Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

Panthers' season ends with loss

The Pacheco girls basketball team finished its season Tuesday with a 59-18 loss to Patterson that left the Panthers winless in league (6-20 overall) and gave the Tigers a perfect 12-0 Western Athletic Conference season.

But Panthers coach Michael Perkins keeps in mind that the season was a step forward after the program debuted last year with a one-win campaign.

"This year was a step forward from last year, hopefully, as far as the organization of things and some things structurally as far as what we're trying to do," Perkins said. "And next year we want to clean up the fundamental aspect within the structure and hopefully have a little more success."

Pacheco hung with the league champs for about 5 minutes, but then Patterson was off and running, with Shealyn Craven leading all scorers with 16 points. Pacheco point guard Samantha Rodriguez, a sophomore, led Pacheco with 9.

"Hopefully the girls all commit in the offseason and are willing to put the work in," Perkins said. "Just maturing a year from sophomore to junior, junior to senior year or whatever it might be, doesn't automatically make you better.

"I wish there was a magic pill you could take and you know, we could all take the offseason off and go rest in Hawaii. That would be awesome. But unfortunately it doesn't work that way."

Despite the team's frustration this year, there was improvement but the Panthers weren't able to put together a full game in league play. With only two seniors -- Laura Leon and Priscilla Ramirez -- leaving, the Panthers are set up to continue their growth.

"It's all going to be hard work in the gym, and that's where the improvement comes," Perkins said. "If they're willing to come into the gym and work hard, then maybe we'll see that improvement and then maybe things will take another step forward."