The Collegian

Issue date: 11/9/05 Section: Sports

The Lady Mustangs galloped past the College of the Sequoias Monday, Nov. 7.

If one were to do a case study on success being contagious, perhaps a good place to start would be the Delta College basketball program.

The offices for women's head coach Gina Johnson and men's head coach Brian Katz are separated by only a few short feet, and for the past few years the two teams have shadowed and mirrored each other, in the process gobbling up conference championships and state bids. Cross-pollination anyone?

As the defending Bay Valley Conference champions, the Lady Mustangs will have to deal with that precarious balance at the top of the hill and the unease of expectations. With a number-one ranking in the Bay Area, and an overall number-two ranking in the state, the Lady Mustangs know that all eyes will be trained on them.

The Mustangs will have plenty of ammunition heading into the 2005-06 year. The Mustangs' player roster was able to withstand the often-volatile junior college off-season and emerge with its two main cogs from last year, forward Jennifer Layton (16 ppg.) and point guard Sammy Jew( 9 ppg.).

The team knows that the burden of proof rests on them.

Seasons are not won or lost between the margins of pre-season polls.

"We take it [pre-season ranking] as a compliment," said Layton, "but we know that we have to back it up, because everyone will be gunning for us."

"To me, it's just something that is on a piece of paper. What really matters is what happens on the court," said Jew.

They will go about that justification process with not only their two leading scores in tow, but a supporting cast that will include returning sophomores Deidra Brown and Rachel Ottovich. Joining them will be freshmen Ashley Kitchen, Necolia Simmons, and Jazz Herrera, while transfer student Serena Hubbard (Humboldt) will be added to the mix.

Wedged somewhere between confidence and cockiness is the swagger of the Lady Mustangs.

"This year we have a better squad," said Layton flatly. "We are more well-rounded and deeper. I am pretty confident we will make it back to the state tournament."

Johnson is investing in the bubbling optimism of her star player and shares in her enthusiasm.

"Fundamentally we may not be as strong as last year, but this team is really aggressive; I almost have to get them to focus on not hurting each other because they play so hard. Last year we were a little better defensively, but this team is much more fluid on offense. I am very excited about this team," said Johnson.

With a team brimming with talent and confidence, there is the concern that the team doesn't crumble under the weight of ego and illusions of grandeur. That mindset is something that Johnson hopes to sidestep.

"It's tempting to think about the state tournament, but we really need to put the short-term goals first and take every game at a time. In short-term goals, I want them to play confidently, but not to get ahead of themselves," said Johnson.

There often is that inevitable rough patch when it comes to mixing and matching new pieces. That said, teams of destiny are able to grasp the fact that there is no time like the present; talent usually wins out in the end.

"It's all about the little things, building chemistry and communicating with one another," said Jew. "Everything else should take care of itself."

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