Legendary Pasadena City College women's basketball head coach Joe Peron saw his entire starting five selected to the 2024 All-South Coast Conference Team while his Lancers have advanced to the postseason for a successful 25th time in his 27 seasons at PCC.
The Lancers (17-10), the second place team from the SCC North Division at 6-2, earned the #14 seed for this week's start of the Southern California Regional Playoffs. PCC hosts #19 Los Angeles Valley College in a 7:30 p.m. First Round game on Wednesday, Feb. 28 that is the second half of a Pasadena hoops playoff doubleheader at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium, following the men's playoff game against LA Southwest at 5:30 p.m.
Coach Peron's playoff success includes a 38-23 overall postseason record (.623 win percentage), an unprecedented seven consecutive trips to the state championship tournament between 2004-2010, and the first-ever state title by a women's sports team ever at PCC in 2009. Peron is the all-time winningest head coach in PCC athletics history in all sports with a 577-231 overall record (.714). He coached his milestone 800th game back on Jan. 17.
The Lancers are 2-2 in their history v. LA Valley (records back to 1996-97) including a second round playoff matchup in the very first season coached by Peron in 1996-97. On Mar. 5, 1997, the Lancers lost at LA Valley, 76-70. The teams late met on the hardwood floor in the 2009-10 season opener in November of '09 when PCC defeated LAVC, 76-65, at the HP Gym as part of the then Lancers Hilton Garden Classic Tournament.
LA Valley finished 14-14 and tied for fifth place in the Western State Conference South Division. The Monarchs are led by Mary Corbett, averaging 15.8 points per game.
If PCC defeats LAVC, it would make a short drive to play at #3 Glendale College on Saturday, Mar. 2 in a 7 p.m. Second Round game.
PCC placed second in the SCC North Division (6-2 record) behind SoCal #1 seed and conference champ Mt. San Antonio.
ALL-SOUTH COAST CONFERENCE
The Lancers were happy to see freshman guard Lamia Daley named the SCC North Division Freshman of the Year as she made First Team along with sophomore transfer point guard Antuanae Garrett and freshman guard Abigail Saville.
Sophomore transfer guard Vanessa Epperson and transfer center Crystal Smith were named to the All-SCC North Second Team.
Daley (from Brandon High, Mississippi) is averaging 15.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Garrett is the team leader in a number of statistical categories, including a 17.4 points, 5.1 assists (second in the South Coast), and 3.5 steals while also leading the Lancers in 3-point baskets with 44. She is second on the squad in rebounding at 8.3 boards per contest.
Saville averages 15.9 points and a team-best 8.7 rebounds while Epperson has excellent numbers as well at 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals. Smith has played a more defensive role at 4.4 points and 6.4 rebounds while leading the team in blocked shots with 24.
SOPHOMORE NIGHT
Epperson scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Daley 23 points and 12 boards, Saville 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Garrett added 11 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Lancers closed the regular season on Friday with an 86-58 rout over visiting Rio Hondo.
Smith, Epperson, Jennifer Chu (team manager), and Garrett celebrated by the team on Friday.
