Sports briefs

– Compiled by Lynn Rosado

Basketball

The Pierce College women’s basketball team lost its third game in a row in blowout fashion against the Eastern Arizona College Gila Monsters in the first game of Pierce’s home tournament on Friday, Nov. 28.

Pierce was never able to establish itself on either end of the floor against the Gila Monsters. The Brahmas were scattered on defense, and the opposing pressure created problems for them on offense.

Pierce head coach James Couch said that defense was the team’s biggest issue.

“Our inexperience defensively really hurt us,” Couch said. “We couldn’t stop what they were doing even though we’ve gone over it in practice. We’re not very good at it yet, but we will be.” recommended him, but Word said when the organizers of the game watched his film they saw his playing ability.

After losing the previous game to Eastern Arizona College, the Pierce College women’s basketball team bounced back and defeated the Harbor College Seahawks 93-78 on Monday, Nov. 29.

As soon as the game started, Vanessa DeSimone scored and the Brahmas soon led 9-2.

“I think I’m the number one junior college long snapper in the nation,” Word said. “So that’s probably part of the reason I’m on the team.” Word is honored that he was selected. He said it shows that the hard work he put in during the off-season and throughout the season, came to fruition.

“It’s cool,” Word said. “I get to say that for the rest of my life and can put on social media that I was honored to play in the Junior College All American game.”

The Brahmas never trailed and were 60-48 going into halftime.

DeSimone continued to score at will in the second half and along with JuVay Dawn, proved to be the benefactor for Pierce’s offense.

“We played as a team and without the assist I wouldn’t have gotten any of the shots,” said DeSimone

The next tournament for the women’s basketball team will be held at Cuesta College on Thursday, Dec 4.

Vanessa DeSimone, a freshman from Thousand Oaks scored 24 points, was 7-8 from the field and with seven three pointers in the second game of the Brahmas Thanksgiving invitational. Her effort was key to Pierce’s second win of the year as the team defeated the L.A. Harbor City College 93-78.

Head coach Jim Couch is trying to find what works with this team, what will the players need to do in order to fit the mold he is trying to create?

We are definitely coming together a little bit more and little by little we are actually creating a team bond. I think we are going to be alright.

You were on fire during the game, what got you going?

After I made the first three I know it was going to be a good game because I just started to make them and they all were falling.

The team altogether just looked a lot more fired up and ready. What do you attribute the performance to?

Before the game we just had a lot of energy. The atmosphere was great, the music was loud and we were just able to get into it.

Being such a young team with no returning sophomores on the roster, finding chemistry offensively can be a challenge. Yet your team was effective against the Seahawks, why?

We just got to keep moving the ball and swinging it and doing the things we need to do offensively we will be fine. As long as we pass it, we will keep winning.