Basketball coaches love it when their players share the ball in games.
UCSB women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson and star player Ila Lane were out in the community spreading joy, sharing information about becoming a Gaucho as well as some basketball stuff on Monday.
They made Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe one of their stops.
“We’ve already been to Cleveland Elementary School this morning,” said Henrickson. “From here, we are off to the Montecito Fire Department. We partnered with Santa Barbara County Fire Departments for Toys for Tots at our game yesterday, and we have six large tubs of toys in my car.”
She and Lane were going to leave the toys with the fire department for distribution to children in the area.
“We’re really grateful for the opportunity to give back,” said Henrickson. “I think as young people, sometimes we don’t understand the impact that we can make, that all of you can make. It’s not about us.”
She noted that at the elementary school, kids were asking how someone gets into UCSB, the work it takes to be a student and not just a student athlete.
“It’s just very fortunate that we’re in a community that celebrates young people, and this event is really a shining star in that,” said coach
The Gauchos return to the Thunderdome court Saturday against Sacramento State at 4 p.m.
Dos Pueblos Girls Basketball
The Chargers are off to a 6-1 start, and coach Phil Sherman is happy how his team is playing.
“We started off slow, but we’re getting better and better in most phases of the game,” he said. “Our last game we were fantastic beyond my expectations; you don’t hear too many coaches say that. I thought we did a great job against a pretty talented Foothill Tech team.”
Sherman introduced seniors Ariana Tapia, Leila Chisholm and Lily Mires.
He said Tapia is a leader during the season and in the offseason.
“She’s always there, taking the girls through workouts,” said Sherman. “Many of the girls play other sports, so we don’t have them year round. Ari keeps things together.”
Tapia has picked up her game. She scored 13 points and had five steals in her last game.
“She’s starting to find her three-point shot, so that’s encouraging,” said Sherman.
Sherman said Chisholm “is probably our best player under pressure. She always seems to make a great play when we need it the most.”
Chisholm is also a standout softball player.
Mires, the Athlete of the Week, is coming off a career-best 28 points and 11 rebounds against Foothill Tech.
“I think Lily has known from day one that she wants to be a college basketball player,” said Sherman.
She plans to attend Brandeis University outside of Boston. Dos Pueblos alum Camila Casanueva is a star player on the basketball team there.
“Lily’s game has evolved over the four years that we’ve had her. She was our point guard during her freshmen year,” said Sherman. “I nicknamed her ‘Swiss Miss’ because she was like a Swiss Army Knife. I told her, ‘You have the ability to do a lot of things.’
“Now, I think she’s mastered a number of skills.”
Santa Barbara Boys Soccer
Coach Ricardo Alcaraz has been using several first-year varsity players in the early part of the season.
“They’re getting good quality minutes right off the bat,” he said.
Two of those varsity newcomers are Zoran Cora and Andres Arroyo.
“Zoran plays center back for us,” said Alcaraz. “We weren’t sure where we were going to put him, but every practice and every game I feel like he’s improving a lot, whether he knows it or not.
“He and Andres are two players that every coach wants on their team.”
Arroyo has been playing in several spots on the field, defensive midfield, offensive midfield, right back, said Alcaraz. “We’ve been missing a lot of guys and he’s been plugging in on spots. He’s done an amazing job.
“These guys are earning their stripes right now playing defense for our team.”
Santa Barbara is 1-3-1.
San Marcos Girls Basketball
Coach Tiffany Simms brought Natasha Bender, Ellie Monson, Michelle Arellanes and Oceanna Bauer from her 6-2 squad.
She called Bender and Arellanes her utility players because they can play all five positions on the floor.
Bender, a sophomore, also excels at the defensive end. Simms said UCSB coach Bonnie Henrickson talked to the team about defense and mentioned that teams need a halfback and a fullback to stop attacks.
“Natasha Bender is our fullback and she protects the back of the court,” said Simms.
Monson, also a sophomore, brings a ton of energy to the court.
“She’s the heart of our defense,” said Simms. “She’s a go-getter. All our players feed off her energy.”
On Arellanes, Simms said the junior never complains about how much is expected of her. “She just gives her all into whatever assignment I give her.”
Simms calls the 5-foot-4 Bauer “our big man.”
“When we play teams like Sierra Canyon and St. Joseph, who have 6-4 and 6-6 girls, she gets after them and she loves it,” said Simms. “She feeds off of the bigs not being able to get the ball or are struggling to get the ball. She’s small but she’s got a lot of strength.”
Simms has been impressed how the girls on the team care about their community. They volunteered at the recent Santa Barbara Half Marathon and walked down State Street and the waterfront area to hand out bag lunches to the homeless.
“It’s not coach generated, it’s more player generated,” she said. “I think it’s important to give them recognition because this is all stuff that they ask, ‘Hey coach, can we do this?’
“They get together, and I’m just there to be supportive and make sure they do the things that they want to do.”
Dos Pueblos Boys Soccer
Ivan Luna, the girls soccer coach, spoke for boys head coach Matt York, who is currently on paternity leave after his wife gave birth to their second child.
Luna introduced senior goalkeeper Diego Garcia and junior midfielder Giovanni Jimenez.
Garcia, a team captain, “is really locking it down in the back and helping the team win,” said Luna.
On Jimenez, Luna said the coaches appreciate his leadership and hard work in the midfield.
Dos Pueblos Girls Soccer
Luna brought captains Gizela Zermeno and Sadie Stout.
He said Zermeno is “a leader on the field, very vocal and her technical ability is fantastic.”
Stout brings a great work ethic.
“She leads by example, puts her head down and works every practice, every game. She’s one of our better technical players,” said Luna.
The first-year coach said the team is starting to gel.
“The girls are taking the tactical expertise we’re giving them and really implementing that in the field,” he said. “Every game we’re definitely getting better.
“It’s all about reps, reps, reps and getting ready for league.”
Laguna Blanca Girls Basketball
The Owls are playing girls basketball for the first time in 13 years.
“Right off the bat we’re making history with these girls,” said assistant coach David Magid.
He introduced team captains Fiona Hernandez and Alexia Acosta.
“We’ve told them they’re not only building for their future in these couple of years but they’re building the foundation and the culture for the entire Laguna Blanca School for the future to come.”
Hernandez helped recruit players for the team along with head coach Anthony Ramirez.
“She went out and helped get 11 girls, and a 12th girl just joined recently,” said Magid.
Hernandez plays point guard.
“She’s charismatic, she’s vocal and she’s just a naturally gifted leader,” said Magid.
On Acosta, “Alexia is our defensive anchor. Her work ethic is off the charts. If I told her we had to go play in five minutes from now, she would be ready.”
Santa Barbara High Girls Soccer
Coach Willie Sims has the Dons playing tougher non-league opponents to better prepare the team for league and the postseason.
“We felt last year we had a good season with Covid and we had a lot of quality, but when we went out to play Westlake (in the playoffs), we weren’t quite ready for that type of competition,” said Sims. “So this year, we put together a really tough schedule.”
The Dons tied Chaminade, beat Buena and lost against Camarillo and Santa Paula.
Sims introduced Athena Bow Graham and goalkeeper Carolina Koceman..
Sims is impressed with Graham’s leadership and competitiveness.
“She leads by example in training. In the last couple of games, she’s been dangerous. We felt like she gives us that edge. She’s kept us in games and she makes our midfield flow.”
Koceman returns to the goalkeeping spot after winning a CIF title this fall with the volleyball team.
“The last two years she’s shown the quality she brings in goal,” said Sims. “This year, she’s been stellar between the posts. She’s made saves left and right and kept us in games.”
Sims said he expects the Dons to have a great season.
Laguna Blanca Boys Soccer
James Kiffe, a former standout player at San Marcos High and UCSB, made is Round Table Luncheon debut as the coach of Laguna Blanca boys soccer.
He said seniors Owen Pryor and Henry Otte are going to pivotal on the defensive side.
Kiffe said the roster is a mix of experienced players and soccer newcomers, and Pryor and Otte have been a great help in bringing the team along.
“The character these guys have shown in helping and teaching… Half the time I think Henry’s basically been an assistant coach for me. It’s really kind of helped us grow as a unit, which has been really fun.”
Laguna Blanca Girls Soccer
First-year coach Jose Rodriguez and his daughter, former Dos Pueblos standout Idalis Rodriguez, are guiding the Owls.
“I’ve coached her for her whole life, so I trust what she’s going to tell me and she knows the game very well,” said Rodriguez of his daughter.
He introduced Jenna Johnson and Frances Carlson as two important players on the team.
“Jenna is my utility player. I can put her in pretty much any position and she works hard,” said the coach.
“Francis, she’s my right back, and little by little she’s been doing a better job each game.”
Rodriguez said he has new players who are eager to learn and play.
“That’s what I want. If you want to play, I’m going to put you in there. It’s okay if it’s their first time, just get out there and try.”
Carpinteria Sports
Assistant girls soccer coach Lucy Carlson represented girls basketball, boys soccer and the girls soccer team.
Scarlet Torres and Quetza Arce were the players introduced from the girls basketball team.
Torres, a junior, has great enthusiasm for the game, plays with tremendous passion and has excellent work ethic, reported coach Henry Gonzales through Carlson. She carries a 3.1 GPA.
Arce is in her fourth year in the program. Gonzales calls her “a ball of fire that runs all over the floor and has a willingness to do everything necessary to help her succeed. She has a 4.1 GPA.
Steven Zermeno and Alex Silva represented the boys soccer team.
Coach Leo Quintero said the team is looking to Zermeno to spur the offense. He’s scored goals in the last three games.
The coach said Silva played an amazing game at goalkeeper against CIF-ranked Channel Islands and has the potential to play at the next level.
From the girls soccer team, Carlson introduced team captains Karen Gamez and Riley Wrought.
Wrought is back on the soccer team after missing last season because she competed in track as the seasons ran concurrently due to CIF scheduling revisions forced by the pandemic.
“It’s amazing to watch her come out this year because I didn’t think she missed a beat,” said Carlson. “She came out strong, she came out in shape, and it’s just been a joy to watch her again after missing last year. She’s the anchor of our defense, playing center back.”
Gamez is a four-year varsity player and the team’s leading scorer “Coach Freddy Martinez says she is the heart and soul of our team, and I couldn’t agree with him more,” said Carlson.
“It’s just so wonderful to have these seniors as our leaders.”
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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