‘Smart Group’ of Eagle Women Open GVC at 13-5

The Eagle women's basketball team finished an excellent preseason at 13-5 and a top 15 ranking in the North Region poll that came out January 8.

They're one of only two Golden Valley Conference teams with a winning record. The other is Butte, which is 19-1 and ranked No. 1 in the state.

After their conference opener at Shasta (9-10) Wednesday night, the Eagles will host Butte a week later at 5 p.m. It will be their first home game since they defeated Cosumnes River December 5th, which is still the only game Cosumnes River (15-1, North No. 7) has lost this season.

"I'm happy overall," head coach Noelle Collier said of her team's preseason. "We did what we were supposed to do. The team has been growing from the beginning and should continue to get better. Butte is playing well and for sure is the one to beat. We've seen Shasta, Redwoods (6-10) and Lassen (1-9) play. They're all competing and will be tough."

Feather River cancelled its season after seven games, so the Eagles will play an eight-game conference schedule.

All five of the Eagles' preseason losses were to teams in the North Region top 15, and they won one and lost one against No. 12 San Jose (13-3).

The four sophomores leading the Eagles in scoring are guards Karli Reynolds (14.5 points per game) and Breanne Hands (11.9), forward Asia Hendrix (10.6), and power forward Alexus Woodard (8.9).

Reynolds ranks second among GVC players in scoring average, just percentage points below Butte's Morgan Trigueiro. Hands is ranked sixth.

Hendrix is ranked first in field goal percentage (54.8) and both offensive and total rebounds per game (4.5 and 8.6).

The Eagles hold four of the top nine field goal percentage spots, with Hands (43.8) fifth, Woodard (41.9) seventh, and Reynolds (40.3) ninth.

Reynolds is fourth in three-point percentage (34.3), behind three Butte players, and sixth in total steals (36).

Hands ranks second among GVC players in assists per game (4.7), third in total steals (40), and sixth in three-point percentage (32.6), a notch below freshman teammate Trinity Gibson (33.9).

Collier said Reynolds has stepped up as a sophomore after being streakier her freshman season. "Karli has a good understanding of our system and has been carrying the team offensively at times. She's more confident and playing well."

Woodard "hit the ground running" after transferring to Siskiyous for her sophomore season and has taken on a leadership role, Collier said. It helped that she watched her sister Kayana play for the Eagles the last two seasons.

The team is getting regular contributions from several freshmen, including power forward Taylar Minnis (6.1 points per game, 4.4 rebounds), guard Samantha Freitas (5.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists per game), guard Trinity Gibson (5.1 ppg), point guard/guard Tatum Allen (4.2 points, 2.7 assists), power forward Ella Sannar (4.2 points, 4.4 rebounds), and forward Grace Hubbard (2.7 points, 4.7 rebounds).

Collier said the freshmen are learning from the sophomores. "They're sponges, always asking questions and learning and trying to get ahead. They all have their own role, and they know where they stand. It's a good group. They can see what they need to do and are very coachable. They want to get better together."

As a team, these Eagles know how to soar on and off the court. The group includes more than one valedictorian and has an average GPA of 3.55. "I'm proud of that," Collier said. "It's a smart group of girls, and you can see that transfer onto the court. They hold themselves to a high standard."

Among their goals for the rest of the season are focusing on defense and ball control and moving up from their North No. 15 ranking.

A talented and deep Butte team will be the biggest challenge, while Shasta has three of the top rebounders in the conference.

After hosting Butte January 17th at 5 p.m., the Eagles will also be home for a Saturday game January 20th at 1 p.m. against Lassen. The other upcoming home games are non-conference opponent Las Positas on January 29th, Redwoods on February 8th, and Shasta on February 10th. The Eagles' final regular season game will be at Lassen February 14th.

By Steve Gerace