Central Valley High School's varsity girls basketball program will try to end several streaks this season.
The Hawks have never won a league title, qualified for the playoffs or beaten crosstown rival Ceres High during their five years of existence.
"We'd like to make history," Central Valley head coach Jesse Padilla said. "The talent's there."
Alyssa Long (W/PW, Sr.), Myra Naranjo (G/W, Sr.), Vivien Fermil (G/PG, Jr.), Lizette Covarrubias (G/W, Sr.) and Eva Noorzai (PF/W, Sr.) return from last year's team, which posted a 7-20 overall record and finished in seventh place in the Valley Oak League standings (4-12).
Newcomers Diana Carmona (PG/G, Jr.), Penny Chanthavong (G/W, Jr.), Amanda Wheeler (G/W, Jr.), Cynthia Andrade (W/PF, Jr.), Melinda Camarillo (PW, Jr.) and Geena Wade (C, Sr.) helped lead Central Valley's frosh-soph girls squad to a 12-4 record in conference play a season ago.
"The last couple of years, I've had one good guard or post player," Padilla said. "This year, we're pretty balanced. Even when I go to my bench."
Central Valley had a combined record of 21-81 from 2006-10.
The Hawks could surpass their win total for the previous four seasons this year.
Central Valley, formerly of the Valley Oak League, will compete in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Hawks' 10-game schedule includes games against Ceres High, Central Catholic, Livingston, Patterson and Los Banos.
Central Valley did the expected in beating first-year Lathrop twice in VOL play last season. Central Valley also knocked off playoff participants Manteca and Sonora.
The Hawks squandered leads of 17 and 14 points in losses to Oakdale and Weston Ranch.
Oakdale qualified for the postseason.
"Playing in the VOL the last few years benefitted us," Padilla said. "We should win in the WAC."
Will Central Valley finally best Ceres High?
The Hawks are winless against the Bulldogs in eight meetings.
"We have a shot at beating them," Padilla said. "We have to play a complete game from start to finish."
Central Valley hopes to experience a season of firsts in 2010-11.
"That's the plan," Padilla said. "We'll be prepared."
The Hawks have never won a league title, qualified for the playoffs or beaten crosstown rival Ceres High during their five years of existence.
"We'd like to make history," Central Valley head coach Jesse Padilla said. "The talent's there."
Alyssa Long (W/PW, Sr.), Myra Naranjo (G/W, Sr.), Vivien Fermil (G/PG, Jr.), Lizette Covarrubias (G/W, Sr.) and Eva Noorzai (PF/W, Sr.) return from last year's team, which posted a 7-20 overall record and finished in seventh place in the Valley Oak League standings (4-12).
Newcomers Diana Carmona (PG/G, Jr.), Penny Chanthavong (G/W, Jr.), Amanda Wheeler (G/W, Jr.), Cynthia Andrade (W/PF, Jr.), Melinda Camarillo (PW, Jr.) and Geena Wade (C, Sr.) helped lead Central Valley's frosh-soph girls squad to a 12-4 record in conference play a season ago.
"The last couple of years, I've had one good guard or post player," Padilla said. "This year, we're pretty balanced. Even when I go to my bench."
Central Valley had a combined record of 21-81 from 2006-10.
The Hawks could surpass their win total for the previous four seasons this year.
Central Valley, formerly of the Valley Oak League, will compete in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Hawks' 10-game schedule includes games against Ceres High, Central Catholic, Livingston, Patterson and Los Banos.
Central Valley did the expected in beating first-year Lathrop twice in VOL play last season. Central Valley also knocked off playoff participants Manteca and Sonora.
The Hawks squandered leads of 17 and 14 points in losses to Oakdale and Weston Ranch.
Oakdale qualified for the postseason.
"Playing in the VOL the last few years benefitted us," Padilla said. "We should win in the WAC."
Will Central Valley finally best Ceres High?
The Hawks are winless against the Bulldogs in eight meetings.
"We have a shot at beating them," Padilla said. "We have to play a complete game from start to finish."
Central Valley hopes to experience a season of firsts in 2010-11.
"That's the plan," Padilla said. "We'll be prepared."
