Community college women’s basketball: Pirates find chemistry in

95-38 win

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - There were several looks of disbelief included in the

Orange Coast College women’s basketball team’s 95-38 nonconference

victory over visiting Southwestern Wednesday.

An OCC 52-14 halftime lead?

The Pirates (4-1) shot 23 of 45 (51%) from the field in the first

half?

Coast caused 32 turnovers, 22 in the first half?

The Pirates had five players in double figures and one with nine

points, 12 different players scored, and each player had two or more shot

attempts?

In the first half, Coast actually had six more field goals (23) than

Southwestern had field-goal attempts, 17?

Yet, perhaps, the biggest cause for shock came from a statement made

by OCC Coach Mike Thornton.

“We’re still going to get better,” he said. “We have a lot to

improve.”

The Pirates started the game with a 10-0 run and opened the second

half with a 13-0 spurt, the latter capped by a Kyra Melville shot in the

paint for a 65-14 lead. This, among other statistics, impressed Thornton.

“Our team chemistry is really good,” Thornton said. “We’re really

balanced and we’re getting a lot of people involved. We’re a month ahead

of schedule in terms of how I thought we would be playing at this point.”

Thornton also said his team features depth and his main concern in the

early part of the season is to develop team chemistry, which the Pirates

displayed against the Jaguars.

OCC freshman point guard Nancy Hatsushi directed the offense and also

guided the defensive charge when the Pirates opened the game with a

full-court press.

Hatsushi, a Costa Mesa High product, recorded a game-high six steals,

scored nine points and committed no turnovers.

“I love it here,” Hatsushi said with a smile. “Our bench -- everyone

can play. It’s exciting.”

OCC freshman guard Lindsay Galasso also had zero turnovers and was one

of three players, including Candice Quiroz and Melville, to score 11

points. The freshmen tandem of center Lauren Murray and guard Liz Mendoza

led the Pirates with a game-high 13 points each and sparked the

first-half scoring barrage.

Charlenda Van Buren, a freshman forward who scored six points, grabbed

a OCC-high seven rebounds.

“We’ve been showing that we’re making that extra pass,” Thornton said.

“We seem to get along with each another.”

The Jaguars (0-4) entered the game missing players. Some are injured

and two are on the women’s volleyball team, which is in the postseason.

Thornton said Southwestern will be an improved team when it comes to

OCC’s tournament, the Coast Christmas Classic, Dec. 14-16.

Taniesha Lawson and Gail Montgliomont led Southwestern with eight

points each and Ambrizette Mulkey collected seven rebounds.

The Pirates resume action Saturday at 2 p.m. at Victor Valley.

Thornton said he expects another easy victory, but OCC will have a tough

time when it hosts Santa Barbara, Tuesday at 4:30.