The Pasadena City College women’s basketball team and head coach Joe Peron were proud to announce that five of the 2013-14 Lancers sophomores are heading to the university level to continue their playing and academic careers.
Three of the signees participated in a photo session at PCC on Thursday.
All-State First Team center Kaitlyn Parks (Barstow High), twice an All-SCC First Teamer, has signed on to play at Prarie View A&M University (Texas), a NCAA Division I-AA college. The Panthers participate in the SWAC–Southwestern Athletic Conference.
All-State Second Team point guard Desiree Loving (Centennial High, Compton) and All-South Coast Conference second team shooting guard Skai Thompson (Palisades Charter) have each signed their scholarship letters to attend NCAA Division II University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Lady Lions are members of the Heartland Conference.
All-SCC First Team guard Tyler Crockom (Pasadena High), the school’s President’s Award winner, earned a scholarship to NAIA Concordia University Irvine. Crockom will play for the Eagles in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
Finally, All-SCC Second Team forward Brandi DuBose (Muir High) will attend Whittier College, a Division III institution. The Poets are a member of the SCIAC.
“There was a big improvement for me in my sophomore season,” Loving said. “The coaches named me captain and I felt I had to be more of a leader. The experience of playing two years at PCC made me a better player.”
Crockom said: “I kind of looked at myself as a quiet leader, someone who could help others on the floor get involved in the offense. I came a long way from when I came here as a freshman. After I had a (knee) injury that ended my high school career, I had to rebuild my confidence. I learned how to become more explosive going to the basket in my second season.”
Peron talked about what was special about this ’13-14 sophomore class.
“A former colleague of mine always said that in order to be successful you have to have a good 1 (point guard) and a good 5 (center),” he said. “We had that for two seasons with Desi and Kaitlyn. They were a big part of why we bounced back with two strong seasons after a down year in 2011-12. We had an experienced group this past season, and we made a great run in the pre-conference with some big victories over Ventura (eventual state champion) and Long Beach (top five state-ranked team).”
The Lancers recorded a 44-15 record (.746) the past two seasons keyed by the play of Parks, Loving, and Crockom as well as transfer Thompson and two-year role player DuBose. PCC advanced to the final eight in the 2014 postseason.
Reserve forward Averie-Alice Guzman is the only remaining sophomore that has yet to decide on a 4-year university.
“Almost a 100 percent sophomore matriculation for us, and this is as big a class of transfers as we’ve sent forward,” Peron said.