Postseason ends abruptly

The women's basketball squad had the most successful season of any team at Contra Costa College, being the only one to make it to the postseason in 2009-10.

CCC only managed to make it to the first round, however, falling to Ohlone College in the last minute of a rough 71-67 loss in Fremont on Feb. 26.

The Comets finished the season 11-5 in the Bay Valley Conference, with a 19-10 record overall.

BVC Most Valuable Player Kenyanna "K.K." Martin led the team with 694 points and 359 rebounds.

Aleah Bridges, also a guard, came in first on the team with 168 assists.

On defense, Martin led the team with 95 steals.

One of the weaknesses of the team this season was its inability to rebound, however, as coach Paul DeBolt said that though they had excellent speed, they did not have any tall players on their team to establish a dominating presence.

Martin agreed.

"The tallest player on our team is probably (5-feet-8-inches), so height really made a big difference," she said.

Although they were eliminated after their first game in the playoffs, it was not a disappointing season, DeBolt said.

Bridges believes that, had it not lost in the first round, the team could have advanced to the State Tournament.

"I just wish we didn't get eliminated in the first round," Bridges said. "I feel like we could have gone further and won more games and made it to the championships."

Even though they did not make it to the championships, the Comets had a successful season, DeBolt said.

When players were asked what was one of the keys of their success this season, all of them pointed to DeBolt.

"(He is) by far one of the best coaches I've ever had," Bridges said.

DeBolt is not just a good coach on the court, his players said, but he also does not forget the philosophy of student athletics, which is that academics come first.

"Coach Paul is a real good coach. He pushes us hard in school and on the court, and it's really about our education," Martin said. "He wants us to grow up.

"It's not all about basketball. He really wants us to succeed in life," she said.

Another key to success was the unity of the team.

The Comet players were able to support one another and keep their spirits up.

"When my head was down in games, they picked it up for me," Martin said. "You know we are all kind of like sisters out there on the court, just one big family."

On top of everything, the players had great fun throughout the season.

"I had a lot of fun. There were a lot of laughs," Bridges said.

Martin and guard Alana Aquino both agreed.

Though they did not make it to the championships, the players felt proud of their achievements.

"It was really intense," Martin said. "We all left (our) blood and sweat out there on the court."

Contact Hilberth Ibarra at hibarra.advocate@gmail.com