The San Jose City College women’s basketball team have landed second place in the Coast-South Division Conference (18-10, 10-2). Compiled of seven sophomores and five freshmen, SJCC will be saying goodbye to all seven graduating Lady Jags this spring.

“The biggest thing about this group, is that academically, they are absolutely phenomenal. All seven of them will go on to a 4-year as far as academically,” said head coach Terri Oberg.

At the start of every season, Oberg mentioned two goals that make the list each year “always be successful in the classroom (and obtain a) team gpa of 3.0 or better.” This season, the sophomores have achieved this with an overall gpa of 3.1.

Leonie Solia, Sharron Andrews, Angela Silveira, and
Rosa Tirado, all graduating sophomores, have a gpa of 3.4 or better in their two years at San Jose City.

“I think that says a lot about those kids and the leadership to the freshman as far as how important it is to be well-round in the classroom and on the court,” said Oberg.

In addition to achieving in the classroom, “(Our friendships) definitely go beyond the basketball court. I definitely consider our team like a family,” said Andrews, point guard.

Andrews who came from Hayward High School, was the '09-'10 Lady Jags leading scorer averaging 10.6 per game, leading stealer averaging 4.9 per game, and leading the team in assists averaging 4.3 per game.

“Mainly, I’ve developed as a point guard, not just a basketball player. Before I came here I just considered myself as a basketball player and more as an individual player,” said Andrews. "But now I think more team basketball instead of more for myself like how to make things happen for the team and also a better defensive player too.”

The coaching staff has had “a huge impact” on sophomore guard Torey Walker. “I use to be a very lazy player but now I’m a hustle player.”

Some of the seven are ready to play at a higher level. “For the most part we have some kids that can play the next level.” But for “some of them this is going to be their last year,” said Oberg.

Walker stated she has received a few offers. “The coaching, all the running, and all the training we do in preseason, I think has prepared me for the next two years.”

“They are serious student athletics and that’s the important part more then individuality of each kid,” said Oberg. “We are really proud, it’s not just only their hard work ethic on the court but in the classroom.”

The Lady Jags lost the Coast-South Division Conference Champion title to Ohlone College (18-8, 12-0), the only conference team they lost to this season. They have not been able to win against Ohlone since Jan. 25 in a 68-65 win in the '05-'06 season.

SJCC finished the season offensively averaging 65.5 points. Though Andrews led the team, Walker came shy behind Andrews averaging 10.4 points per game. Walker also achieved second place in SJCC history with a free throw percentage of 78%. The record of 83% is held by Kim Yanda '98-'99.

Defensively the Lady Jags allowed their opponents to averaged 56 points, the lowest points allowed in conference.

Freshman Mercedes Pardo, led the team in rebounds averaging 7.1 per game and tied with Freshman Lauren Adamek in blocks, both averaging 1 per game.

Over the weekend the Lady Jags traveled to Oakland, Calif.to play in the 2010 CCCAA Women’s Basketball NorCal semi-final playoff round on Friday Feb. 26 against No. 4 seed and No. 19 in state Laney College (23-5, 15-1), who ended regular season on a 18-game winning-steak.

Results were not available at time of press.