SLIPPED AWAY: Basketball teams exit playoff early

BY DAN VEREL
Editor

Ike Count drives to the hoop in the playoffs PHOTO BY NATHAN WEYLAND / GUARDSMAN

March madness for the Rams turned out to be just that: maddening.

Basketball season at City College came to an abrupt end in early March, as the women suffered a first round exit and the men failed to get past the second round for the second straight year.

The women’s loss came at the hands of 9th ranked Reedley, 61-55. Heading into the playoffs, the Rams were the 8th ranked team in Northern California with a 20-8 record, but the young squad’s inexperience proved to be the deciding factor.

Head coach Jamie Wong said the Reedley team frustrated the Rams and forced them into bad shots. 

“We had a hard time scoring. Their defense was really aggressive,” Wong said. “We were rushing a lot of shots and needless to say, we couldn’t score.”

Rams center Ramona Vae was held to just six points after averaging 13.5 points per game through the regular season.

“When you get to the playoffs, you have to have your A-game. Reedley knew that,” Wong said.

If there is any solace to be had for the Rams, Reedley went on to upset top-ranked Santa Rosa on their home court in a one-point victory. 

Nia Reate Galarza and Pernisha Battle led the Rams with 15 points each, with Battle collecting 12 rebounds.

The men’s trip to San Diego was also derailed, as 2nd ranked San Joaquin Delta dashed the Rams’ hopes with a 72-68 win in Stockton. In the first round, the Rams held on to a one point win against West Hills.

In the second round, the Rams looked as if they would surpass last season’s mark and vie for the state title. But their defense faltered in the second half and Delta ran away with the win.

“Their guys blew by us,” coach Justin Labagh said. “I wasn’t pleased with our defensive performance.”

Despite the defensive collapse, the Rams played well and led by as many as five points with 10 minutes remaining.

“Our game plan was working, but we missed a couple of assignments. You can’t do that against a team that lost one game all year,” Labagh said.

Despite the early departure, the Rams managed to salvage their season, which started at 1-4. The Rams turned it around, finishing with a 19-10 record and an 18th state rank.

Juma Kamara led the way for the Rams with 15 points, followed by Alec Von Tellrop’s 13 points.

SCOREBOARD

Woman's Tennis

The Rams have rolled through competition and hold a record of 8-1. They are in second place in the Coast Conference behind DeAnza. The Rams will face DeAnza on Thursday and if they win, they will be tied for first heading into the conference tournament, which starts April 14. In their last match, the Rams beat Mission 6-3. Top performers include Annika Vigagh in singles play. She is undefeated despite missing two matches. In doubles, Christina Cubrillo and Amelia Tetteron have paced the way for the Rams.
- Dan Verel



Baseball

Derrick Reynolds scored two runs, and Brian Berger hit a go ahead run in the fifth inning to lead the Rams to a 3-1 victory over San Mateo. It was their second straight victory after a dismal seven game losing streak. Freshman pitcher Tyler Axelrod earned a save in both of the recent victories. Two days earlier, Derek Luque and Even Kruger each hit home runs in the 6-5 win over Mission College. The recent victories brought the Rams’ record up to
5-10. - Jon Gunton

Track and Field

The freshmen came out strong at the Western Valley invitational, grabbing first place in several individual events. Gus Gibbs dominated the 1500-meter dash with a time of 4:06.24, grabbing first place overall. Marcus Williams recorded an impressive time in the Men’s 110m HH, finishing in 16.51. City College dominated the 4x400 meter relay when both the men and women finished first in the event. The Rams placed first at the Beaver Relays two weeks earlier.
- Jon Gunton

Softball

The Rams continue to struggle mid-way through a rainplagued season. Eight games have been cancelled or postponed due to weather, but it hasn’t helped. As of April 1, the Rams hold an abysmal record of 2-13. The latest loss came against DeAnza, 4-0. Freshman Sidney McIver pitched a complete game, recording an impressive eight strikeouts, four of which were with the bases loaded. But it was not enough to overcome two key outfield errors. Despite the poor record, the Rams infield played well, nearly completing a triple play against DeAnza.
- Dan Verel

HIGH EXPECTATIONS: No sophomore slump for second-year basketball coach Justin Labagh

BY DAN VEREL
Editor

Coach Justin Labagh at a recent practice, says he enjoys teaching his players about the game. PHOTOS BY MYRA RAYKOVA / GUARDSMAN

The athletic department is arguably among the best programs in the state, with a strong winning tradition. But lately, the men’s basketball team has had trouble keeping pace. 
Head coach Justin Labagh aims to change that, using knowledge he learned from NCAA icon Bobby Knight.

After graduating from CAL, Labagh packed his bags for Texas Tech, where he was given an opportunity to sit in with coach Knight and absorb as much as possible.

“It was like an internship. I didn’t miss a second.  From the locker room to watching film, to just sitting in the stands, I watched it all,” Labagh said. “I got to watch the best teacher of a single subject. I remember sitting there and saying to myself: ‘Of course, that’s how you do it.’”

While Labagh’s style is noticeably different, he displays a level of intensity similar to the prolific coach.

“I always had some intensity as a player,” he said, eyes widening. “I was really intense. You have to be.”

At 27, the Sunset native is one of the youngest coaches at City College, but Labagh has proven he can hold his own.

“We had high expectations for Justin. He understood that,” said Men’s Athletic Director George Rush. “He’s the youngest head coach of a major sport I can remember, but it has less to do with his age than it does with relating to his players and getting them to do what he says,” Rush said.

Labagh’s success has not been without drama.

After only two seasons, he has had to contend with a plethora of problems from individual players. This season alone, Labagh cut six players from the squad.

As a coach, Labagh said it was difficult to see young kids removed from the program. “I’m in a position here at a junior college where this is the last chance for kids at this level.”

Labagh wanted to coach from an early age. He caught the coaching bug while his father coached him in grammar school.

“I really like teaching basketball and deciding what and how we’re going to do things,” he said. “At the end of the day, I can say I did it my way.”

His way seems to be working. In his two seasons, the Rams have made it to the second round of the playoffs each year. Based on results thus far, Labagh should be able to return the Rams to their glory days.

e-mail: sports@theguardsman.com

TEAM STRUCK BY TRAGEDY

BY DAN VEREL
Editor

Tragedy struck the athletic department when City College student De’Antoine West, 19, of Bayview, was killed in a car accident in Daly City on Thursday, March 17.

West was a freshman wide receiver for the Rams, who was looking forward to playing his first season with the Rams in the fall season.

West’s brother, Warner, 20, also a wide receiver for the Rams, was in the car and survived the accident.

De’Antoine and Warner West were driving home on Skyline Boulevard when another car collided with theirs, resulting in the deaths of both West and the female driver of the other vehicle.

“The team has been very supportive. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be feeling as well as I am, not that I’m doing really well,” said Warner West.

Rams head coach George Rush spoke somberly of West’s untimely death.

“He was a real sweet guy, you know … quiet and hard working. He was doing everything he was supposed to be doing,” Rush said.

“At 19, you don’t think this is possible,” Rush said.

“You see him on Friday and say ‘See you on Monday’ and this happens. He was just trying to do good things for himself.”

“Out of tragedy, good things can come,” said Rush, seeking some solace while mourning the loss. “I saw inherit goodness in the reaction of guys on the team. De’Antoine can be a symbol of how we came together.”

e-mail: sports@theguardsman.com

TITLE IX

BY MILES HARWELL
Staff Writer

PHOTO BY NATHAN WEYLAND / GUARDSMAN

As part of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX was passed to ensure equal opportunity for women to participate in sports and other activities offered by educational institutions.

“It has had an extremely positive impact on all athletes,” said Women’s Athletic Director Dan Hayes. “Demands have been made for equality, and our administration has responded.”

Aside from education, Title IX has helped create a better understanding of how sexual stereotypes can limit educational opportunities, and has also helped decrease dropout rates of women in college by 30 percent in the early 1990’s. Women today earn more than half of the degrees earned by college graduates as a result of Title IX.

The number of women participating in sports has increased dramatically, from fewer than 300,000 in 1972, to 2.4 million currently.

The media and many sports fans have begun to pay close attention to the Women’s NCAA tournament, and two professional women’s basketball leagues have been formed due to the passing of Title IX. Besides basketball, women today participate in sports they have not traditionally been involved in such as lacrosse, rugby, wrestling and soccer.

“As a father of a daughter, I support Title IX and I’m excited about the positive changes for women’s sports,” Hayes said, adding that the athletic program continues to make strides in creating a successful atmosphere.

To see Title IX in action, compare the number of men’s sports offered in the spring semester with the number of women’s sports. Women are offered two more sports than men: badminton and soccer.

Doug Owyang, who coaches women’s track and sprinting for men and women, noted soccer and judo are new sports offered to women athletes.

Title IX also gives women athletes more opportunities for scholarships. “It means more money for women’s sports,” Owyang said. At the time of its passage, only 15 total scholarships had been given to women athletes. Today, female athletes earn more than one-third of all scholarship money given to collegiate athletes, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

“More funding makes it easier to fill spots on the team,” Owyang said. “Women are given more chances to compete because of this.”

Lizette Estrada, who is currently trying out for the women’s soccer team, said the impact of Title IX is motivation. “Knowing there are more teams for women makes me want to come to school just to try out.”

e-mail: mharwell@theguardsman.com