Season Outlook:
Driven by Tradition, the 2008-09 Owls appear hungry to make their own mark in Foothill Women’s Basketball’s storied history. Among the many obstacles this young group will face is the challenge of following in the footsteps of last year’s team record setting success.
But increased depth in the paint should be a huge plus this season for the Owls. Foothill has both size and experience in the forward and center positions that will likely create major problems for their opponents. Leading Foothill in this area is 6’4 sophomore transfer Jennifer Kioa (Sequoia HS) and returning sophomores 6’1, Jessica Montgomery (Burlingame HS) and 5’10 Kelsey Grozier (Gunderson HS). Craig says, “Both Jessica and Kelsey (All-League players in HS) improved tremendously last season gaining valuable experience during our State Championship run. Since they have been there last year and know what it takes to be successful at that level, I expect great things from both of them this season!” Foothill also welcomes the addition of transfer Jen Kioa, whom Craig calls “an amazingly talented and versatile player”. “Jen’s abilities take our post game to another level as her versatility creates real match up problems for the defense both inside and out.”
Craig has also been really impressed with the play of incoming freshman, 6’2- Kindra Jones (Kennedy HS), who has made her immediate presence around the basket with her size and strength. “Kindra is probably the strongest freshman post player we have had in our program. As she refines her game around the basket, she will be unstoppable.” Rounding out the forward positions are freshmen 5’10- Kiarra Rayford (Pinole Valley HS) and 5-8” Kaila Li (Monta Vista HS).
On the perimeter, Foothill welcomes two incoming transfers in the small forward position; 6’0- Tieara Jones (Rayen HS) and 5’9-Jessika Hurts (San Leandro HS) who bring size, athleticism and experience on the perimeter. Craig calls Jones “a match up nightmare” and expects her to be a “major impact player both offensively and defensively at both ends of the floor”. Craig says “Jessika brings a physical style of play to the floor in two areas: her ability to score inside and out but also as a relentless rebounder.”
Moving to the backcourt, the Owls look to freshman Tori Nicks (Albany HS), Courtney Oliver (Hercules HS) and Ariel Castillo (Archbishop Mitty HS) to face the challenge of stepping right into play crucial roles for the team. “Even though these players have the talent to be successful at this level, we will need them to demonstrate poise and understanding beyond their years for us to contest for a championship”.
Additionally the Owls return their scrappy sophomore guard Emily Murtha (defensive player of the year at Soquel HS) and incoming freshman Kelly Gregg (Westmont HS- Blossom Valley League-MVP) who will provide another outside shooting threat and depth in the backcourt.
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Kelly Gregg
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Emily Murtha
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For the last two seasons, Foothill has played the strongest schedule in the state and managed to finish #1 in RPI for the second year in a row. You would think that with only returning three players from last year’s State Runner-Up team, most programs would look to pad their schedule early. But this year seems to be no different, as Craig has set out to challenge her young team with what will likely prove to be once again the toughest schedule in the State of California.
The Owls open up the 2008-09 season on the road at the Mt. San Antonio Classic, a tournament that includes eight of the top finishers in the state in 2008 including last year’s State Champions, Mt. Sac. Foothill then travels to Merced for another 8-team tournament including Top 20 state ranked: San Joaquin Delta and Santa Rosa College. The Owls will then make back-to-back trips to Sacramento to play Sierra College and Sacramento City College on successive weekends. Foothill finally returns home for their home opener vs. Santa Rosa on Dec. 2
nd. If this isn’t challenging enough, Foothill then takes to the air and goes out of state to play nationally ranked power houses College of Southern Idaho and Salt Lake City College. In the following weeks in December, the Owls are in three more successive tournaments facing top ranked opponents in the Santa Rosa Invitational, San Joaquin Delta Classic and Foothill’s Pepsi Holiday Classic.
Craig hopes this grueling schedule will prepare her team for the tough Coast Conference-North season ahead of them. “It seems that every team in our league has improved (at least on paper) from last season. Considering last year the Coast-North was the second strongest league in the State, we definitely have our work cut out for us if our goal is to win a League Title in 2009.”
No doubt the season ahead will be full of excitement as Foothill takes on the many challenges in front of them. Boasting size, athleticism and an ability to score both inside and out, the owls look balanced and ready for another legitimate run at a Championship.
Coach Jody Craig
c/o Athletic Department
Foothill College
12345 El Monte Rd.
Los Altos Hills, CA. 94022-4599
Phone: (650) 949-7356
email:
craigjody@fhda.edu
