season-high 41 points in a 76-70 victory over Los Medanos in early December.

She has recorded three triple doubles on the year. The first came in a victory over Palo Verde where she scored 23 points, pocketed 16 steals and dished out 10 assists. She followed by notching another one in the rematch against Palo Verde with 25 points, 12 steals and 10 rebounds.

Freshman guard Emma Mehus follows with 11.6 PPG and has scored 10 or more points in seven games highlighted by a 20-point effort in a win over Compton.

Orange Coast (10-5) has already improved their record and reached double-digit wins after only pocketing two wins during the 2019-20 campaign. The Pirates held a six-game winning streak that stretched through November with wins over San Diego Mesa, Chaffey, Cuyamaca and others. They currently average 69.2 PPG which is the third highest in the conference.

Sophomore guard Alexis Legan is the main offensive weapon as she averages 21.9 PPG. In the past 10 games, she has scored over 20 points in each contest highlighted by four 30+ point games. She netted a season-high 36 points in a win over Glendale in mid-December.

Freshman Karina Cabrera (15.3 PPG) and Kyoka Ohara (15.1 PPG) follow to add to the Pirates firing squad.

Cypress (7-7) currently sits at .500 after facing a tough non-conference schedule with four ranked opponents which they lost. They are currently riding a two-game winning streak with wins over MiraCosta and Citrus, a team who they lost to early in the season. They are riding a four game winning streak. Sophomore guard Malia Goldsmith (19.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2. 9 APG) leads the team in offense, while freshman Jaylene Oviedo (11.6 PPG, 1.4 SPG) follows with impressive numbers.

Fullerton (7-8) placed third just two years ago, but still missed out on the playoffs. After a rocky November where the Hornets went 1-5, they rattled off six wins in December to nearly bring their record back to .500 leading into conference action. Sophomore Destiny Goodloe (16.7 PPG, 3.0 ASP, 21. SPG) and sophomore Janelle Ramos (11.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG) lead the team.

Santa Ana (7-8) sit tied with Fullerton and is currently riding a two-game skid. The Dons started the season with a 72-69 win over Santa Barbara, but has experienced a roller coaster non-conference schedule while not winning more than two games in a row at any point. Freshman Dylyn Payne (14.4 PPG, 38.7 SH%, 2.4 ASP) and freshman Sophia Escalante (11.6 PPG, 2.9 APG) highlight the Dons offensive weapons. Sophomore Megan Roach (6.1 RPG) and freshman Chelsea Caldera (6.0 RPG, 2.8 BPG) guard the paint.

Riversdie (6-7) follows after winning five games in November, but currently riding a 1-5 skid with their only win coming against Mission in a reschedule. They defeated Santa Ana, 72-57, in Riverside's Earning Our Stripes (EOS) Tournament in early November for the only conference preview of the season. Freshman Neveah Manning (12.9 PPG, 10 RPG) is averaging a double-double while recording five on the season. Freshman Mya Clark (10.4 PPG, 11 RPG) also has averaged a double-double to add to the two-headed beast down low. Freshman Neiya Hamilton (9.9 PPG) is the team's sharp shooter from distance.

Saddleback (0-6) rounds out the squads after not recording a win so far this season. They fall in last place in al conference categories and have not surpassed 50 team points on the year. Freshman Maddie Black (16.2 PPG, 2.8 SPG) and freshman Myella Ebel (10 PPG3 RPG) highlight the Bobcat offense.

Release by Nicho DellaValle, Riverside SID