Tip-Off to a thrilling new season: Lady Reds gear up for basketball action

Cecilia Rivera dribbles the ball down court to set up offense.

ghs girls bball 12-11 1 — Cecilia Rivera dribbles the ball down court to set up offense.

As the 2024 Girls' Basketball season gets underway, Roberto Palomino will be gearing up for his second season as the varsity head coach.

This year coach Palomino says "Our strength is going to be the number of girls that are on the team this year, and the talent that we have."

Last year the Reds were a very young team that consisted of only 10 players and played big teams during preseason and during closer games they would sell themselves short. This year they had about 25 girls try out for varsity so the numbers approved which is motivating for the team. "I'm excited for the new season with a new set of players" Palomino states.

Overall the Lady Reds went 6-11, and 4-8 in the southern league earning 5th place. Palomino is looking forward to seeing two returning players and how much they have improved since last season. One of them was Senior Shandel Aguilera who won the league last year, and was the only one who was nominated. She led the league in steals and assists, and her presence was very noticeable every time she stepped on the court.

Another player is Junior Brooklyn Jackson, she has the chance to be the dominating center of the league this year. "I have six returning sophomores who are now juniors and they will all contribute to having a good season" Palomino adds. The Reds played their first game which was the foundation game against Hilmar, losing 59-2.

Palomino sees the Reds as being the other team's underdogs and taking most of them by surprise. They are expected to be very competitive in different categories. "One heart, one beat, one team, one game at a time" is the motto that Coach Palomino will be living by this season.

Roster:

Kylie Palomino, Gwendolyn Barcelos, Ashley Mendoza, Juliana Martinez, Shandel Aguilera, Natalie Ventura, Alina Camacho, Adamaris Sierra, Lyneah Esparza, Melissa Salazar, Brooklyn Jackson, Madeline Alves, Olivia Rocha

SCHEDULE (all games at 7:00 pm)

12/5-12/7 @ Stockton Christian Tournament

12/11 @ Buhach Colony

12/12 @ Turlock Christian 6:00 pm

1/3 vs Mariposa

1/7 @ Stone Ridge 5:30 pm

1/9 BYE

1/14 @ Waterford

1/16 @ Delhi

1/21 @ Denair

1/23 vs Le Grand

1/28 vs Stone Ridge 5:30 pm