TAFT, CA – So far, the Taft College Women's Basketball Team has started the 2023 season with an unpredictable bang. The Lady Cougars currently own a 6-2 overall record, going 2-2 in the last two weeks. They defeated Los Angeles Trade Tech 72-59, lost 58-55 to Bakersfield College, then bounced back to defeat Los Angeles Southwest College 101-58, and then nearly beat Sacramento City College the next day after a 4-hour drive, after coming back down 22 points the entire game, then catching up in the last quarter but fell short 74-77.
Taft College Women's Basketball Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. expressed his thoughts, "Scheduling games in the 3C2A is tough. Teams are dropping, rescheduling, or flaking out in one way or another. With that being said, I had to put a schedule together right away when I got hired late, and many of our games in the non-conference season are back to back. So to make a legitimate excuse with a very new team, I'd say those two losses in nail-biting games, our ladies are doing one heck of a job performing out there under the circumstances. I really do appreciate their eagerness to go out there and give it all they got. I am in no shape or form discontent with this team. I am ready to coach them to how far they want to go."
Besides the best record start in nearly 17 years, Taft Women's Basketball has another achievement to be excited about. In last week's State Polls, Taft finally received some votes as one of the best teams in the CCCWBCA North Region Poll. Another milestone under new Head Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr.
There are some Cougars that can't go unnoticed. Sophomore Celicia Enos currently is the third leading scorer in the Central Valley Conference averaging 17 points, fourth in shooting percentage at 47.6, and the fourth leading rebounder averaging 8.2 rebounds. Freshman Alizah Lara ranks third with the best 3-point shooting percentage (50%), and fifth with the most steals.
Make sure and come out see them play their last home game of the 2023 year when they face formidable Victor Valley College on Wednesday, November 29 at 5:00 pm. Victor Valley is currently ranked #20 in the state with a 5-1 record.