Men’s and Women’s Basketball: South Coast Conference Tip-Off
Today the South Coast Conference-North Basketball season kicks-off at Rio Hondo College as the Pasadena City College men’s and women’s teams visit the Roadrunners Wednesday night.
The men’s teams face-off first with a 5 p.m. start and following will be the women’s teams at 7 p.m. at the Rio gymnasium.
Men’s
The men’s team, led by head coach Steve Johnson, will be heading into the conference opener ready to put the preseason in the past. A 3-15 record in its first 18 games signals as a red flag but with a trio of veterans taking the court today and for the rest of the season, the Roadrunners are ready to surprise.
The Pasadena Lancers roll into Rio Hondo 4-1 in its last five games. Improving its record to 12-6 after starting the season 6-4 in the first 10 games.
The Roadrunners will have to include sophomore point guards Jonathan Martinez and Elijah McElroy in the team’s ball movement and sophomore forward Uziel Felix needs to be a factor as well if the Roadrunners are to take anything from this game.
As a team, Rio shoots well from the free-throw line so having Felix and Martinez drive inside can be a useful strategy to earn fouls and points.
Women’s
Anchored by a lofty points per game average from sophomore point guard Amanda Lee and the all-around ability of freshman forward Christina Hilton, the Lady Roadrunners look ready to win its first SCC-North game since joining the conference two seasons ago.
At 13-7 in 20 non-conference games, Rio’s women are enjoying a preseason that has included two consolation bracket championships in two tournaments while seeing Lee and Hilton grow better and better after every game.
The contribution from freshmen Amy Navarro, forward, and Candace Black, guard, has lifted the Lady Roadrunners into a young but hard-fighting team which is close to sprouting into a winning-season squad.
Following today’s games, Friday, Jan. 25, the Roadrunners basketball team will be travelling to Los Angeles Trade Tech for its second SCC-North game of the year. The games tip off at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. as well.