Balling Out at Glenn Ventura Classic
Preseason tournament prepares girls’ basketball for the upcoming season
By Kevin Rodriguez
Preseason tournament prepares girls’ basketball for the upcoming season
By Kevin Rodriguez
After last year’s fourth place finish in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, girls’ basketball is working to improve far beyond their previous rankings.
In preparation for the upcoming season, the team has been focusing on getting ready for the Glenn Ventura Classic, a winter tournament hosted by Pioneer in January.
Head coach Rob Zaccheo described the classic as “a pretty big deal,” as this is its 37th year running after being created by a former Pioneer coach and teacher, Glenn Ventura.
“The Glenn Ventura Classic is the longest running girls’ high school basketball tournament in the Bay Area,” Zaccheo said. “Most coaches say it’s the best tournament they attend. It’s just a great opportunity for teams from all over our area to come and play some basketball in the name of improving.”
Before the tournament, one of the team captains, Eesha Krishnamagaru, 12, looked forward to her last season playing in the classic and believed that the team’s strength would make them competitive against their opponents.
“We are a really well-rounded team. We’ve got solid posts to help us with the rebounds and aggressive boards, as well some really fast guards,” Krishnamagaru said.
Another team captain, Jenny Mizota, 11, felt that the team has less experienced players this year, but will still be well prepared for the level of play after putting in work during the preseason.
“This team is relatively new, because we had a lot of graduating seniors,” Mizota said. “We have the potential to be really good but the process takes time. We have a lot of time before the season starts so I think we can do well.”
Following the Glenn Ventura Classic, the girl’s basketball team will still be looking for support and attendance at their games as their season begins to ramp up.
“It’s always special to (the team) when they have larger crowds,” Zaccheo said. “We encourage everyone to come out and see how hard they are working and how hard they compete.”
The girls’ varsity basketball team’s first league game will be at 7 p.m., on Jan. 14, at Westmont High School.
In preparation for the upcoming season, the team has been focusing on getting ready for the Glenn Ventura Classic, a winter tournament hosted by Pioneer in January.
Head coach Rob Zaccheo described the classic as “a pretty big deal,” as this is its 37th year running after being created by a former Pioneer coach and teacher, Glenn Ventura.
“The Glenn Ventura Classic is the longest running girls’ high school basketball tournament in the Bay Area,” Zaccheo said. “Most coaches say it’s the best tournament they attend. It’s just a great opportunity for teams from all over our area to come and play some basketball in the name of improving.”
Before the tournament, one of the team captains, Eesha Krishnamagaru, 12, looked forward to her last season playing in the classic and believed that the team’s strength would make them competitive against their opponents.
“We are a really well-rounded team. We’ve got solid posts to help us with the rebounds and aggressive boards, as well some really fast guards,” Krishnamagaru said.
Another team captain, Jenny Mizota, 11, felt that the team has less experienced players this year, but will still be well prepared for the level of play after putting in work during the preseason.
“This team is relatively new, because we had a lot of graduating seniors,” Mizota said. “We have the potential to be really good but the process takes time. We have a lot of time before the season starts so I think we can do well.”
Following the Glenn Ventura Classic, the girl’s basketball team will still be looking for support and attendance at their games as their season begins to ramp up.
“It’s always special to (the team) when they have larger crowds,” Zaccheo said. “We encourage everyone to come out and see how hard they are working and how hard they compete.”
The girls’ varsity basketball team’s first league game will be at 7 p.m., on Jan. 14, at Westmont High School.