The SRJC women’s basketball team is proving they are more than just the 2011 state champions: they are a team primed for another title.

Currently ranked 11th in the state, the Bear Cubs have an overall record of 15-6 with a 6-1 record in the Big 8 conference and are hungry for victory each time they step on the court.

Head coach and CCCAA Co-Coach of the Year Lacey Campbell has assembled a young but talented squad led by a handful of key returning sophomores. Returning All-State team reserve guard Jen Tsurumoto is leading the charge, getting to the line consistently, making a conference best 94 free throws while averaging 14.6 points per game, second best in the conference.

2011 women’s All-State Tournament Team swing woman, Ashley Morgan, has been a hard-nosed rebounder, crashing the boards ferociously while bringing stability to the team. Guard Jenna Reed, a team leader and a deadly threat on offense, makes big shots from beyond the arc.

“Jen, Ash and Jenna Reed the three sophomore guards are definitely our leaders and the ones who are trying to show the younger players how to play at this level, because it’s definitely different from what they’re used to,” Campbell said.

Tsurumoto and Morgan are team captains along with freshman guard and former Rancho Cotati High player Holly Cramer. Cramer has been banged up during part of conference play, missing some playing time, but Campbell is looking forward to her return.

“We’re hopefully getting Holly back this week, we need her to be healthy for the second half of conference,” Campbell said.
The Big 8 conference has always been one of the most competitive conferences in the state. Cosumnes River College (7-0) and Sierra College (5-2). are challenging the Bear Cubs for the conference championship.

“Cosumnes has some good kids, some hard workers and a lot of sophomores,” Campbell said.

In Sacramento, the Bear Cubs had their only conference loss this season, losing 60-59 in a tight game to the Cosumnes River Hawks.

“We had a bad loss the other night against Cosumnes River, but we’re definitely going to redeem ourselves when they come back here because it’s a loss that we definitely should have won,” Tsurumoto said. “We think we will be on top, but they’re our biggest competitor right now.”