COS Women's Basketball Preview

After finishing 17-12 and second (8-4) in the Central Valley Conference last season, the sixth-ranked COS women's basketball is looking for more this year.

Sixth-year head coach Ray Alvarado believes his team did a good job overcoming adversity when things weren't going the Giants way in 2015.

"We had a lot of injuries so that put a damper on our 2015 season. I think the kids did a pretty good job considering what we went through in terms of injuries."

COS will have a wealth of experience when the season starts, fielding seven Sophomore's in 2016.

"In general, having experience is good, especially at the two-year level," Alvarado said. "Our point guard Alyssa Gonzales is back and that will really help. We have a really good group of first year players, and overall have a really good mix on our team."

Alvarado makes it clear that the women have lofty goals in order to consider this season a successful one.

"This group has its own high goals, but they are trying to match what the team two years ago did. So we want to win conference, try to get in the 20 win column, and try to go as far as we can in the State Tournament"

Two years ago, the 2014-15 team went 29-4 overall. They had a perfect 12-0 Central Valley Conference record. The team would finish just one win shy of the CCCAA Women's Basketball Final Four.

The road to get back to the Final Four will start in the Giants' first tournament this season. COS will travel to Stockton to compete in the Jocelyn Mancebo Classic at San Joaquin Delta. The Giants first game will be against Feather River.

 "In the first tournament you don't know what any team is like," Alvarado said. "We have a good bracket ahead of us, if you look at traditionally what the teams do. I think the kids are getting tired of playing each other and want to go play someone else. It's going to be a good test for us. We look to win our first game and progress from there."

This upcoming tournament will be key for Alvarado in finding his ideal starting five, as he is not sure on what the best lineup is yet.

"I'm not sure who to start," Alvarado said. "We are pretty well rounded but we are going to count on Alyssa Gonzales a lot, and that is for sure. Dojahnae Senegal in the post will be great. Idalis Rubalcava is in her sophomore year and will look to do damage.  Zharia McCollum is a freshman and improving every day. Darci Finnigan and Greissen Leslie are out of the area and will contribute. We got a good group that I'm personally proud of. I think it will be a good fun group to watch."