Injuries have been part of the reason the Moorpark women’s basketball team have got off to a 2-7 start.
Head Coach Sherry Ruter-Estella feels her team has great scoring ability and can do well this year.
“We want to improve every game, and compete at the highest level that our ability allows,” said Ruter Estella.
Injuries have left the Raiders playing short in many of their games, making it hard for them to play at their highest level.
They have been able to come up with wins against Bakersfield College beating them 70-61. They also crushed Southwestern College 79-37 inthe season opener.
The Raiders welcome back four returners from last year’s team, with Jennifer Lemus, Brittany Maguire, Brooke Peterson, and Johanna Bailey. They also have two returnee’s from the 2003-2004 squad. Both Sarah Ruiz and Natasha Belou were red- shirting last season.
This year’s team has many strong outside shooters with sophomore ‘s Lemus, Belou, Ruiz, freshman Katie Morton and Awilda Hernandez.
“We’re the best shooting team I’ve ever seen in my life,” said sharpshooter Morton.
They also have a great inside prescence with Bailey, Peterson, freshmen Wendy Garcia, and Hayley Macarthur said Ruter-Estella. The Raiders also have great speed with Maguire who was named to the all tournament team at the Pasadena tournament.
The Raiders will play next in the College of the Sequoias tournament starting Thursday.
The Moorpark College men’s basketball started off their Thanksgiving tournament with a 87-77 win over West Hills College.
This put the Raiders into the championship game of their tournament which they lost to San Bernadino 111-96.
The Raiders had a strong start to their season with big wins over Barstow and Sequoias College.
They beat Barstow College 114-80. Mark Wells added 19 points while Caise Burris added 18, and David McGrath had 15 with 6 rebounds. The Raiders also polished off Sequoias 92-86.
The Raider’s men welcome back four sophomores from last year’s team which placed 2nd in the Western State North division last season.
Keith Lawrence, Tyler Carr, Deshar Clipper, Mark Wells and Ivan Barragan are returnee’s from last year. Their next game is Friday at the Antelope Valley tournament.
