Rams eye rematch with Foothill after dismantling Las Positas

By Aaron TurnerContributing Writer

Although  some eyes may have been looking forward to the Jan. 28 showdown against  Foothill College, the City College women’s basketball team first had to  take care of business at home against the Coast Conference’s last place  squad, the Las Positas Hawks.

Freshman  point guard Hallie Meneses led the way for the Rams with 13 points,  while forwards Shawnte Taylor and Samantha Hunkin added 12 and 10  respectively, and City College rolled to a 70-37 blowout Jan. 21 at the  Wellness Center.

For  the Rams (18-5, 5-1), it was a simply a mismatch on the court, both in  size and execution.  Never trailing in the game, at one point they led  by 37 points.

Las Positas’ lone bright spot came from the contributions of freshman guard Taylor Borba, who led all scorers with 16 points.

City  College jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, holding the  Hawks to only 16 first half points and forcing over 20 turnovers.

After the game, Rams head coach Jamie Hayes said she was glad her team didn’t fall victim to complacency.

“Obviously,  that’s something that is always a concern,” Hayes said. “We set some  goals tonight, things we want to continue to be consistent with, so that  was hopefully part of what we solved tonight.”

This  marked the fifth straight double-digit victory for the Rams as they  remain a half game behind first place Foothill in the Coast Conference  North.

“Coach  expected us to go out strong and play how we always play,” sophomore  forward Tierney Jones said. “We knew what to expect, and did what we  needed to do.”

Hayes  and company will now have until Jan. 28 to prepare for league rival  Foothill, a team that has already beat them twice this season. Both of  those losses were decided by a combined nine points, the most recent  being a conference loss at Foothill on Jan. 5.

With  a win Jan. 28, the Rams can force a tie atop the Coast Conference,  before being able to finish the season with a favorable schedule for  their last four games.

Foothill  meanwhile will face Chabot, Skyline, and College of San Mateo at home  for three of their last five games of the season. Coming into the Jan.  28 matchup, The Owls have won 15 straight games, dating back to the  beginning of December.

Jones summed up the Rams’ mindset as they prepare to renew their conference rivalry.

“We’ve had the whole week to practice,” she said. “And we’re just really looking forward to beating them.”