Women’s basketball looks to continue recent success:
The women’s basketball team at UC Santa Cruz opened their season with an exhibition game against Division I Santa Clara on Nov. 1. The team will look to build on last season’s 12–13 record, which includes a .500 winning percentage in Division III play. Coach Todd Kent said this is the team’s most wins since 1995.
“Last season we had the best Division III record in school history, and we did it with a bunch of youth,’’ Kent said.
Although the team lost their public opener to Santa Clara, the Slugs went on a strong offensive run in the second half of the game, which pulled them within 14 points of Santa Clara’s lead. Santa Clara responded to the Slugs by increasing their defensive pressure.
Sophomore forward Leah Parrish is one of seven important returning contributors for the team. Parrish said she believes the team has room to grow.
“We were young, but this year a lot of us are returning players so we can focus on improving on last year,” Parrish said.
Sophomore forward Sarah Mackey will be one of the returners looking to make an impact. Last season, Mackey was one of three Division III players to record two triple-doubles of at least 10 points, 10 blocks and 10 rebounds while also finishing the year in the top five for blocks, the first UCSC player to do so.
The UCSC women’s basketball team will have their home opener against George Fox University — last year’s national Division III runner-up — on Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. in the West Gym.
Coach DuBois starts first season at UCSC:
UCSC men’s basketball will start their season with a new coach and a new sense of direction. Coach Ron DuBois was hired on Oct. 15 to take over for retired coach Gordon Johnson.
The team has had 13 practices as of Nov. 3. DuBois said the team is still learning a lot about themselves and their capabilities.
“The winning will take care of itself if we focus on where we are now,” DuBois said. “We need to have the right habits, and that’s what we’re practicing.”
Sophomore forward James Townsend will be a key player on offense and defense this season. DuBois will count on Townsend to provide strong defense and rebounding. DuBois said he is excited about Townsend’s work ethic in practice.
“He has a nice game offensively and defensively, and he’s only a sophomore so we’re excited about his future,” DuBois said. “He’s got a really good motor, a great focus and intensity about him no matter what time it is.”
Townsend said he thinks DuBois will be the type of coach who will inspire the team to bigger and better things.
“He came in with a lot of confidence,” Townsend said. “His ‘no excuse’ mentality and core values have spread throughout the team.”
Townsend said that the team is more familial than in previous years and that the team will be tougher to play against.
The UCSC men’s basketball team will open their season at Lewis & Clark Nov. 16 in Portland, Ore. The team’s home opener will be vs. Pacific University on Dec. 19th at 7 p.m. in the West Gym.
