TAFT, CA- Some say it's coming to an end. Others say it's just the beginning. The Taft College Women's Basketball Team endured some challenges this season with a new coach and team trying to establish a culture of cohesiveness and relationship building. After finishing the season with a .500 conference record and 18-10 overall, the Lady Cougars punched their ticket to play in the first round of the California Women's Basketball State Playoffs. They came in as a #22 seed and pulled off an upset and defeated the #11 team Chabot College 68-55 on Wednesday, February 28.
Taft shot 42% from the field, 31% from beyond the arc, and 69% from the charity stripe. They outscored Chabot in nearly every category except rebounding. The Cougars scored more points in transition (21-6), more points off turnovers (34-9), second chance points (8-6), points in the paint (34-22), steals (19-7), and more blocks (5-2).
Brandy Edwards led the team with 14 points and the game with 6 steals. Celicia Enos also had 14 points, along with 6 rebounds. Alizah Lara and Jasmeen Lemons scored 10 points apiece. Lara had a game high 6 assists and team high 7 rebounds, along with 4 steals. Lemons also tied Lara with 7 rebounds.
Taft will move on to the second round on the road playing #6 seed Laney College in Oakland on Saturday, March 2 at 6:00 pm. Winner of the second round will move on to play the winner of #3 Fresno City College and #14 Skyline College.