Talented freshmen have Dahl excited
| Tuesday, Nov 10 2009 11:35 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Nov 10 2009 11:35 PM
The Bakersfield College women's basketball team has had its share of turmoil with injuries and illness during the preseason, but thanks to a talented crop of freshmen, coach Paul Dahl can't wait for the season to start.
"I'm pretty excited," Dahl said. "We have some pretty good local talent. We're hoping for an improved year over the last couple of years. Right now we just need to play somebody and see where we're really at."
BC opens its season at home as part of the Bakersfield College Cross-over Tournament with a 7 p.m. game Friday against Allan Hancock. The 'Gades play Cuesta at 3 p.m. Saturday.
With just seven wins in the last two years combined, Dahl is looking for a healthy season from sophomore guards Ashlee Taira, continued production from Julie Thomas, and big contributions from several local products who are used to winning.
Thomas, an honorable mention WSC selection last year, figures to be the team's best long-range threat. The former North High standout was second on the team in 3-pointers with 43 and averaged almost nine points per game last season.
Taira, who starred at Bakersfield High, led the Renegades in scoring with 12.5 ppg in 17 games before a knee injury ended her season early.
"She's back and she's completely healthy," Dahl said. "When she went down it really hurt our team, but she's not going to have any issues this year and we can't wait."
Perhaps the best of the newcomers is Alexi Smith, who also starred for the Drillers before leading Stockdale to the Central Section Division I title last season. At 6-foot, Smith has strength to play inside, but also figures to see time on the wing, Dahl said.
"We have a lot of versatility that I haven't had in a long time where we can put kids in a lot of different positions," Dahl said. "and give a whole lot of different looks, which as a coach makes it really a lot of fun."
In addition to Smith, former Centennial High standout Kaileigh Christensen and Bakersfield High graduate Dianna Roseburr are freshmen, but Dahl expects them to add depth to a talented group of guards with a lot of speed.
"We really want to run," Dahl said. "I don't know how much pressure we're going to do, but we really want to run. We've been working on that all preseason."
Inside, Bakersfield doesn't have a lot of size. Five-foot-11 sophomore returner Lakai Banks-Dean from West was second on the team in rebounding last year with five per game, but 5-9 Arvin grads Claudia Gonzalez and Madison Tarver are expected to provide help underneath.
"We've got some kids who can put the ball in the hole, we've got some kids who can defend the dribble, and it's been a long time since we've had that," Dahl said.
