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The PCC women’s basketball team wraps up the regular season and makes its entry into the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Friday against Santa Barbara Community College.The Lancers enter the playoffs after a dominating 91-49 win against an outmatched and undermanned L.A. Harbor (9-18). The Lancers dominated Harbor on the boards, out-rebounding the Seahawks 61-30.

Six Lancer players finished scoring in double figures, led by Spring Roberson’s 18 points and 13 rebounds.

“It’s been a tough season with a lot of challenges. Before the season started one of our players died, and during the season a player’s father died,” said Head Coach Joe Peron.

“I’m happy for the team, all 11 girls have been healthy emotionally and mentally and the season has been good. I’m still not completely satisfied because we still have three more weeks to play this season,” Peron added.

The Lancers are heading into the playoffs at 26-5. Friday’s game against Santa Barbara will put the Lancers against a hot Vaquero team that has won 9 of their last 12 games, with an overall record of 17-14.

PCC is ranked third in Southern California has won 8 of their last 10 games, with their two losses coming at the hands of rival Mt. San Antonio. The Lancers will be making their fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs.

Some of the strengths of the team that Peron mentioned were rebounding, inside game, fast-breaks, shooting and the guards getting to the paint.

“What we still might need to work on is playing great defense for 40 minutes straight,” said Peron.

Some of the notable players on the team are center Kiesha Phelps, who made second team All-State and first team All-Conference teams, as well as forward Easter Faafiti who was selected California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Student-Athlete of the Month for January.

Phelps is leading the team in scoring with at 15.1 per game, and in rebounding at 9.0 per game. She has also been solid on the defensive end of the floor averaging 2.2 blocks and 1.8 steals per game.

Faafiti, a 5’10 Samoan-American who is hearing impaired was recently awarded second team All-State honors, as well as first team All-Conference honors. She is averaging 12.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Six other players were also selected to first and second team All-Conference teams, giving the team a total of 8 players selected to All-South Coast Conference (SCC) Teams.

Peron has been able to maintain a women’s basketball team despite inadequate facilities.

“In ’97, ’98 and ’99 there were practically no facilities and nothing to work with for the sports coaches. But Joe has always been able to keep his teams strong. That’s the thing about Joe, I’ve always admired him even when he was faced with difficult circumstances,” said former football head coach Tom Maher.

Despite these problems, Peron has had great success, winning six SCC Championships, with multiple trips to Regional and State Championship Tournaments.

The Lancers will be starting their first playoff game against Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. Friday in the Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.

“I’d love for everybody, the student body, faculty and staff to come and support us Friday night. I’d like to thank the pep band, and Tad Carpenter for supporting us,” said Peron.

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