RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - This year’s Cordova High varsity girls basketball team, according to Head Coach Kim Little, is young and striving to be successful.

Coach Kim, in her 7^th year at the helm, has been dealing with this situation for the past couple of years in Cordova. As I see it, it’s another season of building teamwork skills, and nurturing talents.

“Our theme this year has been focused around encouraging and building confidence in one another and most importantly to ‘Just Believe and Trust the Process’”, said Coach Kim. 

One can see and feel the potential of this young crop of Cordova basketball players with every game they play. If this present core of players keeps focused and a few more talented players come along, a future league championship is in the cards. 

With only two players returning from last season, the Lady Lancers are once again struggling with experience. The two returning players are senior guard Aaliyah Sherman-Reynolds, a four-year vet on the team and junior forward Ja’Nya Allison.

There’s no junior varsity team for the 2022-23 season since other schools in the league do not have enough players to form one. This puts freshman players on the varsity squad, which is good news for the young Lancer squad as the backcourt is led by two freshman guards, Jasmine Ferrel and Mia Worley. Both players have a great deal of raw talent with the possibility of being an amazing duo for the next three years. Two other players showing great progress are junior forward Journee Dean and junior forward Alyssa Lacayo.

Although the team lacks experience, they all seem to have the drive and willingness that is necessary to improve.

Coach Kim said, “Our roster is young but as I’ve seen and coached in years past, this could be a team of great force in coming years. I’m extremely proud of their growth and eagerness to show up and work hard each practice, simply learning the game of basketball and then applying it in games”.

Helping out Coach Kim courtside are assistant coaches Kamilaha Vanterpool, Rj Bradley and Syd Daniels. “I am beyond thankful for my coaching staff and their support and knowledge of the game and riding on this journey with myself and the team,” said Coach Kim.

The games are fun to watch as the energy level is over the top. The girls are constantly all over the opposing teams with a relentless defense, making it very difficult to inbound the ball or even get past mid court while forcing turnover after turnover. Just about every other offensive drive starts off with a fast court break finishing up with a lay up attempt.

“Since league play has started, I have seen a change in our play that’s exciting to watch and even though we are sitting fourth place in league we are still in the hunt for playoffs with the top three teams making a playoff appearance,” said Coach Kim.

The last three home games of the season will be against Valley on February 6^th, Foothill on February 8^th and Johnson on February 10^th. The Valley and Foothill games start at 7:00 pm. The Johnson game starts at 6:30 pm with the boys varsity playing at 8:30 pm.

Come on out, cheer your Cordova Lancers on to victory and enjoy a hotdog or some nachos from the snack bar.

GO BIG RED!