 | | | Photo Gint Federas | | | | | | With the preseason well underway, the Lamorinda girls' basketball programs look ready for the DFAL season.
Last year, the Mats finished with a 30-2 record behind an experienced squad. This year, the Mats have to replace several key contributors, including the graduated Bree Alford, Alison Miller, and Megan Reid.
Head coach Kelly Sopak certainly has some outstanding players-the only senior and co-captain Kaitlin Fenn returns as do juniors Sabrina Ionescu, Keana Delos Santos, Jessica Wilson and Uriah Howard along with sophomore Rachelle Louie.
The Matadors are playing a challenging schedule. "We always try to put together a very competitive schedule. This season we are challenging ourselves at every turn in the non-league," Sopak said.
They won their first tournament of the season in Marin County beating perennial power St. Mary's in the final game.
The team traveled to Hawaii last week for the Nike Iolani Classic, where they lost their first game 63-62 against Konawaena (Hawaii) before beating Shenzhen (China) 74-62 and Roosevelt (Honolulu) 73-38.
Sopak is not as focused on wins and losses. "If we measure our success by wins and losses we might not have a successful season. ... However, if we measure our success on our improvement and where we eventually finish we just might have a highly successful season."
Over in Lafayette, the Acalanes Dons have already played extremely well under second-year varsity coach Chad Wellon. After struggling last year, finishing the season with an 11-15 record, the Dons are using their experience to improve. With a 6-0 start, the Dons are well on their way.
"Last year we had virtually no varsity experience so getting that year of experience under our belt has gone a long way in helping our team's confidence," Wellon said.
Wellon returns key players junior Julia Lyons and sophomores Emma Godfrey and Roni Marrone. Sophomore Brooke Panfili has transferred from Campolindo.
"Everyone on the team is contributing right now. We can go deep into our bench and get a lot of production," Wellon added.
The team's biggest win came in the championship game at the Lincoln Mustang Tournament in San Francisco against Amador Valley (Pleasanton). Lyons was named the Most Valuable Player at that tournament. On Dec. 13, they won an overtime game at Sonoma Valley 48-47 with Godfrey scoring 21.
The Dons host the Lady Don Classic from Dec. 17-20, where they look to extend their win streak.
Art Thoms begins his second season at the helm at Campolindo. Campo went 17-12 a year ago with an 8-4 DFAL record.
"Kaylyn Murray is our lone returning starter and was an Honorable Mention All-League player last season," said Thoms. "We will rely on her to anchor the middle of court at center."
Thoms also expects senior Ashley Dubrasich to play a key role this season. "I have very high expectations for her this season," he explained.
The team has struggled early, losing four of their first five. However, Thoms has seen some significant improvement in their play, including wins in their last two games, one a 62-23 defeat of Drake.
Campolindo will face San Leandro and Oakland Tech before playing in the West Coast Jamboree.
All coaches agreed that the entire DFAL will be a solid league again this year. The DFAL begins on Jan. 6.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA