Golden Gate Classic is final pre-conference tune up for state No. 12-ranked Giants' women's basketball team

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

After an 11-day break, the College of the Sequoias women's basketball team returns to action this weekend at the Golden Gate Classic in San Francisco.

The state No. 12-ranked Giants (8-3) are scheduled to open the eight-team, three day tournament at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 against Santa Rosa (6-3), which is ranked No. 11 in Northern California.

The tournament, which runs through Dec. 18, also features state No. 5 Sierra (8-1), No. 6 East L.A. (9-2), No. 10 San Francisco (9-3), No. 20 Skyline (10-1), Napa Valley (4-5), and West L.A. (4-4).

Sequoias is coming off a run to the consolation championship at its Gilcrest Tournament on Dec. 2-4.

The Giants beat perennial state power Ventura 66-48 in the consolation final Dec. 4 behind 23 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two assists from Celeste Lewis (Sierra Pacific High/Hanford). All-tournament selection Sapphire Jones (Hanford) had 13 points, six rebounds, five steals and two assists, while Dyaneli Diaz (McFarland) added 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Jones delivered 18 points, three rebounds and two assists as Sequoias beat Chabot 62-47 in the consolation semifinals Dec. 3. Nikola Hudson (Florida) had 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Serena Ybarra (Coalinga) contributed two points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals.

The Giants fell into the consolation bracket with a 60-58 loss to state No. 4 Canyons on Dec. 2. Ayon Carter (Oakland) led Sequoias with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Jones delivered 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Ybarra added 11 points, five rebounds and three steals.

After this weekend, Sequoias will be idle until opening Central Valley Conference play at 5 p.m. Jan. 5 at Taft (2-8).

The Giants' next home game is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 12 against Merced (6-6).