The Los Medanos College women’s basketball team took on Laney College Saturday night but failed to rack up a win, losing 70-48.
The first half of the game was dominated by Laney College. LMC’s Assistant Coach James Vreonis admits that his team came out stagnant to start the game.
“We didn’t go as hard as we should have,” said point guard Janessa Vreonis.
At the half the score was blownout to 55-25 in favor of the Eagles.
Laney Head Coach Ron Williams had a solid plan going into the game. He wanted to limit LMC’s forward Keshia Ward from doing damage, and to “slow them down.”
The strategy paid off for the Eagles the first half was filled with slow play, missed shots and many turnovers committed by LMC.
LMC lacks a true point guard and Williams took note of that.
“It is tough to play when you don’t have a true point guard,” Williams said.The lack of a point guard was a major factor for the loss and such a big score differential.
Laney College Forward Desirae Miller said the victory for Laney College was due to the team playing collectively, and they took their time with plays “which opened up the floor.” She added that the team had good outside shooting throughout the game.
Laney College double-teamed LMC throughout most of the game, especially in the first half. It was costly to LMC as turnovers and sloppy play became the result.
However, the second half was a completely different story. LMC came out and played much better. Adjustments were made and LMC looked like a different team. Coach Vreonis said that in the second half “we closed out better on shooters” which allowed them to play better defense.
The Mustangs came out of the locker room a new team. There was crisper passing, faster movement and plenty of positive vibes coming from Head Coach Richard Villegas who pushed his revived team to end the game on a positive note.
The Mustangs have a record of 2-4 in conference and 3-12 overall but still have the second half of the season to look forward too.
LMC is a young team with much room to grow. Janessa Vreonis added, “We are all freshman” and admits that their play could have been better.
Miller said about LMC that they have solid post players and “work to their attributes.”
There is still time to turn the season around and Janessa Vreonis said that the team plans to take advantage of teams they have already played and they will plan accordingly in taking on their remaining schedule.