Jeremy Balan, Sports Editor

After advancing through the Regional Playoffs, the PCC women’s basketball team was knocked out in the semi-final round of the State Championship Tournament against Foothill College on Saturday.

Before the 67-56 loss to Foothill (33-2) the Lancers (29-6) defeated San Joaquin Delta College (30-7) 53-49 on March 13.

The Lancers dominated both games on the boards, out rebounding opponents by a margin of 106-68. However the two games were PCC’s lowest scores of the season and well below their season scoring average of 80.6 points per game, which was good for third in the state.

The Lancers also shot 36 percent from the field in the two games, bringing their season shooting percentage down to 48 percent, to finish second in the state.

“Our shooting was off,” Head Coach Joe Peron said. “We weren’t adjusting to the arena setup.”

In the Foothill game, the Lancers had a 29-26 lead at halftime, but because point guard Kinyada Johnson was in foul trouble many of their solid reserves began to tire. “[Johnson] got in foul trouble and we had to change our sub patterns,” Peron said. “In the second half they were so tired that they couldn’t get in sync.”

Second team All-State selection Kieisha Phelps led the Lancers in scoring against Foothill and freshman Easter Faafiti had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Foothill went on to face PCC rival Mt. San Antonio, who beat the Lancers twice this year. The Mounties defeated Foothill 65-57 on Sunday to win their third straight State Championship and fourth in five years.

Looking back and considering the tragic loss of sophomore forward Reia Shapiro before the season began, Peron had no complaints about his squad.

To go along with the loss of Shapiro, a pair of Lancers also lost close family relatives mid season and the team had many injuries throughout the season.

“We had to deal with deaths and injuries,” Peron said. “I have never been through a season with so many obstacles.”
Next season, the Lancers only lose four sophomores and three starters, with a core of returners and incoming recruits ready to take their place.

“Our goal is to reload every year,” Peron said. “I had to rebuild this program in my first year and I won’t need to do it again.”
According to Peron, the four sophomores who are leaving (Anna Magganas, Lynette Jacobs, Florence Wilson and Phelps) have been scouted all year and should field multiple scholarship offers.

“They’ll get scholarships,” Peron said. “If they don’t play at the next level it will be because they don’t want to.”
Considering Peron’s recent track record, PCC can expect to be a power next season. “We recruit the same kids that go to [Division I] schools,” Peron said. “I consider our program to be at that level.”

Peron finished the season with a career 291-82 record and is looking forward to getting his milestone three hundredth win early next year. More importantly, Peron is focused on a State Championship.

“We’ve made it to the [State Tournament] five years in a row,” Peron said. “Our time is coming to win a State Championship.”