Lady Tigers gear up for season opener today against Skyview
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:57 AM PST
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| ray rodriguez | Argus observer
Ontario standout Stephanie O’Connor (rear) attempts a head-fake on teammate Kim Boyd while head coach Jon Buck looks on in this Argus Observer file photo taken in January. O’Connor is one of the key pieces in place for the Lady Tigers to advance for a state title run in the 2007-08 season. |
Ontario — In his 19 years as head coach, Jon Buck has racked up a record of 308-142 and had numerous Greater Oregon League titles.
He has yet to taste the champagne out of the state championship glass, however.
The 2007-08 season could be the year.
The Lady Tigers return two starters from a season ago as the roster is rebuilt with youngsters and some solid contributors from last year’s squad.
Gone are mainstays Stephanie Babij, Kristin Saito, Ashlee Captein and Tara O’ Connor, so most of the leadership and scoring will come from seniors Stephanie O’Connor (5-feet-10 inches) and Alla Dzhidzhiyeshvili (5-7).
The speedy Dzhidzhiyeshvili averaged 10.5 points, 4.4 steals and three rebounds a game, while O’Connor, the team’s defensive stopper, averaged 6.5 points, four rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.2 assists per game.
“These two will carry us to begin with, but we need others to make improvements for us to be a state title contender,” Buck said.
If improvement is what we want, the coach can look no further than Kim Boyd (5-6), Chris Babij (5-11) and Meghan Schram (5-11), who move into full-time roles.
Seniors Jaylene Bruner (5-9) and Megan Kee (5-5) will be counted on for significant minutes along with Mimi Kameshige (5-4), Sonia Contreras (5-4), Crystal Lopez (5-4) and Jenny Yano (5-8).
“Megan Kee is a great hustler and will be prepared to play anywhere for us,” Buck said. “Sonia Contreras, Mimi Kameshige and Crystal Lopez will be looking to help us at the guard position. Jaylene Bruner, and possibly freshman Jenny Yano, will be looking to help at the post position.”
Sophomore Alli Yano (5-7) and freshmen Crista Strong (5-0) and Ali Babij (5-9) look to garner a year of big-game experience for the Tigers.
On defense, the Tigers look to take advantage of their speed to cause turnovers and get some fast break points.
“We would like to keep the pressure on defensively and hopefully our defense will help create some of our offense,” Buck said. “Offensively we also need to be able to score tough baskets in the halfcourt game. Hopefully, as the season progresses, we will become more proficient in this area.”
A season ago, the defense allowed 38 points a game, while the offense put up 53 a game in a season that ended with a 49-41 defeat at the hands of Stayton in second round state playoff action. The defending Greater Oregon League champs finished with an undefeated 9-0 record and with a 21-4 overall record.
The big three in La Grande, Baker and Ontario all lost key seniors from a year ago, so the league is up in the air, according to Buck.
“Our league is wide open as all the teams lost key seniors,” the veteran coach said. “We probably have two of the best returning in Alla Dzhidzhiyeshvili and Stephanie O’Connor, but La Grande had some good sophomores last year and Baker will return some excellent players as well.”
With a few veterans, some fresh faces and a top notch coach, the Tigers definitely won’t sneak up an anybody as they make an attempt at the ever-elusive first place crown.
“We have never won a state title, but that is what we will be aiming for again,” Buck said. “But most important is to keep improving. If we do that, we know we’ve done our best.”
