Women’s Basketball in Full Swing, Heavy Hitters Set to Make a Playoff Push

It is any team's year as the 2022-23 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) women's basketball schedule is underway with three teams set to make a serious push for a conference title. The top four teams featuring Orange Coast, Riverside and Cypress have a combined seven losses with the Pirates yet to lose a contest. Irvine Valley and Golden West are in the mix, while Fullerton and Santa Ana hope to wiggle their way into the playoff conversation.

Orange Coast (17-0, 1-0) has been on a tear as their loss column currently displays a goose egg while boasting double-digit wins. They began conference action by defeating the defending champion Irvine Valley College Lasers, 57-53, Wednesday night on the road. It is a two-headed monster that leads the charge for the Pirates featuring sophomore tandem Meghan McIntyre and Karina Cabrera.

McIntyre, a former GWC Rustler, currently averages 20.7 points per game and is shooting 52.5 percent from the floor. She has been an absolute demon on offense by landing in double-digit scoring in all but one game this season. She flushed a season-high 30 points in a win over Mt. San Antonio. Furthermore, she has scored 20 or more points in 11 games and has recorded eight double-doubles on the season.

Cabrera is averaging 15.5 points per game in 14 games played. She bucketed a career-high 38 points in a win over San Diego City and is coming off a 23 point game in a win over IVC. She has tallied double-digit totals in 10 games this season.

Riverside (14-3, 1-0) experienced a dominant month of December by riding a nine-game winning streak and winning 10 of their last 11 games. Their most recent win came over Golden West by the final score of 86-58. Riverside has a more balanced approach on offense and a deep bench, but 2021-22 First-Team All-Conference sophomore Neveah Manning anchors the offense.

Manning averages 15.1 points per-game and 8.6 rebounds per game to nearly middle a double-double. She has scored more than 10 points in 11 of the last 12 games highlighted by a 21 point showing against state powerhouse Palomar. Sophomore forward Maxine Najera is experiencing a breakout year by averaging 10.1 points per game, while sophomore point guard Shannon Jordan clocks in at nine points per contest.

Cypress (13-4, 1-0) kicked off conference action with a commanding 82-55 win over Santa Ana to push their winning streak to four games. They have won eight of their last nine games with tight victories proving they can come through in the clutch. Sophomore point guard Ashley Hawkins paces the Chargers with 23.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game and just under two assists per game. Her 15 game double-digit scoring streak was snapped on December 30, but she picked up with a 20 piece last Wednesday. She flushed a career-high 51 points in an overtime triumph against Ventura in mid-December as well.

Fellow sophomore guard Jaylene Oviedo follows with 12.2 points per game, while sophomore guard Alexcia Alvarez has punched in 9.2 points per game.

Irvine Valley (12-5, 0-1) looks to gain their fifth-consecutive OEC title, but stumbled in their conference opener to Orange Coast. Under new direction after longtime head coach Julie Hanks retired this past season, newly appointed HC Jason Garey looks to pick up where she left off. The Lasers reached the CCCAA State Championship semifinals last year and expect to be back.

Freshman forward Trasara Alexander leads the offense with 12 points per game, while sophomore guard Kennedy Pucci follows with eight points per game. Alexander scored a season-high 25 points in a win over Imperial Valley and is coming off a 21 point showing against Orange Coast. Pucci has score 10 or more points in five games with a season-high clip of 13 in a win over Pasadena City.

Golden West (11-4, 0-1) won 11 of their opening 12 games and is now riding a three game skid after their most recent loss to Riverside. Freshman Vanessa Epperson is the heart and soul of the offense by averaging 21.1 points per game. She has landed in the 30 point mark three times as seen in a 39 point showing against Santa Monica. She dropped 32 against Taft and 31 against Desert. She has failed to score in double-digit points in one game.

Freshman center Fama Diagne is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game, while sophomore guard Sheridan Bivens has tallied 9.4 points-per-game.

Fullerton (9-7, 0-0) will begin conference play Friday night against Orange Coast after falling to Long Beach in horrid fashion. Prior to a tough loss, they inked four straight wins highlighted by dominating Chaffey and Santa Monica. Sophomore duo Bri Landeros and Angela Zendejas return to lead the team in scoring. They each average slightly over 10 points per game, while freshman duo Tia Jaquias and Toni Ballestero each average just over seven points per game.

Santa Ana (5-10, 0-1) is off to a slow start as they half the wins as their total losses. They are currently riding a five-game skid, but look to get back on track Friday night against Riverside. Three players average double-digit scoring highlighted by freshman guard Selena Hernandez. She has landed in double digit scoring in all but one game highlighted by a 32 points outburst in a win over Bakersfield. Sophomore Sophia Escalante follows with 10.5 points per contest, while freshman Brianna Urena boasts a clip of 10.4 points per game.

Release by Nicho DellaValle, Riverside SID