The Cerritos College women’s basketball team is looking to continue to build momentum after a 67-40 win over Pasadena City College Friday, Jan. 15.
However, the road doesn’t get any easier for the 14-7 Falcons as the 15-2 Huskies are next in order.
Cerritos will travel to battle East LA, who is 4-2 at home but the Falcons are 4-1 on the road.
“I believe you earn the right to win in practice…If we prepare like we’re capable of, I know we will be ready to do battle on Wednesday,” head coach Trisha Raniewicz said.
During the last game she went on record to say that no coach would ever turn down fast break layups. The Falcons might be looking to incorporate an up-tempo offense.
The reason for that is because every time sophomore guard Clarissa Hernandez entered the game the tempo was quickened.
“I don’t really know what to expect this year, but I know last year we lost in overtime so I know [East LA is] a good team,” Hernandez said.
“I am going to try to come out strong from the beginning. I know they are a fast paced team so I am going to just set the tone on offense and play our game even if that means slowing it down,” she added.
Raniewicz feels that while she may encourage a fast pace offense the team must stay within the structure of the game.
“It’s a balance of understanding when to run and when to set up and execute. East LA College is a solid team and [it] plays hard, so I do think [it] will push to get back in transition,” she explained.
On the contrary, the Falcons want to prevent fast break opportunities for the Huskies. Reason being because East LA averages 13.7 steals per game. Raniewicz is fully aware of the task at hand.
“It’s critical to take care of the ball on the road and to not give up turnovers that lead to baskets,” she said.
That is not the only tough task emerging for the Falcons with the Huskies awaiting.
East LA have found great success in sharing the ball on the offensive end.
“We definitely need a zone defense that way we can contain [its] drivers much better,” sophomore forward/center Miranda Valentin said.
East LA averages just under 19 assists per game.
Raniewicz had this to say about the Huskies ball movement, “We have done a great job this year switching up defenses so I anticipate doing that in the Wednesday, Jan. 20 game.
When we move with the [ball] and have a sense of urgency, our zone defense can give opponents trouble.”
Offensive is not the only cause for concern for Cerritos as East LA has forced its’ opponents to shoot 23.2 percent from three-point territory.
In addition Cerritos only shoots 32 percent from beyond the arc on the year. However, if the last game is any indication of the Falcons’ plans for shooting. The plan is to shoot and shoot at will.
Raniewicz understands that a balance must be maintained.
“I would like our team to take high quality shots within our offense. We must attack and not settle for shots that are contested,” she said.
“Getting each other easy baskets is always a recipe for success,” she added.
Tip-off is at Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. at East LA College.
