by Dennis McCall
Taft Midway Driller
Taft College women's basketball coach Tyrone Taylor is looking for his 2014-15 version to run more this year to compensate for a lack of size.
Taylor has two returnees with size – 6-foot-2 Emilee Davidson and former Taft High standout Kennedy Kunce, who is 5-10.
"Both of them had a number of double-doubles last year," Taylor said.
But the rest of the 10-player squad doesn't have that kind of size. The next tallest player are starting point guard Angie Banks and guard-forward Synclaire Lucas.
Both are 5-foot-8 sophomores who played a lot of minutes last season.
"Angie was our leading rebounder last year," Taylor said. "We'll be looking for both of them to provide a good measure of sophomore leadership."
Davidson and Kunce will alternate in the post position although there will be times when both are on the court at the same time.
That quartet of returners provides the nucleus for the Cougars this year as they open the season today at Bakersfield College at 2 p.m. against a Renegade team that is expected to be a title contender.
"They are all in good condition and know what to expect," Taylor said of his sophomores. "They know what they're supposed to do."
Tomorrow the Cougars will return to the BC gym for a game against Rio Hondo at 3 p.m.
The Cougars will be road warriors the first two months of the campaign, playing in three tournaments along with three more single games. The home opener is Jan. 3 when the Cougars host Victor Valley College.
"We've got some pretty tough games this year," Taylor said. The Cougars will be matched up against some of the state's top teams in their tournaments.
Taylor is looking to a pair of newcomers to provide some speed and spark.
Carrie Graham, a 5-7 guard from Mississippi and Chantia Jones, a 5-6 guard from Nevada, will be key players in the Cougar running game.
"They both shoot well," Taylor said. "We plan to do more running this year, moving the ball up and down the court."
Other newcomers include Katelynn Webb, a 5-4 guard from Independence High in Bakersfield, Mariah and Mia Hernandez, both 5-5 guards, from Shafter High, and Ashley Guardado, a 5-6 guard from Rancho Verde.
The schedule:
Today and Saturday vs. BC and Rio Hondo at Bakersfield; Nov. 14-16 Pasadena Tournament, Nov. 19 at Allan Hancock, Nov. 22 at Bakersfield, Nov. 28-30 Ventura Tournament of Champions, Dec. 6 at Compton, Dec. 12-14 San Diego City College tournament, Jan. 3 Victor Valley, Jan. 7 Sequoias, Jan. 10 West Hills, Jan. 14 at Reedley, Jan. 17 at Merced, Jan. 21 Porterville, Jan. 24 Fresno, Jan. 31 at Sequoias, Feb. 4 at West Hills-Lemoore, Feb. 7 Reedley, Feb. 11 Merced, Feb. 14 at Porterville, Feb. 18 at Fresno.