As the Live Oak High girls basketball program
’s fourth varsity head coach in four years, Jeff Perkins knows
he has his hands full restoring the Acorns to respectability. But
Perkins, who took over for Richard Silva who replaced Paul Cachopo
who stepped in for Karen Turnland, is no stranger to the program.
He has been involved since his daugh
ters played, and served as a JV assistant two years ago and as
Silva’s assistant last year.
As the Live Oak High girls basketball program’s fourth varsity head coach in four years, Jeff Perkins knows he has his hands full restoring the Acorns to respectability.
But Perkins, who took over for Richard Silva who replaced Paul Cachopo who stepped in for Karen Turnland, is no stranger to the program. He has been involved since his daughters played, and served as a JV assistant two years ago and as Silva’s assistant last year.
So he has no illusions about the task before him as he assumes the helm of a program that has gone winless in league play the past two seasons.
“One reason I took the job was to lend a little stability,” Perkins said. “We need to build this program.”
Job one for Perkins will be re-establishing interest in the floundering program – a process he has already begun. This season, LO has 12 players on the roster, a better turnout than the Acorns have mustered in years, Perkins said.
“There are a lot of good players on campus, we just have to get them out,” he said.
This year’s team, which is coming off a 2-22 campaign (0-10 in league, last-place finish) last season, is led by a pair of seniors in guard Amanda Lytle and forward Christina Rodriguez.
In addition, junior guard Analise Curley and sophomore guard Megan Gulla also saw significant playing time last year.
Perkins is also heralding the arrival of a pair of post players, 5-11 sophomore Afshawn Chamakian and 5-9 junior Mattie Borges, who give Live Oak a rare presence in the post.
“That’s something Live Oak hasn’t had in a few years, big players who can rebound,” Perkins said.
Had 6-0 sophomore Kristy Robinson not transferred to Sobrato, LO might have had an even more impressive inside game.
There are plenty of what ifs surrounding the LO program this season, but Perkins is focusing on the positives.
“It’s a real close bunch,” Perkins said, “which is nice.”
