December 15, 2011
2011/2012 Team Preview: |
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Senior guard Jocelyn Morales is the Soaring Eagles' top outside shooter. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
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By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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In preparation for this season, Charlie Roussel had to go way back into his memory bank from his time as the boys coach at Union Hill. Those teams marked the last time he has coached a team where the focus was on the front court.
"I'm just bringing out a lot of the old plays that I ran back then for the girls," Roussel said. "We're definitely a post-style team.
"This is the first time in a long time, especially with the girls we're big oriented. In the past we've always had the guards from Jen Mateo to Angie Estrada to Kristina Rivera."
Gone are the lightning fast guards like Mateo and Mateo and in their place is one of the county's best inside tandems with 5-foot-9 seniors Shaela Rodriguez and Jovanique Meneses. Rodriguez, who averaged nine points and six rebounds per game last year, has bit more of a finesse game compared to the power of Meneses. Now two years removed from a torn ACL, Meneses looks poised for a breakout season.
"She's finally healthy from the knee injury she had two years ago when she was at High Tech," said Roussel, calling Meneses his most improved player. "Last year she was very hesitant on her knee and this year she seems to be a lot more comfortable playing on that leg.
"She's a talented athlete. She's big, she's strong. She's a force to be reckoned with on the block. If she plays within her means she could have a very nice season."
The attention diverted towards Rodriguez and Meneses should give plenty of open looks for guard Jocelyn Morales, a returning starter and 3-point specialist. Five-foot-six Jessica Diaz is the third guard, while sophomores Karina Garcia and Shalia Rolon are competing at point guard with two very different styles of play.
"Shalia's more of an aggressive, attack style of point guard," Roussel said. "Karina loves to see what develops for her."
Union City's bench is bolstered by the return of senior swing Samantha Uribe and junior guard Adriana Liverman after both sat out last season.
"Liverman's been a pleasant surprise in the preseason," Roussel said. "We originally had her slated as a JV player, but she stepped up."
Junior Ashley Murphy, who moved back from Massachusetts, will provide a boost on the wing when she returns from an early knee injury. Sophomore Claudia Gomez will bring added depth.
2011-12 Union City |
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