The Live Oak girls basketball team is looking to improve on last
season’s 5-18 overall record and 2-8 record in the Tri County
Athletic League and have a shot at the Central Coast Section
playoffs.
Morgan Hill – The Live Oak girls basketball team is looking to improve on last season’s 5-18 overall record and 2-8 record in the Tri County Athletic League and have a shot at the Central Coast Section playoffs. Having lost only two players to graduation last spring, the Acorns are in a good position to compete.
The Acorns lost Amanda Lytle, who is now playing at Cabrillo College, and Christina Rodriguez, who is playing for the Gavilan Rams. Lytle, a 5-foot-3 point guard, was a three-year starter at Live Oak and recorded 40 assists and 30 steals last season.
With Lytle’s departure, Live Oak lacks depth at the point guard position and will be looking for someone to step up.
Live Oak is in good shape with returning players Megan Gulla, Anna Curley and Mattie Borges on the court.
Gulla, a 5-foot-8 junior, lead the Acorns in points scored, 3-pointers made and blocked shots last season. At the guard position, Gulla scored 173 points, sunk 20 3-pointers and blocked 26 shots.
“Megan is one of our better shooters,” said Live Oak’s coach Jeff Perkins. “She knows the game of basketball.”
Curley, also at the guard position, is one of the Acorns’ team leaders and one of the better defensive players on the team. Curley lead Live Oak with 47 steals and 45 assists last season.
“She’s our team leader, one of the captains,” said Perkins. “She is an all-around good player with a decent shot.”
Rounding out the top returners is post player Mattie Borges. The 5-foot-10 senior lead the Acorns with 153 rebounds last season.
“Mattie has a strong inside game and is our best 3-point shooter,” explained Perkins.
The Acorns also have senior Afshawn Chakamian returning to the post position as soon as she is healed from a knee injury. At 6-foot, Chakamian is one of Live Oak’s key players.
“Hopefully Afshawn can come back for league, but we don’t want to rush her,” said Perkins.
With Chakamian out for an unknown amount of time, the Acorns biggest challenge will be their lack of height on the court in the tough TCAL. Borges along with Camille Carlos and Katie Armstrong will need to step up in the post to make up for the loss.
“We want to continue to get better as a team,” said Perkins. “We are shooting for the CCS playoffs, which we haven’t done in a few years. We’re going to have to play really strong defense and have solid shooting.”
The Acorns lost their first matchup, 40-39, in a close contest with Willow Glen two weeks ago. Their second game against Monta Vista last Saturday was postponed due to problems with the Monta Vista gym.
Live Oak heads to Mt. Pleasant on Wednesday to compete in the Mt. Pleasant Tournament.
ACORNS girls team
2004-2005 Result
5-18 overall, 2-8 TCAL
Key Returners
Anna Curley, Sr, Guard
Mattie Borges, Sr, Post
Megan Gulla, Jr, Guard
Key Losses
Amanda Lytle Point Guard
Christina Rodriguez Center
Outlook:
The Acorns are looking to have a successful season that culminates in a CCS playoff opportunity. Live Oak is in good shape returning Megan Gulla, who lead the team in scoring, 3-pointers and blocked shots last season, and Anna Curley, who lead the team in assists and steals last season. Mattie Borges, who lead the Acorns in rebounds last year, will return for Live Oak in the post.
2005-2006 Live Oak Girls Basketball Schedule
Date Time Opponent Where
11/30 TBA Tourney Mt. Pleasant
12/1 TBA Tourney Mt. Pleasant
12/2 TBA Tourney Mt. Pleasant
12/6 7:00 Alvarez Live Oak
12/8 TBA Tourney Monta Vista
12/9 TBA Tourney Monta Vista
12/10 TBA Tourney Monta Vista
12/14 7:00 Monterey Monterey
12/20 7:00 N. Monterey Live Oak
12/22 7:00 SLV San Lorenzo
12/27 7:00 Pioneer Live Oak
12/29 7:00 Evergreen Evergreen
01/6 7:00 Notre Dame Live Oak
01/11 7:00 Gilroy Gilroy
01/13 7:00 Hollister Live Oak
01/18 7:00 North Salinas N. Salinas
01/25 7:00 Sobrato Live Oak
01/27 7:00 Salinas Salinas
01/31 7:00 Notre Dame Notre Dame
02/2 7:00 Gilroy Live Oak
02/3 7:00 Hollister Hollister
02/7 7:00 North Salinas Live Oak
02/14 7:00 Sobrato Sobrato
02/16 7:00 Salinas Live Oak
02/22 7:00 CCS Playoffs TBA
