GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SPORT SHORTS, 2011-12–
Latest girls’ basketball shorts will be at the top of the section. Scroll down to check out past results. Scrimmages do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for girls’ basketball features.) For a simple overview of scores and upcoming games, check the Winter sport box scores, 2011-12 for dates, opponents and times for all Eagle sports.

Be sure to visit the 2011-12 girls’ basketball schedule, home page, or check out Maxpreps.com.The Eagles are currently 2-9 overall and 0-1 in the West Sequoia League as of Jan. 17. The Eagles will next play against Tranquillity Tigers, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL, 2011-12

TIGERS DEFEAT EAGLES TO OPEN WSL SEASON AT HOME–Jan. 17
After anticipating the start of league play, the Eagles were eager to win their home opener, Jan. 17. Riverdale, who is on a five-game winning streak, were not willing to break their winning record. The Cowgirls ended up defeating the Eagles as Riverdale boxed out continuously and grabbed a high percentage of the rebounds, winning 59-39.

The Cowgirls came out physical from the opening tip-off with their sturdy offense. Their aggressiveness earned them lay ups and two pointers, while the Eagles were distracted by the complex plays.

Even with confusion on the court, senior captains Nicole Hensley and Brandi Thompson were able to put up jump shots and lay ups to keep the score close as Riverdale led, 18-12, at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Eagles faced an obstacle when captain Thompson received her fourth foul. Knowing she was in foul trouble, head coach Santino Reynolds pulled her out of the game for the rest of the quarter. Without Thompson on the court, the Eagles were still able to score 6 points, but the Cowgirls lengthened their lead to 37-18.

At the second half, coach Reynolds made slight changes to their game plan which resulted in 21 points by FC in the third and fourth quarter. However, it was not enough and the Eagles fell to Riverdale, 59-39.

FC was led by Thompson who finished the game with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists. Hensley scored 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 7 assists.

Senior Taylor Errotabere led the Cowgirls and was a significant leader on the court with 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4 assists, and 18 points.

Eagles assistant coach Josh Gilio says that in order to win the next game, he needs to increase the intensity level during practices. He will also make sure that the players know their positions perfectly during both offensive and defensive plays.

“As an assistant coach, I need to do a better job of preparing the team for our opponents,” Gilio said. “I can do this by personally challenging each player to know their roll coming into each game. I need to be sure that all of the players know what they should be doing at all times and are executing at all times. For the next game we need to play with more intensity at all times and be more aggressive. If we do those two things we can win basketball games.”

According to assistant coach Jim White, it is not about winning or losing, but giving full effort. The Eagles will face teams with higher skills and more experience over the course of the season but they need to keep playing until the end and encourage each other.

“Tonight we gave good effort,” White said. “We were out matched in experience, size, and athleticism at the post positions. When that happens, it usually results in getting someone in foul trouble. Our young ladies never gave up and kept playing to the end. That shows a lot of character, and we are very proud of their efforts.”

White is fond of Hensley for pursuing after every lose ball. He is also satisfied that the team had decent passes and offensive rebounds.

“The bright spot tonight was Nicole’s efforts,” White said. “With some great passing and scoring, we also had more offensive effort from all members of the team. This is a good sign and something that we can build on.”

Sophomore Viviana Hinojosa, who had 3 rebounds, says that she was not satisfied with the result of the game.

“I was extremely disappointed and mad,” Hinojosa said. “We should have won that game but we just didn’t keep our energy and came out flat. I need to be more aggressive and shoot more. As a team we need to communicate more. Because if we don’t communicate, we have no ideas what is going on the court. Communication is key when playing basketball.”

Coach Reynolds agrees with Gilio and says that the team needs to be more competitive during practices and carry it on to the games. He also says that the team has the tendency to play without much energy in the first two quarters.

“We just need to find energy and be more intense on the court,” Reynolds said. “I thought we played with a sense of urgency once we got down by 15 which made the team more effective. Our practices need to be more intense, emphasizing competition.”

Eagles sophomore Sarah Lim says she appreciates the coaches who encourage her. She says her teammates motivate her, pushing her forward when the team was down by numerous points.

“Seeing the rest of the team working hard inspired me,” Lim said. “It felt like we became one as a team rather than five individuals. If I caught myself getting tired, I tried to go even harder because giving up would not be fair at all to the rest of my team mates. Also, having coach Michelle cheering us on was really motivating too.”

According to Thompson, she looks forward to fulfilling her role as a captain along with Hensley throughout the season.

“Nicole and I need to set a good example,” Thompson said. “Since we are senior captains, I know that younger players look up to us. Therefore, we cannot quit when we get tired because that means rest of the team is going to stop trying.”

The Eagles will next travel to face the Tranquillity Tigers, Jan 20 at 6 p.m.