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PCC’s women’s basketball team made it to the second round of the playoffs this year, despite having 9 players on the team. This Lancer team rallied together throughout this injury plagued year, and overcame adversity from time after time.

In the teams last game vs Mt. San Jacinto, they fell behind quickly to a 16-2 and could not find a groove to close the gap. The early lead just kept on rolling throughout the game for the Eagles. PCC went down swinging against a quality opponent who “deserved to be there” said Peron. Lancers could not get in sink offensively and defensively to win and San Jacinto was hitting on all cylinders and won with the final score being 81-46. Eagles will be playing in the state tournament this week

For the first time in coach Joe Peron’s coaching career, he only had 9 players on his team to compete with, due to some girls sitting out because of “family issues” said coach Peron. “It was a trying year for me, I learned a lot about coaching small numbers with practices and games.”

Team chemistry this year “just worked and grew…throughout the year,” made a difference, and “was a force when they became the team they needed to be” according to Peron.

Conference MVP and leading scorer Alisa Shinn and 6’2” Center Mercy Odima were two of the leading rebounders in the state, and key contributors to the team. Samaiyah Abdullah and Shinn were the two leaders of the team. Their play translated to wins for the Lancers.

Injuries throughout the season hurt the team, mainly by sidelining their best shooter in Merina Latu.

Elise Ortega was the “blue collar worker of the team” according to coach Peron. Ortega would battle every game being their defensive anchor while battling injuries of her own.

Next year, the Lancers will be pursuing to break the 25 win season, which has not been done at PCC in years. “I’m recruiting everything that breathes that’s a female” said Peron.

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