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Spartans begin league play with playoff hopes
The Spartans have qualified for the postseason the last three years, only to be knocked out in either the first or second round. This year, RMHS features six sophomores on its 12player roster to go along with new head coach Tim Murray. Although the 67 Spartans struggled early, having to adapt to a new coach and offense, the team has won five of its last eight games. "We've got a good foundation here," Murray said. "The freshmen class last year was real deep, so many of those young players are now on the varsity team and a few of them are already starting. "We also have good freshman/ sophomore and JV coaches, and that makes a lot of things easier on me." Murray previously coached the boys' team at Channel Islands High School from 1998 through 2000. Murray then took time off from coaching to watch his son play in high school and college before he replaced Dan Campbell at Rio Mesa last spring.
Senior Julianne Jochums said the practices with Murray have been very organized and have helped the Spartans improve. "Coach Murray knows a lot about the fundamentals of the game," Jochums said. "The first week of practice, fundamentals were the only thing we worked on in practice. "We've really come together as a team the last few games. The first four games we played were against some tough teams like Royal and Moorpark and we struggled. Lately we've kept our turnovers down and played better." Jochums, who averaged 8.9 points per game last season, is the Spartans lone returning starter and one of only three seniors. Thirteen games into her senior year, Murray has been impressed with the center's play.
Standing in at 5-foot-11, Jochums is the Spartans tallest player along with sophomore Leah Crier. Unfortunately for Rio Mesa, Crier was lost for the season when she suffered a knee injury (torn ACL). Without much height, Murray is using a fourguard offense. "Losing (Crier) really hurt us," Murray said "She's a top-notch player and a top-notch kid. "With her out, I'm using a four-guard offense because I want my best players on the court regardless of their size. It's a dribble-motion offense designed to spread the opposing defense out on the floor. It's going to take a while to get used to the techniques that go along with it, but the team's starting to get the hang of it." Julisa DeVad, Rio Mesa's leading scorer, enjoys the new style of offense. "I like the offense because it makes the game a little faster paced," DeVad said. "It's definitely a little different, especially when I handle the point guard duties because I'm not used to the pressure on the ball, but I'm getting used to it."
The other three starting guards that have contributed offensively are senior Ruth Contreras and Jennalyn Balanga along with sophomore Stephanie Ramirez. Ramirez came off the bench last season as a freshman. "Ramirez has great courtvision," Murray said. "She's shoots well and although she's a guard, she also has a good inside game." Murray said if the Spartans can improve on their decision making, and cut down its turnovers, it should be a contender once again. "Inexperience will be a big factor with us, but I feel we're improving each game," Murray said. "We may have many new players, but we're still a good team."
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