Rubidoux High School - Eyry Yearbook (Riverside, CA)

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miSi ; . - JJ 1. Kim Dodd passes the boll to a teammate. 2. Girls Varsity Basketball Team: Front row: Jennifer Busika and Shanique Johnson. Bock row: Steph- anie Timor, Heidi Sturm, Allison Wright, Kelly Gil- bert, Kim Dodd, Mary Davis, Sandy Jackson, and Nikki Rewt. 3. After a foul, Allison Wright shoots a free throw. 4. Stephanie Timor shoots the ball through the block to score two points. 5. Sandy Jackson tries to recover the ball. 217

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Roller Coaster Season Bured by the challenge of training o team, Ernie Garcia was drawn into the field of coaching. I thought it would be o challenge but it exceeded all my pre- vious expectations, he exclaimed. Coach Garcia worked hard with the girls, working on the team ' s weakest points by strengthening their offense, cutting down on the number of turnovers during each game and maintaining a consistent level of in- tensity. Maintaining that level was highlighted by the fact that each girl went out on the court and put out her best effort and played to the best of her ability, Coach Garcia then added. A fluctuating season kept the team on a constant up and down scale. Some days were great, while others were bad, remarked Alison Wright. . . . some days were great . . . Even though the girls went through some rough days, there was a great im- provement over last year. Winning five games was proof to everyone that they were advancing in all aspects. One of our finest qualities is our ability to spring back after a losing first half, stated as- sistant coach Larry Porter. . Enthused by the progress made by all the girls, Garcia was astounded by the rarity of having a freshman on the team, Shonique Johnson, who showed so much potential as a defensive player. A lot of potential was found in abun- dance this year. Excelling in offense was Sandy Jackson, Kelly Gilbert ' s de- fensive rebounding was outstanding, while Stephanie Timor maintained an over-all consistency. Coach Garcia was quick to add, tnat everyone tried. 216 We ' re the Kids of America

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Humor: The Best Part. I contemplated the prospect of inter- viewing yet another sport team as I usu- ally do — BORING! The thought of ask- ing, Who are the most valuable players? |ust did not sit right with me; nor did the idea of writing, This year ' s team was ... But I dutifully went to the interview. I entered the cold girl ' s locker room just as the girls ' JV Basketball Team was calling their parents for rides home. I peered through the glass into the coaches ' office. Walking in, I intro- ,, duced myself and ex- plained why I was there. All were ea- ger to answer my questions and cooperate. Fastbreak. That word popped up more times than I was able to write down. When I asked what it meant, Lisa Cooper piped, We go for it! All of the girls expressed their willingness to get physical in a game and I received several mimed versions of their hustling abilities. Finally, I had to ask the inevitable question, What about the coaches? 2 for it The coach, Rene Petersen, was sitting in listening intently to the girls. I was a little apprehensive about asking their feel- ings towards her. Silently hoping that I wouldn ' t put anyone on the spot, I asked. Very quietly Lisa Cooper whis- pered, She ' s the best part of the team. We thank her for our 7-0 season. Be- hind her the rest of the girls nodded in unison. Rene Petersen seemed to have a spe- cial relationship with the team. I asked what was needed to ,y coach them, her re- y ply was refreshing. . . Humor is a big part of coaching, which sent a ripple of laugh- ter through the room. As in all sports interviews, the dreaded, What are the team ' s strongest points? question had to be asked. Strongest points. she added, they ' re quick, good man to man. Coach Petersen attributed this year ' s success to their attitude. With my interview completed, I walked back to C-6 with the feeling that I hod seen true team togetherness. ' A ' 218 We ' re the Kids of America