The Skyline women’s basketball team hosted visiting Las Positas College on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., marking the two teams’ second face off of the season. In their previous meeting this year, Skyline won convincingly in Livermore with a final score of 75-51.
However, with the Lady Trojans coming off losses to arch-rivals City College of San Francisco and College of San Mateo, the bigger Las Positas team looked prepared to avenge their loss and give Skyline their first three-game losing streak of the season.
The Hawks had not played since Jan. 20, and they appeared ready to try to steal a win against a Trojan team playing their third game in one week. Both teams came into the contest with identical 10-11 records, although the Hawks have yet to notch a division win this season, ranking last in the Coast Conference: North.
Skyline was first on the scoreboard after claiming the opening tip, and they did not relinquish that lead for the rest of the game. Head Coach Trisha Hosley utilized a small lineup throughout the majority of the game, taking advantage of the speed mismatch led by Freshman Cierra Peel on her way to a game high of 15 points.
Skyline’s backcourt performed superbly, defensively forcing several turnovers, which became fast-break opportunities on the opposite end of the floor.
On a night every player had an opportunity to contribute, Skyline had Las Positas’ defense disoriented as they tried to adjust to the tempo the Trojans established early. Skyline freshman Stephanie del Bianco’s relentless pressure on defense was key in adding to the Trojan lead as she led the Skyline bench with eight points of her own.
Las Positas couldn’t match Skyline’s perimeter shooting, and Skyline’s score ballooned up to 23 points. Six different Trojan players converted from beyond the arc.
The game got ugly in the second half when a Hawks player lost her composure and tackled freshman Brittney Kelly to the floor on a play that ultimately led to a technical foul given to Las Positas. The Hawks player was ejected from the game. Las Positas continued to crumble, eventually losing the tie-breaker game 67-44. In the two games against Las Positas College this season, Skyline has outscored the Lady Hawks by a combined 47 points, the most against any team this season.
When asked about her team’s three-point shooting, Peel said, “It’s a part of our game that we work on in practice. Sometimes we go against bigger teams and need to be able to make shots.” She added, “Coach puts us through a three-point shooting drill at practices. It gave us an edge tonight.”
Kelly Huey dictated the offensive pace, creating opportunities for her teammates on the wing.
“We try to out-quick bigger teams because it’s one of our strengths and most likely not theirs,” Huey said. “We trust each other and know that people will be at the right spots on the floor.”
When asked about her deep lineup, Coach Hosley shared that it boosts morale and overall team performance when her players know they’ll see some playing time.
“Everyone’s been coming to practice,” Hosley said. “They all work hard, and they’re committed. I like to find playing time for all of them.”
Hosley also addressed the defensive effort she saw and hopes it carries over to their next stretch of games.
“We face Mission and Foothill next, and they’re high scoring teams,” Hosley said. “Tonight our defense helped out our offense, and that’s what we have to do moving forward.”
The Trojans have evened their season at 11-11. Skyline will host their final two home games on Feb. 8 against Mission College and on Feb. 17 in a rematch against City College of San Francisco.
To listen to an interview with head coach Trisha Hosley, click here.
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