2024 WBKB OEC PREVIEW: PIRATES IN THE HUNT FOR ANOTHER OEC TITLE

With Orange Empire Conference-play right around the corner the women's basketball season looks to be a quality one with six teams over the .500 mark.

The No. 3 in state Pirates of Orange Coast College have put together an impressive non-conference run sporting a 11-3 record. Last season's state and conference champs has what it takes to repeat as the team reloaded with talented players under head coach Sammy Doucette. The Pirates lost all five exceptional players from last season's 32-1 team, however the team filled all five positions and is ready to defend its titles. Leading the way for OCC this season is sophomore guard Bridgette McIntyre, who transferred in from Cerritos College. She is averaging an impressive 18.3 points a game and 5.1 rpg. Freshman gray-shirt guard Ashari Cassell follows with 14.9 ppg with 4.9rpg. Forward Sabrina Lopez is averaging 13.5 points a game and 6.5 rpg.

Irvine Valley College is ranked No. 12 in the state with an overall record of 8-5. The Lasers have three players averaging points in the double-digits with sophomore forward/center Makena Tomlinson is averaging 10.7 ppg along with 9.3 rpg. Sophomore guard Christen Ziska (11.1 ppg) and freshman guard Moka Saiki (11.3 ppg) are the other two scoring threats for IVC. Sophomore guard Emily Freeman is averaging 8.8ppg along with 2.8 apg. 

Golden West College (9-4) may not be currently ranked, but the Rustlers have the best scorer in the conference in first-year power forward Kayla Terry. She is averaging a monstrous 22.9 points a game with an astonishing 18.8 rebound average. A quartet of four freshman scorers will be on hand to compliment Terry in Princess McCauley (20ppg), Ty Adams (12.5 ppg), and Makayla Heffernan (9.5 ppg). 

The Santa Ana College Dons (8-4) are off to a solid start this season thanks to three guards in freshman Larissa Robles (19.4 ppg), sophomore Selena Hernandez (17.3ppg), and sophomore Dylyn Payne (9.5 ppg). Sophomore center Sarah Henry is also a force averaging 8.4 points a game along with 8.3 rebounds.

Fullerton College (7-5) is a team on the rise after a sub .500 finish last season. Under second-year head coach Dan Desmond, the Hornets have a few weapons giving the team a chance to compete this season. First-year forward Xochitl Hood has been a game-changer for FC averaging 16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.3 steals. Freshman guard Kaylee Shimoda (10.3 ppg) will serve as a three-point threat as will sophomore guard Tia Jaquias (9.7 ppg). Returners Toni Ballestero (9.4 ppg) Sarah Shaw (9.4 ppg), and Jasmine Arnold (7.2 ppg) will also serve as integral pieces to the Hornet's success this season.

Riverside City College (7-6) is riding a three-game win streak and looking for more heading into conference-play. The Tigers are led by a pair of high-scoring sophomore forwards in Antieya Brown (17.8 ppg) and Janara Williams (16.7 ppg). Both Brown and Williams can use their size and skills to dominate the blocks averaging double-digit rebounds a game. First-year guard Nave'ah Pina is chipping in with 9.2 ppg with 3.4 apg. 

Rounding out the rest are Saddleback College at 6-7 overall and Cypress at 3-10.

OPENING CONFERENCE MATCHUPS

Release by Phil Thurman, Fullerton College