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The state champion PCC women’s basketball team began the defense of its title over the weekend at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium by winning the Hilton Garden Inn Classic, the annual season-opening tournament.The Lancers began play Friday night, with the championship ring and banner ceremony to celebrate last season’s accomplishments.

Though the four sophomores from last year’s team were not present, including standouts Kinyada Johnson and Easter Faafiti, as well as former assistant coach Greg Smith, the returning players and coaches were recognized and honored.

Also in attendance were several PCC dignitaries, including Vice President of Instruction Jackie Jacobs,Trustee Geoffrey Baum, former PCC President James Kossler, and current college President Lisa Sugimoto.

For Head Coach Joe Peron, it was a nice celebration, but he was eager to start the quest for another title.

“I was just happy that the banner was up and that we could move on,” he said.

After the ceremony the players channeled their emotions into energy for their first game against L.A. Valley College. By halftime the Lancers were up by 20 points by virtue of 18-34 shooting, compared to the Monarchs’ 9-31 first half.

“They were really fired up to play,” said Peron.

Valley tried to make a comeback, outscoring PCC by nine in the second half, but the Lancers fought back and held on to win 76-65.

Sophomore guard Kim Smith, who won the tournament’s most valuable player award, led the team with 21 points. Freshman center Dominique Scott made an impressive debut, scoring 17 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in her first collegiate game.

On Saturday the Lancers barely squeaked past Cypress College, winning 65-62, to secure their spot in the championship game.

“(It was) a very intense basketball game,” said Peron. “We had our ups and downs.The good thing is that we overcame them and won the basketball game.”

In contrast to the game against Cypress, the Lancers established and maintained control against Chaffey College in Sunday’s championship game.

PCC jumped out to an early lead and never fell behind. Though they did not shoot so well in the first half (13 makes on 35 attempts), the Lancers took a 34-16 lead into the locker room thanks largely in part to the Panthers only shooting 25 percent from the floor (7-28).

Chaffey was able to outscore PCC in the second half, but only by one point, and the Lancers easily claimed the tournament trophy.

This is the first time PCC has won the opening tournament in three years.

In addition to Smith winning MVP honors, Scott and another freshman, Anna Shahinian, represented PCC on the all-tournament team.

“I’m very impressed and happy for her and with her,” said Peron of Smith, who averaged over 20 points a game in the tournament. “She did a good job being our captain and our leader on the floor.”

PCC President Sugimoto, who was able to catch parts of the tournament not only on Friday but throughout the entire weekend, said she was happy with what she saw.

“I am proud of the team members not only for the hard-fought win in the tournament, but also the dignity with which the Lady Lancers conducted themselves throughout the tournament,” she said.

Though the defending champs have started off the season 3-0, Coach Peron was not entirely satisfied with what he saw of his young team.

“We have a lot to work on,” he said. “It takes a long time to adjust and adapt to college basketball for these young ladies. It’s just a matter of time and repetition.”

“We’ve already started working on it,” he added.

“It’s just a matter of when it’s going to kick in and become second nature to them.”

Peron said he’s looking to Smith and her experience to lead his team of mostly freshmen.

“She’s been through it,” he said.

In addition to its new banner hanging over the court, the women’s basketball team is also offering something new this year: courtside seats.

The seats, which are being sold in package deals, were Peron’s idea.

“I want parents and fans to be closer to the court,” he said.

As far as he knows, PCC is the only community college in the state to offer them.

“We’re big time here,” he said with a laugh.

Peron is confident that his players will provide the purchasers of those seats as well as other fans with a winning and entertaining season.

“(It will be) another year of great, exciting Lancer basketball,” he said.

PCC’s Kim Smith prepares for a lay-up. (Michael Cheng)

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